This fall, Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory will be doing a hawkwatch
on private property on the seaside of the Eastern Shore, staffed by volunteers
on as many days as possible. We have often wondered how many birds we miss
at Kiptopeke, especially when west winds likely push birds toward the ocean.
Over recent years, we have done some limited coverage on a few days from the
Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge and from the GATR tract, a
nearby Game Department property, but this new seaside site has spectacular
360 degree views and is located in a beautiful salt marsh. Smith Island, the
barrier island just north of Fisherman Island, is just across the water to the
east.
Last Saturday, August 26th, I was there from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and even
though it was early in the season and temperatures were well above 90, birds
were moving. Fittingly for the marsh, the first migrant hawk for the new site
was a gorgeous male Northern Harrier. For the morning, there were 5 Northern
Harriers, 10 Ospreys, a Sharp-shinned Hawk and a surprise Broad-winged Hawk.
Two adult Bald Eagles, two Red-tailed Hawks, two American Kestrels and several
Turkey Vultures and Black Vultures were also present, though judged to be
not migrating at the time.
Some non-hawk highlights were 72 White Ibis, several Whimbrels, 100+
Bobolinks, nearly a thousand Barn Swallows and a variety of shorebirds, gulls,
terns, herons and egrets.
CVWO is looking for volunteer hawkwatchers to help cover the site and anyone
interested is invited to contact me off the List Serve. We have to keep cars
to a minimum on the property and will probably have to shuttle people to and
from Kiptopeke State Park. Volunteers should be prepared to stay at least
half a day. There were no bugs last Saturday, but the wind was steady and I
would expect that flies and mosquitoes will be there some....it is a
saltmarsh.
But there is no walking needed and there should not be ticks or chiggers.
There are also no bathroom facilities.
We look forward to an interesting season out there and to comparing the
flights with those at Kiptopeke as often as we can.
Brian Taber
