On 25-26 December, the northern part of the mouth of Chesapeake Bay held large
numbers of piscivores, especially Northern Gannets (several thousand),
Double-crested (dozens) and Great (up to 20) Cormorants, Brown Pelicans (20 or
so), and Common Loons (20-25). Gulls are in very short supply still (just a
handful of Bonaparte's Gulls, only a few hundred total other species), as are
seaducks (only 5 Long-tailed Ducks, no eiders or Harlequin Ducks). Three
Black-legged Kittiwakes were the only uncommon birds observed during all-day
watches from Islands 3 and 4 of the CBBT on 26 December, although very thick
fog persisted until 2:00 p.m., which limited observations considerably.
Ned Brinkley
Cape Charles, VA
