Highlights: PARASITIC JAEGER (1), JAEGER SP. (1)
WEATHER: Skies were cloudy throughout the count and the moderate winds out of the south kept temperatures somewhat cooler (11-16 Celsius). Visibility wasn't great but it could have been much worse.
DUCKS & GEESE: The count started very slowly today but the numbers eventually picked up throughout the day. Over 70 CANADA GEESE came by in three flocks while decent numbers of other ducks included GADWALL (20+), AMERICAN WIGEON (100+), MALLARD (65+), NORTHERN SHOVELER, NORTHERN PINTAIL, and GREEN-WINGED TEAL. Large flocks of aythya species passed by in numbers (700+). Breaking them down into species, decent numbers of REDHEAD (40) along with the two SCAUP species were tallied. Close to 100 SURF SCOTERS passed the point while over 10 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS and even a couple COMMON GOLDENEYE were also seen. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER numbers have been slowly rising and today about 30 were seen.
LOONS & GREBES: It was very slow today for both loons and grebes. Less than 30 COMMON LOONS and only 1 RED-THROATED LOON came by while less than 10 RED-NECKED GREBES were tallied.
SHOREBIRDS: A lone AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was heard today. The only other shorebirds seen was a flock of 9 SANDERLINGS.
JAEGERS: Just 10 minutes after dawn, a single JAEGER came ripping into the point to harass a gull. The count went without any sighting until the 7th hour when a different bird, a light-morph juvenile PARASITIC JAEGER, spent several minutes working the gulls at the tip and at the harbor.
RAPTORS: Both MERLIN and PEREGRINE FALCON were seen in addition to BALD EAGLE, NORTHERN HARRIER, and SHARP-SHINNED HAWK.
Some of the other birds seen from the waterbird shack included LAPLAND LONGSPUR, AMERICAN PIPIT, HORNED LARK, SAVANNAH SPARROW, and an odd COMMON RAVEN with striking white bases of the primaries.
There are now 2 HARRIS'S SPARROWS visiting the feeders behind the gift shop.
The weather forecast for tomorrow is calling for moderate winds out of the west and a chance of drizzle.
I will not be conducting the waterbird count for the next 4 days as I will be out of town. However, updates on the waterbird count will still be posted here.
Good Birding,
Cory Gregory
arcticory@gmail.com
Waterbird Counter
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