Digiscoping at the Indian River Inlet – a Phone Skope Big Year 2014 Update

Matt, Alan, and Taj studying loons at the Indian River Inlet. Photo by Tim Schreckengost.

Matt, Alan, and Taj studying loons at the Indian River Inlet. Photo by Tim Schreckengost.

This past Sunday, Alan Kneidel, Taj Schottland, Matt Boone, and I ventured to the Indian River Inlet (eBird Checklist) in Sussex County, Delaware. After a necessary pre-trip Wawa stop, we left Newark shortly after 6 and arrived at the north parking lot at 7:45. The air was chilly and the sun was bright as we started the short hike out to the jetty. On the walk out, we had superb looks at Purple Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, and Sanderlings.

Purple Sandpiper - Tim Schreckengost

Purple Sandpipers at the Indian River Inlet, Sussex Co, DE on 26 January 2014. Digiscoped with an iPhone 5 + Celestron Regal 80F-ED & Phone Skope Adapter. iPhone photo by Tim Schreckengost.

There were loads of scoters, loons, and Long-tailed Ducks in a raft at the tip of the jetty. The scoters would fly into the inlet, then float back out, and repeat. The male Surf Scoter’s brilliant plumage was glistening in the morning light.

Surf Scoters - Tim Schreckengost

Surf Scoters at the Indian River Inlet, Sussex Co, DE on 26 January 2014. Digiscoped with an iPhone 5 + Celestron Regal 80F-ED & Phone Skope Adapter. iPhone photo by Tim Schreckengost.

From the jetty, we constantly scanned the seaduck flock for oddities and carefully studied various-plumaged Red-throated and Common Loons. There was nothing unusual, but we had a great time perusing the flock. The birds were relatively close giving us great looks.

Common Loon - Tim Schreckengost

Common Loon at the Indian River Inlet, Sussex Co, DE on 26 January 2014. Digiscoped with an iPhone 5 + Celestron Regal 80F-ED & Phone Skope Adapter. iPhone photo by Tim Schreckengost.

Finally, Matt and I spent a decent chunk of time studying gulls that were on the beach. I’m turning in to a gull nut, but am still an amateur when it comes to understanding cycles, hybrids, and even identifications. The flock was comprised of Great and Lesser Black-backed, Ring-billed, and Herring Gulls.

Herring Gull - Tim Schreckengost

Herring Gull at the Indian River Inlet, Sussex Co, DE on 26 January 2014. Digiscoped with an iPhone 5 + Celestron Regal 80F-ED & Phone Skope Adapter. iPhone photo by Tim Schreckengost.

I picked up six birds for my Phone Skope Big Year at the Indian River Inlet. My goal is to digiscope 200 species for the year and am keeping a tally in a public Google spreadsheet and am posting all of the photos in this Flickr set.

If you’re interested in digiscoping with a Phone Skope Adapter, check out their website and use the 15% discount code in the ad on the right side of this page!