Took a trip to see the Pacific Loon at Sherwood Lakes. Very nice lake. It
was there as everyone has reported. Unfortunately it was way on the other
side of the lake. I managed a few images that show the beak and white
margins. Many thanks to Elise for this really great bird and to Karen
Kearney's pics, which were a big help.
I uploaded pics of it. So dark and overcast, they are not very good.
Hopefully someone will let me know if this is not the Pac. Loon. I've picked
through about 50 images and hopefully got the right Loon. The needle-like
beak was fairly prominent. A little sun would have helped a lot.
http://lyndablair.smugmug.com/Recent/Rare-andor-Unusual-Birds-Found/8610227_N7JMr7#!i=2413677883&k=djX39j4
All the usual suspects on the lake that Dave Youker and others have
reported. Nice to see a Common Loon in breeding colors and a few of the
Horned Grebes almost there. We left there and decided to check out Messick
Rd. in Pocquoson, which remains one of our favorite spots. Dark and dreary,
rain at times.. We went over the Monitor-Merimac bridge and had 3 White
Pelicans flying alongside the car as well as 2 Brown Pelicans and about 14
Gannets. That was really nice!
At the little marsh on Messick, we saw lots of Yellow-Legs and Dunlin along
with a Kingfisher and a quick glimpse of a Clapper Rail. There were a few
Laughing Gulls at the Marina and a forlorn GBH on a post. We continued down
to the end of Poquoson Rd and saw a beautiful Merlin on a wire. A few more
Laughing Gulls on posts out in the water. Lots of Yellow-Rumps wherever we
went.
All in all a great birding day.
Lynda Blair
New Kent County
