...on the CBBT Boat Trip today, turned out not to be a bird but a whale.
The birding was pretty good too. It was a long day.... so here is a quick
post with some of the highlights... It is not a complete account -- it was a
big boat with a lot of people, so this is just my version.
A great day for scoters - with good looks at all three species.
Steaming out of Lynnhaven Inlet, one of the first things we saw was a large
flock of red breasted mergansers (~200 birds). As we passed the first island
we saw our first purple sandpipers. Clearing the island, we found two flocks
of long tailed ducks on the water. As we came toward the second island, we
stirred up lots of gulls and cormorants. As we floated by, we found two female
Harlequin Ducks. Floating past some of the bridge pylons we found Great
Cormorants, mixed in with double crested ones.
We found one more Harlequin duck -- a male -- on the third island. We also
found a nice group of harbor seals. A flock of four white winged scoters were
very cooperative in flight. We scanned the many gulls for anything unusual. A
few Lesser Black Backed with the more common species. The boat crew threw out
some chum as we headed out toward the mouth of the bay. The chum drew in good
numbers of gulls -- herring, ring-billed, great black backed, and a few lesser
black backed (in that order of abundance). A few Bonipartes were also around
-- but generally separate from the other gulls. Scoters and loons were
scattered about on the water.
The captain spotted a group of whales far out in the bay, as we approached
them, a young one breached and literally cleared to water. As my jaw dropped,
I was able to get off a picture before it crashed back into the bay. There
were at least 4 and possibly 6 whales in the area. As luck would have it, as
the whales were putting on their show, a pair of razorbills -- the only ones of
the day -- flew by, and a Glaucous Gull flew right by the boat. I missed the
razorbills and the glaucous gull. Only a few folks -- with their priorities
straight -- managed to see them.
After the boat trip -- I headed to Grandview Beach -- it was a great day for a
walk (a long walk). It was my first time here - a very nice birding spot.
Large numbers of sanderlings and dunlin. One western sandpiper mixed in. I
managed to find ~10 snow buntings all the way toward the end of the beach.
They made three flyovers. I never did manage to find them on the ground.
Walking back I added black bellied plovers and Ruddy Turnstones to the list.
Overall -- a great day. Thanks to the folks from the Williamsburg Bird Club
for opening the trip up to visitors.
Bill
https://www.flickr.com/photos/73831614@N00/sets/72157648148282104/
