PADDLER REPORT: Aug 7, 2009

I joined OBX Paddlers Club on Friday for an "almost full moon" paddle to see the roost. We had such a lovely time! We put in at the old marina, rounded the bend to a nice beach, stopped for a snack (at which time I shared what I know about the birds behavior, migration, roost, in a short Q&A presentation). Then, all eleven of us got back into our kayaks and paddled out together, staying in a loose sort of raft watching in awe of these birds so gracefully gliding in, in multi-layers, and all around, and talking to each other and seemingly to us...just absolutely breath-taking. I have to say, having been on all kinds of boats to see the birds from the water--canoes, speed boats, 65-foot headboat--the best way to do it is paddling (provided it's a calm night). So peaceful and gentle, just magical...

A report from fellow paddler, Barbara Springfield:

Last night with others from the OBX Paddle Club we put in at the old Mann's Harbour Marina. The water was very choppy and since this was my second time in the sound, I felt a little apprehensive. We paddled under the Mann's Harbour bridge to a slice of beach to have a snack. We munched on our snacks, and listened to Alisa Esposito give us a quick overview of purple martins and their habits. We boarded our kayaks when the sun was starting to set and purple martins were lining up in the hedgerows waiting to descend on the bridge for the night. We paddled out and suddenly the sky was filled with purple martins. We paddled with the martins as they flew towards the bridge. What an amazing sight! By this time I was enjoying the dip of the waves and the slap of the water against my kayak. I leaned back in my boat and enjoyed the show. We waited until we could see little rows of purple martins lining up on the bridge,(and what a chatter they made) and then we switched on our lights and paddled back to our put out.
The glorious night and the expectation of the full moon's arrival made me want to just be rocked to sleep in my little boat.

OBX paddlers, happy...full of the bliss-bird experience...