As November rolls in, that means we have almost reached the end of the fall waterbird count. Even though there has yet to be snow that has stayed on the ground, the water and woods at the Point are dominated by winter species, including Long-tailed Duck, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, and Common Merganser. Winter finch numbers are also starting to pick up as of late.
Hooded Mergansers. Photo by Alec Olivier
Nov. 5 made for an interesting day with a Cave Swallow, Arctic Tern, Sabine’s Gull, Black-legged Kittiwake, and a Pacific Loon being recorded. Also on Nov. 5, an all-day rainstorm made for an amazing flight. In the end, I tallied 2,030 Buffleheads, 2,440 Long-tailed Ducks, 679 Common Goldeneyes, 206 Northern Pintails, and 62 Hooded Mergansers.
Several more days had good Long-tailed Duck flights, but for the most part, the duck flight has died down. Black-legged Kittiwakes have been seen almost daily recently, which has been a real treat.
~ Alec Olivier
2022 Fall Waterbird Counter
