Tom and I joined the VSO at the Whitehurst Tract in the Back Bay area of
Virginia Beach on Friday afternoon. Recent rain had made the water areas
enticing
for hundreds of Green-winged Teal. They were splashing and having a grand time
till a young Peregrine Falcon decided it was time to eat. The young falcon
went hungry as it's hunting skills left alot to be desired. Other raptors
present were: an adult Bald Eagle, Merlin, Northern Harrier and American
Kestrel.
While the teal were by far the most numerous waterfowl also present were:
Gadwall, Black Duck, Mallard, Northern Pintail and Coots. The winds from the
nor-easter were not really that bad but it must have kept most of the sparrows
hunkered down. Some were too quick to ID but those that were more cooperative
were:
Song, White-crowned & Savannah. A Snipe was heard but not seen and a rail
popped up out of now where and disappeared as quickly. One of the Marsh wrens
pulled a fast act on us as well.
As I sit here in a warm house watching the wind howling I hope that some of
the VSO that ventured out on the tram at Back Bay NWR will regain feeling in
their finger tips to type a report of birds seen today. We plan to join them
again on Sunday at the CBBT.
Karen Beatty
Virginia Beach
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