Sunday Morning Bird Walks
Newport News City Park
Click HERE to review Covid 19 walk safety requirements before attending
Join us on the First and Third Sunday of each month at 7:00 AM at Newport News Park.
Meet us in the parking lot behind the Ranger Station!
Thanks to Jane Frigo for providing these reports. For more information, contact Jane (757-873-0721).
2021 Bird Walks Summary
April 4, 2021
Today is Easter and what a beautiful morning to be outside and sharing the morning with birders and birds! Hannah Montalvo, Sue Tomlin, Pete Peterman, Marc Nichols, Cindy Shulz, Christiana Wilson, Jane Frigo and John and Marilyn Adair chose to spend the morning together. Hopes were high for spring migrants and summer resident arrivals to be seen. Those noted included Great Egret, Palm Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Royal Tern and Common Yellowthroat. Finally a Red-headed Woodpecker was spotted. Ducks seem to have departed and possibly the Sapsucker and Winter Wren. A Carolina Wren was seen taking advantage of a large trash can a squirrel had chewed into. The pair of wrens were observed carrying nesting material into the can. The lid was removed to expose a partially constructed nest on top of the cans and garbage. Obviously the nest would never survive. Fortunately there were no eggs yet so the hope is the pair will begin again in a more suitable location. 55 species were recorded.
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Royal Tern
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Tree Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
European Starling
Common Yellowthroat
Palm Warbler
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
American Goldfinch
March 21, 2021
Spring has arrived! March 21, 2021 began with cloudy skies and temperatures in the 40's. A first of season (FOS) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was an exciting discovery and a little earlier than expected. Although several duck species were seen they were in much smaller numbers. Wood Ducks were heard at the Swamp Bridge. Osprey, Bald Eagle, Cooper's Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk were seen along with all expected woodpecker species with the exception of the elusive Red-headed Woodpecker. All expected winter residents were still around. Although Purple Martins have returned to the area none were seen at the park. Those attending at least some part of the morning walk included Heidi Young, Tresa Bobbitt, Pete Peterman, Bill Boeh, Cindy Shulz, Stuart Sweetman, Marc Nichols, Elizabeth Wilkins, Jacque van Montfrans, Shawn Dash, Sue Tomlin and Jane Frigo. 61 species were identified.
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Cooper's Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Tree Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
Winter Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
Cedar Waxwing
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
American Goldfinch
March 7, 2021
March 7, 2021 began with clear skies and the temperature in the 30's. Those participating in the walk included Heidi Young, Pete Peterman, Bill Boeh, Stuart Sweetman, Cathy Bond, Lisa Billow, Jane Frigo, and John and Marilyn Adair. During the morning 52 species were identified. Ducks were well represented in variety if not number. A first of season (FOS) Osprey was seen. A small group of Cedar Waxwings were found. The Virginia Rail was heard at the Swamp Bridge. In the Arboretum a cooperative Brown-headed Nuthatch was catching some warming rays at the base of a pine tree giving the group a nice close-up view. Sadly no Red-headed Woodpeckers were seen....again. Pine Warblers were spectacular in the morning sun. 5 species of sparrows were identified No Dark-eyed Juncos were found. An interesting note, there was extensive beaver activity drastically changing one shore line. The lodge was located and what appears to be a critter camera was found which may be monitoring the activity. Should be fun to monitor the progress. A list of identified species follows.
Canada Goose
Gadwall
American Wigeon
American Black Duck
Mallard
Ring-necked
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Virginia Rail
Ring-billed Gull
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
Cedar Waxwing
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Field Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
February 21, 2021
At last a beautiful, but cold, day for a park walk. Those willing to brave the 30 degree temperatures to enjoy the sunshine were Cindy Shulz, Heidi Young, Lisa Billow, John Adair, Stuart Sweetman, Marc Nichols, Hannah Montalvo, Sue Tomlin, Christiana Bobbit and Jane Frigo. In addition to the more common ducks seen, the group identified American Wigeon, American Black Duck and Lesser Scaup. Adult and immature Bald Eagles were seen and a very cooperative Cooper's Hawk. Tree Swallows were spotted dipping into the water in spite of the cold temperatures A Fox Sparrow was a welcome addition to the normal sparrows seen. Surprisingly no American Goldfinches or House Finches were heard or seen but a beautiful female Purple Finch was spotted at Swamp Point. Red-headed Woodpeckers have also been missing. A correction to the February 7, 2021 list....the gull seen on that day was NOT a Laughing Gull but a Ring-billed Gull. The wrong block was marked on the tally list, On February 21, 53 species were identified.
Canada Goose
Gadwall
American Wigeon
American Black Duck
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Cooper's Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Tree Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch
February 7, 2021
Super Bowl Sunday is today, February 7, 2021. The weather is a chilly 38 degrees and rain is falling. Stuart Sweetman, Marc Nichols, Hannah Montalvo and Jane Frigo suited up for the rain and managed to stick it out until 10 AM. They identified 33 species as they traveled from shelter to shelter in a vain attempt to stay dry. Obviously there were many misses but they were able to identify 6 duck species. The Northern Mockingbird was spotted after several misses on previous walks. The group enjoyed seeing both Kinglets. A species list follows.
Canada Goose
Gadwall
Mallard
Ring-necked Duck
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Laughing Gull
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
January 3, 2021
Happy New Year! January 3, 2021 began with chilly temperatures (40's) and light rain. Jane Frigo, Cindy Shulz and Marc Nichols birded from the shelter area and later ventured to the Arboretum and Discovery Center before calling an end to the morning. A Fox Sparrow sighting started off the morning and was a delight to see. Ducks were hard to find with only a pair of Mallards and Hooded Mergansers, a Pied-billed Grebe and some Double Crested Cormorants on the water. In spite of the poor lighting, a Brown Creeper was found. The previous night's heavy rain left much of the grassy areas muddy which proved great for the flocking blackbirds. At the Arboretum views of Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, European Starlings, Brown-headed Cowbirds, American Robins and even some Rusty Blackbirds were impressive. The group searched for Evening Grosbeaks reported farther north of the park, hoping they would continue moving south but no luck. However, later in the day Cindy reported seeing them for the first time at her feeders in Gloucester! Maybe they will reach the park by the next walk. A complete species list follows.
Mallard
Hooded Merganser
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Red-tailed Hawk
Ring-billed Gull
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Blue Jay
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
American Goldfinch
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© 2023 by Hampton Roads Bird Club
Contact: Dave Youker | 757.344.9385 |