I birded Kerr Reservoir (Mecklenburg Co.) today with Paul Glass and his 11 year
old daughter Hannah. We had a good day highlighted by 14 species of ducks
scattered around the lake which I listed along with some approximate numbers
below. Other highlights included the continuing adult RED-THROATED LOON at
Palmer Point, good numbers of HORNED GREBES and BONAPARTE'S GULLS, several
immature and adult HERRING GULLS, about 15 BALD EAGLES and a pair of
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES on route 713. I guess the most intriguing part of our day
came at Tailrace Park below the dam when we encountered the gull that puzzled
Paul last weekend. Plumage wise, this bird resembled a first cycle Great
Black-backed Gull but we saw it next to the adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL as
well as 2 first cycle Herring Gulls and the bird appeared to be similar in size
to the Lesser Black-backed Gull so we identified it as a first cycle LBBG.
Hopefully these birds will remain in the area for further study. I pasted 3
links to marginal photos of the gulls. Any comments are welcome. Good
birding.
Adam D'Onofrio
Dinwiddie Co.
Waterfowl encountered today:
Mallard
American Black Duck
Northern Pintail (1 male)
Gadwall
American Wigeon (8)
Northern Shoveler (5)
Green-winged Teal (8)
Redhead (16)
Ring-necked Duck (4)
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser (1)
Red-breasted Merganser (1 female)
Ruddy Duck (7)
American Coot (1)
Gull links:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39668089@N05/4180178916/ ;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39668089@N05/4180178886/ ;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39668089@N05/4179416385/
