King Eiders and masses of Common Loons, Montauk - 7 Mar 2009

Common Loon was definitely the ‘bird of the day’. I tallied 553 in the Montauk area alone, including 322 loafing and fishing around the mouth of the Montauk Inlet. Seaduck numbers are dwindling but there were still plenty of all three scoters scattered around the usual spots. The drake KING EIDER continues with a Surf Scoter flock, today they were north of the Point and visible from the overlook at the beginning of the Money Pond trail. The three long-staying female KING EIDER were rafting together and seen from the western bluff overlook at Camp Hero. An adult male HARLEQUIN DUCK was also off the rocks here. At Montauk inlet, I found 1 RAZORBILL and the 1st cy KUMLEIN’S ICELAND GULL was near the west jetty and 4 GREAT CORMORANTS were on the towers. A fifth GREAT CORMORANT was in the Star Island marina. These birds are coming into nice breeding condition. On Fort Pond, I noted 2 REDHEAD in the morning but could not find them again in the afternoon. The Canvasback from last weekend seem to have departed. Some 39 RING-NECKED DUCK continue, either on Fort Pond or Tuthill’s Pond.