Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Eastern Shore NWR, Kiptopeak - January 21,
2006 (Total species: 70 although there may be a few I have left out)
Thirteen individuals from across the state met up for a two hour tour of the
CBBT this past Saturday, January 21, 2006. Participants included Linda
Arthur, Suffolk; Stephen Eccles, Annandale; Jennifer Gaden, Charlottesville;
Lois Gebhardt, Charlottesville; Vicky Gullet, Richmond; Mike Iwanik,
Charlottesville; Ken Lipshy, Hampton; Dorie Stolley, Virginia Beach; Joanna
Taylor, Arlington, Charles Ziegenfus, Harrisonburg; John and John Zimmerman,
Charlottesville; and yours truly.
I would like to extend a special "Thank You" to our CBBT escort, Officer L.
Christian who was also assigned during the CBC - all ten hours worth!
The promised upper 60's to lower 70's didn't happen, at least not on the
islands or along the southern end of Northampton County. We started the
tour by 9:15 a.m. under partly sunny skies, 51 degrees Fahrenheit and very
breezy with winds out of the south. By the time we finished up on island #
4 a little past 11 a.m., it had become completely overcast and light rain
falling from approach of first rain squall and drop in temperature.
There were several highlights that included large numbers of BONAPARTE'S
GULL upwards of a thousand, give or take. Although not big numbers as seen
in past years, NORTHERN GANNET were streaming out from bayside to join
feeding frenzy of gulls that seemed to be feeding on schools of fish close
to the surface.
LONG-TAILED DUCK were in impressive numbers, with several large flocks along
the islands. Scoter numbers were way down from previous years. With
majority being SURF, there were low numbers of BLACK and only a single
WHITE-WINGED that flew by close providing full view of upperside and the
white wing patches. Two female COMMON GOLDENEYE swam together off island #4
and a single female HARLEQUIN DUCK flew by leading flock of Long-tailed
Duck. (A male COMMON GOLDENEYE was at Kiptopeke State Park.) There were
quite a few BUFFLEHEAD along the islands but RUDDY DUCK were found only at
Kiptopeke.
Good numbers of scaup, mostly LESSER, maybe several hundred at most, were
around island 4. It was nice to have both female LESSER and GREATER SCAUP
for side-by-side comparisons. An unusual sighting was a GREAT BLUE HERON
flying south a short distance from the bridge, ocean side. Quite surprising
were the good numbers of BRANT found along all four islands! Most seemed to
be actively feeding along and on the rocks and several were seen swimming in
and around the boulders. We didn't take a full count but I would say at
least 10-15 per island. Loon numbers were almost non-existent with only two
or three along the islands that included at least one RED-THROATED LOON.
(On return trip heading south on bridge, a Red-throated flew up and across
close providing decent looks.) A single RED-THROATED LOON, three HORNED
GREBE and small handful of COMMON LOON were observed at Kiptopeke State
Park. There were also very low numbers of RED-BREASTED MERGANSER with most
found at Kiptopeke.
A single BROWN PELICAN was seen flying along the bridge bayside heading
toward the mainland. (A single BROWN PELICAN was found flying along Hampton
Beach later in the day.)
The real down note was the lack or non-existence of several species. We
could find NO PURPLE SANDPIPER, even with extensive scanning of the rocks
below. RUDDY TURNSTONE, that are usually a dime a dozen on island #1, were
not to be. We saw only a group of 4 and less than that on the other three
islands!
Two HARBOR SEAL were found off northern end of island #3, which seems to be
their favorite spot, at least during my visits in recent years.
Traveling below speed limit heading north from island 4 and before approach
of the steep climb of the upper bridge, I spotted a small ALCID floating on
the water below close to the bridge Oceanside. Although I only had a few
short seconds of observation, it was enough to see several key features
which I called out to my travel companions; it was a sure match for a
DOVEKIE. (See details below.)
At Eastern Shore NWR, rain squalls moved through rather quickly and we were
able to get some birding in without getting wet. Three immature WHITE IBIS,
GADWALL, and GREEN-WINGED TEAL were the highlights.
A quick trip to Cape Charles produced a small flock of RING-NECKED DUCK and
two AMERICAN COOT. It was very disappointing and disturbing to see the new
marina village that has taken over what use to be some pristine salt marshes
and wetland area. There is now a large marina with boat docks and more
construction underway with huge "summer" homes.
On island #1 we observed two HORNED LARK actively feeding close to the blue
trash barrels along the concrete wall up from the restaurant.
For those in my van heading back to Charlottesville, we took a side trip to
Ridgeway Park in Hampton. Here we found the single adult male EURASIAN
WIGEON swimming around with nice flock of AMERICAN WIGEON and 2 female
HOODED MERGANSER and a single PIED-BILLED GREBE. A lone adult BLACK-CROWNED
NIGHT HERON was spotted high up in tree across the inlet.
Description of Alcid : From bridge heading north, bird was on ocean side
close to bridge support pylons floating on water slightly angled and facing
toward Fort Story (SE) providing full profile view of right side. A small,
compact, chunky body with no detectable neck, like a short hotdog bun
without the hotdog. Upperpart (head, back and wings) noticeably black in
contrast to the white on side extending down to belly (below surface of
water) with areas that appeared a pale grayish wash along the upper
sides/flanks. White extended up side to chin and throat and side of neck
with a dark (black) neck band that did not seem to extend all the way around
the upper breast. Can't be certain as the bird appeared to be sitting low
in the water.
Brenda Tekin
Charlottesville, VA
brenda@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Leave behind what you find; if you must take something, take pictures."
Photo journal including Birds of Virginia: www.birdsofvirginia.com
You are subscribed to VA-BIRD. To post to this mailing list, simply send email
to va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx. To unsubscribe, send email to
va-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
