There was a lot of osprey activity in Hampton Roads. Michael Schimmel photographed what he believes is a new pair of ospreys at First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach.
Joe DiGeronimo photographed an osprey in flight with a shad in its talons, lifting off the bay, flying over First Landing State Park dunes in Virginia Beach. “Finally a catch, determined, heading back to the nest to share a family meal,” wrote DiGeronimo.
Linda Glasson got a photo of an osprey with a fish caught at the Oceanfront adjacent to Rudee Inlet in Virginia Beach.
Vicky Gray was alerted by a neighbor to an eagle that was sitting in her front yard in the Thalia neighborhood in Virginia Beach. “Stayed for 30 minutes and took off when people and dog activity became a little too much,” wrote Gray. “We have seen eagles flying around and landing on the tops of trees but never on the ground.”
Cindy Hamilton sent a photo of American white pelicans in flight at Hog Island Wildlife Management Area in Surry. The bump on the bird’s bill is a breeding plate that forms in January and drops off after the female lays eggs.
Michael Schimmel sent a photo of a willet hanging out at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach.
Connie Owen was happy to note the return of the yellow-crowned night herons in the Robinhood Forest area of Virginia Beach. “There are at least three nests on my block beside the Lynnhaven River,” wrote Owen. “The nest restoration is underway.”
Michael Schimmel found a Killdeer at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach. “He seemed as curious of me as I was of him,” wrote Schimmel.
Joe DiGeronimo photographed nonbreeding adult willets feeding along the bay shore of First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach. Willets are large, stocky shorebirds that display a striking black and white wing stripe when in flight.
Mike Weirich sent photos of blue-winged teal at False Cape State Park in Virginia Beach. Blue-winged teal are small dabbling ducks seen in marshes and small lakes. The males are easily identified by their bold white crescent shape in front of the eye.
Ted Hleba photographed glossy ibis at Stumpy Lake in Virginia Beach. “Quite a treat,” wrote Hleba. From a distance, glossy ibis look almost black but at close range the maroon body and metallic green, bronze and violet tones in the wings are visible.
Bill Rogers sent a report of seeing a “real” bird feeder in his yard in Suffolk. “Looking out the dining room window during breakfast I spied a Cooper’s hawk sitting atop one of my feeders,” wrote Rogers.
Michael Schimmel sent a photo of a yellow-rumped warbler perched at the top of a Wax myrtle bush at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach. The berries from the waxmyrtle are one of their favorite winter foods.
Robert Ake sent a beautiful photo of a rose-breasted grosbeak in his backyard in Norfolk. “This male or another just like it has been singing, eating sunflower seeds, and bathing for several days,” wrote Ake.
George Schmitt photographed a towhee in the Arrowhead section of Virginia Beach. “Beautiful bird,” wrote Schmitt. “This seems to be the time of year when I see them in the yard.”
Michael Riley photographed a beautiful hummingbird moth sipping nectar from flowers in his yard in the North End of Virginia Beach.
Gary Williamson came upon a red-bellied water snake at Merchants Millpond State Park in northeastern North Carolina.
Vickie Shufer, wildfood@cox.net
