VA-Birders,
My family and I arrived at Chincoteague at about 10:30 this morning and I
immediately started a 4 hour seawatch from the south end of the parking area
just before the ORV zone. It was a splendid half-day or birding!
After only about 30 minutes of scanning, I noted two SOOTY SHEARWATERS loafing
together not-too-distantly offshore, their long pointed wings and white
underwing pattern quite evident. Fairly strong winds coming onshore must be
responsible for these and other sightings of the day. They were heading north
at about the same time as 7-8 juvenile NORTHERN GANNETS, and then at about
11:15 I noted no more. At about 11:30 I was watching numerous FORSTER'S and
COMMON TERNS and noted a beautiful breeding-plumaged ARCTIC TERN that began
feeding quite close to shore in front of me. It appeared short-headed, and
when it got close-in on a couple of passes, I was able to see a stubby red
bill, long tail, and pale upperwing relative to the Commons. So, of course I
started dreaming about things like Roseate Tern and possibly Jaegers, but nada.
I was also treated to six RED KNOTS flying (southward) along the beach, and
another single bird heading north a while later. The winds seemed to calm a
bit as the morning progressed, picking up again as we left for the wildlife
drive. Hopefully they will remain tomorrow. Another notable species was a
single hen NORTHERN PINTAIL on the refuge.
Take Care,
Jay Keller,
Arlington
