FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] NVBC Chincoteague Weekend, Feb. 11-13, 2005

[VBKitchens@xxxxxxx]

VA Birders,

    The 6 birders who joined our winter Chincoteague trip found at least 82 
species of birds in spite of mostly cold and windy weather.  Highlights at 
Chincoteague NWR Friday afternoon and Saturday included:  Tundra Swans, mainly 
in 
Swan Cove; a large flock of Snow Geese in the marsh between the road to the 
beach and Tom's Cove; a good variety of dabbling ducks, including 4 Blue-winged 
Teal, as well as Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, 
Gadwall, and Am. Wigeon in Snow Goose Pool; Northern Harrier; a cooperative 
male 
Merlin on a post next to the road which let us approach within a few feet 
before 
he flew; Am. Oystercatcher; and Red-breasted and Brown-headed Nuthatches on a 
residential road behind the Driftwood motel where we stayed.

    On Sunday morning, we found a large raft of Brant on the south side of 
the Chincoteague Causeway on our way out of town.  We then headed south on Rt. 
13 toward the CBBT, stopping en route at Willis Wharf, where we found a large 
flock of perhaps 150 or more Marbled Godwits, perhaps 100 Willets, Dunlin, and 
Short-billed Dowitchers all huddled together on the only spit not yet covered 
by the incoming tide.  We also looked--without success--for Eurasian 
Collared-Doves across Rt. 13 from Kiptopeke State Park. 

    On the CBBT, we found an estimated 25 Great Cormorants, some already 
getting their white flank patches, on Islands #2-4; Long-tailed Ducks at all 4 
islands; all 3 scoters, including 1 female White-winged Scoter at #3; Purple 
Sandpipers at #2 & 3; the Glaucous or Iceland Gull at #2 with Dave Hewitt and 
his 
friend Nate; and a Red-necked Grebe at #1.

    Finally, after lunch, we went to Chesapeake to look for the Painted 
Bunting as the grand finale to our weekend.  We arrived just after 4:00 pm to 
find 
the beautiful adult male bunting at the feeder on Lambert Trail.  It stayed 
long enough for all of us to get excellent views before it flew off.  The very 
gracious woman hosting this bird told us that it usually/often comes to feed 
between 4 and 5 pm.  

    For anyone planning to look for the Painted Bunting, a few notes on the 
directions:  From I-64 in Chesapeake, take exit 296 (according to my AAA 
Norfolk/VA Beach map) and go north on Rt. 17.  Cross Rt. 13, and then take the 
first 
left turn (I think it is Townhouse Lane) and go to Deep Creek Blvd.  Turn 
left and go to  Lambert Trail.  Turn right and go to 2813 Lambert Trail.  Look 
for the bird around the feeder on the left side of the house (a school bus may 
be parked in the driveway).  DO NOT try to access Deep Creek Blvd. from Rt. 13, 
because it is one way going into 13 and you cannot enter it there.  Lambert 
Trail is quite a narrow trail, so try to pull off the road as much as possible. 
   

Good birding,
Val Kitchens
Arlington, VA
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