Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory

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Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory

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Non-profit founded in 1994 with a mission of "protecting wildlife through field research, education and habitat conservation." https://vawildliferesearch.org/

The Observatory conducts hawkwatches, butterfly counts and has a Monarch butterfly tagging study, among other programs. For photos, blogs and comprehensive program descriptions, please visit our website.

10/30/2026

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 30, 2026

Calm westerly winds brought warm weather under clear skies today on the Eastern Shore. Though the day was very slow for raptors, there was a solid push of waterfowl, finches and a few reorienting migrants. Totals of 37 species and 1540 individuals were counted.

At Sunset Beach, finches had a good day with 164 House Finches and 154 Pine Siskin alongside smaller numbers of 15 American Goldfinch and two Purple Finches. Yellow-rumped Warblers had another relatively moderate flight with 394 counted, mostly moving south in the first hour. A touch of late season warbler diversity was achieved through five Blackpoll, four Palm, two Cape May, and one Nashville Warbler. A Dickcissel was heard well calling as it moved north unseen.

Waterfowl were moving south in good numbers over the Chesapeake Bay led by 163 Black Scoters, with small numbers of 27 Green-winged Teal, nine Northern Shovelers, and three American Wigeon mixed in. The second hour featured a trickle of 164 Northern Gannets moving south out of the bay, a movement that has been fairly predictable the past couple days.

Raptors were very slow at the hawkwatch, with 13 total counted for the day. The hawkwatch platform had a surprise mammalian visitor in the form of an Eastern Cottontail that had wandered onto the platform but was clearly disoriented by its new surroundings and spent most of the day hiding under a bench. Thankfully, experts from TNC and VA DWR were able to work with the hawkwatch crew to safely encourage the cottontail to hop down the ramp and back to its habitat.

Winds from the north come in tonight and tomorrow will be much cooler. A Golden Eagle was spotted moving north over Cheriton today, and hopefully it and other raptors will be inspired to move down the shore tomorrow.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261030

1. Blackpoll Warbler
2. Red-winged Blackbirds
3. Eastern Cottontail

10/30/2026

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 29, 2026

Light northeasterlies continued this morning under partly cloudy skies. Forward morning flight was again active, with strong pushes of blackbirds and finches. At Sunset Beach, totals of 44 species and 2492 individuals were counted.

There was a solid push of forward passerine migrants this morning, mostly carried by blackbirds including 434 Red-winged Blackbirds, 121 Brown-headed Cowbirds, 48 Common Grackles, 7 and Rusty Blackbirds. Finches were also moving in decent numbers including 130 Pine Siskins. Other typical forward migrants such as American Robin were slower by comparison, and only 112 robins were counted. Most of the morning’s 820 Yellow-rumped Warblers were also southbound, primarily in the first hour.

Waterfowl were moving in decent numbers, though most of the flocks over the bay were frustratingly distant on the horizon line and not identifiable. Three American Black Ducks, four Surf Scoters, 101 Black Scoters, and a pair of Bufflehead were in countable range.

The Kiptopeke Hawkwatch remained fairly slow, totaling 44 raptors for the day. The passerine migrant composition was quite different at the hawkwatch compared to Sunset, with the hawkwatch logging fewer blackbirds and more robins and Blue Jays. Highlights on the ground included an Orange-crowned and a Prairie Warbler.

Migration will probably be generally slow tonight, though more westerly winds overnight switching to northwest tomorrow hold some promise for some late season movement.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261028

1. American Black Ducks

10/28/2026

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 28, 2026

Today saw northeast winds and clearing partly cloudy skies, cool in the morning but warming up nicely. At Sunset Beach, totals of 42 species and 4342 individuals were counted.

Many forward migrants seemed to be taking advantage of the northeast tailwinds and moving with the wind this morning, possibly continuing their nocturnal migration and crossing the Chesapeake Bay. Most of the day’s 981 Yellow-rumped Warblers were doing just that, moving south in small groups. Warbler diversity has continued to dwindle as October draws to a close, and only two Blackpoll and two Cape May were in the mix today.

Several flocks of Northern Pintail totaled 41, including a lone drake that made a nice overhead pass. Common Loons were moving in their best numbers so far this season totaling 17. One local loon fishing off the beach caught a small flounder but seemed confused what to do with the flatfish, repeatedly dropping it in the water and picking it up again for several minutes. Other waterbird diversity included four Killdeer, two Dunlin, and a Wilson’s Snipe.

The Kiptopeke Hawkwatch had another light flight of 76 raptors. As is typical, the hawkwatch logged higher totals than Sunset of southbound passerines including 2310 American Robins, 218 Pine Siskins, and 2109 Yellow-rumped Warblers. A nice surprise was a flyover Red Crossbill, the first and hopefully not the last on the Eastern Shore this fall. Audio recordings support this individual being a type 2 or “ponderosa pine” Red Crossbill, a primarily western type currently undergoing an immense irruption in unprecedented numbers in the western Great Lakes region. Hopefully this singleton is a sign of more to come!

Light northeasterlies diminish overnight and tomorrow may be another good day for forward migrant passerines with the calm conditions.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261028

1. Northern Pintail
2. Common Loon
3. Dunlin

10/27/2026

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 27, 2026

Light winds shifting northwest overnight brought a somewhat more active day of migration to the Eastern Shore. The Sunset Beach Morning Flight Count logged totals of 61 species and 2388 individuals.

Warblers had a decent showing for the date, likely owing to the southwest-northwest switch overnight. Two Cape May, one Northern Parula, five Blackpoll, 13 Palm, one Pine, and a slightly late Black-throated Green Warbler were counted alongside 526 of their Yellow-rumped Warbler cousins, the majority of which were northbound. Two northbound Red-breasted Nuthatches continued their consistent trickle of a movement.

A fleeting glimpse was caught of a northbound hummingbird that was likely a Ruby-throated, though by this date rarer options are increasingly likely. Waterfowl were moving in solid numbers out over the Chesapeake Bay including 56 Northern Pintail, a White-winged Scoter, and the season’s first two Bufflehead. Many ducks were frustratingly distant in the shimmer making identification impossible.

Things picked up a bit at the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch after winds shifted to the northeast in the afternoon, and 77 raptors were counted today. Accipitrines made up a good chunk of the flight, with 24 Sharp-shinned and 20 Cooper’s Hawks counted. Southbound passerine migrants were moving in good numbers including 593 Blue Jays, 368 Fish Crows, 1109 American Robins, 306 Pine Siskins, 391 Red-winged Blackbirds, and 981 Yellow-rumped Warblers.

Northeast winds continue overnight and through tomorrow, and hopefully there will be some more good movement of diurnal migrants tomorrow.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261027

1. Red-breasted Nuthatch
2. Fish Crows
3. Pine Siskins

10/27/2026

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 26, 2026

Today’s morning flight count at Sunset Beach featured calm north-northwest winds and clear skies. Movement was light for the conditions, and totals of 44 species and 1250 individuals were counted.

Passerine totals were on the low side following a quiet night of migration. Yellow-rumped Warblers were even somewhat subdued, with 178 northbound and 90 southbound counted. There were decent totals of a few southbound migrants including 144 Blue Jays, 134 American Robins, and 65 Pine Siskins. Lots of songbirds were out foraging in the calm sunny conditions, including a cooperative Ruby-crowned Kinglet and a Yellow-rumped Warbler that briefly landed on the counter's backpack.

Bay watching yielded a good total of 114 southbound Northern Gannets, and a few more were milling around feeding out on the horizon. The duck flight was slow but steady, represented by totals of 72 Black Scoter, 11 Surf Scoter, and three Northern Pintail inserted in a line of scoters. Seven Dunlin were also spotted moving north slightly offshore.

Raptors were slow again at the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch on the very light winds, and only nine raptors were counted. The Kiptopeke Hawkwatch recorded the highest numbers of Pine Siskins so far this season, with 340 southbound individuals counted throughout the day. Siskins are now a common sight throughout the Eastern Shore, and their nasal flight calls may be heard anywhere as small groups stream over the peninsula.

Southwest winds overnight shift to light west and northwest by dawn, and tomorrow could be a better day for passerine visible migration.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261026

1. Ruby-crowned Kinglet

10/23/2026

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 22, 2026

Lighter north-northwest winds brought another active morning to Sunset Beach, where totals of 60 species and 2129 individuals were counted.

Flight dynamics remained similar to previous days overall, with most morning flight occurring close to or over the main counting area at the parking lot. Yellow-rumped Warblers continue to dominate totaling 628, the lowest total recorded over the past couple of days. Blackpolls accounted for most of the other warbler diversity totaling 8. Other passerine diversity was strong out of the gate in the first hour likely owing to the slight westerly element to the winds, including a majority of the day’s 23 Golden-crowned Kinglets, 10 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and 11 Brown Creepers.

Primarily northbound finch movement continued including 71 House Finches and 40 Pine Siskins. Fish Crows were moving south in impressive large flocks that added up to 239, and Blue Jays were streaming by as well totaling 150 southbound and 70 northbound. Waterbird movement was largely limited to 118 Black Scoters and 94 Double-crested Cormorants, though 74 Brown Pelicans moving steadily south in small grounds indicated they were on the move today as well.

Things were slow again at the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch, where 29 raptors were counted. Passerine numbers at the platform were strong however, and 171 Pine Siskins were counted, mostly in the morning hours. Purple Finches hit double digits for the first time this season with 11. Corvid numbers were strong at the hawkwatch as well, represented by 256 Blue Jays and 222 Fish Crows.

Steady north winds continuing overnight will gradually give way to northeasterlies by the afternoon. Though radar indicates there is lighter nocturnal migration, tomorrow morning will likely remain similarly birdy, comparable to today and the previous two days.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261022

1. Blackpoll Warbler
2. Yellow-rumped Warbler
3. Monarch

10/22/2026

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 21, 2026

Strong north winds continued today, bringing another active morning to the Eastern Shore. Totals of 63 species and 3062 individuals were counted at Sunset Beach.

Today was generally similar to yesterday in terms of passerines, and most of the 1685 Yellow-rumped Warblers moving north were on the main flightline over the parking lot, though with slightly lighter winds there was a higher proportion moving higher out to the east. Other songbirds were a touch lower in numbers, with the exception being 93 Pine Siskins, another notable bump for this boreal irruptive! Included in the total was a “green morph” male siskin, a poorly understood plumage variant likely pertaining to bright adult males.

Waterbirds were moving more than yesterday as well, starting off strong with a Western Cattle Egret moving north low over the highway at Sunrise recalling the hawkwatch’s observation of this species from two days prior. Two Brant, 20 Canada Goose, one American Black Duck, two Green-winged Teal, nine Black Scoter and 71 Black Scoter rounded out the waterfowl. Double-crested Cormorants were on the move again after a lull yesterday, totaling 127.

The Kiptopeke Hawkwatch remained on the slow side today with 92 raptors counted before the flight died shortly after noon. Highlights included nine Red-shouldered Hawks, a later season migrant that should see building numbers from here on out. Pine Siskins were moving in force at the hawkwatch as well tallying 146, and two Brant were a nice sight from the platform over the bay.

Northerly winds continue through tomorrow associated with the low pressure of the newly-named subtropical depression Josephine passing well offshore. Hopefully tomorrow will bring some more good morning flight and an uptick in the raptor activity.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261021

1. Sharp-shinned Hawk
2. Northern Rough-winged Swallow
3. Pine Siskins
4. Pine Siskin (green morph)

10/20/2026

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 20, 2026

Steady north winds following a strong night of nocturnal migration made for an active morning flight of reverse migrants at Sunset Beach, were totals of 61 species and 4196 individuals were counted.

Passerine flights this time of year are inevitably dominated by Yellow-rumped Warblers, though their flights are dynamic and vary considerably depending on the weather conditions. Today, essentially all 3114 of them were northbound low over the parking lot on the main morning flight line, with few other warblers mixed in including seven Cape May, six Plm, four Northern Parula, one Blackpoll, and one Common Yellowthroat.

There was a fair bit of other passerine diversity including 27 Pine Siskins, a notable uptick in these irruptive finches’ numbers. Two first-of-season Purple Finches were also counted. Today also saw the first good sparrow flight of the season, represented by 10 Chipping, four Field, six Dark-eyed Juncos, 16 White-throated, one Savannah, eight Song, three Swamp, and four Eastern Towhees. Rounding out the winter songbird roster was a first-of-season Hermit Thrush, seven Eastern Phoebes, eight Red-breasted Nuthatches, 10 Brown Creepers, and eight Golden-crowned Kinglets.

Larger birds were in shorter supply today, though there were still a handful of waterbirds migrating including 10 Surf Scoters and 43 Black Scoters moving south over the bay, one Common Loon, one Northern Gannet, and twelve Double-crested Cormorants. Up at the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch, a total of 83 raptors were counted, on the slower side for a clear day with strong northerlies. The slower day did not stop the first Golden Eagle of the season, an immature moving back north in the afternoon.

Similar conditions continue tomorrow, and it will be interesting to see how both morning flight and the raptor flight differ from today.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261020

1. Pine Siskin
2. Northern Flicker
3. Swamp Sparrow

10/20/2026

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 19, 2026

North-northeast winds continued today and brought another good day of migration to the Eastern Shore. At Sunset Beach, totals of 49 species and 4463 individuals were counted.

Today featured another nice blend of landbird and waterbird migrants, though reorientation morning flight was slower given the low overnight migration. The vast majority of this morning’s reverse migrants were 321 northbound Yellow-rumped Warblers. Forward migrants were moving in solid numbers including 318 Blue Jays, 96 Fish Crows, 119 Red-winged Blackbirds, and 178 Brown-headed Cowbirds. Tree Swallows were streaming south high all morning with a total of 2729 counted before their swirling movements became incomprehensible.

Waterbirds were on the slower side today at Sunset, and most of the scoters moving today were extremely distant in bad shimmer rendering the majority unidentifiable. An exception was a relatively close flock of six White-winged Scoters moving north that put down on the water for a couple minutes out past the pylons, a good count of this uncommon sea duck for this early in the season. Three Brant also made a nice close pass as they worked their way up the bay. Three Northern Gannets appeared for the first time this season, a juvenile in close and two adults way out in the shimmer.

The Kiptopeke Hawkwatch was slower today but still recorded a solid flight of 235 raptors. It was another good day for Cooper’s Hawks totaling 107, beating out the 80 Sharp-shinned. Nine Pine Siskins included a flock of seven dropping in to the shrubs bordering the platform. A bizarre highlight was a Western Cattle Egret that came in low from the south between the t-pole and the platform just over the field!

Strong north-northeasterlies continue tomorrow, and a strong liftoff of nocturnal migrants tonight across the northeast should make for an exciting day tomorrow.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261019

1. Brant
2. Northern Harrier

10/19/2026

Eastern Shore Migration Update: October 18, 2026

Strong north-northeast winds following the passage of the major cold front were excellent conditions for nocturnal and diurnal migrants alike on the Eastern Shore. Totals of 79 species and 3052 individuals were counted.

The day's major excitement came at 9:22 am when hawk counter Sage Church made the call that a Swainson’s Hawk had just passed the hawkwatch moving south, and just six minutes later it appeared out to the east of Sunset Beach! The Swainson’s made no fewer than four passes at the hawkwatch today including an excellent view moving back north at 3:30 pm.

Waterbirds had a strong at Sunset Beach showing including seven Brant, eleven Northern Shovelers, and one American Wigeon. Double-crested Cormorants were streaming by in flocks throughout the morning totaling 291. Shorebirds displayed some nice late season diversity including three Black-bellied Plovers, two Greater and one Lesser Yellowlegs and 43 Dunlin, a good count for this site.

Landbird diversity included both a Yellow-billed and a sneaky Black-billed Cuckoo moving north. A steady northbound stream of Yellow-rumped Warblers totaled 809, with a few other typical late-season warblers mixed in. Other passerine flavor included 45 Fish Crows, an American Pipit, two Eastern Meadowlarks, two Pine Siskins, and seven first-of-season Rusty Blackbirds.

The Kiptopeke Hawkwatch saw an amazing flight for mid-October of 1039 raptors, an impressive total well past peak migration for the site. This flight was heavily dominated by Accipitrines with Sharp-shinned Hawks taking a commanding lead of 511, many of which moved through in the early hours of the morning, and Cooper’s Hawks had their best day of the season with 328 counted.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s daily migration update on CVWO social media and the CVWO blog: https://vawildliferesearch.org/cvwo-blog

And follow along with the count live every morning on Trektellen: https://trektellen.nl/count/view/3748/20261018

1. Swainson's Hawk
2. Common Loon
3. Wood Ducks
4. Dunlin
5. Pine Siskin

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P. O. Box 764
Lightfoot, VA
23090

Website

http://www.vawildliferesearch.org/

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