January is always an exciting time for birders everywhere as they begin to record species on their new annual lists. An impressive number of birds at the beginning of the year bodes well for the avid birder.

A winter walk around Shirley is certain to beef up that growing list. I was greeted on the 4th of January by an adult bald eagle perched on his usual tree by the James River. I also found my first robin—scores of them I should say—in the horse pasture by the entrance road. Large wintering flocks of robins have become the norm here in recent years. It was neat to find a wintering yellow-bellied sapsucker, our only woodpecker which is not a year-round resident of Virginia.

Other wintering species which I observed included the white-throated sparrow, junco, and ruby-crowned kinglet. The kinglet, that most acrobatic elf, was seen investigating a hole in the brick wall of the historic Store House.

Another target bird at Shirley is the meadowlark, the lovely denizen of our fields and pastures. I was not disappointed. A sizable flock took wing as I drove past the fields beyond the entrance gate. Meadowlarks charm us all year long at Shirley with their handsome plumage and plaintive whistle.

And so the old plantation provides an excellent habitat for our feathered friends and very profitable grounds for the January birder on his listing quest. Be sure to join us for the March bird walk where Randy and I will guide you through areas of the plantation normally left only for wildlife.

Tom McCary

Spring 2010

How grateful I was when the clouds began to disappear early on the morning of March 13, the day of our long-anticipated bird walk around the gardens and ponds of Shirley Plantation. The first rays of sunshine lifted our spirits and put us all in the mood to enjoy some serious birding. In the parking lot a pair of amorous robins reminded me that spring was soon to come.

We began our search in front of the Great House, where we discovered a flock of cedar waxwings perched high in the top of a tree. In contrast to the quick waxwings, grackles and starlings announced their presence with a variety of cackles and chortles. White-throated sparrows put on a show on the patio behind the gift shop.

In the formal gardens our group was treated to a number of birds, including cardinals, blue jays, red-winged blackbirds, and our target species, the white-crowned sparrow. Two woodpeckers were observed in a tree near the arbor: the yellow-bellied sapsucker and the red-bellied woodpecker. Beyond the arbor by the fence we searched the polo field with our binoculars, and we were richly rewarded by an excellent sighting of that golden denizen of our fields, the Eastern Meadowlark. In the distance a killdeer thrilled us with his plaintive cry.

We were now ready for the impoundments, where Randy Carter’s familiarity with waterfowl proved invaluable. Just on one pond we found gadwall, ring-necked ducks, shovelers, green-winged teal and American wigeon. Needless to say, we lingered for some time, savoring the experience. Soon these ducks would be heading for their breeding grounds far away. Later at the Earl Pit our group enjoyed watching many ruddy ducks and some handsome bufflehead. All the while, over a hundred Canada geese were watching us from the nearly fields. Perhaps their sage leader was announcing, “We’re safe. They are all birdwatchers.”

Our ramble had been a delight, heightened indeed by our visit to the out-of-the-way impoundments. Quite an auspicious morning! The warm sun was now shining in earnest, betokening the arrival of yet another spring.

Tom McCary