Today I assisted David Hughes and Geralyn Mireles with their impoundment survey at Back Bay NWR. In the beginning we could see lots of lightning flashes to our north, but the thunderstorms all stayed away from us. As a note to those who might be interested in visiting Back Bay, the west dike is now open for bikes and walking from the headquarters all the way to False Cape State Park.
As everywhere the waterfowl have pretty much left. There were quite a few Blue-winged Teal, however, and a lingering duo of Ring-necked Ducks, and few Gadwall, Mallards, and American Black Ducks Raptors included Northern Harriers, Ospreys, and Bald Eagles. A flock of ten Cattle Egrets flew in and the numbers of Snowy Egrets have increased to 45. There were a few Little Blue Herons and a Tri-colored Heron to go with the usual Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons. Singles of Glossy and White Ibis were seen and an American Bittern was heard giving his pumping call in the marsh at the north end of False Cape. Along with a couple of American Coots was a Common Moorhen (web photo). A few King Rails, Marsh Wrens and fewer Sedge Wrens were calling and singing. Four Greater Yellowlegs, a Wilson's Snipe, and some Killdeer were the only shorebirds seen.
On the way home I again checked for Prothonotary Warblers at Stumpy Lake and found none. There were three Yellow-crowned Night-Herons feeding in the marsh on the south side of our house when I got home. Tomorrow it's back to the Dismal Swamp with a hope in my heart for migrants.
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