WEATHER: It was a beautiful, clear morning and skies remained clear all day. Winds were constant out of the south and visibility was decent most of the day but the warm temperatures (14-21 Celsius) made heat shimmering a problem late in the count.
DUCKS & GEESE: No geese were seen today. Duck diversity picked up mid-count although numbers were not unusually high. Some of the species tallied today included GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, MALLARD (75+), BLUE-WINGED TEAL, NORTHERN SHOVELER, NORTHERN PINTAIL, and GREEN-WINGED TEAL. Aythya species were moving as well; REDHEAD (50+), RING-NECKED DUCK, and both LESSER and GREATER SCAUP were seen. Over 50 SURF SCOTERS were seen and over 10 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were also tallied. Over 50 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS passed by as well.
LOONS & GREBES: It was a rather average day for loons and grebes. Nearly 10 RED-THROATED LOONS, 30+ COMMON LOONS, and 40 RED-NECKED GREBES were counted.
SHOREBIRDS: It was rather quiet in terms of shorebirds, only a single BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and 3 SANDERLING were seen.
JAEGERS & GULLS: I was entering my shack during the last hour of the count when I heard a gull shrieking. I looked up to see a JAEGER in hot pursuit of it just offshore towards the bay. The lighting was terrible through and the look was brief. Over 15 BONAPARTE'S GULLS also passed by the point today.
RAPTORS: The usual MERLIN, PEREGRINE FALCON, RED-TAILED HAWK, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, and a NORTHERN GOSHAWK (pictured below) were seen today.
Some of the other species tallied from the shack today included BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, RUSTY BLACKBIRD, PURPLE FINCH, EVENING GROSBEAK, EUROPEAN STARLING, and the usual LAPLAND LONGSPURS, HORNED LARK, and AMERICAN PIPITS.
The weather forecast for tomorrow is calling for light east winds and a chance of rain in the afternoon.
Thanks for checking in!
Cory Gregory
Waterbird Counter
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