17 October 2007

Highlights: PARASITIC JAEGER (1), GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (1), BLACK SCOTER (47)

WEATHER: The count started with rain and although the rain eventually stopped, the skies remained cloudy and threatening much of the day. Winds were moderate-light out of the south and temperatures ranged from 12-15 Celsius.

DUCKS & GEESE: I was a little surprised to have decent diversity today: AMERICAN WIGEON (12+), MALLARD, NORTHERN SHOVELER, NORTHERN PINTAIL, and GREEN-WINGED TEAL (20+). Around 200 aythya passed by which included a mix of RING-NECKED DUCK, LESSER SCAUP, and GREATER SCAUP. Scoter numbers were high today, especially of Black Scoter. Over 270 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, nearly 150 SURF SCOTER, and 47 BLACK SCOTERS passed by. Over 200 LONG-TAILED DUCKS were counted in addition to BUFFLHEAD, COMMON GOLDENEYE, and nearly 550 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS.

LOONS & GREBES: Less than 30 COMMON LOONS passed by and RED-THROATED LOON was not seen. Nearly 80 RED-NECKED GREBES were seen in addition to nearly 20 HORNED GREBES.

SHOREBIRDS: One BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and 1 SANDERLING were the only shorebirds tallied today.

GULLS/JAEGERS: A PARASITIC JAEGER was seen during the 6th hour of the count. It came from the north, worked the point a little, and then was last seen heading SE. In the last hour of the count, a jaeger (probably the same one) made a reappearance and harassed several gulls. Ten BONAPARTE'S GULLS were seen passing the point today and a first-year GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL was sitting at the point during the last hour of the count.

RAPTORS: The last several hours of the count proved to be quite active with raptors. Multiple BALD EAGLES, 5+ RED-TAILED HAWKS, 2 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS (both color morphs), a NORTHERN GOSHAWK (juvenile), and a NORTHERN HARRIER was seen.

Some of the other species seen from the shack today included NORTHERN SHRIKE (1, juvenile), EVENING GROSBEAK, COMMON REDPOLL (30+), LAPLAND LONGSPUR, and HORNED LARK.

The weather forecast for tomorrow is calling for 90% chance of thunderstorms and gusty east winds.

Good Birding,
Cory Gregory
arcticory@gmail.com
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