[birdky] RPT: LBL/dams vicinity, March 1-2, 2013 ... California Gull & Neotropic Cormorant +

From: brainard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: BIRDKY <birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 2 Mar 2013 22:55:48 -0500 (GMT-05:00)
Eddie Huber, Brian Wulker, and myself birded around KY & Barkley Dams the last 
two days; this afternoon we were joined by Michael Autin. Despite nearly 
incessant light to moderate rain and snow showers, we were able to find some 
good birds. Highlights:

California Gull -- adult both days at the heron/cormorant nesting island near 
the Old Kuttawa Recreation Area, Lake Barkley. Yesterday's encounter involved a 
bit of frustration (including a disappearing act by the bird, a couple of heavy 
snow showers, and an ill-fated attempt to photograph the bird from a passing 
commercial fisherman's boat) that ended with a less than full confidence of an 
accurate ID. We refound it today, however, at the same location and were able 
to obtain better views of it. A very bright bird that appears well advanced 
into alternate plumage.

Neotropic Cormorant -- we created our own little "Patagonia Rest Stop Effect" 
by returning to the nestnig island four times today; the final trip resulted in 
the observation of a *tiny* adult cormorant standing right besides the Cal 
Gull. It seemed 1/2 the bulk of some of the larger Double-cresteds (some of 
which are *already* nesting) as it loafed with several dozen D-cresteds on the 
shore of the island. It tugged at several saplings sprouting from the shore, so 
maybe it will be in the mood to nest???

Lesser Black-backed Gulls -- 2 or 3; 3rd/4th year and same or adult at 2 spots 
on Barkley; a first-year bird just above Ky Dam this morning.

Thayer's Gull -- first-year bird above Ky Dam yesterday.

Bonaparte's Gull -- fully-hooded adult bird at Eddy Creek yesterday; probably 
2500+ total on Hammond & Poplar Creek embayments w. of Kuttawa.

Gulls -- very few feeding below both dams with Herrings outnumbering Ringers 
both days. Small numbers of Am. White Pelicans are now below both dams most of 
the time.

Forster's Tern -- 2 inside the Old Kuttawa Rec Area breakwater with Bonies.

Waterfowl -- relatively numerous on Lake Barkley but heat waves and snow 
showers prevented good study. Hardly *any* waterfowl on Kentucky Lake above the 
dam. In excess of 100 Red-breasted Mergansers at the mouth of Demumbers Bay 
today.

Red Crossbill -- 2 (male and female) at the loblolly pine stand at the Ky 
Sheriff's Ranch near the Ky Dam airport.

We stopped by Otter Pond, Caldwell County, yesterday. We had 8 species of 
common waterfowl including at least 32 American Wigeon and about 2x that number 
of Gadwall.

bpb, Louisville
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[birdky] RPT: LBL/dams vicinity, March 1-2, 2013 ... California Gull & Neotropic Cormorant +

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