[va-bird] VA beach, Eastern shore

["Alex Merritt" <cerulean182@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Va-bird,

I went down to the Virginia Beach area on 10th before my visit to William 
and Mary.  I tried (albeit half-heartedly) for the Eurasian Wigeon at 
Christopher farms.  It wasn't around during the half-hour I was there, but 
there were a few American Wigeon, Mallards, and Hooded Mergansers.

Next I spent some time on the CBBT.  Great Cormorants were on islands 2,3, 
and 4.  There were hundreds of Surf Scoters, but only a handful of Black, 
and no White-winged.  Long-tailed Ducks were seen from islands 1,3, and 4.  
Purple Sandpipers and Red-breasted Mergansers were seen from every island.  
On island 3 I found a third-winter (my first ever in that plumage) Lesser 
Black-backed Gull on the rocks on the east side.  Later I went back to 
refind and photograph it and instead stumbled on to the Cali Gull.  It was a 
fairly typical bird in all respects.  I took the slides in to be processed 
today.  Anyone who wants to see them let me know.

I spent a few hours before dark at the Eastern Shore NWR, but didn't find a 
whole lot.  Gray Catbird, Eastern Towhee, and Fox Sparrow headed up the list 
of interesting species.  There were also several Gadwall, American Wigeon, 
Northern Shoveler, and Green-winged Teal on the pond by the visitor's 
center.

After the college visit on the 11th I went to Craney Island to make a quick 
attempt at the Snowy Owl.  To make a long story short: no Snowy. The lady in 
the office said it was last seen on thursday.  Too bad.  It was a fun, but 
all too hurried trip.  Maybe later this winter I can spend some quality time 
down that way.

Good Birding,
Alex

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alex Merritt - 17
Oak Hill, VA
cerulean182@xxxxxxxxxxx

"She's got everything delightful
She's got everything I need
Takes the wheel when I'm seeing double
Pays my ticket when I speed"
        -Grateful Dead



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[va-bird] VA beach, Eastern shore