The First Spring Census of Migrant Birds

April 12-May 3
by Brian Taber

      There have been few studies of Spring migrant birds at the southern tip of the Eastern Shore, so following last Spring's hawk count at Kiptopeke, K.E.ST.R.E.L decided to conduct a census of all species of migrant birds. Volunteers Bob Anderson and Fenton Day each covered one day and I spent nine days, including a full week, at the Park. Park Director Scott Flickinger arranged for me to stay in the intern's housing which was most helpful. Other volunteers were ready to help but had to cancel because of bad weather.

      The weather varied from hot to cold, cloudy to clear, calm to windy, dry to wet; there was fog and thunderstorms with golf-ball sized hail. Migrant birds were recorded on every day. The lowest count, 18 species and 70 individuals, was on foggy April 28th. The next day produced the highest count, 4,892, mostly shorebirds. The most species, 46, were recorded on April 26th.

      Neo-tropical migrants and hawks were in short supply, but shorebirds and swallows were numerous; Grasshopper Sparrows and Prairie Warblers were singing on territory; Fish Crows and Ospreys were carrying nesting material. Common Nighthawks were "booming" on territory.

Over 10,000 birds of 121 species were recorded. Some highlights include:

Black-bellied Plover 2,196
Dunlin 1,951
Double-crested Cormorant 1,291
Tree Swallow 576
Cattle Egret 151
Grasshopper Sparrow 6
Brown-headed Nuthatch 2
Red-headed Woodpecker 2
Black-necked Stilt 1
Parasitic Jaeger 1

      Spring bird migration in the maritime forests and agricultural fields at the southern tip of the Eastern Shore presents an interesting and possibly unique mix of species, quite different from the mainland only 20 miles away. Indeed, the Shore may be the best place in Virginia to see such different birds as Grasshopper Sparrow and Common Loon in the same binocular field and even hear them singing simultaneously!

      More work will reveal more surprises! A complete report of this study is available upon request to me at 103 Exeter Court, Williamsburg, VA. 23185

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