While getting ready to walk the dogs this afternoon, I noticed an adult male
Wilson's Warbler in the side yard here at the house. It stayed for about 10
minutes, flycatching and gleaning insects from the Salvia stalks, and is
probably still on the block. It was a "lifer" for co-innkeeper Steve
Hairfield, who
really enjoyed the bird's antics and appearance. It was the first I've seen
in the yard, and the only one I've seen in winter north of Texas. It was,
alas, not noticed yesterday during the Cape Charles CBC, but an adult male
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, in the same side yard, was photographed and seen by
the
Cape Charles area team, Tom Saunders, Dot Fields, and Richard Ayers. (Thanks
to Henry Floyd for letting me know that this bird was even in the yard!!) A
Western Palm Warbler was also in the yard, picking insects off the lawn, as the
hummer caught gnats. Amazing to have such warm weather on New Year's Eve.
The Cape Charles CBC tallied at least 165 species, a good count, with
highlights a Snowy Owl, a Northern Shrike, 4 Ross's Geese, a Cackling Goose,
many
White Ibis, Iceland Gull, 12 Wild Turkeys (thanks to Fenton Day and Larry
Lynch!), a King Eider, a Least Sandpiper, 6 Common Eiders, and 6 Red
Crossbills.
There were some interesting "missed" species, including Little Blue Heron,
Snowy
Egret, Canvasback, rarer owls, Blue-headed Vireo, and Greater Scaup, but few
species missed elicited a wince or a tsk at the compilation. (The species
total could have been another 5-10 or so higher, but some of the regulars were
not
able to make the count this year, and the proliferation of hunters was the
greatest I've ever seen during the count period - keeping us out of both prime
and marginal habitats on the mainland.) With the very warm temperatures today,
I was not surprised to see 2 Snowy Egrets at the Eastern Shore of Virginia
NWR this afternoon after returning from the Little Creek CBC! Ah well!
Ned Brinkley
Cape Charles, VA
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