Avalon Seawatch - December 4, 2011

Our recent string of nice weather continued today, with remarkably pleasant conditions for early December. Sunny skies, high temps over 60 degrees and a slack breeze were the name of the game. As might be expected, the flight suffered a bit due to the still conditions, but it was still a very enjoyable day.

Red-throated Loons (what else?) were again the dominant species today, with decent showings for both of the dark-winged scoters, though Gannets were noticeably absent for the most part. Gulls were again well represented, with the season's first Iceland Gull being a highlight. A late-morning Razorbill was the ninth recorded this season.

[This Iceland Gull was found sitting on the water in front of the seawall before flying over toward the gull roost at the south end of Sea Isle City. Photo by Tom Reed.]

Conditions look somewhat similar for tomorrow, and it will be interesting to see if the flight is also similar to today's.


Brant - 31
American Black Duck - 3
Green-winged Teal - 11
Greater Scaup - 3
Surf Scoter - 1,264
White-winged Scoter - 50
Black Scoter - 1,814
dark-winged scoter - 327
scoter, sp. - 19
Long-tailed Duck - 23
Red-breasted Merganser - 43
Red-throated Loon - 2,220
Common Loon - 3
Horned Grebe - 6
Northern Gannet - 442
Double-crested Cormorant - 12
Laughing Gull - 15
Bonaparte's Gull - 375
Ring-billed Gull - 126
Herring Gull - 50
Iceland Gull - 1
Lesser Black-backed Gull - 3
Great Black-backed Gull - 9
Razorbill - 1

(Total = 6,851)