CBBT Report - Saturday, March 3, 2007
14 individuals from Harrisonburg, Waynesboro, Charlottesville, and
Hampton/Newport News/Virginia Beach area joined together for a 3-hour
escorted tour of islands 2, 3, and 4 along the CBBT. Sunny skies, seasonal
temps and a slight breeze prevailed throughout the morning.
Gull numbers were down but we were able to observe a steady stream of
BONAPARTE'S. Many of the seabirds were located further into the bay, with
all three scoters represented. We were unable to locate any of the
Harlequin observed earlier in the week. However, it's possible they were
relocated around island 1 later in the day.
Island 2 hosted one AMERICAN TREE SWALLOW, one DARK-EYED JUNCO, several SONG
SPARROW, and one EASTERN PHOBE flitting around the rocks on bayside and a
female GOLDENEYE.
Island 3 is where we hit the jackpot. First was a single DOVEKIE spotted
bayside and was tracked through spotting scopes as it continued heading
toward the mainland. Within a few short minutes Renee Hudgins picked up a
black and white alcid sitting on water's surface bayside. It was way out
there but with spotting scopes in good light we could easily see the size
and shape of the bill, clearly ruling out Razorbill. The overall black head
and face and back was in sharp contrast to the bright white underside and
white throat. Due to distance and swells, we were unable to see the flanks
as it sat on the water. However, at one point it raised up out of the water
with wings outstretched and we could easily see the bright white underside
that appeared to extend up the left flank. The undertail coverts were
white. The bird has tentatively been identified as a THICK-BILLED MURRE.
The bird was observed diving a few times, once flying a short distance that
was more like running on top of the water before plopping down. It
eventually took to the air, flying low over the surface, in a straight
flight heading north, disappearing out in the channel between islands 3 and
4 to the north. A low sailing PEREGRINE FALCON over the rocks momentarily
took our attention from our search of the murre. We were unsuccessful in
relocating the murre but tracked three RAZORBILL flying together low over
the water along the same track as the murre.
Highlights of the trip include:
HARBOR SEAL - island 3
DOVEKIE - 1
RAZORBILL - 3
MURRE species (tentatively ID'd as Thick-billed) - 1
RED-THROATED LOON - at least 3
COMMON LOON
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER - numerous
BRANT
LONG-TAILED DUCK
LESSER SCAUP
GREATER SCAUP
RUDDY DUCK
BUFFLEHEAD
HORNED GREBE
RED-NECKED GREBE - spotted by Ben Copeland
GREAT CORMORANT - males looking dapper in their breeding plumage (Greats
seemed to outnumber the Double-crested)
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT
NORTHERN GANNET
BROWN PELICAN
RUDDY TURNSTONE
PURPLE SANDPIPER
Several of us stopped in Portsmouth late afternoon and by then the wind was
barreling out of the west. I was able to observe and photograph my first
Osprey for 2007. A pair were observed copulating at the nest. Other
highlights included:
LEAST SANDPIPER
SANDERLING
DUNLIN
NORTHERN SHOVELER
AMERICAN WIGEON
GADWELL
BLACK DUCK
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Brenda Tekin
Charlottesville, VA
"Leave behind what you find; if you must take something, take pictures."
Digital Photography, including Birds of Virginia:
http://www.birdsofvirginia.com
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