Many highlights to report this week from Chincoteague Island. So far, I've not
found the Black Bellied Whistling Duck that has been reported. I spoke to two
folks that had seen it... but both of these reports were from Saturday 8/6 (the
day before I arrived).
Birding on the wildlife loop has been outstanding. Today, two American Avocets
showed up on the south end of the loop in a canal near where the Black Necked
Stilts have been nesting. Also today, there was a White Rumped Sandpiper on
the north side of the loop along with semipalmated sandpipers and plovers.
Yesterday we saw a Black Tern (again on the south side of the loop) -- near
where the Avocets were today. The flats that open up just after Black Duck
Marsh Trail (looking Southeast) are probably the best spot on the refuge right
about now. Tons of shorebirds including Stilt Sandpipers, piping plover, and a
Wilson's Phalarope earlier this week. Large numbers of semipalmated sandpipers
and semipalmated plovers. Many yellowlegs (mostly lessers but some greaters)
and a few SB dowitchers here. Lots of terns and some Black Skimmers.
Many more SB dowitchers in the west end of Swan's Cove -- this is also where I
saw one long billed dowitcher.. a few stilt sandpipers were also present here.
Glossy and White Ibis are everywhere, along with lots of egrets (Great, Snowy
and Cattle), Little Blue and tri-colored herons, and so on.
Willets are here.. they mostly appear to be western (tall and grey). Only a
couple of Marbled Godwits in Swan's Cove earlier in the week.
A few days left.. A cold front came through last night ... we'll see what else
turns up.
Bill
