Hello Everyone,
(3rd attempt to post this - sorry if duplicates come through).
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 doing some early morning owling
and rail-ing. 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 after that, 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 our way to the beach and water and scoped many BRANT, along with 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 Sparrow 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 truly a 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 of 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.
Larry and I then attended the CVWO meeting, and then enjoyed the very
interesting presentations given by all, as well as the 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 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 the growl call we have on one of our recordings
for BLACK RAIL !!! The bird came closer and called again. 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 where we noted PINE SISKINS,
PURPLE FINCHES, an OSPREY, a BALTIMORE ORIOLE, 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 arguable the most fun
time of year to bird the Eastern Shore.
Best birding to all!
Jay Keller,
Arlington, VA
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