Fellow Birders,
The Hampton Roads Bird Club traveled to different areas in the southern part of
Virginia Beach yesterday for its February field trip. We were rewarded with
some fantastic birds and a couple of remarkable experiences.
In our first stop, at Stumpy Lake, we observed something none of us had ever
seen before. Ice covered parts of the lake, and on one spot a 4th-year BALD
EAGLE tried to break into the ice to get at something beneath it. For the
entire 15 minutes we watched it, the eagle repeatedly flew up 1-2 feet then
slammed down on the ice with its talons. Another eagle (1st year) sat on a
stump about 50 feet away watching this behavior - apparently to learn how to
perform this hunting action in the future. In addition, there were several
GREAT BLUE HERONS around the lake, and FISH CROWS called continuously. The
following were seen in the lake: HOODED MERGANSER, NORTHERN SHOVELER, GADWALL,
WOOD DUCK, PIED-BILLED GREBE, and MALLARD.
On our way to our next stop, the Whitehurst Tract of Princess Anne WMA, we saw
400-500 TREE SWALLOWS in three different locations along with five COMMON SNIPE
and several AMERICAN KESTRELS. The most spectacular view repeated itself on
three separate occasions: thousands of SNOW GEESE in flight. One of the groups
had at least 5,000 as it stretched a half-mile in width and length.
The impoundments at Whitehurst Tract held GREEN-WINGED TEAL, BLUE-WINGED TEAL,
NORTHERN PINTAIL, AMERICAN COOT, AMERICAN BLACK DUCK AND RING-NECKED DUCK. We
also had an EASTERN PHOEBE and RED-TAILED HAWK by the parking lot.
Even more excitement awaited up along the causeway en route to Knots Island.
Our field trip leader, Ben Copeland, spotted a LEAST BITTERN by the road, and
we all got good looks before it retreated. Then an AMERICAN BITTERN flew up in
time for a few of us to see it well. As we drove a little further Ben and Jane
Frigo saw a BLACK RAIL. We immediately parked the cars and walked back in an
effort to find it. Though not seen again, we did have a SORA walk in and out of
the reeds several times, giving everyone a chance to observe it closely. We
clearly found a "hot spot!"
RUDDY DUCKS and BUFFLEHEAD were observed on the way to Knots Island. We had a
few birds at Mackey Island NWR, most notably a female BELTED KINGFISHER
(perched on a bare branch in the sun), SWAMP SPARROW and HERMIT THRUSH.
Our last stop was Munden Point Municipal Park in Va. Beach, where we were
treated to a pair of immature BALD EAGLES doing a mating dance in flight. We
also had a PILEATED WOODPECKER and BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH.
A truly memorable day of birding!
Meredith Bell
Hayes, VA
merandlee@xxxxxxx
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