FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] Summary of the Ninth Kiptopeke Challenge, Sept 27, 2003

[KurtCapt87@xxxxxxx]

Summary of the Ninth Kiptopeke Challenge, Sept 27, 2003

Delayed by a week due to hurricane Isabel, the Ninth Kiptopeke Challenge took 
place Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003.  Eight teams participated and consisted of a 
Youth Team, a 3-hour Category Team, a Special Venue Team and the balance were 
in the 24-hour Competition Category.

Team results were:

Southeast Expeditions 121 
The Wandering Siskins 120
Tequila Mockingbirds 113
Wild Bird Unlimited 101
Laughing Falcons 98
Team Zucharitas 71 (Youth Team)
Wayward First Landing Loons 58 (Special Venue Team)
Monarchs 34 (3-hour Category Team)

The Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory extends hearty congratulations to all 
participants in this year’s Kiptopeke Challenge!

A common lament by team participants was directed at the paucity of 
neo-tropical passerine migrants – likely due to the stalled cold front 
several hundred miles to the north (which has, thankfully, changed!).  In 
addition, much vegetation on the southern Delmarva peninsula had been stripped 
or severely impacted by Isabel reducing the available foraging habitat for some 
insectivorous passerines.  Despite these obstacles, the teams were able to 
observe 155 different species on the Big Day, very close to the average 
reported for the previous eight years.

In the following, CNWR = Chincoteague NWR, ESVNWR = Eastern Shore of Virginia 
NWR, KSP = Kiptopeke State Park, and Saxis = extensive bayside saltmarsh near 
Saxis, VA.

Three new species were added to the cumulative list, Ruddy Duck (CNWR), 
Long-billed Dowitcher (Chincoteague causeway), and Barn Owl (Magotha to ESVNWR, 
ocean side), bringing the 9-year Kiptopeke Challenge total to 228 species.

Species found this year that have only been reported once in prior KCs were 
Common Loon (ESVNWR and CNWR, Tom’s Cove), Snow Goose (CNWR, Snow Goose 
Pool), Lesser Black-backed Gull (CBBT), and Eurasian Collared Dove (near KSP).

Species found this year that have been reported in 2 of the 8 KC years were 
Sora (Saxis), Dunlin (Chincoteague causeway), Gull-billed Tern (Arlington Rd, 
north of KSP), Chuck-will’s-widow (KSP), and Gray-cheeked Thrush (Saxis).

Species found this year that have been reported in 3 of the 8 KC years were 
American Bittern (ESVNWR saltmarsh), Am. Wigeon (ESNWR ramp road pond and 
CNWR), No. Pintail (CNWR), Red-shouldered Hawk (Northampton Co), American 
Avocet (CNWR), Horned Lark (Arlington Rd north of KSP), No. Rough-winged 
Swallow (ESVNWR Wise Point), and Ovenbird (CNWR).

Other species found this year that are of general interest were White Ibis 
(ESVNWR, ramp road), Common Moorhen (Eyre Hall), Marbled Godwit (Oyster), 
Western Sandpiper (Chincoteague causeway), Stilt Sandpiper (Chincoteague 
causeway), Sandwich Tern (CNWR and CBBT), Black Tern (Oyster), Pileated 
Woodpecker (Northampton Co.), Cliff Swallow (Northampton Co, Rt 600), and E. 
Meadowlark (Arlington Rd north of KSP).

Species of general interest reported 1-2 days before the event were: American 
Golden Plover (Arlington Road north of KSP), Whip-poor-will (KSP), Least 
Flycatcher (Accomac Co.), Bank Swallow (Accomac Co.), and Evening Grosbeak 
(Northampton Co, Rt 600 south of Oyster).

We at the CVWO are looking forward to seeing you at next year’s Kiptopeke 
Challenge!

Kurt Gaskill
KC Coordinator

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