Va-bird,
I went down to the Virginia Beach area on 10th before my visit to William
and Mary. I tried (albeit half-heartedly) for the Eurasian Wigeon at
Christopher farms. It wasn't around during the half-hour I was there, but
there were a few American Wigeon, Mallards, and Hooded Mergansers.
Next I spent some time on the CBBT. Great Cormorants were on islands 2,3,
and 4. There were hundreds of Surf Scoters, but only a handful of Black,
and no White-winged. Long-tailed Ducks were seen from islands 1,3, and 4.
Purple Sandpipers and Red-breasted Mergansers were seen from every island.
On island 3 I found a third-winter (my first ever in that plumage) Lesser
Black-backed Gull on the rocks on the east side. Later I went back to
refind and photograph it and instead stumbled on to the Cali Gull. It was a
fairly typical bird in all respects. I took the slides in to be processed
today. Anyone who wants to see them let me know.
I spent a few hours before dark at the Eastern Shore NWR, but didn't find a
whole lot. Gray Catbird, Eastern Towhee, and Fox Sparrow headed up the list
of interesting species. There were also several Gadwall, American Wigeon,
Northern Shoveler, and Green-winged Teal on the pond by the visitor's
center.
After the college visit on the 11th I went to Craney Island to make a quick
attempt at the Snowy Owl. To make a long story short: no Snowy. The lady in
the office said it was last seen on thursday. Too bad. It was a fun, but
all too hurried trip. Maybe later this winter I can spend some quality time
down that way.
Good Birding,
Alex
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alex Merritt - 17
Oak Hill, VA
cerulean182@xxxxxxxxxxx
"She's got everything delightful
She's got everything I need
Takes the wheel when I'm seeing double
Pays my ticket when I speed"
-Grateful Dead
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