This week was much slower than the previous week, but there have still been some decent flights of waterbirds. As of the writing of this blog, the season total for Long-tailed Ducks is 36,438! This is the highest season total for the fall waterbird count, and this is likely due to the major windstorm that hit the Point last week. Besides Long-tailed Ducks, there have still been some decent movements of Aythya. Dabbler numbers have really dropped off, with small numbers of Mallard, American Black Duck, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, and American Wigeon being seen most days. White-winged Scoters continue to migrate in decent numbers. Surf and Black Scoter numbers have dropped significantly but continue to be seen on most days in singles or twos. Loon numbers remain steady, with modest numbers of Common and Red-throated Loons being seen daily. A basic plumage Pacific Loon seen on 10/21 is the third of the season. Shorebird numbers have really dropped off, with American Golden-Plovers and Pectoral Sandpipers being the main species. The first Dunlin of the season was on 10/27. Also, on 10/27 was a Red/Red-necked Phalarope. A single Black-legged Kittiwake seen on 10/25 is the third of the season. Regarding rarities, the only sightings of note were an American Three-toed Woodpecker that was briefly seen on the merlin pole on the morning of 10/22 and a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher that flew past the shack on 10/23.
American Three-toed Woodpecker. Photo by Alec Olivier
~ Alec Olivier
2022 Fall Waterbird Counter
