“My ambition is to see a kingfisher. That would really make my day,” a beginner bird watcher said.
And as if on cue, there was the distinctive rattle of a belted kingfisher. It flashed white and blue in the early morning sun, darted high above us and zigzagged over the top of some loblolly pines. We followed its path toward the gut on Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (CNWR) that kingfishers frequent, stepping quietly in order not to spook the skittish bird.
“There it is, high up on the telephone wires,” another birder said. “See the red-brown on its breast? That would be a female.”
We stood and watched with binoculars until the kingfisher plunged down toward the water and flying low swooped passed us. Success!
Chapter members, in partnership with the CNWR, led the bird walk for beginners on Saturday, November 23, at the refuge, an event we would like to make a regular part of our educational work. Five people joined this first walk led by two ESMN naturalists, both of whom are far from experts but love to bird.
In the Woodland Trail parking area, we saw a yellow-bellied sapsucker drilling for insects at the top of a dead tree. It is the only sapsucker found in the eastern United States and winters on the refuge. Two Eastern towhees hopped around on bushes nearby, showing off their bold rust and brown coloring. Both are occasional visitors to the refuge. Further along, by the crabbing area off Beach Road, a clutch of great egrets posed in a tree for photographers and beneath them at the water’s edge sat an immature little blue heron, its white plumage blending perfectly with the egrets until one birder spotted slate blue colors beginning to appear on its head.
On a blustery day, Swan Cove had white caps and at first looked empty. But sharp eyes and some patience revealed otherwise. There were red-breasted mergansers, buffleheads and black ducks and a gaggle of Canada geese landed. Overhead a bald eagle, immature eagle and a red-shouldered hawk flew.
In the two-hour walk, we recorded a total of 21 species, plus we saw otter and raccoon tracks, and we made one beginner birder very happy. “When are you going to hold the next walk?” participants asked.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lacks the staff to offer regular bird walks, despite birding’s growing popularity and its value in helping people learn about protecting natural resources. This is an approved volunteer activity, and we would like to do it regularly. The refuge has a plentiful supply of binoculars and bird books we can use to ensure everyone can fully participate, and we were fortunate to borrow a scope for close-up sightings.
So if you are interested in joining our team to help lead periodic bird walks on Chincoteague, then do come out for our next walk in January and find out what it’s all about! If you’d like to know more and to stay in touch, please contact:
Stella Dawson stellahdawson@gmail.com (202) 230 7832
Laurel Gould laurelgould44@gmail.com
Top photo credit: USFWS CNWR photo by Steve Hillebrand.
All photos are from USFWS Image Library.