21 September 2007

Highlights: SABINE'S GULL, JAEGER SP., FORSTER'S TERN

WEATHER: Today was plagued with rain showers and thunderstorms and in fact, the count had to be closed early due to thunderstorms. The winds were, at times, very strong out of the south. Visibility was low throughout the day and the temperature was constant at 16 Celsius.

DUCKS & GEESE: It took several hours to see a migrant. Eventually, some things started to trickle through during the breaks in the rain. I tallied a couple CANADA GEESE, a GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON (5+), a BLUE-WINGED TEAL, a couple NORTHERN PINTAIL, and REDHEAD. Also seen were GREATER SCAUP (10), COMMON GOLDENEYE (1), SURF SCOTER (2), and WHITE-WINGED SCOTER (1).

LOONS & GREBES: There was a decent push of loons in the first couple hours, regardless of the rain showers. Over 80 COMMON LOONS were counted and nearly 50 RED-THROATED LOONS were also seen. However, it wasn't a stellar day for grebes. Less than 20 RED-NECKED GREBES and less than 10 HORNED GREBES were tallied.

SHOREBIRDS: The usual flock of 5+ SANDERLINGS were seen today in addition to 7 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS that spent most of the morning foraging at the point.

GULLS/JAEGERS/TERNS: A juvenile SABINE'S GULL was seen for much of the count, mostly foraging offshore to the NE. In the 6th hour, a dark juvenile JAEGER came from the north and buzzed several gulls offshore. It spent most of the time well off-shore. It was last seen heading SE. The point was active with terns much of the count. About 100 COMMON TERNS were seen in addition to a couple FORSTER'S TERNS.

Some of the other birds seen from the point included RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, LAPLAND LONGSPURS, AMERICAN PIPITS, a MERLIN, and a couple BALD EAGLES.

The weather forecast for tomorrow is calling for mostly sunny skies with gusty west winds. We'll see if anything blows in!

Thanks for checking in,

Cory Gregory
arcticory@gmail.com
Waterbird Counter.