Deal Island Birds
Robert Ringler (ringler@cct.infi.net)
Sun, 28 Feb 1999 08:45:43 -0800
On Saturday, February 27, 1999 I visited Deal Island WMA in the
afternoon to look for the Common Teal seen there last week.
Unfortunately there were no teal of any kind present. However, I did
stay until dark to watch the flight of birds going to and from roosts.
Those returning to roost for the night included 7 Tricolored Herons, 17
Glossy Ibis, about 7,200 Fish Crows, and a flock of Tree Swallows.
Dozens of Hooded Mergansers were also zipping past me but I was not
counting them because I was not expecting so many. Coming out for the
evening were 1 American Bittern and 33 Black-crowned Night-Herons. I
also saw 2 Greater Yellowlegs, 7 small shorebirds (Dunlin or smaller),
and perhaps a dowitcher. These were brief views in the semi-dark with
only the yellowlegs calling. Earlier, between 4 and 5 PM, there were 2
Short-eared Owls in sight. The impoundments still have hundreds of
Tundra Swans, American Wigeon, and Coots with a few Pied-billed Grebes,
Gadwall, Ring-necked Ducks, and Buffleheads. Harriers are always in view
and an adult Bald Eagle perched in the old heronry. A Marsh Wren,
Clapper and Virginia Rails were calling.
Bob Ringler