I birded Back Bay NWR on Saturday morning for the first time. The ocean was
active with large numbers of Red-breasted Mergansers and DC Cormorants, a
nice flock of Gannets, a few Brown Pelicans, and several Common and
Red-throated Loons. The expected gulls were present as were a couple
Forster's Terns. The pools were pretty quiet other than a small raft of
Coots, Gadwall, and Ruddy Ducks, and a few flyover Mallards and Black Ducks.
The highlight of the morning was an Orange-crowned Warbler foraging with
Chickadees and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Also notable were 2 Rusty
Blackbirds, 2 Catbirds and several singing Brown Thrashers.
This morning I visited First Landing SP. Overall it was rather quiet, and I
found nothing notable.
Paul Glass
South Boston, VA
