Hi Birders,
Inspired by the enthusiasm for more list-serv posts, here's a quick trip
report of this afternoon's kayak trip. Taking advantage of the beautiful
weather, we put in on Lawnes Creek (Carlisle Tract of Hog Island WMA in
Surry County) and paddled out into the James River.
Highlights included an enormous flock of Bonaparte's Gulls on the water
near the power plant discharge. My best estimate was 300 birds but I
quickly realized counting gulls in a kayak poses considerable challenges in
a stiff wind! The spot also had about 40 Brown Pelicans, mostly roosting on
the rocks, along with Lesser Scaup, Buffleheads and Red-breasted
Mergansers. Quite the spectacle!
Further up the peninsula we paddled into the mouth of Hog Island Creek and
flushed several groups of dabblers including American Black Duck, Mallard,
and both Teals.
There are also incredible numbers of roosting Great Blue Heron along this
stretch (one 20 meter section held 21 birds!).
Stopping off on the beach on the return trip we also picked out a distant
Red-throated Loon and had a fly-by pair of Ruddy Turnstones.
Hope everyone got to enjoy the beautiful weather for the holiday, too!
Frank Fogarty
Smithfield
