Hi VA birders,
Cynthia Pruett, Marie Strassburger, and I did the southernmost section of
the waterfowl survey -- which is on the Quantico Marine Base. Our most
interesting observation did not involve waterfowl, but rather American
Pipits. Our total count was 142! We found one concentrated flock feeding
along the shore that included 126 birds by actual count. (Sorry Marshall,
there were none of the Red-throated variety in this group.) I've seen
good sized flocks of American Pipits in agricultural fields and flooded
pastures in CA, but never this many concentrated in such a small area.
We also had a large flock of Gadwall totaling 233 birds (again, the largest
number I can ever recall seeing in one group in this area). Our southern
location may have also helped us with a few other species that tend to
become scarce in winter: Pied-billed Grebe - 16, DC Cormorant - 13, and
Coot - 16. We also tallied 25 Tundra Swans.
Ken
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