[va-bird] King Eider/Kiptopeke


The subadult male King Eider continues at Kiptopeke State Park, around the 
concrete ships there.  Great shows by numbers of loons, including 
courting/displaying Red-throated Loons (albeit in basic plumage), a relatively 
surprising 
sight so far south.  They seem to like these warm, still days for their 
courtship (probably just 'practice' courtship), which involves rapid quacking 
sounds, 
outstreched necks, wing flapping, and sometimes mounting.  Lots of Horned 
Grebes around as well, some in alternate plumage.  Really good opportunities 
for 
close-up photography of these birds, as well as a few scoters and Common Loons.

Ospreys have been in for a while at nest sites with lee, but the more 
offshore nest sites in the Bay are not yet occupied; the innermost Cape Charles 
harbor nest was mostly 'finished' today, after a week or so of work, but they 
add 
to it through the summer.  
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