September 4, 2009

The string of gorgeous days continues and is not going to end soon. The high was near 75 and winds were light and variable. However, the haze over the lake in the afternoon made panning the horizon for waterbirds difficult.

Waterfowl: A pretty slow day except for Common Loons which had their second-best day of the year with 39 birds. Others included 120 Red-necked Grebes, 17 White-winged Scoters, and a few Lesser Scaup, Mallard and Blue & Green-winged Teal.

Shorebirds: Low numbers but a flyover Whimbrel and a Buff-breasted Sandpiper that spent part of the afternoon on the point made things fun. Chris and Nova got some excellent photos of the Buff-breasted that I'm sure will be posted to the sightings blog.

Other: I had my first two American Pipits flyover and a local pair of Evening Grosbeaks gave a nice low flyover. A cooperative Merlin perched on one of the exposed perches near the waterbird shack and I was able to capture this series of digitals of the bird:

A portrait:
Getting ready to take off:

Checking the sky for unwary and unlucky passerines:

Tom Prestby

Waterbird Counter