Hi All,
Sorry for the late posting but Sandra and I just returned to Amherst from a
three day end of the year coastal assault to finish out my Big Year.
Unofficially, I ended the year with 344 species (1 shy of Ned's 1996 record and
2 shy of Todd's 2002 record)..What a great year!! Birds added to my list over
the last three days were: Lark Sparrow at Karen Kearny's house in Deep Creek on
Dec 29, Snowy Owl and Black-headed Gull at Chincoteague on Dec 30, King Eider
(female along with 1 imm male and 1 female Common Eider) off the scenic stop at
north end of CBBT and Little Gull off the north end of island #2 on Dec 31.
Unfortunately, I missed the Clark's Grebe off Ft Story despite spending most of
Dec 31 scanning for this bird from both First Landing and Ft Story (oh well
such is life).
The Snowy Owl was a great surprise. I got a call about this bird from Ned on
Wednesday night. So I decided to for go what would surly be a great day of
birding with George Armistead on the Cape Charles CBC to make the trip up to
Chincoteague and the 2 1/2 hour round-trip walk to the hook to see the Snowy
Owl. On the way back, I was also surprised to find an adult Black-headed Gull
feeding in the surf with 6 Bonaparte's Gull directly east of the old Coast
Guard Station. I also had 3 Marbled Godwit feeding in the surf just south of
the last beach parking area.
Other good birds over the last three days included Harliquin Duck off CBBT #1,
Orange-crowned Warbler and Gray Catbird at First Landing, and a single
White-winged Scoter off #3.
Thanks to all who supported me in various ways throughout my Big Year. Special
thanks to Ned Brinkley and Todd Day for tips and calls and to Adam D'Onofrio
for companionship and support on so many trips to all parts of the state (Woo
Hoo!!). Big Year are always more than an individual effort as support and
information from the entire birding community are essential to the success of
any big year. Finally thanks to my wife Sandra and my daughter Ambi for
"putting up with" my hobby.
By the way, my 2005 list stands at 25 (but who's counting right?).
Thanks to all and Good Birding.
Mike
Amherst, VA
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