I visited Sherwood Lakes in Virginia Beach late yesterday (Wed) afternoon to
search for the Pacific Loon discovered by Elisa Enders. When I arrived, I found
the Pacific fairly quickly. It was peacefully motoring around the center and NE
part of the lake in the company of 2 Common Loons, and it continued in this
mode for the next 20 minutes or so, providing nice scope views & comparison
with the Commons. Then the Pacific Loon parted from its companions and started
a long series of dives, becoming much more challenging to track and see. As
noted by Bob Ake, there is a wide
range of Common Loon plumage on display here. Overall, this Lake is quite a
birdy place; I'll have to come back here again. Great find, Elisa! Yesterday
morning I visited and enjoyed excellent views
of the Black-tailed Godwit at Chincoteague NWR. The Black-tailed was
pleasantly cooperative, actively foraging and occasional making short (welcome)
flights in a relatively small area of Tom's Cove that was graced by fine light.
Mark T. Adams
Charlottesville, VA
