Andrew Clem Wild Birds Archive, 2002

According to my calculations, I saw 14 new bird species last year, the most since the turn of the millenium!! (See my updated Life Bird List page.) I first saw eight of these species either during field trips with the Augusta Bird Club, or else while with individual members, so I extend hearty thanks to the fine folks of this splendid organization, especially my neighbor YuLee Larner and Allen Larner.

Christmas Bird Count, 2002

On Saturday (Dec. 28) I participated in the Augusta Bird Club's Christmas Bird Count (CBC), which is part of a nationwide census organized by the Audubon Society. It was the first time I had been part of the CBC; the last two years I had intended to do so, but preparations for moving took up all my time. I saw a total of 37 species (see table below), including one life bird, the American wigeon (a duck). A total of 25 people helped in the Augusta County CBC, most of whom had dinner at the home of Harry and Beth Lumadue, who were very gracious hosts. Complete bird tallies for can be found on the Audubon Society's Web site. My neighbor YuLee Larner (a renowned local bird expert) wrote about the CBC in her weekly column in the Staunton News Leader. She noted the alarming decline over the years of some species such as bobwhites and loggerhead shrikes.

Canada goose	221
Mallard	54
Am. wigeon	2
Ruddy duck	6
GB heron	1
Am. crow	68
Rock dove	2
Junco	20
Blue jay	8
White throat sp.	15
Turkey vulture	210
Cardinal	35
Mockingbird	7
Carolina wren	12
YR warbler	18
WB nuthatch	8
Bluebird	34
Downy WP	3
Robin	48
GC kinglet	2
Br. creeper	1
Goldfinch	7
Red-bellied WP	2
Barred owl	1
Car. chickadee	17
Titmouse	16
Red-tailed hawk	1
Flicker	1
Kingfisher	1
House sp.	6
Starling	110
Black vulture	2
White crown sp.	5
Cedar waxwing	20
Song sparrow	4
Mourning dove	8
House finch	8
TOTAL	984

Summary of sightings

Species	Date	Place	Notes; possible earlier sightings
Short-eared owl	Jan 20	Bells Lane, Staunton, VA	with Jacqueline, very close to car!
Bald eagle	Feb 17	Mason Neck NWR, Occoquan, VA	with Cathy, Yanira, & Amy
Cedar waxwings	Mar. 16	behind our apt., Staunton, VA	First ones all winter!
Purple finch (M)	Mar. 16	behind Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad	First one all winter!
Tree swallow	Mar. 24	behind Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad	First spring migrant to arrive this year!
Savannah sparrow	Mar. 30	Near Swoope, VA	LIFE BIRD! with Augusta Bird Club (ABC)
Greater scaup	Mar. 30	Boy Scout Lake near Swoope, VA	LIFE BIRD! (ABC)
Loggerhead shrike	Mar. 30	Near Buffalo Gap, VA	LIFE BIRD! (ABC)
Field sparrows	Mar. 30	Near Swoope, VA	First of spring (ABC)
Great egret	Mar. 30	Near Swoope, VA	First of spring (ABC)
Chipping sparrows	Mar. 30	Near Swoope, VA	First of spring (ABC)
Pied-billed grebe	Mar. 30	Near Swoope, VA	First in over a year (ABC)
Common snipe	Mar. 30	Near Swoope, VA	First in over a year (ABC)
Wood ducks (M & F)	Mar. 30	Near Swoope, VA	First in over a year (ABC)
Pine warbler	Mar. 30	Near Swoope, VA	First of spring (ABC)
Louisiana waterthrush	Mar. 30	Near Swoope, VA	First of spring (ABC)
Vesper sparrow	Apr. 3	In back of our apt., Staunton, VA	LIFE BIRD!
Horned grebe	Apr. 7	Green Hill Ind.-Tech. Park, Staunton, VA	LIFE BIRD!
Ospreys	Apr. 22	Bells Lane, Staunton, VA	Two; First in over a year
Pine siskins	Apr. 22	In back of our apt., Staunton, VA	First of year; one crashed into window.
Indigo bunting (M)	Apr. 22	In back of our apt., Staunton, VA	First of spring
American redstart (M)	Apr. 22	Peaks of Otter, VA	First of spring
Gray catbirds	Apr. 22	Robinson's Farm, Catawba, VA	First of spring
Red-eyed vireo	Apr. 27	Montgomery Hall Park, Staunton, VA	First of spring
Blue-headed vireo	Apr. 27	Montgomery Hall Park, Staunton, VA	First of spring
Black-throated blue warbler (M)	Apr. 27	Montgomery Hall Park, Staunton, VA	First of spring
Black and white warbler (M)	Apr. 27	Montgomery Hall Park, Staunton, VA	First of spring
Palm warbler	Apr. 27	Montgomery Hall Park, Staunton, VA	First of spring
White-crowned sparrow	Apr. 28	Constitution Park, Waynesboro, VA	Last of spring?
American coot	Apr. 30	Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton, VA	Last of spring?
Spotted sandpiper	Apr. 30	Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton, VA	First of spring
Yellow-breasted chat	May 4	Blue Ridge, south of Afton, VA	First of spring (counting for ABC)
Scarlet tanagers (F & F)	May 4	Blue Ridge, south of Afton, VA	First of spring (counting for ABC)
Hooded warblers (M & F)	May 4	Blue Ridge, south of Afton, VA	First of spring (counting for ABC)
Cerulean warbler	May 4	Blue Ridge, south of Afton, VA	First of spring (counting for ABC)
Yellow-throated vireo	May 4	Blue Ridge, south of Afton, VA	First of spring (counting for ABC)
Rose-breasted grosbeak (F)	May 4	Blue Ridge, south of Afton, VA	First of spring (counting for ABC)
Wood thrush	May 4	Blue Ridge, south of Afton, VA	First of spring (counting for ABC)
Great crested flycatchers	May 4	Blue Ridge, south of Afton, VA	First of spring (counting for ABC)
Eastern wood pewee	May 4	Near Sherando Lake, VA	First of spring (counting for ABC)
Baltimore oriole (M)	May 7	Bells Lane, Staunton, VA	with Jacqueline; First of spring
Ovenbird	May 7	Betsy Bell Hill, Staunton, VA	with Jacqueline; First of spring
Magnolia warbler	May 7	Betsy Bell Hill, Staunton, VA	with Jacqueline; First of spring
Swainson's thrush	May 7	Betsy Bell Hill, Staunton, VA	with Jacqueline; First of spring
Blackpoll warbler	May 9	E. Beverly St., Staunton, VA	First of spring
Yellow-billed cuckoo	May 9	E. Beverly St., Staunton, VA	First of spring
House wren	May 9	E. Beverly St., Staunton, VA	First of spring
Northern parula	May 10	Natural Bridge, VA	with Jacqueline; First of spring
Worm-eating warbler	May 10	Natural Bridge, VA	with Jacqueline; First of spring
Chestnut-sided warbler	May 10	Blue Ridge Pkwy at Tye River Gap, VA	with Jacqueline; First of spring
Orchard oriole (M)	May 11	Rt. 254, E of Staunton, VA	with Jacqueline; First of spring
Purple martins	May 11	Rt. 626, N of Staunton, VA	with Jacqueline; First of spring
Kingbird	May 13	Bell's Lane, Staunton, VA	with Jacqueline; First of spring
Yellow warbler (M)	May 16	Bell's Lane, Staunton, VA	with Jacqueline; First of spring
Red-shouldered hawk	May 19	Along Rt. 250, W of Ivy, VA	with Jacqueline; First in over a year
Least flycatcher	May 20	Augusta Springs, VA	with Jacqueline; First of spring
Bobwhite	May 20	W of Swoope, VA	with Jacqueline; First in over a year
Canada warbler	May 26	Ramsey's Draft Wilderness, VA	with Jacqueline; First of spring
Mississippi kite	May 26	West Augusta, VA	with Jacqueline; First in over a year
Grasshopper sparrow	June 1	S of Swoope, VA	LIFE BIRD! Breeding Bird Survey
Bobolink	June 1	S of Swoope, VA	LIFE BIRD! Breeding Bird Survey
Willow flycatcher	June 1	S of Swoope, VA	LIFE BIRD! Breeding Bird Survey
Blue grosbeak	June 1	S of Swoope, VA	Breeding Bird Survey; First in over a year; first ever male
Red-headed woodpecker	June 1	NW of Greenville, VA	Breeding Bird Survey; First in over a year
Dickcissel	June 8	S of Swoope, VA	LIFE BIRD! with Augusta Bird Club
Broad-winged hawk	June 8	Augusta Springs, VA	First of spring; with Augusta Bird Club
Osprey	Aug. 8	Theodore Roosevelt Island, DC	Close, with fish!
Red-necked grebe	Aug. 8	Theodore Roosevelt Island, DC	LIFE BIRD! with Jacqueline; (winter plumage)
Yellow-headed blackbirds	Aug. 17	Bluffs Golf Course, Vermillion, SD	LIFE BIRD!
Upland sandpiper	Aug. 18	near Tyndall, SD	LIFE BIRD! with John
Ring-necked pheasant	Aug. 18	near Tyndall, SD	First in over a year; with John
Western grebe	Aug. 18	Lake Andes NWR, SD	LIFE BIRD! with John
American pelicans	Aug. 18	Lake Andes NWR, SD	First of year; with John
Least terns	Aug. 18	Lake Andes NWR, SD	LIFE BIRD! with John
Common terns	Aug. 18	Lake Andes NWR, SD	First of year; with John
Warbling vireo	Aug. 18	Lake Andes NWR, SD	First of year; with John
Great egret	Aug. 18	Lake Andes NWR, SD	First of year; with John
Black terns	Aug. 18	Lake Andes NWR, SD	First of year; with John
Pied-billed grebes	Aug. 18	Lake Andes NWR, SD	First of year; with John
Magnolia warbler	Sept. 5	In back of Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad	First of fall season
Canada warbler	Sept. 6	In back of Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad	First of fall season; with YuLee Larner
Osprey	Sept. 7	Frontier Culture Museum, Staunton	First of fall season; with Jacqueline
Double-crested cormorant	Sept. 10	Algonkian Park, No. Va.	First of fall season
Red-headed woodpecker	Sept. 14	Afton Inn, Blue Ridge	First of fall season; with Hawk Watch
Broad-winged hawks	Sept. 17	Afton Inn, Blue Ridge	First "kettle" (20+) of fall season; with Hawk Watch
Palm warbler	Sept. 24	Bell's Lane, Staunton, VA	First of fall season
Tennessee warbler	Oct. 4	behind Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad	First of year!
Yellow-bellied sapsucker (F)	Oct. 4	Behind Rescue Squad, Staunton, VA	First of fall/winter season
Ruby-crowned kinglet	Oct. 6	Signal Hill Park, Manassas Park, VA	First of fall/winter season
Yellow-rumped warblers (10+)	Oct. 6	Signal Hill Park, Manassas Park, VA	First of fall/winter season
Northern parula	Oct. 6	Signal Hill Park, Manassas Park, VA	First of fall season
Cape May warbler	Oct. 7	behind our apt., Staunton, VA	First of year!
Golden-crowned kinglet	Oct. 12	On Rt. 715 near Elkhorn Lake, VA	First of fall/winter season (with ABC)
Brown creeper	Oct. 12	On Rt. 715 near Elkhorn Lake, VA	First of fall/winter season (with ABC)
Blue-headed vireo	Oct. 12	On Rt. 715 near Elkhorn Lake, VA	First of fall season (with ABC)
Pine warbler	Oct. 12	On Rt. 715 near Elkhorn Lake, VA	First of fall season (with ABC)
Black-throated green warbler	Oct. 12	On Rt. 715 near Elkhorn Lake, VA	First of fall season (with ABC)
Hermit thrush	Oct. 19	behind Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad	First of fall/winter season
Dark-eyed junco	Oct. 21	behind our apt., Staunton, VA	First of fall/winter season
Cedar waxwings	Oct. 23	behind Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad	First of fall/winter season
White-crowned sparrow	Oct. 25	behind our apt., Staunton, VA	First of fall/winter season
Fox sparrow	Oct. 27	behind Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad	First of fall/winter season
Double-crested cormorants	Nov. 23	Jamestown	with Jacqueline
Forster's terns	Nov. 23	Jamestown	with Jacqueline
Bald eagle (adult)	Nov. 23	Jamestown	first adult seen by Jacqueline!
Cedar waxwings (20+)	Nov. 23	Jamestown	with Jacqueline
Hooded mergansers (4)	Nov. 23	Jamestown	with Jacqueline
Bald eagles (2 imm.)	Nov. 24	Yorktown	with Jacqueline
Black scoters	Nov. 24	Yorktown	LIFE BIRD FOR BOTH; with Jacqueline
Brown thrasher	Nov. 24	Yorktown	not seen here in winter; with Jacqueline
Ruddy turnstones	Nov. 24	Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel	with Jacqueline
Purple sandpiper	Nov. 24	Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel	(prob.) with Jacqueline
Semipalmated sandpiper	Nov. 24	Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel	(prob.) with Jacqueline
American oystercatcher	Nov. 24	Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel	(prob.) with Jacqueline
Brown pelican	Nov. 24	Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel	with Jacqueline
Horned grebes	Nov. 24	Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel	(prob.) with Jacqueline
American wigeon	Dec. 28	Bell's Lane, Staunton	with Allen Larner (Christmas Bird Count)
Ruddy duck	Dec. 28	Bell's Lane, Staunton	with Allen Larner (Christmas Bird Count)
Golden-crowned kinglet	Dec. 28	Allen Larner's property	with Allen Larner (Christmas Bird Count)
Brown creeper	Dec. 28	Allen Larner's property	with Allen Larner (Christmas Bird Count)
Barred owl	Dec. 28	Allen Larner's property	with Allen Larner (Christmas Bird Count)
White crown sparrow	Dec. 28	Rt. 794, east of Staunton, VA	(Christmas Bird Count)
Bluebirds (30)	Dec. 28	near RR tracks, east side of Staunton, VA	(Christmas Bird Count)
Cedar waxwings (20)	Dec. 28	near RR tracks, east side of Staunton, VA	(Christmas Bird Count)
Yellow-rumped warblers (5)	Dec. 28	near RR tracks, east side of Staunton, VA	(Christmas Bird Count)

Species

Date

Place

Notes; possible earlier sightings

Short-eared owl

Jan 20

Bells Lane, Staunton, VA

with Jacqueline, very close to car!

Bald eagle

Feb 17

Mason Neck NWR, Occoquan, VA

with Cathy, Yanira, & Amy

Cedar waxwings

Mar. 16

behind our apt., Staunton, VA

First ones all winter!

Purple finch (M)

Mar. 16

behind Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad

First one all winter!

Tree swallow

Mar. 24

behind Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad

First spring migrant to arrive this year!

Savannah sparrow

Mar. 30

Near Swoope, VA

LIFE BIRD! with Augusta Bird Club (ABC)

Greater scaup

Mar. 30

Boy Scout Lake near Swoope, VA

LIFE BIRD! (ABC)

Loggerhead shrike

Mar. 30

Near Buffalo Gap, VA

LIFE BIRD! (ABC)

Field sparrows

Mar. 30

Near Swoope, VA

First of spring (ABC)

Great egret

Mar. 30

Near Swoope, VA

First of spring (ABC)

Chipping sparrows

Mar. 30

Near Swoope, VA

First of spring (ABC)

Pied-billed grebe

Mar. 30

Near Swoope, VA

First in over a year (ABC)

Common snipe

Mar. 30

Near Swoope, VA

First in over a year (ABC)

Wood ducks (M & F)

Mar. 30

Near Swoope, VA

First in over a year (ABC)

Pine warbler

Mar. 30

Near Swoope, VA

First of spring (ABC)

Louisiana waterthrush

Mar. 30

Near Swoope, VA

First of spring (ABC)

Vesper sparrow

Apr. 3

In back of our apt., Staunton, VA

LIFE BIRD!

Horned grebe

Apr. 7

Green Hill Ind.-Tech. Park, Staunton, VA

LIFE BIRD!

Ospreys

Apr. 22

Bells Lane, Staunton, VA

Two; First in over a year

Pine siskins

Apr. 22

In back of our apt., Staunton, VA

First of year; one crashed into window.

Indigo bunting (M)

Apr. 22

In back of our apt., Staunton, VA

First of spring

American redstart (M)

Apr. 22

Peaks of Otter, VA

First of spring

Gray catbirds

Apr. 22

Robinson's Farm, Catawba, VA

First of spring

Red-eyed vireo

Apr. 27

Montgomery Hall Park, Staunton, VA

First of spring

Blue-headed vireo

Apr. 27

Montgomery Hall Park, Staunton, VA

First of spring

Black-throated blue warbler (M)

Apr. 27

Montgomery Hall Park, Staunton, VA

First of spring

Black and white warbler (M)

Apr. 27

Montgomery Hall Park, Staunton, VA

First of spring

Palm warbler

Apr. 27

Montgomery Hall Park, Staunton, VA

First of spring

White-crowned sparrow

Apr. 28

Constitution Park, Waynesboro, VA

Last of spring?

American coot

Apr. 30

Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton, VA

Last of spring?

Spotted sandpiper

Apr. 30

Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton, VA

First of spring

Yellow-breasted chat

May 4

Blue Ridge, south of Afton, VA

First of spring (counting for ABC)

Scarlet tanagers (F & F)

May 4

Blue Ridge, south of Afton, VA

First of spring (counting for ABC)

Hooded warblers (M & F)

May 4

Blue Ridge, south of Afton, VA

First of spring (counting for ABC)

Cerulean warbler

May 4

Blue Ridge, south of Afton, VA

First of spring (counting for ABC)

Yellow-throated vireo

May 4

Blue Ridge, south of Afton, VA

First of spring (counting for ABC)

Rose-breasted grosbeak (F)

May 4

Blue Ridge, south of Afton, VA

First of spring (counting for ABC)

Wood thrush

May 4

Blue Ridge, south of Afton, VA

First of spring (counting for ABC)

Great crested flycatchers

May 4

Blue Ridge, south of Afton, VA

First of spring (counting for ABC)

Eastern wood pewee

May 4

Near Sherando Lake, VA

First of spring (counting for ABC)

Baltimore oriole (M)

May 7

Bells Lane, Staunton, VA

with Jacqueline; First of spring

Ovenbird

May 7

Betsy Bell Hill, Staunton, VA

with Jacqueline; First of spring

Magnolia warbler

May 7

Betsy Bell Hill, Staunton, VA

with Jacqueline; First of spring

Swainson's thrush

May 7

Betsy Bell Hill, Staunton, VA

with Jacqueline; First of spring

Blackpoll warbler

May 9

E. Beverly St., Staunton, VA

First of spring

Yellow-billed cuckoo

May 9

E. Beverly St., Staunton, VA

First of spring

House wren

May 9

E. Beverly St., Staunton, VA

First of spring

Northern parula

May 10

Natural Bridge, VA

with Jacqueline; First of spring

Worm-eating warbler

May 10

Natural Bridge, VA

with Jacqueline; First of spring

Chestnut-sided warbler

May 10

Blue Ridge Pkwy at Tye River Gap, VA

with Jacqueline; First of spring

Orchard oriole (M)

May 11

Rt. 254, E of Staunton, VA

with Jacqueline; First of spring

Purple martins

May 11

Rt. 626, N of Staunton, VA

with Jacqueline; First of spring

Kingbird

May 13

Bell's Lane, Staunton, VA

with Jacqueline; First of spring

Yellow warbler (M)

May 16

Bell's Lane, Staunton, VA

with Jacqueline; First of spring

Red-shouldered hawk

May 19

Along Rt. 250, W of Ivy, VA

with Jacqueline; First in over a year

Least flycatcher

May 20

Augusta Springs, VA

with Jacqueline; First of spring

Bobwhite

May 20

W of Swoope, VA

with Jacqueline; First in over a year

Canada warbler

May 26

Ramsey's Draft Wilderness, VA

with Jacqueline; First of spring

Mississippi kite

May 26

West Augusta, VA

with Jacqueline; First in over a year

Grasshopper sparrow

June 1

S of Swoope, VA

LIFE BIRD! Breeding Bird Survey

Bobolink

June 1

S of Swoope, VA

LIFE BIRD! Breeding Bird Survey

Willow flycatcher

June 1

S of Swoope, VA

LIFE BIRD! Breeding Bird Survey

Blue grosbeak

June 1

S of Swoope, VA

Breeding Bird Survey; First in over a year; first ever male

Red-headed woodpecker

June 1

NW of Greenville, VA

Breeding Bird Survey; First in over a year

Dickcissel

June 8

S of Swoope, VA

LIFE BIRD! with Augusta Bird Club

Broad-winged hawk

June 8

Augusta Springs, VA

First of spring; with Augusta Bird Club

Osprey

Aug. 8

Theodore Roosevelt Island, DC

Close, with fish!

Red-necked grebe

Aug. 8

Theodore Roosevelt Island, DC

LIFE BIRD! with Jacqueline; (winter plumage)

Yellow-headed blackbirds

Aug. 17

Bluffs Golf Course, Vermillion, SD

LIFE BIRD!

Upland sandpiper

Aug. 18

near Tyndall, SD

LIFE BIRD! with John

Ring-necked pheasant

Aug. 18

near Tyndall, SD

First in over a year; with John

Western grebe

Aug. 18

Lake Andes NWR, SD

LIFE BIRD! with John

American pelicans

Aug. 18

Lake Andes NWR, SD

First of year; with John

Least terns

Aug. 18

Lake Andes NWR, SD

LIFE BIRD! with John

Common terns

Aug. 18

Lake Andes NWR, SD

First of year; with John

Warbling vireo

Aug. 18

Lake Andes NWR, SD

First of year; with John

Great egret

Aug. 18

Lake Andes NWR, SD

First of year; with John

Black terns

Aug. 18

Lake Andes NWR, SD

First of year; with John

Pied-billed grebes

Aug. 18

Lake Andes NWR, SD

First of year; with John

Magnolia warbler

Sept. 5

In back of Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad

First of fall season

Canada warbler

Sept. 6

In back of Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad

First of fall season; with YuLee Larner

Osprey

Sept. 7

Frontier Culture Museum, Staunton

First of fall season; with Jacqueline

Double-crested cormorant

Sept. 10

Algonkian Park, No. Va.

First of fall season

Red-headed woodpecker

Sept. 14

Afton Inn, Blue Ridge

First of fall season; with Hawk Watch

Broad-winged hawks

Sept. 17

Afton Inn, Blue Ridge

First "kettle" (20+) of fall season; with Hawk Watch

Palm warbler

Sept. 24

Bell's Lane, Staunton, VA

First of fall season

Tennessee warbler

Oct. 4

behind Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad

First of year!

Yellow-bellied sapsucker (F)

Oct. 4

Behind Rescue Squad, Staunton, VA

First of fall/winter season

Ruby-crowned kinglet

Oct. 6

Signal Hill Park, Manassas Park, VA

First of fall/winter season

Yellow-rumped warblers (10+)

Oct. 6

Signal Hill Park, Manassas Park, VA

First of fall/winter season

Northern parula

Oct. 6

Signal Hill Park, Manassas Park, VA

First of fall season

Cape May warbler

Oct. 7

behind our apt., Staunton, VA

First of year!

Golden-crowned kinglet

Oct. 12

On Rt. 715 near Elkhorn Lake, VA

First of fall/winter season (with ABC)

Brown creeper

Oct. 12

On Rt. 715 near Elkhorn Lake, VA

First of fall/winter season (with ABC)

Blue-headed vireo

Oct. 12

On Rt. 715 near Elkhorn Lake, VA

First of fall season (with ABC)

Pine warbler

Oct. 12

On Rt. 715 near Elkhorn Lake, VA

First of fall season (with ABC)

Black-throated green warbler

Oct. 12

On Rt. 715 near Elkhorn Lake, VA

First of fall season (with ABC)

Hermit thrush

Oct. 19

behind Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad

First of fall/winter season

Dark-eyed junco

Oct. 21

behind our apt., Staunton, VA

First of fall/winter season

Cedar waxwings

Oct. 23

behind Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad

First of fall/winter season

White-crowned sparrow

Oct. 25

behind our apt., Staunton, VA

First of fall/winter season

Fox sparrow

Oct. 27

behind Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad

First of fall/winter season

Double-crested cormorants

Nov. 23

Jamestown

with Jacqueline

Forster's terns

Nov. 23

Jamestown

with Jacqueline

Bald eagle (adult)

Nov. 23

Jamestown

first adult seen by Jacqueline!

Cedar waxwings (20+)

Nov. 23

Jamestown

with Jacqueline

Hooded mergansers (4)

Nov. 23

Jamestown

with Jacqueline

Bald eagles (2 imm.)

Nov. 24

Yorktown

with Jacqueline

Black scoters

Nov. 24

Yorktown

LIFE BIRD FOR BOTH; with Jacqueline

Brown thrasher

Nov. 24

Yorktown

not seen here in winter; with Jacqueline

Ruddy turnstones

Nov. 24

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

with Jacqueline

Purple sandpiper

Nov. 24

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

(prob.) with Jacqueline

Semipalmated sandpiper

Nov. 24

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

(prob.) with Jacqueline

American oystercatcher

Nov. 24

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

(prob.) with Jacqueline

Brown pelican

Nov. 24

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

with Jacqueline

Horned grebes

Nov. 24

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

(prob.) with Jacqueline

American wigeon

Dec. 28

Bell's Lane, Staunton

with Allen Larner (Christmas Bird Count)

Ruddy duck

Dec. 28

Bell's Lane, Staunton

with Allen Larner (Christmas Bird Count)

Golden-crowned kinglet

Dec. 28

Allen Larner's property

with Allen Larner (Christmas Bird Count)

Brown creeper

Dec. 28

Allen Larner's property

with Allen Larner (Christmas Bird Count)

Barred owl

Dec. 28

Allen Larner's property

with Allen Larner (Christmas Bird Count)

White crown sparrow

Dec. 28

Rt. 794, east of Staunton, VA

(Christmas Bird Count)

Bluebirds (30)

Dec. 28

near RR tracks, east side of Staunton, VA

(Christmas Bird Count)

Cedar waxwings (20)

Dec. 28

near RR tracks, east side of Staunton, VA

(Christmas Bird Count)

Yellow-rumped warblers (5)

Dec. 28

near RR tracks, east side of Staunton, VA

(Christmas Bird Count)

NOTE: "FOS" means "first of season," which applies only to migratory birds. "FOBS" means "first of breeding season," which applies to migratory birds normally only seen here in winter. "FOY" means "first of year." "ABC" means "Augusta Bird Club, and "BSD" means "Big Spring Day," a semi-official survey.

Archives, 2002

Wild Birds archives

Birding Web sites:

Christmas Bird Count, 2002

Summary of sightings