A Different Avalon Seawatch

There is more than one place with the name Avalon. There is the Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland and then there is the coastal New Jersey community of Avalon.  Both locations have their claim to fame for seabirds. Avalon, NJ has been monitored daily during fall migration for the last 20 some years. Large numbers of scoters and Red-throated Loons fly south along the beach at Avalon each fall. Today the winds were southeast channelling the birds just about as close to shore as they will come. Scoter migration is well on in late October. Rt Loons won't come on strong until November.  The odd thing for Newfoundland Avalon Peninsula seabirders is the number of dabbling ducks that are flying with the migrating scoters. Today there was a whopping 1,758 Green-winged Teal. However, scoters did rule with tallies of 8,020 Surf and 4,196 Black Scoters.  It was a spectacle to see. Getting out on a break water allows chances for photos thought the light was poor. Some photos from Avalon. New Jersey today.  The answers are  Surf Scoter, Black Scoter, Green-winged Teal, Wood Duck, Red-throated Loon, Forster's tern and Royal Tern.