Bob Abrams and I found an adult Lesser Black-blacked Gull at the Loudoun County Landfill during the central Loudoun county CBC on Dec 28th. It was with approximately 750 Ring-billed Gulls and 32 Herring Gulls. Also of note were 400+ Fish Crows.
WV only has three accepted records of Lesser Black-backed Gull and this one is less than 20 miles from Jefferson county.
Tom Masters has found a Eurasian Collared-Dove visiting his yard during the last week. If accepted, this would represent the first documented record for WV. Congratulations to Tom! This species has been expanding it’s range in the lower 48 since first making an apperance in the 1970’s. There is a small population about 20-25 miles north of Martinsburg; 1) Just north of Hagerstown, MD and 2) Just east of Greencastle,PA.
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A dozen of us walked along the Shenandoah River area of Harpers Ferry this morning in the beautiful cold. The walk started out promisingly – 2 adult BALD EAGLES flying playfully above where we gathered in the 340 parking lot. There was a lot of songbird activity in the trees along the wetlands – our biggest surprise was perhaps 3 (definitely 2, maybe 3 – all seen in different areas) EASTERN PHOEBES; Bill Hale spotted a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER along the railroad tracks as he straggled way behind the rest of us. Bill & Jim Farley saw a WINTER WREN on the old canal. 3 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS flew up high heading downriver. We were rewarded by 3 BROWN CREEPERS finally towards the end of the walk.
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Sorry – not in West Virginia. Am on vacation in Cancun, Mex. Went out yesterday with my favorite Mayan bird guide, Luis Ku, to Coba (an archeological site) and Punta Laguna, a nature preserve nearby. On the way, Luis stopped the car when he spotted it. We climbed out of the car trying to find the toucan. Next, a large group of Collared Aracaris appeared, making my day. I had seen aracaris before but this was my first Keel-billed, which Luis knew. After seeing it fly through the air, I still find it hard to believe there is a reason for the adaptation and that he can actually fly with so much weight up front. I’ll have to Google it. Other highlights of the day were a Blue-crowned Motmot, a Ruddy Crake, and an Oscellated Turkey. I go out with Luis again next Monday to Muyil and Xel-ha, two other archeological site.
FYI – archeological sites are often prime birding locations in the Yucatan Peninsula as long as one goes early and before the crowds arrive.
Regards
Sandy Sagalkin
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