Hello Everyone,
I have a few things to add to Kurt Gaskill's report about this weekend's birds
on the southern Eastern Shore. Larry Meade and I signed up to bird Fisherman
Island NWR and we arrived at about 7 AM after an early morning owling and
rail-ing run with Kurt and Rich. We knew we might be in for a good morning
when we almost immediately started seeing flocks of WHITE IBIS flying overhead
- 82 in total, including one flock of over 40 individuals. Shortly thereafter,
two young YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS flew out from the upper portion of a tree
and landed in another tree a short distance away. Shortly thereafter, a flock
of 8 CANVASBACKS crossed the peninsula over our heads, another nice surprise.
CLAPPER RAILS kekked in the marsh, two PINE SISKINS called overhead, along with
two RUSTY BLACKBIRDS in a Red-winged Blackbird flock. We continued along the
trail that makes its way toward the beach, and I was delighted to get some
decent but quick views of a CLAY-COLORED sparrow in a large shrub right along
the trail. It would bounce up briefly when pished and did this at least three
times.
We made out way to the beach and water and scoped many BRANT, along with a many
SURF SCOTERS and a single HORNED GREBE. We were disappointed that virtually no
shorebirds were present, so we started back along the trail and came upon a
BROWN CREEPER I thought I had heard on the way out. Lots of sparrows were
flying around, but not quite the numbers that Kurt and others noted at the TNC
tracts. The Clay-colored was not relocated. As we were standing there, I
noticed a large white bird with black flight feathers and realized that it was
an AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN flying in a southbound direction not far offshore.
It was a truly rewarding sighting for VA. We went back toward the beach to see
if it might have landed somewhere for a better look, but it was nowhere to be
found.
We finished a little after 10 AM, but before we climbed back in the car we
noticed a few TURKEY VULTURE kettles overhead - an amazing sight as two of the
groups were forming tall tornado-like spirals as they traversed the peninsula.
Among the kettles were a couple of SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS and a RED-SHOULDERED
HAWK, as well as a couple BLACK VULTURES. We tallied 67 species despite a poor
showing of shorebirds and waterfowl. However, the special birds more than made
up for that, and the Eastern Shore held true to form for attracting rarities
this weekend.
We then attended the CVWO meeting, and enjoyed the very interesting
presentations given by all, as well as a very hearty lunch that we all hungrily
gobbled. Afterward, we headed out for a bit more birding by driving Route 600
for 'wire birds' but didn't see much of interest. We visited Magotha Road
another time and heard a SEDGE WREN at about 3 feet from our feet that just
wouldn't show. We then decided it was time for a dinner run, so pizza in Cape
Charles was on the menu.
Afterward, we decided to again try Ramp Road at ESVNWR for some rails, and we
immediately noted a call that went something like Grr Grr Grr in the distance,
which sounds very similar to a growl call we have on one of our recordings for
BLACK RAIL !!! We have reason to believe that it was, in fact, a Black Rail,
which is a surprise for mid-November. In addition to the Black Rail, we noted
two SORA, a couple VIRGINIA RAILS, and a few CLAPPER RAILS keking and grunting.
Early the following morning, we went out again and noted the same cast of
characters including the Black Rail.
Afterward, we moved on to the hawkwatch platform for about an hour at Kiptopeke
SP and saw some interesting movement including several PINE SISKINS, PURPLE
FINCHES, an OSPREY, a couple accipiters, and an early morning RED-TAIL. After
another trip along Route 600 (where we noted two AMERICAN PIPITS), we spent
some time on CBBT Island 1 and found GANNETS, SCOTERS, and others, but none of
the target Eiders or special gulls. I look forward to doing this weekend again
next year, as it is arguably the most fun time of year to bird the Eastern
Shore.
Best birding to all!
Jay Keller,
Arlington, VA
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