For the 20th straight year, Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory has
participated in the Big Sit bird survey, at the Kiptopeke Hawkwatch. For more
information on the event, see the link at the Bird Watcher's Digest site.
This year, there were 140 Big Sit registered circles in 37 states. Results will
be posted over the coming days at the website.
Our team was led by Hawkwatcher Anna Stunkel, Hawkwatch Intern/Educator Julia
Magill and me, with help from several others throughout our day, which went
from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Our 74 species was decent for us...we've had 80+ on five occasions, though our
past two years have been low at 54 and 49.
This year, we missed Fish Crow, Eastern Bluebird, Northern Parula and Bobolink,
which are certainly around, but among the many highlights were: Common Loon,
Northern Gannet, White Ibis, Northern Pintail, Wood Duck, Orange-crowned
Warbler, Pine Siskin and Purple Finch
Brian TaberCVWO
