Sunday, October 7, 2007

7 October 2007

Highlights: PARASITIC JAEGER (1), BLACK SCOTER (1), FORSTER'S TERN (1), YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (1)

WEATHER: I think one word could sum it up: FOG. We were fogged in the entire day, at times not even able to see the water from the waterbird shack. Winds were moderate out of the south and temperatures ranged from 14-17 Celsius.

DUCKS & GEESE: Despite the fog, a surprising diversity was tallied today although I'm sure more passed by through the haze. Species included CANADA GEESE (80), WOOD DUCK (1), AMERICAN WIGEON, AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, MALLARD (15), BLUE-WINGED TEAL (1), NORTHERN SHOVELER (8), NORTHERN PINTAIL (10+), and GREEN-WINGED TEAL (50+). Several hundred Aythya species passed by the point, mostly both SCAUP species but also some REDHEAD and RING-NECKED DUCK. All three scoter species were tallied today; WHITE-WINGED SCOTER (100+), SURF SCOTER (50+), and BLACK SCOTER (1). Also seen were RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (400+), COMMON GOLDENEYE, and LONG-TAILED DUCK (5).

LOONS & GREBES: There was a great COMMON LOON flight today despite the extremely poor visibility, over 400 were counted. Over 15 RED-THROATED LOONS, 0ver 20 RED-NECKED GREBES, and just a handful of HORNED GREBES were also counted.

SHOREBIRDS: Six species were tallied today: BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (4), AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (3), SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, SANDERLING, DUNLIN, and WILSON'S SNIPE.

JAEGERS/TERNS: A FORSTER'S TERN came by the point in the 6th hour and a juvenile, intermediate morph PARASITIC JAEGER came in during the 7th hour. The jaeger was first seen chasing a gull along the lake shore before it cut the tip, and was lost over the bay.

Some of the other species seen from the waterbird shack today included YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, NORTHERN HARRIER, LAPLAND LONGSPUR, HORNED LARK, AMERICAN PIPIT, and SAVANNAH SPARROW.

HARRIS'S SPARROWS are still being seen at the feeders (see photo below).



Lately, there have been large flocks of PINE SISKINS (see photo below) also at the feeders.

Yesterday, a LECONTE'S SPARROW was found near the Foghorn Pond but was not relocated today. See photo below.

The weather forecast for tomorrow is calling for thunderstorms and light winds out of the southeast.

Good birding and thanks for checking in,

Cory Gregory
Waterbird Counter

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