Hunting Creek, VA report

KurtCapt87@aol.com
Wed, 16 Sep 1998 20:10:05 EDT


A quick census during low tide today, 16 Sept 98 at 1130-1230.  In addition to
the 4 gulls, cormorants, Great Blues, Great Egrets, and Canadian-American
Geese...

Killdeer - 36
Greater Yellowlegs - 27
Lesser Yellowlegs - 48
Pectoral Sandpiper - 8
Semipalmated Sandpiper - 24
Least Sandpiper - 19
Western Sandpiper - 2
Short-billed Dowitcher - 2
Caspian Tern - 45
Forster's Tern - 81

A quick stop at Jones Point to view the hydrilla mats resulted in spotting 21
Pied Billed Grebes.  A few Caspians, Forster's, Herons, and Egrets were
spotted.  No shorebirds spotted on the mats.

It is tempting to propose that a Yellowleg push came through this past week,
as the numbers of both species doubled, but it should be noted that at least 2
dozen yellowleg sp. were obs. on the mats in the previous two weeks.  The
numbers of Semipalmated Sandpipers also appear to be at least doubled over
previous weeks census.  This could support the thought that an inland
shorebird push has started.  (or ended?)  It is worthwhile noting that the
majority of Caspian Terns were juvies (some still sporting spots on the outer
primaries), suggesting significant movements of this species has occurred.
Forster's Terns numbers are significantly reduced from peak levels just 2
weeks ago (40%) indicating that the migration peak of this species has passed.

Kurt Gaskill