April Field Trip: Newport News Park

On Saturday, April 15, Jason Strickland will lead us at Newport News Park.  The park in mid-April usually provides a first look at several newly-arrived migrants, such as Prothonotary Warblers, Eastern Kingbirds, and Great Crested Flycatchers.  There should also be lingering winter residents, like Yellow-rumped Warblers, which will be molting into their breeding plumage.  We’ll meet at the back of the parking lot by the ranger station at 8 a.m.  No carpooling on this one – it’s a pretty short drive from Williamsburg. 

March 18 Field Trip: Machicomoco State Park

On Saturday, March 18, Nancy Barnhart led nine other birders at Machicomoco State Park. The overnight rain sputtered to a stop soon after the group arrived at the park. Habitat in the park is varied, as there are grassy fields, woods, and marshes along the open York River, and the bird life is varied as a result. The group spotted several Horned Grebes on the river, with one just starting to molt into breeding plumage. The expected Field Sparrows didn’t disappoint, and our group saw several at close range performing “full-body singing.” The parking lot was particularly productive, with a Palm Warbler mixed in with a large flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers and Chipping Sparrows. Killdeer walked on the adjacent field, while Bald Eagles flew along its edges. A treat was a flock of American Pipits, which stayed low in the grass a few hundred feet from the parking lot – sometimes you have to work to see the birds! In all, the group identified 51 species, with the complete list available via the following link: https://ebird.org/checklist/S131204186.

February Field Trip: Colonial Parkway

Our next field trip will be next Saturday, February 18!  Rexanne Bruno will lead us at sites along the Colonial Parkway toward Yorktown.  The birds are out there – Tundra Swans were reported today at Felgates Creek.  

We’ll meet at the parking lot of the Target off Marquis Parkway (that’s at the east end of Rt. 199, east of I-64 exit 242, in the same shopping center as the Kohl’s and Best Buy) at 8 a.m., where participants can consolidate cars if they wish.  We’ll end up in Yorktown, where there is a decent pub for hungry birders looking for lunch.  

January Field Trip to Henricus Park/Dutch Gap

On Saturday, January 21, Rose Ryan will lead our group at the Henricus Park/Dutch Gap Conservation Area outside Richmond.  We’ll meet in the parking lot for Henricus Park at 9 a.m.  The address, for Google Maps, is 251 Henricus Park Road, Chester, VA 23836 . In previous years, this site has provided good views of many wintering ducks, plus an occasional rarity like a Common Gallinule. 

We are not arranging car pools for this field trip. There’s plenty of parking at the park. Let’s hope for good weather!

November Field Trip: Grandview Nature Preserve

Come participate in the Williamsburg Bird Club’s next field trip, to Grandview Nature Preserve in Hampton on Saturday, November 19. Nancy Barnhart will lead us on a walk through marshland, woods, and along a beach on Chesapeake Bay. Last year, the group identified over 50 species of birds, including scoters, loons, gannets, shorebirds, and several sparrows.

We’ll meet at the entrance to the Preserve on State Park Drive at 8 a.m. The Preserve is about a 45-minute drive from Williamsburg. There’s ample parking on the street near the Preserve entrance. If you’d like to carpool, please let me know by reply to this email. Carpoolers should meet at the Colony Square Shopping Center at 7 a.m. for prompt departure and no later than 7:15 a.m. I expect we’ll be birding most of the morning.

I look forward to a successful field trip. I will be monitoring the weather forecast – we will cancel in the event a storm is forecast to hit the area.

There will be no field trip in December as most members will be doing the Christmas Bird Count.