Tom and I enjoyed spending time with the VSO at the Museum Friday night and
on the tunnel islands Sunday. What a great group of people! Saturday while
VSO groups went out on pelagic and tram rides at Back Bay, Tom and I went
hunting for the Redheads reported in the Back Bay area....no luck. While
cruising the causeway at Mackay we did see hundreds of Snow Geese and of
course Tundra Swan. Ducks present were:Gadwall, Ruddy, Hooded Merg, Mallard,
Black and American Wigeon.
Sunday with the VSO the Harlequins showed up along with: Common Eider, all 3
Scoters, Longtail, Red Br.Merganser, Bufflehead and loons flying too far away
for us to ID. Gulls present were: Ring Billed...surprise surprise... and
Great & Lessor Black Backed, Herring, Bonapartes and one Laughing...no... not
fa la laing! Sorry...a little holiday humor there! A few people in the group
were lucky enough to see American Pipits up close and personal...but I was
only able to see them flying overhead and calling. Can I still count it as a
lifer? Please? The numbers of gulls flying around all the islands was just
incredible. The most I have ever seen in one time. I couldn't even begin to
put a number on it. However I can come close to guessing that I saw flocks of
25 to 50 Purple Sandpipers. That was the first time I have ever seen them in
such great numbers. One poor little fellow didn't fare well as he became
lunch for a hungry Merlin on Island 1. Thanks to the man in the yellow jacket
for pointing that one out to me!
Upon leaving the islands a small group of us went over to see the roosting
Black Crowned Night Herons at Lynnhaven Inlet. I would guess we saw about 15
in the trees that lined the canal across from Newbern Dr. Anytime you are in
the area it is worth a visit to gaze upon these beauties. From Shore Dr in
Virginia Beach you want to turn by Starbucks on Vista (near Lessnor Bridge).
At the stop sign turn left remaining on Vista. Then at the next stop sign
turn right on Lynnhaven Dr and finally right on Newbern. Newbern is a very
narrow road with precious little space to park. Tom and I usually park in the
driveway of the empty house located almost at the end on the right side.
Remember to look in the trees on the left on the other side of the canal.
There has never been a time that we have gone out that we haven't seen them.
To end the morning we made a stop by the Holiday Travel Park on General Booth
Blvd to look for the Painted Bunting that comes to the feeders in winter
sometimes....no luck...BUT....according to todays Beacon...the colorful
charmers are in Virginia Beach in the Great Neck area! Be on the lookout
beach people!
Tom & Karen Beatty
Virginia Beach
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