I just opened my mail this morning and learned that Mike Iwanik and David
Hughes saw a Sabine's Gull at Fort Story on 31 December (mentioned briefly in
the
Little Creek CBC summary). This is likely to be the same bird seen by Ben
and crew at First Landing State Park (Sunday -- is that right, Ben?). I must
have missed mention of this rare gull in previous January postings -- another
outstanding bird for the site this winter and only the state's second winter
report ever.
A new immature male King Eider was present off Island 3 (northeastern side)
yesterday, different from the bird found last month by Val Kitchens. The
(slightly subadult) male has not been seen in the New Year, to my knowledge.
A
Lesser Black-backed Gull with pink legs was also on the east side of Island 3
yesterday, and two Greater Scaup were also around. Some 2200 scoters, mostly
Surf, were distributed among the islands, along with some 5300 gulls (mostly
Ring-billed). A small flock of Lesser Scaup is hanging around the
southeastern side of Island 1 for the last week as well.
Ned Brinkley
Cape Charles, VA
In a message dated 1/14/04 10:23:51 AM, ben_cop@xxxxxxx writes:
Hi all
4 Members of Hampton Roads Bird Club members searched Fort Story and the
northern Virginia Beach coast
for Clarks Grebe and loons with little luck. only had 2 common and one Red
throated The bird of the day was a
Sabine's gull. (seen from Boardwalk) by visitors center. also seen
Forster's Tern N. Gannets Bonaparte gull and Snow Bunting. Also had a Great
horned
Owl which the crows wouldn't let sleep. in the camping area.
Ben Copeland
Hampton Va.
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