Part 2- Rhode Island coast birding group- After spending time with Snowy Owl and before everyone arrived to see it, Jen and I went up to a few of our usual look-outs along the Narragansett shoreline. With the these heavy winds, birds should be rafted up tight along the granite encrusted shore....and thats exactly what we found. As we parked the car at the end of this dead end street....we looked up to see Gannets passing by within a few yards of the shore. That could only mean one thing.....draggers were working the shoreline for Skate and Herring. We walked out onto the huge granite slabs that make up this shoreline, and the boats were passing close by bringing with them a swarm of Gulls and Gannets. I took a few shots and then we headed back down to Pt Judith to see if the Snowy Owl was still there......and it was. And still no one there looking at this lone Owl. We parked our car in a position to keep a safe distance and also to shield the bird from any cars that could have driven into this end of the lot possibly spooking the bird. We wanted to make sure that everyone in the group had a chance to enjoy this bird. After everyone admired this impressive bird....back up to the shores of Narragansett! We all walked out onto the rocky ledges leaning forward into the heavily plowing wind, there waiting for us was a long flock of rafted sea ducks that stretched up the entire shoreline. Gannets passed by closely giving everyone great looks which are only usually visible in the distance through scopes. The draggers passed by from time to time bringing with them the Gull mobs and Gannets. A single 1st cycle Kumliens Iceland Gull was spotted by someone in the group following one of the draggers. The best find at this location, was a single hen Harlequin Duck mixed in with the thousand Eiders and all three species of Scoters. This is the first Harlequin I have ever seen at this location. Missing however were Razorbills. I usually see them here, but they seem to be late this year. Jen and I did see one earlier in the morning by the Point Judith lighthouse.-
Posted on: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 13:19:50 +0000
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