Today on Poplar Island I was out doing a survey on the local tern colony. I
was fortunate enough to find a almost completely dark BLACK TERN in the
flock. Then an hour later 3 Caspian terns showed up. Shorebirds right now
are in a slack period but I was able to find 6 short-billed dowitchers, two
of the hendersini variety. Also on the Island was a single White-rumped
sandpiper and a pair of Oystercatchers. As for the way of waterfowl the
island has some pretty good ones. There has been 3 ruddy ducks seen off and
on, 5 surf scoters, 1 white-winged scoter, at least 5 long-tailed ducks, and
a drake bufflehead. Not to bad in the way of waterfowl for the end of June.
On the tern colony we have a nightvision camcorder setup so that we can
monitor the terns in search of any predators. On the film apparently was a
Barn Owl and another unidentifed bird, I haven't seen the images but from
the description sounds like a great horned. I will be out at the Island
tomorrow but probably will not be looking for anything special.
Good Birding Everyone
Zach Baer
Centreville, MD soon to be Troy, NY
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