Field Trip Report: VSO Winter Weekend

Photo: Birders at False Cape State Park

Four hardy souls ventured out at Pleasure House Point Natural Area on Friday. The forecast for rain stopping by noon was wrong. It rained steadily. In spite of the precipitation, many birds were sighted. Highlights were Clapper Rails, a Bald Eagle and an immature Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. The special sparrows sought were smarter than the seekers and stayed hidden.

After crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, Saturday’s trip started with a visit to the Ramp Road area of the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge. Several flocks of shorebirds flew overhead. Photos of the flocks revealed Greater Yellowlegs and Dunlin. Several Hooded Mergansers swam with a Red-breasted Merganser in the Virginia Inland Cut. A Red-shouldered Hawk was perched on a tree out in the marsh. Leaving Ramp Road, two Green Heron were a surprise when they flew up from beside the lane.

The next stop was Kiptopeke State Park where a Common Loon swimming at close range in the boat ramp water was a hit. When it snagged an eel and surfaced it appeared to be showing off its catch. The numbers of the Brown Pelicans and Rock Pigeons perched on the concrete ships were amazing.

American Wigeon, Ruddy Ducks, Hooded Mergansers and Bufflehead swam in the pond at the Edward S Brinkley Nature Preserve adjacent to the Cheriton Landfill. Moving north to Box Tree Marsh, the hoped-for Long-billed Curlew and Nelson’s Sparrows were not seen but this was a new venue for most of the participants and they vowed to try another day.

At Willis Wharf, 60 Semipalmated Sandpipers were foraging on the flats on the west side of the road. Marbled Godwits, a Hudsonian Whimbrel, Dunlin, Willets, and Greater Yellowlegs were feeding on the east side mudflats. A Bald Eagle perched in a tree. Hunger pangs urged finding food, both for birds and birders. A quick trip to Exmore Diner gave birders the energy to push on to Chincoteague.

Queen Sound Landing, the oyster flats on the left approaching Chincoteague, held many American Oystercatchers, three Common Loons. and a Bufflehead. At the wildlife loop of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Team Mallard met its leader, Sonal Shah, who had ridden in on her bike. The gritty few who had made the trip to its final destination of the day were recklessly and hysterically named Team Mallard for the sighting of the twelve Mallards there, the most of the day!

Snow Geese and Tundra Swans were finally seen, along with two Northern Harriers, three Pied-billed Grebes, and eleven Green-winged Teal. Sonal passed along some intelligence about Snow Buntings and a huge flock of Snow Geese being seen toward the hook on the ocean beach. Arriving at the beach several participants walked toward the hook and were rewarded with hearing Snow Buntings and seeing the huge flock of Snow Geese. At dark the group headed back to Virginia Beach.

The final trip of the weekend was a tram trip at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Many thanks to Erica Ryder, Visitor Services Specialist at Back Bay NWR,  for driving, for answering many questions, and for stopping the tram many times!

Sunday started off foggy, windy and cold. Quickly, the sun came out and the wind calmed. Riding down the east dike, stopping at False Cape State Park for a bathroom break and a visit to the gift shop and displays in the visitor center, and finishing the loop by going back by way of the west dike gave spectacular views.

Sharp eyes found three Snow Geese near the many Tundra Swans. One Northern Pintail was spotted standing in an impoundment and three Wood Duck flew off as the tram rounded a bend in the road. Five Northern Harriers, one Bald Eagle, Cooper’s Hawk and Osprey rounded out the raptor line-up. Swamp, Song, and White-throated Sparrows were identified. With nine participants, everyone had a window seat for the three-hour tour.

Thanks to the participants for such a fun time during the weekend. Darleen Stigall, Becky Currin, Don Alexander, Tim Anderson, Martha and Ralph Moss, Sonal Shah, Peggy Rommen, and Dave Brown.

Lee Adams, Co-coordinator of VSO Field Trips