All,
Sunday was as windy and unpromising for birding on the lower Northern Neck as
it was any where else in the state, but we nonetheless had a few sightings that
perhaps merit reporting.
The most vivid example of raptor migration I've yet to see this spring was a
group of 12 AMERICAN KESTRELS on wires and in trees along Rt 606 - Shiloh
School Road - about a quarter mile west of the eponymous school. Another five
within a mile radius of the spot brought the count to 17 for the brief spin
around the neighborhood. Two or three kestrels might otherwise be expected to
be seen in the same space.
At Dameron Marsh NAP there were 9 NORTHERN BOBWHITE, 7 BALD EAGLES (including 2
adults feeding their chicks in the nest) and at least 70 NORTHERN GANNETS
working the western edge of the bay just off shore. From the vantage point of
the observation platform I could see gannets at the far northern extremities of
my scope's range, so it's likely they were ranging at least into the mouth of
the Potomac, which puts them into the Maryland part of the bay. This is the
fourth consecutive weekend in which I've seen at least a few gannets in this
area.
There were also well above 500 DOUBLE CRESTED CORMORANTS on and around the
numerous pound nets that have been recently set up near the mouth of the Great
Wicomico River and Cockrell's Creek. Every pole, every head line was festooned
with as many cormorants as could squeeze into the available space.
On the way back to the house we came across a flock of 17 BONAPARTE'S GULLS, in
basic plumage, foraging in a nearly submerged farm field.
You are subscribed to VA-BIRD. To post to this mailing list, simply send email
to va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx. To unsubscribe, send email to
va-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
