Seawatch - 24 September 2014

Observation time: 0547 - 1853
Observer: Skye Haas

Species observed:
American Black Duck – 2

Dabbler sp. – 5

Surf Scoter – 1

Black Scoter – 11

Common Loon – 2

Northern Gannet – 1

Double-crested Cormorant – 94

Laughing Gull – 135

Bonaparte’s Gull – 9

Ring-billed Gull – 14

Herring Gull – 36

Greater Black-backed Gull – 25

Lesser Black-backed Gull – 1

Caspian Tern – 8

Common Tern – 1

Forster’s Tern – 7

Royal Tern – 6

Tern sp. – 14

Jaeger sp. – 1

American Oystercatcher – 2

Ruddy Turnstone – 3

Calidris sp. – 3

Total: 381

It was a windy day at the Seawatch, and not too much was flying past during the first couple of hours. A small Laughing Gull flight occurred, not quite as heavy as Tuesday's 1000+ birds. Highlights included an early flock of Bonaparte's Gulls, a distant jaeger, and a young Gannet. Also notable, was a flock of 1500+ Tree Swallows foraging over the inlet. 

[One of many migrating Laughing Gulls counted at the Seawatch. Photo by Skye Haas.]