I finally made a trip to the Eastern Shore today - after waiting for 2-3
consecutive dry days for quite some time! First stop was the CBBT Island #1.
The first big surprise was that the facilities are closed "for renovation" and
will be until Summer 2010 - worth noting for anyone planning a trip in the next
few months. The fishing pier is open, and otherwise I had the parking lot to
myself. The RUDDY TURNSTONES are going to miss the restaurant traffic! They
were there today down on the rocks but, they were outnumbered by PURPLE
SANDPIPERS. There were very few sea ducks - BLACK and SURF SCOTERS were the
only ones seen. Just to the south of Fisherman Island there was a huge flock
of feeding NORTHERN GANNETS.
Eastern Shore Refuge was very quiet - it was high tide. Nothing on Ramp Road
pond. At Kiptopeke SP there were COMMON LOONS and more SURF SCOTERS. Cape
Charles Harbor also had SURF SCOTER, a RED-THROATED LOON and a nice flock of 7
AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS.
Next stop was Oyster. No sign of the Glaucous Gull this year, and I'm not
aware of any reports. The community is looking very run down, the seafood
packing house at the end of the road is a ruin, and the road is getting the
same way. Nothing remarkable bird wise there.
Willis Wharf was at low tide, there were 70 or so MARBLED GODWITS and a Willet.
With the light fading fast, I headed over to stay in Exmore, heading to
Chincoteague and the upper shore tomorrow.
Wendy Ealding
