Highlights: SABINE'S GULL (1), PARASITIC JAEGER (2)
WEATHER: Strong winds out of the south all day brought warm temperatures which ranged from 16-24 Celsius. Skies were somewhat overcast at times, other times partly sunny.
DUCKS & GEESE: It was very slow today due to the south winds. No geese were seen but a couple of AMERICAN WIGEON, MALLARD, and NORTHERN PINTAIL were seen. Also, both GREATER and LESSER SCAUP were seen. No scoters were tallied today.
LOONS & GREBES: The day started out with good numbers of loons but the numbers soon dropped off. Over 10 RED-THROATED LOONS were seen in the first couple hours and 30 COMMON LOONS were seen throughout the day. Over 40 RED-NECKED GREBES and 5+ HORNED GREBES were counted today.
SHOREBIRDS: Only about 10 SANDERLINGS were seen today.
GULLS/JAEGERS: About 30 minutes into the count this morning, a SABINE'S GULL was seen foraging off to the north. It would disappear and then reappear on-and-off for probably half an hour. Two different PARASITIC JAEGERS were seen today, one a light-morph juvenile and the other a dark intermediate-morph juvenile. The light-morph individual actually cut over the point in front of us before turning and chasing a gull down on the beach. After the gull promptly disgorged while fleeing, the jaeger went to the water to chomp down on its rewards. The jaeger later landed and floated offshore for a minute or two.
Some other birds seen from the shack today included LAPLAND LONGSPUR, NORTHERN GOSHAWK, NORTHERN HARRIER, AMERICAN PIPIT, and HORNED LARK.
The weather forecast for tomorrow is calling for gusty west winds and a chance of rain. We'll see what drops in!
Good Birding,
Cory Gregory
arcticory@gmail.com
Waterbird Counter
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