Trip Report to Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and Eastern Shore - January 25,
2003
Four members of the Monticello Bird Club made the 6:15 a.m. departure from
Charlottesville to head over to the CBBT and Eastern Shore for a day of
birding. The way we figured, after experiencing high temps of only in the
20's the past week, the predicted high of mid to upper 30's for
Northhampton County and diminishing winds would feel spring like.
Turns out we were right. Although the shoreline and inlets, including most
of Fisherman Island were frozen oven making for some spectacular scenery,
the mostly sunny skies, virtually no wind and the mid-30 temps were
wonderful! What a fabulous day to be outdoors!
The rocks along the northern and southern ends and bay side of all four
islands were heavily iced over and the chunks of ice drifting along on
ocean side was a site I have never witnessed in my winter visits to
CBBT. The gull numbers were down drastically from my last visit the first
of January, but we were not disappointed in what awaited us.
I don't recall seeing such large numbers of sea ducks on any one visit all
close to the rocks making for easy viewing. Lesser Scaup numbered into the
thousands along with equally large numbers of Surf and Black Scoter and the
melodious musical whistle of the Black Scoter will not soon be forgotten.
Of noted interest, not one Northern Gannet could be found and only 4 Common
Loon were found later in the afternoon on return trip.
One of the most interesting sightings was a dead seahorse floating along
ocean side close to the rocks on island 3. On this same island we found
two Harbor Seal, one basking on the rocks which was photographed before it
slipped into the icy water.
Some of the highlights:
CBBT:
Harlequin Duck- 5 (including at least 2 first winter males)
Common Eider - 4, possibly a 5th
Long-tailed Duck (aka Oldsquaw)
Bufflehead
Ruddy Duck
Red-breasted Merganser - hundreds, if not into the thousands
Common Goldeneye - 1 on island 4
Redhead- 2
Lesser Scaup - thousands
Greater Scaup - small handful
Black Scoter - several hundred close in to the rocks
Surf Scoter - thousands
Purple Sandpiper
Ruddy Turnstone
Great Cormorant
Common Loon - only 4 found flying late in afternoon on return trip
Harbor Seal - 2 on Isl. 3
Eastern Shore NWR - a very brief stop
Northern Harrier - female
Red-tailed Hawk
Sanderling walking across the frozen waters at the overlook just north of
Fisherman's Isl. along Rt. 13
Cape Charles
Rufous Hummingbird - female visiting feeders at Ned Brinkley's home.
Great-blue Heron - only one for the day
Belted Kingfisher
Bald Eagle (2)- discovered after we turned around to investigate large
accipiter being chased by crows as we were traveling up Randolph Ave.
towards Rt. 13 The first BE, the 4-5 year, was observed flapping heading
south towards us. It slowed and began circling a short distance from where
we stood alongside the road and was soon joined by the second BE. They
continued circling low overhead slowing drifting south toward Kiptopeake.
Kiptopeake State Park - single Snow Goose landing in field to right of road
Total species approximately 55 for the day.
Best wishes and good birding,
Brenda Tekin
Charlottesville, VA
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