VA Birders,
Between snow forecasts, I drove to Chincoteague last Thursday, March 24,
and I spent Friday, March 25, birding Chincoteague NWR and the Causeway. On a
quick trip out to the ocean beach before breakfast, I spotted a pair of Tree
Swallows (my first of the year) sitting on a birdhouse in Black Duck Marsh, and
then continued on to the beach, where I found a Lesser Black-backed Gull
sitting with a small group of gulls. It was smaller than the Great
Black-backed Gulls, had a more charcoal-colored back, and a streaked head, and
then it got up and walked back into the group of gulls, showing its yellow
legs. After breakfast, I drove out to the beach again, and this time my
first-of-the-year birds were an adult Laughing Gull, which flew over the beach
and disappeared, and some Sanderlings on the beach. Also of note was a large
group of Willets with several Marbled Godwits mixed in, which I saw in Swan
Cove across from the Assateague Visitor Center, and a large group of Dunlin
there as well. Marv Rubin arrived back at his house in Chincoteague about
midday, and we drove out to the beach that afternoon and had excellent looks at
a close-in Red-throated Loon in the ocean just off the beach.
On Saturday, March 26, I drove down the Eastern Shore to the CBBT.
Highlights were a Eurasian Collared-Dove (possibly 2) on Magotha Road in
Northampton Co., Northern Gannets at Kiptopeke State Park and flying over the
CBBT (seen from Island #1), and about 2 dozen Brown Pelicans, all in breeding
plumage, seen from the scenic pullout on the CBBT just after going thru the
north Tollbooth.
After spending the night in Newport News, I drove home via the Northern
Neck on Sunday, March 27, with a little rain and sleet at the beginning, but
barely a trace of snow on the ground along the way. I made a quick stop at
Washington's Birthplace in Westmoreland Co., and was surprised to find 10
Tundra Swans off the picnic ground there; I thought they had all left by now!
I also saw 1 or possibly 2 Mute Swans there, but the only ducks were a few
Greater Scaup and Red-breasted Mergansers. I also saw at least 3 Ospreys and a
Forster's Tern. My only year bird there was a Pileated Woodpecker near the
Visitor Center!
Good birding,
Val Kitchens
Arlington, VA
