Yesterday, I birded the lower eastern shore with Mike Iwanik and Vickie
Gullet. Our first stop was CBBT island #1 where we found a few migrant
land birds that included BROWN CREEPER, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, EASTERN
PHOEBE, NORTHERN FLICKER, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW,
SONG SPARROW and DARK-EYED JUNCO. At the scenic overlook before heading
onto the shore, we saw a COMMON LOON, many ROYAL TERNS and a few
FORSTER'S TERNS sitting on the pilings. Sunset Beach was loaded with
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS and had a nice mix of sparrows to sort through
but we could only come up with the common ones. An imm. BALD EAGLE was
seen overhead. ESVNWR was also loaded with YR Warblers. A single PALM
WARBLER was the only other warbler seen. The best birds seen there were
3 PURPLE FINCHES (1 male, 2 females) but the most impressive display was
the SHARP-SHINNED HAWK show. They were everywhere, diving into trees
and bushes frequently. COOPER'S HAWKS and RED-TAILED HAWKS were on hand
also. At the Ramp Rd. pond, we encountered 5 WHITE IBIS, a GREAT EGRET,
3 SNOWY EGRETS, 3 GREATER YELLOWLEGS and a BLUE-WINGED TEAL. Best
sparrows at the refuge were a few WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS. Along route
600, we came across a large flock of blackbirds but couldn't pull
anything interesting out of them, although we did find one AMERICAN
PIPIT in the field. The pond at the Northampton County landfill
contained a nice group of RUDDY DUCKS and a PURPLE SANDPIPER was found
on the bay side in Cape Charles. Finally, at Ned Brinkley's house, we
enjoyed the RUFOUS/ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD as it sat in the side yard the
whole time we were there talking to Ned. A great little bird.
Hopefully, a firm ID will be made before he leaves. Although it was
windier and colder than expected, it was an enjoyable day at the shore.
Good birding.
Adam D'Onofrio
Dinwiddie County
You are subscribed to VA-BIRD. To post to this mailing list, simply send email
to va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx. To unsubscribe, send email to
va-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
