This weekend the Back Bay Birding Club ventured up the Eastern Shore and
Bombay Hook to see what birds could withstand the frigid temperatures.
First stop was the CBBT. Brant were present on all islands but 1, all Scoters
were found, Common Eider on 3 & 4, Longtails on 2,3&4, Harlequins on 4,
Buffleheads on 1&2, Common Loon on 3, Bonapartes Gulls on 1 and the usual
other gulls, Cormorants and peeps.
Second Stop was the Eastern Shore NWR. Nothing was on the lake at the Welcome
Center but Tree Swallows were seen flying over it. One mature and one
immature Little Blue Heron were seen off the observation deck and a Woodcock
very near the bunker.
We made our way up Rt 600 stopping at the Landfill to see the usual gulls,
Canada Geese & Vultures and were surprised to see Ring Necked Ducks, a Green
Winged Teal and some Bufflehead in the water.
Willis Wharf had lots of Marbled Godwit, Dunlin and Dowitcher (short billed?)
At Chincoteague NWR were surprised that we didn't see that many Snow Geese or
Tundra Swan. Waterfowl were not that plentiful either ( Mallard, Black Duck,
Gadwall, Shovler, Am Wigeon and Hooded Merganser). Shorebird numbers were low
as well. At Bombay Hook on Sunday we also found the large numbers of Snow
Geese & Tundra Swan were not present. It was a little more understandable
there as there was LOTS of ice on the water, it was only 21 degrees and the
wind was gusting between 15 & 25 mph..brrrrr. We had good views of Black
Crowned Night Heron all hunkered down in the tall grasses and a Bald Eagle
made a low flyby. On the outskirts of the refuge we viewed Horned Larks in
the field. The day before Lapland Longspurs were found but we were too darned
cold by then to search and headed home.Virginia Beach felt downright balmy in
our 30+ degree temperatures compared to what we were in all weekend.
Karen Beatty
wrapped in a blanket in Virginia Beach
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