Monday, November 5, 2007

5 November 2007

Highlights: DUNLIN (175)

WEATHER: All 8 hours of the count today were rainy. The strong winds were out of the south for most of the count but the last couple hours were drastically different! The winds shifted to a brutal gale out of the NW late in the count and stayed that way until I stumbled off the point. The temperatures ranged from 4-7 Celsius (4 being recorded late in the count when the winds shifted). Visibility was limited much of the count due to the numerous rain showers and winds.

OVERALL MOVEMENT: The numbers today were low. Less than 150 ducks were seen total. No species was seen every hour but Long-tailed Duck came the closest, seen 7 of the 8 hours. The most numerous species was Dunlin (175) while the most numerous duck species was Long-tailed Duck (95+).

DUCKS & GEESE: The only dabblers seen today were 8 GREEN-WINGED TEAL. Scoter numbers were thin; only 7 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were seen. Otherwise, only LONG-TAILED DUCK (95+) and RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (4) were seen.

LOONS & GREBES: Four COMMON LOONS and 4 RED-NECKED GREBES were seen. A lone HORNED GREBE was also tallied.

RAPTORS: No raptors were seen today.

SHOREBIRDS: A nice surprise, a flock of 175 DUNLIN came in and landed in a puddle at the point during the 5th & 6th hours. They departed within the hour.

The only other species seen from the waterbird shack were SNOW BUNTING, COMMON RAVEN, and COMMON REDPOLL.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR TOMORROW: There is a 100% chance of snow showers tomorrow in addition to gales out of the north (winds up to 50 mph). High of 39 F. If you're brave enough to venture out to the point, you better bring your warm weather gear!

See you guys out there! (ha)

Cory Gregory

arcticory@gmail.com

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