The Loggerhead Shrike was seen this afternoon (about 5:30pm), perched on
vegetation (shrubs) in the field to the north of the road, in the Ashville Park
development. A scope was very useful in seeing the shrike well. It took around
30 minutes to locate the shrike. I was starting to think that it had left for
the north! Nick Flanders also saw and heard some Green-winged Teals here. A
notable species to me for this area. A Northern Rough-winged Swallow flew
over, calling, as well as at least one Tree Swallow. A stop at the nearby
Sherwood Lakes development resulting in finding Pied-billed Grebes (not as
plentiful as during previous visits, but still in good numbers), Horned Grebes
(more than 5 birds -- probably 7, with a good variation in plumages seen),
Ring-necked Ducks, scaup species (2 females, not sure which species), Hooded
Mergansers (resting with the Pied-bills), American Coot (as usual, plenty with
some that were walking on grass), Ruddy Ducks, Buffleheads, and Mallards. All
the waterfowl, except some coot, were on the northern of the two ponds at the
Sherwood Lakes development. I found access to the southern pond by continuing
down the main access road, heading in a southerly direction at the first
roundabout, and turning left onto Locksley Way and going to the end of the
street. I find it very interesting that waterfowl have a strong preference for
the northern pond.
Elisa Enders
Portsmouth, VA
