The last seven days on iNaturalist, checked against five years

Rare Birds in Virginia This Week

Q: What rare birds are in Virginia this week?

The lists above, read live from iNaturalist: first the birds within 25 miles of Virginia Beach, then the whole state. Each species is checked against five years of confirmed sightings, and the most unusual come first.

Q: How many bird species are seen in Virginia?

413 bird species in 278,319 confirmed iNaturalist sightings between 2021-10-09 and 2026-10-01. 50 of those species have 3 or fewer confirmed sightings in the state, so a new one of them is news.

Q: What counts as rare in Virginia?

Near Virginia Beach or your own ZIP, a species with 3 or fewer confirmed sightings within 25 miles in five years, or one that is seen there but almost never in these weeks of the year. On the statewide list, a species with 3 or fewer confirmed sightings anywhere in Virginia.

Q: Who confirms rare bird records in Virginia?

The Virginia Avian Records Committee (VARCOM). From its page: “If you identify a rare bird species or potential new record, VARCOM can help you to officially document your sighting for Virginia’s permanent ornithological record.”

Q: How do I see rare birds near me in Virginia?

Enter your ZIP on the rare bird alert for a list around your own spot, and check it each week in spring and fall migration, when most strays turn up. Each bird links to its iNaturalist species page with photographs and a range map.

Q: Are needs ID sightings included?

Yes, for this week only, because confirmation takes days and a rare bird may be gone by then. The five year record the week is checked against counts research grade sightings only.

Virginia logged 278,319 confirmed bird sightings across 413 species on iNaturalist in five years, and 50 of those species have 3 or fewer confirmed sightings. The live list near Virginia Beach covers 25 miles around the city. The Virginia Avian Records Committee (VARCOM) reviews rare bird records here.

Near Virginia Beach

Rare birds near Virginia Beach this week

Every bird posted within 25 miles of Virginia Beach in the last seven days, with the ones that are rare there, out of season or uncommon first and the reason for each.

Reading this week's bird sightings within 25 miles of Virginia Beach from iNaturalist.

Somewhere else in Virginia? Enter your ZIP for the circle around it.

Virginia birds on the record

iNaturalist, research grade

278,319

Confirmed bird sightings

research grade iNaturalist records, five years

413

Bird species on record

seen and confirmed in Virginia

Species seen 3 times or fewer

12 percent of the state list, the birds that make news

25 mi

Live circle

around Virginia Beach, or any ZIP you enter

Counted from iNaturalist’s research grade bird records in Virginia from October 9, 2021 to October 1, 2026, read October 9, 2026.

Across Virginia

The whole state this week

Every bird reported anywhere in Virginia in the last seven days, checked against the state’s own five year record: Rare here means 3 or fewer confirmed sightings in the whole state.

Reading this week's bird sightings across Virginia from iNaturalist.

What turns up here

Who confirms a rare bird in Virginia

413 bird species have confirmed iNaturalist records in Virginia over five years, and 50 of them were confirmed 3 times or fewer. A sighting of one of those is the kind a state records committee reviews before it joins the official list.

Virginia Avian Records Committee (VARCOM)

The committee reviews rare bird records in Virginia.

“If you identify a rare bird species or potential new record, VARCOM can help you to officially document your sighting for Virginia’s permanent ornithological record.”

Virginia Avian Records Committee (VARCOM), read October 9, 2026.

Nine birders and photographers on a wooden boardwalk over a marsh, with long lenses, a spotting scope and binoculars all pointed to the left, under spring trees — Birders and photographers setting up on an overlook. Word of an unusual bird travels this way: one person posts a photograph, and the people nearby go and look. “Birdwatchers stop to set up equipment at overlook”, Steve Hillebrand, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain

Virginia rare bird questions

What rare birds are in Virginia this week?

How many bird species are seen in Virginia?

What counts as rare in Virginia?

Who confirms rare bird records in Virginia?

How do I see rare birds near me in Virginia?

Are needs ID sightings included?

More for Virginia birders

Rare birds near any ZIPEnter a ZIP for this week’s unusual birds around it.Virginia fall migrationWhen the big flights pass over.Virginia hummingbird migrationWhen they arrive and when they leave.Virginia eagle watchingWhere bald eagles gather in winter.Virginia snowy owlsWhere the winter irruptions reach.Virginia winter birdsWhat comes to the feeder when it snows.

Rare birds in other states

Sightings and records from iNaturalist, read live for this week. The lists are built from counts per species, and each bird links to its species page. For your own spot, enter a ZIP on the rare bird alert.