Chincoteague & OC & Henlopen
Clodvig II (ClodvigII@aol.com)
Mon, 15 Dec 1997 22:19:21 EST
Greetings all,
Just got back from a three day trip. Began in Chincoteague on Saturday where
the bird of the day --- and the trip --- was a beautiful, up close, EARED
GREBE. It was in the slough along the road, very near the entrance to
Woodland Trail. Keeping company with a lovely female Bufflehead and five
Ruddy Ducks. It was there on Sunday as well as late as 4 p.m., still with the
same coterie. Other birds of note. A very late (I think) pair of Tree
Swallows, an Adult and a near first spring Black-crowned Night Heron, and near
Mosquito Creek, 9 Tri-colored Herons. I did not find the White Pellican.
Monday morning, a stop at Assateague on the Maryland end turned up endless
numbers (billions and billions ;) )of Butter-buts and one Flicker. The little
pull out by bridge off the island did give me an extended look at a pair of
Horned Grebes and several Common Loons.
At 10 a.m. in O.C. where the jetty yielded up 17 Common Eider (!!), including
two males in near full breeding plumage, three 1st year males, at least one
female in near breeding feather. Also one male Harlequin Duck on the rocks
across from the parking lot. Also spotted two Black Scoter and one male Surf
Scoter. I was amazed to count about 75 Oystercatchers taking the sun on the
wall on the far side of the inlet. I've never seen so many together. 100
Ruddy Turnstones and 20 or so Purple Sandpipers were in my face on the near
side. A couple of each of Common and Red-throated Loon and Horned Grebe in
the inlet proper.
Late in the p.m. I was at Cape Henlopen, found no crossbills, but did see the
King Eider near the pier along with three Surf Scoter and 9 or so Red-breasted
Merganser and a couple of Common Loons.