With moderate cloud cover throughout the day and gentle winds from the east, the stage was set for a good day of counting at McGulpin Point. The low heat shimmer also provided the opportunity to pick out most of the Long-tailed Ducks loafing throughout the survey area. I was beginning to doubt that the Long-tailed Duck numbers would ever begin to compare to last years, but after today it seems the trend has gained momentum. With over two thousand individual Long-tailed Ducks tallied, today marks the first time of this season that the Long-tailed Duck numbers have exceeded one thousand. On the other hand, today could have been the first day with no Common Loons if it were not for a single individual moving west in the seventh hour. Raptor activity also gained some notoriety today when a group of Blue Jays were seen harassing a Peregrine Falcon. The insects are also making an impact at McGulpin Point; the spider webs that decorate the gazebo and cedar trees are now completely full of flying insects.
Canada Goose – 8
Mallard – 1
White-winged Scoter – 12
Long-tailed Duck – 2032
Common Merganser – 5
Red-breasted Merganser – 365
Common Loon – 1
Double-crested Cormorant – 50
duck sp. – 5
Common Tern – 3
Other Species:
Great Blue Heron – 1
Turkey Vulture – 8
Osprey – 1
Accipiter sp. – 1
Bald Eagle – 4
Broad-winged Hawk – 20
Buteo sp. – 1
Peregrine Falcon – 1
