Tundra Swans

One of the prettiest Winter visitors we have in our area is the Tundra Swan, also known as the “Whistling Swan.” Tundra Swans are very large waterfowl with heavy bodies and long necks. The adult swans are all white. The bill is mostly black and usually has a yellow spot at the base. The legs and feet are black. Immature birds are gray-tinged on the wings, head, and neck. They migrate down here from their breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra, thousands of miles.  Tundra Swans form life-long pairs that remain together year round. Migrating flocks (of up to 100 or more) are made up of family groups, a scientific fact that I find very appealing. Tundra Swans can take off easily from land or water and fly with their necks extended straight out and their black legs trailing behind. I have seen these bird families many times at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in VA Beach and at Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge, just over the Virginia line in Knotts Island, NC. The thrill of seeing them never gets old. It is a true sign of Winter for me.
You can often find them mainly on shallow lakes, wide slow-moving rivers, and coastal estuaries, especially those with agricultural fields nearby. They migrate as far South as South Carolina. Destruction of southern wetlands has reduced its former food sources in wintering areas, but it has adapted by shifting its habits to feeding on waste products in agricultural fields, such as corn, soybeans, and rice. They also feed on growing winter crops such as winter wheat, rye and barley. In the Chesapeake Bay Tundra Swans use their bills and feet to root up clams from the muddy bottom. When feeding on the water Tundra Swans “tip up” like dabbling ducks to reach submerged vegetation. It’s quite comical watching a bird this size do that!
So, when you are out and about and you hear some “whistling,“ look up! It just might be a family unit of Tundra Swans!

Southern Flying Squirrel

For several years, a small group of volunteers in the Backyard Bird Watchers and Nature Lovers  of West Neck have been monitoring several Bluebird boxes that we had installed on the Signature Golf Course. I am one of them.
We have had Bluebirds, Chickadees, House Wrens, and Tree Swallows nest successfully in these boxes. This year, we were excited to discover at the end of the summer, that two of them had Southern Flying Squirrels making a home in them.
Southern Flying Squirrels are common rodents in many parts of the country, but because they are nocturnal (active mainly at night), few people ever see them. I had never seen them in the wild until this experience!
Southern Flying Squirrels are native in Virginia. They are very, very cute! Only 8-10 inches long from nose to tail, they might more appropriately be called “gliding squirrels” because they aren’t capable of true powered flight like a bird is. Flying squirrels glide. They have a special membrane between their front and back legs that allows them to glide through the air between trees. When a flying squirrel wants to travel to another tree without touching the ground, it launches itself from a high branch and spreads out its limbs so the gliding membrane is exposed. It uses slight movements of the legs to steer, and the tail acts as a brake upon reaching its destination. Flying squirrels can cover more than 150 feet in a single glide.
When I went to check on these boxes, I carefully opened the side of the first one and cautiously peeked in. Two huge, beautiful brown eyes gazed back at me. Then the squirrel, I am guessing the female, jumped out of the entrance hole and scurried across the ground to the nearest tree, climbed up, and disappeared around the other side. I turned on my cell phone flashlight and looked back inside the box, observing at least one baby squirrel. I closed the box.
I walked over to the tree the adult squirrel had climbed and looked up, seeing nothing. I walked to the other side and there, seemingly frozen in place, was the adult flying squirrel. She was almost perfectly camouflaged and if I had not seen her relocate there I may have missed her. Southern flying squirrels have thick, soft, glossy grayish to olive brown fur with white underbellies, and I am certain it helps protect them from many predators. Their known predators include hawks, owls, domestic cats, snakes, raccoons, and foxes.
These squirrels mainly feed on nuts and acorns, especially those from hickory trees. They also eat berries, seeds, flowers, mushrooms, insects, bird eggs and dead mice. Each autumn, they may store up to 15,000 nuts to eat during winter, which they store underground or in tree cavities and crevices. We actually found where they were storing food in several of our Bluebird boxes last year!
We are so happy that they decided to make West Neck their home!

Bald Eagle Season

The Fall and Winter seasons of each year are an exciting time for me. I call this time “Bald Eagle Season.” It is a hunting term but the description fits: It’s because this time of year, the younger Bald Eagles are either searching for a mate or the older ones are looking to reconnect with their mate from the previous nesting season. And I, as a wildlife photographer, am out “hunting” for them! They are generally very visible here locally, if you just LOOK UP!
Where? Those very high cell phone towers or high tension power line towers around our urban areas are one of their favorite perches. For some reason, they seem to enjoy meeting up in used Osprey nests. One of the most well known places are along S. Independence Blvd. and in the Kempsville area of Virginia Beach.
The Bald Eagles have outstanding 360 degree views from these perches and can see other Bald Eagles. Bald Eagles have “eagle eyes” and can easily distinguish their mate as well as other eagles that may have come into their “territory.”  Eagles use both monocular and binocular vision, meaning they can use they eyes independently or together depending on what they are looking at, and they can see great distances. I have read that an eagle can see something the size of a rabbit at more than three miles away.
When they have successfully reconnected with their mates or found a new one, nest building starts. If they are using an already established nest, the pair will begin to add sticks to it. If they are building a new one, the structure of choice locally is generally a tall, loblolly pine tree, a native tree of Virginia. Nest building intensifies in October. It is usually complete by late December, when courtship begins. The Center for Conservation Biology, a research group within The College of William and Mary and the Virginia Commonwealth University maintains a Bald Eagle nest locator: https://ccbbirds.org/maps/#eagles .
I’ve  seen courtship and mating behavior from late December through mid-January, and most local pairs have laid eggs by mid-February. Virtually all pairs in our Chesapeake  Bay region have eggs laid by the end of February.
This pre egg laying time of Bald Eagle Season can be very rewarding for both seasoned wildlife photographers and casual observers because our Bald Eagles are out and visible. I remember a time in the mid 1960’s we did not even have Bald Eagles here locally, because of the effects of the chemical DDT. They have made a fantastic rebound! When you are out and about, remember to LOOK UP!

Bald Eagles on S. Independence Blvd., VA Beach, VA.

Anhingas at Stumpy Lake

For the past several years, as the Principal Atlaser for a priority block of the 2nd Virginia Breeding Bird Atlas, I have been hoping to document breeding of the elusive Anhingas, here in Virginia Beach. This summer, it happened at Stumpy Lake, which is part of my priority block.
The Anhinga is an unusual looking bird with a snake like-neck and silvery feathers. They are often refereed to as the “snake bird” or the “water turkey.” The adult male is all black with silvery white feathers on his back and wings. The female and the juveniles are brown and beige. They dry their wings out of the water like our more common Double-crested Cormorants. In fact, they spend a lot of time out of the water, seeming only to go in to find a meal.  Birds of the swamps, they are right at home at Stumpy Lake, with its tannin colored water and many Bald Cypress and Tupelo trees. Stumpy Lake also has a healthy population of fish, a favorite of the Anhinga. They are considered a semi-aquatic bird, and can stay submerged for long periods. While swimming under water, Anhingas use their sharp beak and strong webbed feet to spear small fish. Anhingas thrusts are so powerful that sometimes they must come ashore and pry fish off of their beak using a rock or their feet. Like many aquatic birds, anhingas eat their food whole; tossing them in the air and swallowing fish head first so that the spines lay flat as they swallow.
Anhingas are a delight for both beginner and expert birders alike. They are easily spotted because of their unique coloration, telltale stance, and habit of staying still for long periods. Since they decided to stay visible at Stumpy Lake, they have had many visitors, so many in-fact, that they are no longer considered a “rarity” in Virginia Beach. The National Audubon Society predicts that this species will be severely impacted by climate change, and we will probably be seeing them expand their breeding range northward in the United States.
Like many migratory birds, they will head South for the winter, some all the way to South America perhaps, where many other Anhingas live and breed all year.  I pray they will return to Stumpy Lake again in 2020 to breed and raise their families. Godspeed.

American White Pelican

We do not typically see this species of pelican in Virginia (we have the Brown Pelican) but I was fortunate to be able to spend some time in Florida with a flock spending the Winter there a few years ago. According to the National Audubon Society this is “one of the largest birds in North America, with a 9-foot wingspan. Similar to Brown Pelican in shape but much larger, and very different in habits: Occurs far inland, feeds cooperatively in shallow lakes, does not dive from the air for fish. Despite its great size, a spectacular flier, with flocks often soaring very high in the air, ponderously wheeling and circling in unison.”
I was truly amazed at the overall size of this stunning bird. Its wing span was impressive on takeoff and landing and it didn’t make a sound. But, it was watching them feed cooperatively, as a group that took my breath away. They formed a semi circle and drove their prey (fish) into shallow water where they dipped in their huge pouches and scooped them up! They take in both water and fish, and then hold their bills vertically to drain out the water before swallowing the food.It was so interesting to watch and I watched it every chance I had!
This was a very shy bird, I discovered, so the majority of photographs taken required that I actually lay on the ground or use a blind. Since every pond in Florida has at least one alligator, I needed to be on guard for that as well. And did I mention mosquitoes? Florida has them year ‘round! And this was in early April!
I look forward to spending more time with this huge bird when I venture south to Florida in Winter for warmth and sunshine. It seems we have a lot in common!

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

A sure sign of Spring in Virginia is the arrival of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. This diminutive bird generally spends the winter in Central America, Mexico, and Florida, and migrates to Eastern North America for the summer to breed. It is by far the most common hummingbird seen east of the Mississippi River in North America.
I have a small garden that contains many flowering, native plants, which both hummingbirds and butterflies enjoy. I also put out one hummingbird feeder on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th) in anticipation of their arrival.  So far, I have not yet had one that early, but with our climate changing, it’s just a matter of time. But, by mid April I begin to see an occasional male and by May the females have arrived, found a mate, and are building nests. The yard and local parks are buzzing with them!
In May, I put out two additional feeders in different parts of my yard. For the home made nectar I boil 4 cups of water, remove it from heat, add 1 cup of sugar,  stir to dissolve, and allow to cool completely. I DO NOT add red food coloring, as I have read that it can impact their health. As spring turns to summer, I change out the feeder frequently, always trying to keep it fresh.
Ruby-throats are intensely inquisitive and thus easily attracted to feeders, where males in particular typically display aggressive territoriality toward rival hummers, other birds, and even insects such as bees, butterflies, and sphinx moths. They quickly become accustomed to human presence, and will swoop down to investigate red articles of clothing, red patio umbrellas and the like, possibly looking for food.
The female Ruby-throated Hummingbird is not as brightly colored as the male but she most definitely does all the parenting. She builds the nest, incubates the eggs, feeds the hatchlings, and then feeds the fledglings for about 10 days. For a short period immediately after fledgling, a female will tolerate the presence of her own young at a feeder, but they are soon treated the same as other adult birds - as rivals in pursuit of the food necessary to prepare for the fall migration.
I see these Ruby-throated Hummingbirds  in my yard through September. You can see them too! Just buy a feeder, make some nectar, plant a few flowers or hang flowering baskets!

Snow Geese of Pungo 2019

My husband and I have a fairly new tradition. Just after the first of the New Year, we look forward to the arrival of the Snow Geese in Pungo. It’s an annual event as thousands of these stunning white geese descend on Pungo farm fields to stock up on leftover corn, beans, and some winter wheat. They are preparing for a long flight back to their nesting grounds in the Arctic tundra of Canada and Alaska, a round trip of thousands of miles. This is truly an amazing wildlife spectacle and one that you don’t want to miss, as it happens in our own backyard! Again, these geese can number in the thousands and the sound is just glorious, especially if they take flight. This treat can last through the month of February.
The majority of the geese we see are white with black wing tips but there is also a gray form, sometimes called “Blue Goose.” Occasionally they are also mixed in with flocks of Canada Geese, but generally they stick with their own species.
How do you know where to go?
We start out on Princess Anne Road and head South, traveling to Knotts Island, if necessary. But, if you are lucky, you can encounter some flocks before that, some even right on Princess Anne Road. We have had our best luck at the intersection of Muddy Creek and Drum Point Rd., just before you make the turn into Winesett Nursery. We like late afternoon about an hour before sunset. But, there are some other hot spots including other fields on Muddy Creek Rd., Princess Anne Wildlife Management Area , Munden Rd., Morris Neck, Ships Cabin, to name a few. Just be careful about pulling over to watch as it is Pungo and well, there can be some traffic problems. If you fail on a few attempts, try the Charles Kuralt Trail overlook on Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge, just over the state line in North Carolina. Park at the overlook and look across the road to the water. The Snow Geese may be foraging there.We have also seen them up by the Back Bay Post Office and in the field by the Sandbridge Harris Teeter. We hope you get lucky like we have! It is truly an unforgettable sight!

The Prothonotary Warbler

One sign of Spring for me is the appearance of the Prothonotary Warblers at Stumpy Lake. Stumpy Lake is one of my favorite places for birds locally.  In Spring, these brilliant yellow birds appear and delight many local birders and photographers.  These birds are conspicuous, and their loud ringing song can help guide you to them even before you see them. The best times to look for them in the U.S. are from April–July. They generally appear in forested wetlands  and swamps, so Stumpy Lake provides ideal habitat. It’s one of two warblers that nest in tree cavities, so I take dozens of hikes, peering into these cavities in search of them.
The Prothonotary Warbler got its name from the bright yellow robes worn by papal clerks, known as prothonotaries, in the Roman Catholic church.
I have had three interesting experiences with this bird. When I first started birding, my mentor played a recording of the Prothonotary at Stumpy Lake early in the migration season.  A male appeared within about 2 minutes and we were treated to a great look at him for maybe 30 seconds, but enough time to snap a quick photo. The second time, I was stopped in my car at the North Landing River for a drawbridge opening. It was a pretty Spring morning and I had the windows down in my SUV. I had a birding app on my cell phone, and on a whim, I played the male Prothonotary song. Almost immediately, a male Prothonotary appeared in a lower tree branch right next to my vehicle. I thought he was going to land on my lap!!! Thankfully, the bridge traffic started moving again! It was disturbing enough of an experience, that it caused me to rethink the ethics of using a recording to lure in a bird.
The third time, involved the bird pictured. It was early April of 2018 at Stumpy Lake. I was there specifically for this pretty bird because I had a new wildlife lens that I wanted to photograph it with. I knew where a pair was building a nest, so I waited several minutes to see if one would appear. I could also hear one in the distance. I don’t like to stand by an active nest too long, so I decided to follow the sound of the one I could hear. I walked down the causeway entry road. The singing got louder. The male has a loud, far-carrying song of 4–14 high-pitched ringing notes, sometimes likened to shouting “tweet-tweet-tweet-tweet.” Each note is slightly up-slurred and the series of notes increases in volume at the end. He frequently sings from elevated perches especially early in the morning, singing about 5–6 songs per minute. Once you know it, you will recognize it, always.  It’s a sweet song.
I was almost on top of the bird when I saw it. It was perched on an very large stump. The mouth was wide open, and it was singing its heart out. I touched the shutter and the camera clicked off a series of photos in rapid succession. That was enough of a noise for the Prothonotary….it immediately took flight into the thick woods. What a beautiful moment in time! I stood there, in quiet joy.

Eastern Meadowlark

The Eastern Meadowlark is a gorgeous bird that lives in farm fields, grasslands, and wet fields, according to bird guide books. Locally, however, I have found them in larger school yards, soccer fields, and vacant lots.  They have been a nemesis of sorts for me the last several years, as I have tried and failed to obtain a closeup photo of one.  That changed recently when I made a trip to Tractor Supply in Virginia Beach to replenish bird seed for my bird feeders.
As I walked through the parking lot, I heard the unmistakable song of an Eastern Meadowlark, a clear, mellow whistle.  I found the source immediately, the gorgeous bird perched on a sign, singing its heart out. With several bags of birdseed in my arms, I hurried to my car to get my camera.
Of course, by the time I got to the car, unloaded the seed, and grabbed my camera, the Meadowlark was nowhere to be seen. But, I knew it was there!
So, I moved the car closer to the vacant lot where I had seen it, and waited. And waited.
And waited. And waited some more.
Finally, I saw some movement. Eastern Meadowlarks walk on the ground, often concealed by grasses or other vegetation.  In winter you may see flocks of meadowlarks hunting insects in fields. They can be quite difficult to see as they use their coloring to their advantage. Although they are mostly brown and black, they have bright-yellow underparts and a bold black V across the chest. Truly stunning!
I was now using my car as a blind. Suddenly, an Eastern Meadowlark’s head popped up, right next to me! I snapped the shutter and held it down for about a dozen quick shots.
That’s all I got as the Meadowlark was now spooked and flew across the road. I was pretty sure there were others. So I waited, once again.
Fifteen minutes later, the hidden flock began to move, but unfortunately, away from my location. I counted just 7 more.
I was indeed fortunate to obtain those first dozen shots and although my time with these birds was very short, it was an experience I will treasure! A nemesis no longer!

The Painted Bunting - A Trophy Bird

I am a trophy hunter. Although my weapon is not a gun, it is a sophisticated digital camera with a long, sharp, powerful lens. I don’t care for the word “hunt,” but that is what I am doing, as I patiently stalk birds or animals or sit for hours awaiting their appearance. I actually own a hunting blind but generally I use my Honda Pilot for that purpose. I dress in hunter camo clothes, when I am in the field, purchased in the hunting/fishing section of local retailers.
The trophy I was after to begin the New Year of 2019 was a songbird; the beautiful Painted Bunting.
The male bunting wears a coat of many colors. Male Painted Buntings are so stunning that they have been called "nonpareils," which means “having no equal” in French. The female is a beauty also, one of the few bright green birds in the wild.
Despite the male’s brilliant plumage, Painted Buntings can be hard to find. Their range is more limited than those of other buntings. They are shy birds that prefer thickets and brushy cover. Painted Buntings are a bird of the South, breeding from coastal North Carolina to northern Florida. They migrate at night and usually spend the winter in Florida and the northern Caribbean. So, when they show up in Virginia during winter, it is most unusual but a very exciting event. Sightings are so rare that the locations are not always shared as local birders, bird enthusiasts, and bird photographers are known to flock to these locations just to catch a glimpse of or to photograph these rare visitors.
I did actually have the opportunity to photograph some Painted Buntings at a local residence in VA Beach in 2018. That location was confidentially shared with me and I was able to return there again this year. But, I also did some detective work and found a second local private residence where the buntings were visiting this winter. This visit turned out to be very special as I was able to share it with a good friend and neighbor. Plus, it turned out that I had previously met the property owner!
It was cold and breezy when my friend and I arrived in Chesapeake that first week of January.  I was dressed in camo, of course. She needed an extra layer so I loaned her an extra jacket, camo, naturally! We looked the part of hunters; 2 silver haired ladies, one armed with binoculars and one with a big camera with a long lens! We sat down in a couple of porch chairs and waited for our “prey.”
It took over an hour in frigid temperatures but the magnificent bird suddenly appeared before us! Good thing we didn’t blink, or we would have missed it! We had about 25 seconds with it, then it vanished in the dense shrubs. We were cold but so happy! For we had been treated to the rare sight of the gorgeous Painted Bunting and I had a dozen photos to prove it: trophy shots? They may have been at the time, but now I just want to spread the great news that this special bird has chosen Hampton Roads to spend some time. And I thank these local caretakers of these amazing birds for allowing me and my friend the opportunity to spend just a few minutes with them.