Friday at 4PM the Ornithology class from William & Mary began
a 24 hour birding trip that started at the CBBT islands,
where a Vesper Sparrow, House Wren, Magnolia and Palm
Warblers and junco were the only land birds and a Bonaparte's
Gull was the only seabird of interest. At Ramp Road on the
ESNWR we got a nice look at one of the 15 or so Clapper Rails
that were calling, as well as gadwall, wigeon, 20
black-crowned night-herons, 15 immature little blue herons, 8
glossy and 60 white ibis and numerous egrets going to roost.
We got great looks at Screech and Great-horned Owls on the
road into Wachapreague (using tapes and a spotlight) and at
dawn were greeted by blustery conditions at Saxis. An adult
Bald Eagle, 3 Tricolored Herons and 2 Pectoral Sandpipers
were all we could get out of the marsh because of the intense
wind. Common Loons were migrating overhead, as well as one
Red-throated that I believe is quite early. At Chincoteague
the highlight was a flock of nearly 300 Black Skimmers
wheeling around in spectacular formation for over an hour
with no apparent purpose (i.e. not feeding, must have had
some social function). A very obliging (and late) flock of
60 Stilt Sandpipers with just a few dunlin, dowitchers and
lesser yellowlegs was also a treat for students still
struggling over shorebird ID's. Back down at Kiptopeke we
saw 6 peregrines and 4 merlin in quick succession, including
a peregrine in the hand, and ended the day with the group's
104th species - a pair of blue grosbeaks. Overall it was a
great field trip despite blustery winds from the wrong
direction and even a violent thunderstorm. Most of the
students are now familiar with the yellow-rumped warbler. Dan
Cristol
Daniel A. Cristol
Associate Professor
Department of Biology
College of William & Mary,
P.O. Box 8795
Williamsburg VA 23187-8795, USA
PHONE: 757 221-2405
FAX: 757 221-6483
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