January 21st - Rainy Day on the Bay

The long awaited boat trip around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel finally arrived, but with it came a weather forecast calling for all-day rain.  Another early morning put me at Lynnhaven inlet at 8 this morning.  48 degrees and a light drizzle.  I've been told by experienced birders that this is perfect "duck weather," which proved to be far from the truth.

(Red-breasted Merganser, Lynnhaven Inlet, VA)

 As I boarded the boat at 0900, I saw some familiar faces scanning the inlet.  Jim Marcum was along for the trip (the same man that helped me scope the King Rail at Back Bay NWR last week), bringing both his excellent birding skills and his great sense of humor.  Ned Brinkley was doing the spotting for the group, which immediately raised my hopes for a rarity.

(View of the CBBT, Lynnhaven Inlet, VA)

Like clockwork, the boat pulled out of the dock, and the rain began to fall.  A steady pelting of rain on my hood quickly made it impossible to even think about photo opportunities.  On the way out we picked up a few Horned Grebes, Common Loons, and an early/late Osprey.  After a half hour rendezvous with a young Humpback whale, the rain came even harder.  The birding was slow at best.

"Keep a lookout on these gulls ahead."  Ned saw something.  You could hear it in his voice.  Excitement brewed throughout the boat.  "Parasitic Jaeger!"  I was on it immediately.  The jaeger was sitting on the water about 30 yards from the boat.  After about 10 seconds it raised up and continued down the coast, out of sight.  

We slowly made our way out to the 4th island of the CBBT.  The duck activity was extremely low, and a heavy fog was making our visibility even lower.  Along the rocky shores of the 4th island, Purple Sandpipers were seeking shelter from the rain.  Ned Brinkley informed the Captain of a reliable spot for Great Cormorants, and we were not disappointed.  At the very end of the island sat 5 Great Cormorants, giving everyone aboard great views.

(Ned Brinkley (left), and me smiling with success)

The boat was soon at full speed heading back toward the dock, pushing all but 5 birders back into the headed cabin.  Not wanting to miss anything, I chose to postpone thawing out for another 40 minutes.   And it paid off.  "Red-necked Grebe!"  Ned was at it again.  A lone Red-necked Grebe was on the water to the right of the bow and took off before anyone inside the cabin could have a look.   For some reason the weather felt just right the rest of the way back.