The Long-tailed Ducks are still migrating through the area. On the 27th there was another impressive day total of 1,178! Only 6 were counted on the 29th, 57 on the 30th, and 157 on the 31st. After kind of a low period, species diversity went back up today. Today 8 Greater Scaup, 1 Black & 22 White-winged Scoters, 4 Common Goldeneye, 47 Red-breasted Mergansers, a Common Loon, 2 Horned & 6 Red-necked Grebes and an adult Great Black-backed Gull were counted; a pretty good mix compared to earlier this week.
96 Sandhill Cranes were counted on the 27th & 89 on the 29th.
Also seen today was this local pair of Bald Eagles, one of which is carrying what appears to be the remains of a dead duck that was floating out in the straits.
Passerines: Snow Buntings are seen almost daily at McGulpin Point. On the 29th, the first Common Redpoll of the season landed on the beach. On the 30th there was a pretty good morning flight of finches, which included (probably many more than): 7 House Finches, 1 Purple Finch, 10 Common Redpolls, 1 Pine Siskin, & 122 American Goldfinches.
Recent lists via eBird can be found below…
10/27 10/29 10/30 (morning) 10/30 (evening) 10/31
Happy Halloween everybody!
