20 September 2007

Highlights: SABINE'S GULL

WEATHER: Light winds out of the north brought comfortable temperatures (ranging from 13-18) and decent visibility. Skies were mostly sunny.

DUCKS & GEESE: It was a decent day for diversity although numbers weren't exceedingly high. Nearly 50 CANADA GEESE, a WOOD DUCK, several small flocks of AMERICAN WIGEON (10+), an AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, MALLARD, NORTHERN PINTAIL (3), and 10+ GREEN-WINGED TEAL were seen. Also seen were REDHEAD (5+), RING-NECKED DUCK, and GREATER and LESSER SCAUP. It was an ok day for WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS (20+) as well as a couple SURF SCOTERS.

LOONS & GREBES: It was a good afternoon for loons and in fact, Red-throated Loons outnumbered Common Loons in three different hours of the count today. After the skies cleared mid-count, many high-flying migrants were seen passing by. Over 115 COMMON LOONS and near 50 RED-THROATED LOONS were seen. Over 100 RED-NECKED GREBES and a couple HORNED GREBES were also counted.

SHOREBIRDS: For the first time in several days, a BAIRD'S SANDPIPER made an appearance. Also counted were 5+ SANDERLING, a couple AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS, and a single BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER.

GULLS: A juvenile SABINE'S GULL was seen in the second hour of the count and then refound in the 5th hour. Both times, the gull was seen in flight offshore to the NE and E.

Overall, it was pretty birdy in terms of songbirds out at the shack today. Over 50 AMERICAN PIPITS were basically nonstop all morning as were several flocks of LAPLAND LONGSPURS. A BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER made a couple appearances in the trees behind the shack in addition to a PILEATED WOODPECKER landing on the "Merlin Pole" and "Sharpie Stick".

The weather forecast for tomorrow is calling for gusty winds out of the south and a chance of rain in the afternoon.

Good Birding,

Cory Gregory
arcticory@gmail.com
Waterbird Counter