tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18003071668903719522024-03-06T23:34:25.490-04:00Alix Arthur d'EntremontBirding and Exploring in Nova Scotia.Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-27042574581257291682017-12-31T17:39:00.000-04:002018-01-01T06:34:31.848-04:002017 Year In Review - The Rarities<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've been spending more time writing for our magazine <i>Nova Scotia Birds</i>, so between that, work and birding, I haven't had the opportunity to publish very many blog posts this year. If you aren't already a member of the Nova Scotia Bird Society, I encourage you to join and have a look at the magazine. There are 4 issues per year and it provides a summary of the season's birds in Nova Scotia.<br />
<br />
I was able to add 71 new species to my World life list and 12 of those were additions to my Nova Scotia life list (now at 325). My NS life list was augmented by 36 species in 2014, 22 in <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2016/01/2015-year-in-review-rarities.html" target="_blank">2015</a> and 13 during <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2016/12/2016-year-in-review-rarities.html" target="_blank">2016</a>, so another 12 this year isn't bad. My NS year list for 2017 ended up at 278, my highest yet - respectable for someone with a full-time job.<br />
<br />
Birding highlights of the year were seeing two long-overdue breeding species in NS - Black-backed Woodpecker and Spruce Grouse; finding a large portion of the missing Roseate Terns from North Brother; surveying an island with an estimated ~6000 Leach's Storm-Petrel burrows; participating on a pelagic trip to an area 220 km south of Nova Scotia, east of Georges Bank with 25 Degree Celsius waters; finding a Swallow-tailed Kite, LeConte's Sparrow and Golden-winged Warbler; birding in a 'fallout' in late October; and seeing and audio recording Nova Scotia's first Tropical Kingbird.<br />
<br />
When you're a birder, there is always something to look forward to. I'm particularly interested in what the Roseate Terns of Yarmouth County will decide to do. Will they abandon North Brother entirely? Will they make Gull Island their long-term home? I plan on surveying for Leach's Storm-Petrels on Pearl Island and possibly islands near Canso and on Cape Breton Island. I'd like to search for Black-crowned Night-Heron breeding evidence in the Mud Island chain, where I've seen them on multiple occasions. I want to make the trip to Seal Island in my boat (28 km from Dennis Pt Wharf), but I'd only go if there were at least another boat going just in case something goes wrong. The Duffy Rd marsh in Saulnierville looks like a great place for rails, so checking it this spring is a priority.<br />
<br />
Below is the list of Nova Scotia life ticks during 2017, self-found birds are annotated with an asterisk (*):<br />
<br />
1. Prothonotary Warbler<br />
2. Franklin's Gull<br />
3. Black-backed Woodpecker *<br />
4. Swallow-tailed Kite *<br />
5. Long-tailed Jaeger<br />
6. Audubon's Shearwater<br />
7. LeConte's Sparrow *<br />
8. Tropical Kingbird<br />
9. Yellow-throated Vireo<br />
10. Golden-winged Warbler *<br />
11. Cave Swallow<br />
12. Spruce Grouse *<br />
<br />
Here are some photos of the rarities that I was fortunate to see during 2017:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LcH8hvc3_vqWKCpcdW8ViCXbjmixjgHEQpPLHbHP86rIxmO_g5bu43P5mbA2VR8VL3ZsqsBf9HyfpPqJUoHeia3X6r93n4J81fBPPCkoL7soXBArz-f4pa85-Z3IgnbAfw2765dE8iU/s1600/DSC_6417_RSHA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="741" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LcH8hvc3_vqWKCpcdW8ViCXbjmixjgHEQpPLHbHP86rIxmO_g5bu43P5mbA2VR8VL3ZsqsBf9HyfpPqJUoHeia3X6r93n4J81fBPPCkoL7soXBArz-f4pa85-Z3IgnbAfw2765dE8iU/s640/DSC_6417_RSHA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-shouldered Hawk at Pleasant Lake, 22 Jan 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgHrWSvyRRjO_hseBOpC-izo88J1nE8aHk56DLrYWbxIrjSkdM0idZpAjpCxppEzpwsi4rH-kvetNK_FD6WTPdDLJqiydFGUaaTOn0Zqu6YCm4442RFvSejCBKgF37SLwRj5slapGkzw/s1600/DSC_6450_GWFG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="901" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgHrWSvyRRjO_hseBOpC-izo88J1nE8aHk56DLrYWbxIrjSkdM0idZpAjpCxppEzpwsi4rH-kvetNK_FD6WTPdDLJqiydFGUaaTOn0Zqu6YCm4442RFvSejCBKgF37SLwRj5slapGkzw/s640/DSC_6450_GWFG.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater White-fronted Goose in Yarmouth, 22 Jan 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRcZnyF2ge7pCcPpQFpjl5RoMeOIEg95dNXRJ4VivwsV4ZIXgWcQ_WTpE5bCk3LMeIuZntXJSBbSGfKHVXC9jvxv-kIuj2d31GXR3XhBzjwu6_YesxguBmg5M9sNJ04BLDx8DTnwnSrA/s1600/DSC_6454_PFGO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="867" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRcZnyF2ge7pCcPpQFpjl5RoMeOIEg95dNXRJ4VivwsV4ZIXgWcQ_WTpE5bCk3LMeIuZntXJSBbSGfKHVXC9jvxv-kIuj2d31GXR3XhBzjwu6_YesxguBmg5M9sNJ04BLDx8DTnwnSrA/s640/DSC_6454_PFGO.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink-footed Goose in Yarmouth, 22 Jan 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7PzBBl9y7iZ8KYGmyk5j0JFroFsNtbkFA_0n09oKFrdPU2_W6dkwlLzaqM2kqCURBLIt841s9LjRoLnPmlM1HCYNLcLN1T-FPWTSDNzOtfPspu3NwMhPYbAOD35dKWSg1jXwMvaEGUc/s1600/DSC_7097_1_THGU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="1600" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7PzBBl9y7iZ8KYGmyk5j0JFroFsNtbkFA_0n09oKFrdPU2_W6dkwlLzaqM2kqCURBLIt841s9LjRoLnPmlM1HCYNLcLN1T-FPWTSDNzOtfPspu3NwMhPYbAOD35dKWSg1jXwMvaEGUc/s640/DSC_7097_1_THGU.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thayer's Gull in Pubnico, 4 Feb 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiej-7nZrBwbr6XCm6VW16KTrP2t3y42t13PmsChxiS3E939bJjWiXiCHS4C7hRug6e47F05VQR_4BLGY4LuVhK5DkPxqgnbhgdukCIpYYore8t3Ghr5Z5-0fsZp2plcnfrr1qJRS6YZiY/s1600/DSC_7854_EABL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1540" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiej-7nZrBwbr6XCm6VW16KTrP2t3y42t13PmsChxiS3E939bJjWiXiCHS4C7hRug6e47F05VQR_4BLGY4LuVhK5DkPxqgnbhgdukCIpYYore8t3Ghr5Z5-0fsZp2plcnfrr1qJRS6YZiY/s640/DSC_7854_EABL.jpg" width="616" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Bluebird in Chegoggin, 21 Feb 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4D-TKtkrlSJ44ic6wdsAnGoqvVN0SxOvSLsQOlQs6U6rl2xeMkwiYlsXEudpocgvFx5X1-NLscUHsSUcuTnfArhUU-FJ9JFXnQrHYzolT398FJ95WEk9wjekbpIX9fv7hFIbI28q2Fvo/s1600/DSC_8603_MEGU_kamchatka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="814" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4D-TKtkrlSJ44ic6wdsAnGoqvVN0SxOvSLsQOlQs6U6rl2xeMkwiYlsXEudpocgvFx5X1-NLscUHsSUcuTnfArhUU-FJ9JFXnQrHYzolT398FJ95WEk9wjekbpIX9fv7hFIbI28q2Fvo/s640/DSC_8603_MEGU_kamchatka.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kamchatka Gull in Meteghan, 1 Apr 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6fJm84cNOJcFuR9wmi0PO3Z1EbmnvsSbFXuRbsF6cRvFThmT1E0zRgrM1vVWgGBq6WrLmyYP_HPKFlker-vl_Ks5aIaViJdE_QiSP9X8pEgg10k0TAhdWGfB_oEEC_1zVxsVHu5eORw/s1600/DSC_9400_FRGU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="1013" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6fJm84cNOJcFuR9wmi0PO3Z1EbmnvsSbFXuRbsF6cRvFThmT1E0zRgrM1vVWgGBq6WrLmyYP_HPKFlker-vl_Ks5aIaViJdE_QiSP9X8pEgg10k0TAhdWGfB_oEEC_1zVxsVHu5eORw/s640/DSC_9400_FRGU.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Franklin's Gull in Wolfville, 14 Apr 2017. A fabulous find by Jake Walker.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81cVWIJw6u9DrIduJSb53kyY2u2604JQop2-DdDGhAoosvbdiWiEL7bk2Vdqf35c0CgbpTh1ohjLwR64xYbnTRPrvPqrJVpmG3bsEoRJfulnu1K4f0J1LsuN6oF2Dbc5yzVPvvv79zgw/s1600/DSC_9522_FISP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="1360" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81cVWIJw6u9DrIduJSb53kyY2u2604JQop2-DdDGhAoosvbdiWiEL7bk2Vdqf35c0CgbpTh1ohjLwR64xYbnTRPrvPqrJVpmG3bsEoRJfulnu1K4f0J1LsuN6oF2Dbc5yzVPvvv79zgw/s640/DSC_9522_FISP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Field Sparrow on CSI, 17 Apr 2017. Thanks Johnny Nickerson!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTg8cMw4VVVPUFGIoVAI5iMF8y-RB0fgnsg-SGHwkzcHXw5qQpsEdyHYgTdY6It72hI9iC08gGH_jYDn1XiBEAFkPkLPS9lACmR8dWaUnhwqr-FFuKdDY_1Pzk6iwZM-MJq-4OSnLU-PE/s1600/DSC_9761_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTg8cMw4VVVPUFGIoVAI5iMF8y-RB0fgnsg-SGHwkzcHXw5qQpsEdyHYgTdY6It72hI9iC08gGH_jYDn1XiBEAFkPkLPS9lACmR8dWaUnhwqr-FFuKdDY_1Pzk6iwZM-MJq-4OSnLU-PE/s640/DSC_9761_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prothonotary Warbler in Pubnico, 18 Apr 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzEOq1QLuj0J2goj0T_iKxVTKcmTGPUAdReQ1FEIvUsDpxwSRyjv0Kbi3PdkawMoxenheZnIMpZZjDZY-jdiOSyf05CJWj-nsfD9Ftjk3-jTRJdq_NcRJkYEkKTLK8NlQJExDT5NX3K4/s1600/DSC_0716_GCTH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzEOq1QLuj0J2goj0T_iKxVTKcmTGPUAdReQ1FEIvUsDpxwSRyjv0Kbi3PdkawMoxenheZnIMpZZjDZY-jdiOSyf05CJWj-nsfD9Ftjk3-jTRJdq_NcRJkYEkKTLK8NlQJExDT5NX3K4/s640/DSC_0716_GCTH.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray-cheeked Thrush on Cape Sable, 7 May 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51Twjm6B-khK5wfjAzkzB0FotqIwLmGqNs4ISb4zCBC-x9V5JTZtadsxRAkMrLhpRGGtOhkJChnKzI0sBF00R7g6TpLUPm_ov753gCV8TNm5YK0nTtXCum1yLXR1ALCqhYE81SUi_hNQ/s1600/DSC_0896_1_SCTA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51Twjm6B-khK5wfjAzkzB0FotqIwLmGqNs4ISb4zCBC-x9V5JTZtadsxRAkMrLhpRGGtOhkJChnKzI0sBF00R7g6TpLUPm_ov753gCV8TNm5YK0nTtXCum1yLXR1ALCqhYE81SUi_hNQ/s640/DSC_0896_1_SCTA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet Tanager in Brighton, 8 May 2017. Thanks Joan Comeau!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJPL7SoHT0bfUnq3aMOprynPLvdfJHHgq-Zc7iRbbbBbcoO1u0sax3jL3t-uPj_p-kgWyZhOoLxGG4wJkjuXJbsjMLUiDIjNjXZ625g-jiPHuthx8sKmpNwCLJM0QxX1z4VaZu2wQhgA/s1600/DSC_1124_STKI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="606" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJPL7SoHT0bfUnq3aMOprynPLvdfJHHgq-Zc7iRbbbBbcoO1u0sax3jL3t-uPj_p-kgWyZhOoLxGG4wJkjuXJbsjMLUiDIjNjXZ625g-jiPHuthx8sKmpNwCLJM0QxX1z4VaZu2wQhgA/s640/DSC_1124_STKI.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swallow-tailed Kite near Argyle Head, 11 May 2017. Click <a href="https://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2017/05/a-swallow-tailed-kite-in-nova-scotia.html" target="_blank">here</a> for the blog post about this bird.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkyaoJKmYG8L_nxDUd5W7Xd1B6I6rV7hdTSVcLcdh_wYYCRomQ-W9oN9bRuDHbuCKXfCkUG3pNEo2yDLXhxUfkAdkLjJ5UzHoumxJXuhLvFIwXxBeKPYVnxGuWgTjnTXu6sWVfKXpbaM/s1600/DSC_1266_BGGN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1058" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkyaoJKmYG8L_nxDUd5W7Xd1B6I6rV7hdTSVcLcdh_wYYCRomQ-W9oN9bRuDHbuCKXfCkUG3pNEo2yDLXhxUfkAdkLjJ5UzHoumxJXuhLvFIwXxBeKPYVnxGuWgTjnTXu6sWVfKXpbaM/s640/DSC_1266_BGGN.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-gray Gnatcatcher on Bon Portage, 13 May 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIoAqoG3FWGpmQ0jODBG0fqL5gRTWhJ0TcIRkL_2EUYnP2fYCJa3OGsGi4LiicrRhNxKZk7OB4DMhyphenhyphenWZ7yBepBuah5CZMvotw6kuPYDG_X7l00I3bd7cxfctYJAHWv1pbNON6byZ6ptI/s1600/DSC_4967_LAGU_HERG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="1600" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIoAqoG3FWGpmQ0jODBG0fqL5gRTWhJ0TcIRkL_2EUYnP2fYCJa3OGsGi4LiicrRhNxKZk7OB4DMhyphenhyphenWZ7yBepBuah5CZMvotw6kuPYDG_X7l00I3bd7cxfctYJAHWv1pbNON6byZ6ptI/s640/DSC_4967_LAGU_HERG.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laughing Gull at Chebogue Pt, 17 June 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5co_uT-_3hL0B2yi0beXK5BqnUCIXy1MQiMTasQxxavP32kWQG5i1uD3egMHCk_Z36Gm0pnaPD8dKeN_aTTIGQUX8XIBHwTW_5p704Cl69e8MG9InJk8waG3T12i1ZV9FwIJSLdN9o6A/s1600/DSC_7253_LTJA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="1600" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5co_uT-_3hL0B2yi0beXK5BqnUCIXy1MQiMTasQxxavP32kWQG5i1uD3egMHCk_Z36Gm0pnaPD8dKeN_aTTIGQUX8XIBHwTW_5p704Cl69e8MG9InJk8waG3T12i1ZV9FwIJSLdN9o6A/s640/DSC_7253_LTJA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long-tailed Jaeger near Georges Bank, 5 Aug 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzN0AJXjVNEsmYOsVFKxmufum8ykZZG4Gxj_CucX9pb-SF1HZdQ2cDlDrfakXGIyaXVLstCslWtFCy2AkXX_4wW8rPKfFgIAOQJg1I19u82J07Xg3AXhnVIee08sa_8B-UJtwshXu6aM/s1600/DSC_7497_AUSH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="899" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzN0AJXjVNEsmYOsVFKxmufum8ykZZG4Gxj_CucX9pb-SF1HZdQ2cDlDrfakXGIyaXVLstCslWtFCy2AkXX_4wW8rPKfFgIAOQJg1I19u82J07Xg3AXhnVIee08sa_8B-UJtwshXu6aM/s640/DSC_7497_AUSH.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Audubon's Shearwater near George's Bank, 5 Aug 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JMKBTgPO7tuV4-75DOZpey6GQxCwj8D8GAaBlvSxuvj1Pp1vmV6r5tl4NxNitkCcG5RDKV2BthfV0vq0SwfGJccrDcQP38Zylo8gRB48zp3QDi5as1frHTx6wPhZSt0Q6NahImAecFI/s1600/DSC_9282_YCNH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JMKBTgPO7tuV4-75DOZpey6GQxCwj8D8GAaBlvSxuvj1Pp1vmV6r5tl4NxNitkCcG5RDKV2BthfV0vq0SwfGJccrDcQP38Zylo8gRB48zp3QDi5as1frHTx6wPhZSt0Q6NahImAecFI/s640/DSC_9282_YCNH.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-crowned Night-Heron in Pubnico, 26 Aug 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XeJY__Ae0A72a9aOmfsanfj-FqGKxVU8a5A3rLCic2SWJKs8EX_3txUmCINVDj9go-Q49AvYYdBqhw9T04SKwjJPOc7pR0RQtSfOo9zrFR-aP4xl3g2le-EylwfoEmfoeQrMCsFRVy4/s1600/DSC_0531_LASP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="981" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XeJY__Ae0A72a9aOmfsanfj-FqGKxVU8a5A3rLCic2SWJKs8EX_3txUmCINVDj9go-Q49AvYYdBqhw9T04SKwjJPOc7pR0RQtSfOo9zrFR-aP4xl3g2le-EylwfoEmfoeQrMCsFRVy4/s640/DSC_0531_LASP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lark Sparrow at Chebogue Point, 15 Sep 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwEMlfm5-Dmp8P2TIU1eCH5kco9RdfCKNYUV9lifmSPUJxL7-K_2yoqFyYA6IzYomqvWyYpUQCa1OGgPpiOzn53IfMi94m2G6QHfUUo-i0uFuBpjsv5rzxumOtpn6eEwmLMfFgwm42io/s1600/DSC_0098_1_LCSP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1054" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwEMlfm5-Dmp8P2TIU1eCH5kco9RdfCKNYUV9lifmSPUJxL7-K_2yoqFyYA6IzYomqvWyYpUQCa1OGgPpiOzn53IfMi94m2G6QHfUUo-i0uFuBpjsv5rzxumOtpn6eEwmLMfFgwm42io/s640/DSC_0098_1_LCSP.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LeConte's Sparrow on John's Island (on of the Tuskets), 10 Sep 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlozmBuwYp0XIK4OZoHfkMtuZUOKEGFD4ELNQNSnK4TuKvntdWLBNFEUpGmZrlfXIcmjVqktDxiwbkDYbrtawpj79QJHG8UfVH4JUNatj5u75h9QLMLmKGUFIPh5aYbyrOavWcZqKDkE8/s1600/DSC_2590_TRKI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="773" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlozmBuwYp0XIK4OZoHfkMtuZUOKEGFD4ELNQNSnK4TuKvntdWLBNFEUpGmZrlfXIcmjVqktDxiwbkDYbrtawpj79QJHG8UfVH4JUNatj5u75h9QLMLmKGUFIPh5aYbyrOavWcZqKDkE8/s640/DSC_2590_TRKI.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tropical Kingbird at Chebogue Pt, 24 Oct 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0vQRx6oGKPZSFG2qI66vE0eROTFGyNy0wz91Cr3LcSclfmAeFLul8zT4TVhEGB4lTGn4yk8JB8b7DTFb4zdz6ACU1AfINNJybjRiaGXOFA6jdx0n9gQIEoOxezq_mIsDzlEm4hbNosg/s1600/DSC_2888_YTVI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="1445" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0vQRx6oGKPZSFG2qI66vE0eROTFGyNy0wz91Cr3LcSclfmAeFLul8zT4TVhEGB4lTGn4yk8JB8b7DTFb4zdz6ACU1AfINNJybjRiaGXOFA6jdx0n9gQIEoOxezq_mIsDzlEm4hbNosg/s640/DSC_2888_YTVI.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-throated Vireo on Bon Portage, 28 Oct 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsGvKIF2kxoez_YaM3IopZFuGDv5511MiJJTA_gQ5kYTzh-fgWm-djKyAKcPkyVudeXRjAsx21NqygLvzXepq9IGED1vlKJPM0MN4Gm_hG66XrgFM0pguTRdcRzjpqqAttCescX2GnYQ/s1600/DSC_2925_YTWA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="631" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsGvKIF2kxoez_YaM3IopZFuGDv5511MiJJTA_gQ5kYTzh-fgWm-djKyAKcPkyVudeXRjAsx21NqygLvzXepq9IGED1vlKJPM0MN4Gm_hG66XrgFM0pguTRdcRzjpqqAttCescX2GnYQ/s640/DSC_2925_YTWA.jpg" width="586" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-throated Warbler on Bon Portage, 28 Oct 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOWCUNx_f6JrVuvIUFkbusIvYypQ-Sp1cQ_yEPlkEULA12NVRJYy6sVc2mQPtNJ8F2CZDrN1pBLIaee9aAkJlQHhlsLuDb_GbH8jiTpRZ8-u3O-b1RAeQRcPbaavj9acuVICM4BZ-tlM/s1600/DSC_2981_INBU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="1600" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOWCUNx_f6JrVuvIUFkbusIvYypQ-Sp1cQ_yEPlkEULA12NVRJYy6sVc2mQPtNJ8F2CZDrN1pBLIaee9aAkJlQHhlsLuDb_GbH8jiTpRZ8-u3O-b1RAeQRcPbaavj9acuVICM4BZ-tlM/s640/DSC_2981_INBU.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indigo Bunting on Bon Portage, 28 Oct 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dnufKVDk9VGXFXFHA2PssE0te_BYFsx8MUMjNiI3Y_wsv6oi0bwSqL7tUelwjVldCi_kfe-Jh7L6payrjAbwCplSn_0aZ_I4ztyRHEodrlIVzIfcvq-3RQrTPmApu75UxvQI_HwzHTY/s1600/DSC_3011_YBCU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dnufKVDk9VGXFXFHA2PssE0te_BYFsx8MUMjNiI3Y_wsv6oi0bwSqL7tUelwjVldCi_kfe-Jh7L6payrjAbwCplSn_0aZ_I4ztyRHEodrlIVzIfcvq-3RQrTPmApu75UxvQI_HwzHTY/s640/DSC_3011_YBCU.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-billed Cuckoo on Bon Portage, 28 Oct 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihSg2dOXXNlYS7zb-gNwediCmpqz4tL7xgAOKp0DCpXAU69I4461rqycFjgUyelLoyLygRFpLBwbGd65HDBhRj7FXyfJb0L9Ylpi0P4uHciYtOa-J2KQAMgnO_PbiMwqyCdbtkc6OVNo/s1600/DSC_3099_HOWA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihSg2dOXXNlYS7zb-gNwediCmpqz4tL7xgAOKp0DCpXAU69I4461rqycFjgUyelLoyLygRFpLBwbGd65HDBhRj7FXyfJb0L9Ylpi0P4uHciYtOa-J2KQAMgnO_PbiMwqyCdbtkc6OVNo/s640/DSC_3099_HOWA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hooded Warbler on Bon Portage, 28 Oct 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbjDuFCGAYpO7aFg6xHrMiDjBw6aUnwntocyOCqlXXtr9ti0sJ2VjA4sJC1xvGlqjukX2s5B5c9yNcgxHtPGAb-WhGuJjd04vaCCw5U_3_qf356xvXBraGgjPIdbOEi_CWIcDl-eAHRs/s1600/DSC_3316_GWWA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbjDuFCGAYpO7aFg6xHrMiDjBw6aUnwntocyOCqlXXtr9ti0sJ2VjA4sJC1xvGlqjukX2s5B5c9yNcgxHtPGAb-WhGuJjd04vaCCw5U_3_qf356xvXBraGgjPIdbOEi_CWIcDl-eAHRs/s640/DSC_3316_GWWA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden-winged Warbler at Chebogue Pt, 31 Oct 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KgBcUGAG24zMhyphenhyphenZXUiesfH0C-AGumvxc9iEXhyphenhyphenH00oiStX1pLwea590Z5IRNei7y-Vsq0qVc2V-RFJycjA9RwFuwEaE0zIDFd8slEwAiQ6aJL5j7tgmCLgPiOcDl-TP9dw7izKADBXc/s1600/DSC_3908_CASW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1101" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KgBcUGAG24zMhyphenhyphenZXUiesfH0C-AGumvxc9iEXhyphenhyphenH00oiStX1pLwea590Z5IRNei7y-Vsq0qVc2V-RFJycjA9RwFuwEaE0zIDFd8slEwAiQ6aJL5j7tgmCLgPiOcDl-TP9dw7izKADBXc/s640/DSC_3908_CASW.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cave Swallow at Chebogue Pt, 11 Nov 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-15371584535672975222017-08-07T17:34:00.003-03:002017-08-11T15:42:43.708-03:00Audubon's Shearwater in Nova Scotia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Field Encounter</b><br />
The two best birds seen during the recent pelagic trip out of Pubnico were two Long-tailed Jaegers and an Audubon's Shearwater, but the latter was only confidently identified two days later. A small black and white shearwater was seen at 8:09 am on August 4, 2017, in 26-27 degree Celsius, 2 km deep, waters south of Browns Bank (Fig. 2). It flew off as we approached and landed nearby; another approach allowed more photos, and then the bird was off for good. In all, the encouter lasted about 3 minutes and 23 seconds.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVTvkrAWawBWoCQn83Y_U9QqEJZrxaG32Fybzt_lFspSSidUFlNN4ZyV3twE6PgvBM0KDg25PMqli6lJWsJKps6X5mQXlone5DXNdwvHFdHJONJRu7fGhCSUksgdR_q30imWrYEXlXEE/s1600/DSC_7497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="899" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVTvkrAWawBWoCQn83Y_U9QqEJZrxaG32Fybzt_lFspSSidUFlNN4ZyV3twE6PgvBM0KDg25PMqli6lJWsJKps6X5mQXlone5DXNdwvHFdHJONJRu7fGhCSUksgdR_q30imWrYEXlXEE/s640/DSC_7497.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 1. </b>Audubon's Shearwater south of Browns Bank, Nova Scotia, 4 August 2017. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Some of the birders looked through their binoculars while others (including me) madly snapped away at it with their cameras. We knew full well that Audubon's was a possibility, in fact that species was one of the main reasons for making the trip. There was a short discussion about the bird once it disapeared. Manx and Audubon's Shearwaters are quite similar and some noted the appearance of dark undertail coverts while others mentioned that they had seen more extensive white on the face than on the typical Manx. The images of the bird on the LCD screens on the back of cameras seemed to show that the bird had white undertail coverts. Other birds were to be seen, so the group decided to leave it as a probable Manx.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRJIMqSv5_Jo76YJt7xxcvFWqH6W4_qz_PdcFqme95GhiTo_nAIpZfYbLb2xXl5b_ZaGUrIQbqgnmF3Vl4zYJi414nqzJlZsN2mCD6hRwfUX4to-u3oHG1zlGssHT6etyz-8h7IglJMs/s1600/Map_WithAudubons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="1351" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRJIMqSv5_Jo76YJt7xxcvFWqH6W4_qz_PdcFqme95GhiTo_nAIpZfYbLb2xXl5b_ZaGUrIQbqgnmF3Vl4zYJi414nqzJlZsN2mCD6hRwfUX4to-u3oHG1zlGssHT6etyz-8h7IglJMs/s640/Map_WithAudubons.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 2.</b> This sea surface temperature map is modified and rectified from a map from the Rutgers Coastal Observation Lab, shows the location of the Audubon's Shearwater sighting as a yellow "X". The map is from 5 am local time, and is the map whose time stamp is closest to our observation at 8:09 am. I assume that the blue area n.w. of the sighting is an error since the water temperature stayed warm as we made our way through the area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Identification</b><br />
A more detailed look at the bird and a conclusion as to its identification was done on August 6, 2017, by Mark Dennis upon seeing photos that Richard Stern had posted to Facebook. The word was spread that we had in fact photographed one of the megas that we had hoped to see.<br />
<br />
Audubon's is slightly smaller than Manx and has short and broad wings, and a longer tail (Howell 2012). The relative tail length can be seen in Figs. 3 and 4. Figure 4 shows how the tail feathers project farther past the undertail coverts in Audubon's. Howell (2012) states that Manx's upperparts are slaty-blackish relative to the browner upperparts shown by Audubons; this is visible in Figure 3.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2LaqUCZXaFEik4N1DXb_Vvmu9Lzm4LPjH6DFl8hT4lZ9I4TpQCIPykXcO5yhVJr5E6pHktbCAW6f6qmxuYIExmrSZa2wzE54jRzADo6oD81ozlj97bz6a4mvOlpgBna08Fa6IeuZHBk/s1600/DSC_7494_annotation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="879" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2LaqUCZXaFEik4N1DXb_Vvmu9Lzm4LPjH6DFl8hT4lZ9I4TpQCIPykXcO5yhVJr5E6pHktbCAW6f6qmxuYIExmrSZa2wzE54jRzADo6oD81ozlj97bz6a4mvOlpgBna08Fa6IeuZHBk/s640/DSC_7494_annotation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 3. </b>Audubon's Shearwater south of Browns Bank (L) and Manx Shearwater on German Bank (R). This comparison shows how the tail tip in Audubon's falls farther past the primary tips than in Manx. <i>Photos by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The wing shape of the bird in question is difficult to appreciate due to its current stage of wing moult, but the wings do appear less pointed and relatively shorter (Fig. 4). Howell (2012) describes how the undertail coverts of Manx are white while those of Audubon's are "solidly blackish (less common) to extensive white basally (most frequent)". It appears that our recent Audubon's has mostly white undertail coverts except for at least one dusky covert on the right side (Fig. 4). Figure 4 shows how the underwing in Manx often looks whiter overall whereas the underwing of Audubon's had broader dark magins (Howell 2012).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaz7TjXAImpBM0TovILLw7N2VXlhRv7P6mhruM6V8AvvYHxFZg8HAatfBBIOy31HEezj_9iR12Ai-m84W13lAqkLa7S-xvUf8auo3843atKaYqa5kGfBopt_eNnQhSdvw2BPrUMhkKOY/s1600/DSC_7497_annotation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="1600" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaz7TjXAImpBM0TovILLw7N2VXlhRv7P6mhruM6V8AvvYHxFZg8HAatfBBIOy31HEezj_9iR12Ai-m84W13lAqkLa7S-xvUf8auo3843atKaYqa5kGfBopt_eNnQhSdvw2BPrUMhkKOY/s640/DSC_7497_annotation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 4.</b> Audubon's Shearwater south of Browns Bank (L) and Manx Shearwater south of Browns Bank (R). <i>Photos by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Manx is said to be darker-faced with a whitish hook cutting around the auriculars, relative to the whiter faced Audubon's lacking the white hook (Fig 5). (Howell 2012)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMS3u2JnYOSolO4Ekfu-FgnsX4SzPEYYHeV_GiNsgUSEqXuX4DrHnGWTAC6FrfJpo_32dhHkhhkEz9n0hyeySqxgNmLOo-07Cdw2OEFwfetc2m6Tewh5XYiXdqFARWst58Pi8SRUmgcRE/s1600/DSC_7717_annotation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="965" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMS3u2JnYOSolO4Ekfu-FgnsX4SzPEYYHeV_GiNsgUSEqXuX4DrHnGWTAC6FrfJpo_32dhHkhhkEz9n0hyeySqxgNmLOo-07Cdw2OEFwfetc2m6Tewh5XYiXdqFARWst58Pi8SRUmgcRE/s640/DSC_7717_annotation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 5.</b> Audubon's Shearwater south of Browns Bank (L) and Manx Shearwater south of Browns Bank (R). <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photos by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Boyd's Shearwater is extremely similar to Audubon's, but has a smaller bill and blueish gray legs (Howell 2012). Our recent bird shows pinish legs and what appears to be too large of a bill for the much rarer Boyd's.<br />
<br />
<b>Range and Occurrences in Nova Scotia</b><br />
The subspecies of Audubon's Shearwater believed to range up to Nova Scotia is <i>lherminieri </i>which breeds in the Bahamas and from Puerto Rico to Tobago. It favours warm waters over the continental shelf slope, often found on weed lines at ocean fronts in the Gulf Stream. It ranges north over the Gulf Stream waters from Florida to North Carolina. It is uncommon to rare north to southern New England (mainly Jul-Aug) and is casual to Nova Scotia. (Howell 2012)<br />
<br />
Our first report was of an observation at Western Bank on 7 October 1979 by an experienced birder with few published details. The first fully confirmed and captured by camera was one photographed south of Browns Bank on 17 August 2012 by Tom Johnson. None had been photographed by birders on non-goverment birding trips until our August 4, 2017 record. The list below from eBird, <i>Nova Scotia Birds</i> and McLaren (2012) contains a total of 42 reports, but some of them, especially the early ones, are by a single observer and/or have no photos.<br />
<br />
<i>7 Oct 1979</i> - Western Bank (few published details)<br />
<i>27 Aug 1980</i> - 30 km s.w. of Yarmouth (few published details)<br />
<i>9 Aug 1992</i> - 8 km west of Brier Island (details by experienced observer)<br />
<i>4 October 2003</i> - 175 km s.s.w. of Sable Island (details by experienced observer)<br />
<i>30 Sep 2009</i> - 240 km s.w. of Halifax (2 ind., details by experienced observer)<br />
<i>17 Aug 2012</i> - south of Browns Bank (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S11366268" target="_blank">eBird</a>) <b><u>**FIRST PHOTOGRAPHED**</u></b><br />
<i>6 Aug 2013</i> - 200-156 nm south of CSI (9 ind., Michael Force)<br />
<i>9 Oct 2014</i> - Seal Island (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S20211343" target="_blank">eBird</a>)<br />
<i>1 Jul 2015 </i>- south of Browns Bank (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S28440397" target="_blank">eBird</a>, no details)<br />
<i>16 June 2015</i> - 78 nm south of CSI (photographed)<br />
<i>26 Aug 2015</i> - Bon Portage Island (3 ind., <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S24777358" target="_blank">eBird</a>)<br />
<i>30 Sep 2015</i> - 42.59, -59.00 by ECSAS<br />
<i>1 Oct 2015</i> - 40.8441, -60.28 by ECSAS (3 ind.)<br />
<i>31 May 2016</i> - Scotian Slope at 42.75, -61.66 by ECSAS<br />
<i>Summer 2016</i> - UNKNOWN by ECSAS (3 ind.)<br />
<i>28 Jul 2016</i> - US cetacean and seabird surveys, 180 nm south of CSI<br />
<i>14-21 Aug 2016</i> - south of Georges and Browns Banks (11 ind., NOAA surveys)<br />
<br />
It is apparent that Audubon's Shearwaters occur May-Oct in warm waters south of Nova Scotia. It is observed infrequently because of the difficulties involved in visiting its extreme offshore habitat.<br />
<br />
<b>References</b><br />
Howell, S.N.G. 2012. Petrels, albatrosses and storm-petrels of North America. Princeton University Press, New Jersey.<br />
<br />
McLaren, I.A. 2012. All the Birds of Nova Scotia: status & critical identification. Gaspereau Press Ltd, Kentville, N.S., Canada</div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-61110228573885108892017-07-17T18:28:00.004-03:002017-07-18T15:54:59.359-03:00Leach's Storm-Petrels on Little White Island<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
On July 14, 2017, Keith Lowe and I left by Zodiac from Marie-Joseph, a little village east of Ecum Secum, and made a quick stop at Gull Rock then landed on <a href="https://www.google.ca/maps/place/44%C2%B053'38.0%22N+62%C2%B005'57.8%22W/@44.893894,-62.1009316,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d44.893894!4d-62.099384" target="_blank">Little White Island</a>. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7XiLzhdRT_IwBOZuaV9aHITAuxsi3EMKVjAP_iHCXxPXnzEwsl04ULkmEy4tr-MEKLFneue4DA6TvRB2alKgeaGUTPTKw83qOcbjVpfnY3rXbSTyg-hpzYruyOKC1ov2DUm_0BN96Hw/s1600/WP_20170714_11_38_32_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7XiLzhdRT_IwBOZuaV9aHITAuxsi3EMKVjAP_iHCXxPXnzEwsl04ULkmEy4tr-MEKLFneue4DA6TvRB2alKgeaGUTPTKw83qOcbjVpfnY3rXbSTyg-hpzYruyOKC1ov2DUm_0BN96Hw/s320/WP_20170714_11_38_32_Pro.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alix d'Entremont (me) holding a Leach's Storm-Petrel on Little White Island, Halifax County. <i>Photo by Keith Lowe.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Again this year I am doing colonial seabird surveys for Environment Canada and wanted to check the islands in the <a href="https://novascotia.ca/nse/protectedareas/wa_easternshoreislands.asp" target="_blank">Eastern Shore Island Wilderness Area</a> that were recorded as having the most Leach's Storm-Petrel colonies. Little White Island was last surveyed in 1981 when 616 pairs were recorded. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6MGSsrcOS0IeIM5641Q9JXIM0DB3i027WkGFJ20twjoL_eANnn6RdelXASb5X7304nx7h7bsZYrEoI-WW2tuKnxXagGNoy_vopN_LFSVQvWnqd5MNbBNxlqy2v6yeeS4lYWhWKODSro/s1600/LittleWhiteIsland_LocationMap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="869" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6MGSsrcOS0IeIM5641Q9JXIM0DB3i027WkGFJ20twjoL_eANnn6RdelXASb5X7304nx7h7bsZYrEoI-WW2tuKnxXagGNoy_vopN_LFSVQvWnqd5MNbBNxlqy2v6yeeS4lYWhWKODSro/s320/LittleWhiteIsland_LocationMap.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Location map of Little White Island, Halifax County. <i>Bing Map.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1k-N5GcoopT7dQXQWL4j45C3mUZl3kwURuaOwdTRv_NQIFWhb-FMTj5qfsqbT93AflIcQtYijTfKRhtoxbezgcLvRD9_dDfO8d3T6ojbO8eocG9oVaOUq7rsw9T83dli1jsaAkArE3k/s1600/20170714_115515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1k-N5GcoopT7dQXQWL4j45C3mUZl3kwURuaOwdTRv_NQIFWhb-FMTj5qfsqbT93AflIcQtYijTfKRhtoxbezgcLvRD9_dDfO8d3T6ojbO8eocG9oVaOUq7rsw9T83dli1jsaAkArE3k/s320/20170714_115515.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our anchoring area on the western side of Little White Island. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We landed on the western end of Little White Island and found that there were quite a few. Considering the size of the island (350 m by 100 m) and the density of the burrows, we decided to follow the sample method described in <i>Colonial Waterbird Monitoring Program: A Surveyor's Guide </i>previously provided to me by Environment Canada. We sampled 5 areas that were representative of the different vegetation types and slopes on the island. The sample areas were squares with side dimensions of about 4 paces or 3.3 m which equates to an area of 10.9 m². We also noted the general densities to allow for better generalizations of densities by habitat type throughout the island.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivezttHXGiZlvqRVevjUvqsH7VCUWzQ6le0V-s8kKpXCRsX3EnrWNRameKI2r1vLVHz23eI-0zEiZJ-PM7r99nBuohfqRDts3ESdnfP1taybCh3_hJugom9uQrlcWdGXldIRE9yoGiUb0/s1600/20170714_103653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivezttHXGiZlvqRVevjUvqsH7VCUWzQ6le0V-s8kKpXCRsX3EnrWNRameKI2r1vLVHz23eI-0zEiZJ-PM7r99nBuohfqRDts3ESdnfP1taybCh3_hJugom9uQrlcWdGXldIRE9yoGiUb0/s320/20170714_103653.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Location of Sample 1, short grass, on Little White Island. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Below is the field data and key and the data for the 5 samples.<br />
<br />
A = Adult<br />
E = Egg<br />
C = Chick<br />
CRE = Can't Reach End<br />
REN = Reached End, Nothing<br />
<br />
<b>Sample 1 - Short Grass, slight slope.</b><br />
44° 53.657' N, 62° 6.093' W<br />
6 burrows (A,E; A; A; CRE; CRE; REN).<br />
<br />
<b>Sample 2 - Short Grass, slight slope, near possible fox den.</b><br />
44° 53.631' N, 62° 6.032' W<br />
0 burrows.<br />
<br />
<b>Sample 3 - Tall Vegetation, slight slope.</b><br />
44° 53.626' N, 62° 5.899' W<br />
0 burrows.<br />
<br />
<b>Sample 4 - Short Grass, moderate slope.</b><br />
44° 53.649' N, 62° 5.871' W<br />
3 burrows (CRE; CRE; CRE).<br />
<br />
<b>Sample 5 - Short Vegetation, large slope.</b><br />
44° 53.660' N, 62° 5.966' W<br />
13 burrows (CRE; A; A; REN; CRE; E; CRE; A; CRE; REN; CRE; CRE; CRE).<br />
<br />
Sample 5 had the highest density of all samples and this density of holes appeared to be consistent through the entire north slope. The sample was taken near the middle of the slope both east-west and north-south and was at an entirely random, central location.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkvRNZproGQMedRPSv18jYYY43mk7px7nJuVw95OUJGqymaQijrafLwA7kix46dTaT3EC9tmWtnE89kSAbLMkuNxT5M3jmcrV5eH1cRvHIUd5TBrBpSxhLeVsuF_Pbjg4Q1vRPGCZRg0/s1600/WP_20170714_11_50_15_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkvRNZproGQMedRPSv18jYYY43mk7px7nJuVw95OUJGqymaQijrafLwA7kix46dTaT3EC9tmWtnE89kSAbLMkuNxT5M3jmcrV5eH1cRvHIUd5TBrBpSxhLeVsuF_Pbjg4Q1vRPGCZRg0/s320/WP_20170714_11_50_15_Pro.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The north slope of Little White Island, near the location for sample 5. <i>Photo by Keith Lowe.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I roughly classified the entire island by habitat type in Google Earth and added the sample locations. The burrow calculation for each habitat type was calculated using a burrow density that I chose based on the sample points and the general feeling that I got while walking through the habitat and noting the number of burrows compared to the sample plots.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUg9s6A1cQRvvNqwqg0ewf1c2PB1Hml-3HOQ_R39Jr757UIH2twNS0i_GMOoDQHFi4Yru_3rhZChiK07DSjuuPqHEC7KCBghSJGRYfm4oMDo7s0jbV_IrYvcYC2wsMu-SxN7hyphenhyphenWU6SDcg/s1600/LittleWhiteIsland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="1568" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUg9s6A1cQRvvNqwqg0ewf1c2PB1Hml-3HOQ_R39Jr757UIH2twNS0i_GMOoDQHFi4Yru_3rhZChiK07DSjuuPqHEC7KCBghSJGRYfm4oMDo7s0jbV_IrYvcYC2wsMu-SxN7hyphenhyphenWU6SDcg/s320/LittleWhiteIsland.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sample points and habitat type on Little White Island. <i>Google Earth Export.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Short Grass @ 3,500 m² (3 burrows per 10.9 m² = 0.275 burrows per m²)<br />
3,500 m² * 0.275 burrows per m² = 960 burrows<br />
<br />
Short Grass @ 12,500 m² (1 burrow per 10.9 m² = 0.09 burrows per m²)<br />
12,500 m² * 0.09 burrows per m² = 1,145 burrows<br />
<br />
Short Vegetation @ 6,600 m² (8 burrows per 10.9 m² = 0.734 burrows per m²)<br />
6,600 m² * 0.734 burrows per m² = 4,844 burrows<br />
<br />
<b><u>Total number of burrows = 6,949 burrows.</u></b><br />
<br />
<br />
Obviously this estimate is simply that - an estimate. Given that there were only two people doing the survey, we weren't able to cover the island in detail, but this at least gives us an idea of the size of the colony. For a more accurate estimate, I would delineate the habitat types and slopes by GPS on the ground and take 4 to 6 samples in each habitat type and slope combination. This should result in a better estimate of numbers.<br />
<br />
We did see at least 2 burrows and 1 adult that were predated and a few larger burrows and piles of crushed crustacean shells.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4m4SJdfjjjj3RjjjWrOZh-agDn6QpI537r6UFkd0CNDJZIZT4kC775HR4XhNZBsVxvrM6EN-CPT-YS1QMV0BjrJ2U6nxVIbyNI8ighik35tdcMjaiqsOCbpcWxm4f86lf-fUaiDoKM9M/s1600/20170714_105011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4m4SJdfjjjj3RjjjWrOZh-agDn6QpI537r6UFkd0CNDJZIZT4kC775HR4XhNZBsVxvrM6EN-CPT-YS1QMV0BjrJ2U6nxVIbyNI8ighik35tdcMjaiqsOCbpcWxm4f86lf-fUaiDoKM9M/s320/20170714_105011.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large burrows and mounds of what appeared to be crustacean shells on Little White Island. Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINzigh1hFg2WJ8pOwReNrGrwfcfclajyQQGXtPwIuyHgVRpuktUnyO9gUbU70o201FhXoSNUNWc15dyFM5fUScQixnglM8h0VZ0pG7EPe3Rt06FJvVqAi9t4GqVs292152b7wIpZk170/s1600/20170714_105854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINzigh1hFg2WJ8pOwReNrGrwfcfclajyQQGXtPwIuyHgVRpuktUnyO9gUbU70o201FhXoSNUNWc15dyFM5fUScQixnglM8h0VZ0pG7EPe3Rt06FJvVqAi9t4GqVs292152b7wIpZk170/s320/20170714_105854.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Predated adult on Little White Island. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Leach's Storm-Petrel colony on Little White Island was by far the largest that I've ever been to on a grassy island. I have visited Bon Portage that was estimated to have had 50,000 pairs, but it is a wooded island. These storm-petrel colonies are much harder to detect that other colonial birds, so I'm sure there are other large colonies around the province. I hope to get to Indian Island near LaHave in the next few weeks to check for storm-petrels.<br />
<br /></div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-14258687806004557112017-07-05T21:17:00.003-03:002017-07-06T10:34:13.366-03:00North Brother Tern Colony Collapse<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This isn't all bad news - in fact colony desertion is entirely normal for terns. Read on.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Roseate Terns on the Brother Islands</b><br />
North Brother Island has consistently been the best location in Nova Scotia to see Roseate Terns for decades. It was home to Canada's largest colony of this rare tern and was one of only a few known breeding locations in Nova Scotia.<br />
<br />
Roseate Terns among the Arctic Terns and Common Terns on the Brother Islands off West Pubnico were first identified in 1982 when the Roseates numbered 55 to 60 pairs. The Brothers are two small islands off West Pubnico, Yarmouth County, known locally as "les Îles à Vert". Ted d'Eon of West Pubnico has been monitoring and managing the tern colony since 1983 in cooperation with the Canadian Wildlife Service and the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources. Ted's website (<a href="http://www.ted.ca/">www.ted.ca</a>) contains years worth of data and photos about his efforts. Due to the Roseate Tern's precarious foothold in Canada, the species depends on management for its survival (Erksine 1992).<br />
<br />
The terns used to nest on the two Brother Islands, but since 2003, they only nest on North Brother. The number of Roseate Tern nests fluctuates from year to year with a high of 90 nests in 2002 and a low of 20 in 1991. Fifty Roseate Tern nests were found in 2016.<br />
<br />
Roseate Terns are listed as Endangered in Canada under the Species at Risk Act. Its reproductive rate is limited by age of first breeding at age 3, small clutch size (2 for experienced birds, 1 for first-time breeders), and a relatively low survival rate of adults and young birds. One of the main threats to Canadian Roseate Tern populations is predation and displacement of colonies by Herring Gulls and Great Black-backed Gulls. The restricted distribution of this tern makes it vulnerable to localized threats such as human disturbance and weather events. (Environment Canada 2010)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCq5YalA76Xi-nPhzGy1bnd_RGhQEuRPyzDyvcRg9X6ABHDfWwOatm48jQCwjbkHXUnybeWiTx0tDeM0qZIchqXUj5ZS0cJy4yrvUc6vx4I0KPrU9ZNcIQWG_FvH1bcEy-Q1L3_fWLbg/s1600/DSC_1832_1_ROST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCq5YalA76Xi-nPhzGy1bnd_RGhQEuRPyzDyvcRg9X6ABHDfWwOatm48jQCwjbkHXUnybeWiTx0tDeM0qZIchqXUj5ZS0cJy4yrvUc6vx4I0KPrU9ZNcIQWG_FvH1bcEy-Q1L3_fWLbg/s320/DSC_1832_1_ROST.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roseate Tern at North Brother on June 17, 2016. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBZp3qEJtz7nIWkekDCklWmDlwG1kTbu6tRX-niewQr-Ei29ZuFsEBUcVk_S1Q8m3YT9e-g8XvoaPxNAahmUk5-n6agqZIWKRMR7T9zYv3zYNyq7mSMFwBRqLaJFiW7_E_BXlBksJkUk/s1600/DSC_0643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBZp3qEJtz7nIWkekDCklWmDlwG1kTbu6tRX-niewQr-Ei29ZuFsEBUcVk_S1Q8m3YT9e-g8XvoaPxNAahmUk5-n6agqZIWKRMR7T9zYv3zYNyq7mSMFwBRqLaJFiW7_E_BXlBksJkUk/s320/DSC_0643.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julie McKnight (Canadian Wildlife Service) holding a Roseate Tern with tiny GPS receiver at North Brother on June 17, 2016. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Brother Islands have been owned by the Province of Nova Scotia since 1990 and have been a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wildlife management area since 2007. Access to the islands between March 31 and September 1 is not permitted without written authorization of the Director of Wildlife at DNR.<br />
<br />
Here is a video that I made in 2011 that shows the boat ride between Abbotts Harbour and North Brother Island, the Roseate Tern management area on North Brother, the eroding island edges and the terns flying above the island. The tern festival mentioned in the video is no longer running.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GUQ_04IBWb8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GUQ_04IBWb8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>2017 Breeding Season on North Brother</b><br />
It all began with low numbers of terns arriving at the start of breeding season. By May 8, 2017, there were only 15 terns above the island in comparison to 100 birds on May 6 of the previous year. It was noted that during the 2016 breeding season, the terns appeared to be more tightly packed than previous years, a product of the yearly erosion to the already tiny island.<br />
<br />
A high tide event previous to a visit to the island on May 28, 2017 caused a lot of damage to the "management zone", an area with imported substrate and nesting shelters for the Roseate Terns. By June 4, 2017, it was obvious that the number of terns on the island was drastically lower than in previous years. The nest count of all three species was completed on June 12, 2017, and the results were bad; only 141 nests were found compared to 661 the previous year. This is a loss of more than 500 pairs of terns and the lowest nest count based on data from Ted's website which goes back to 1990.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtwAEhsooM20wyGwmbsvogYxQp9sA-gHcZLvTX9NcngkrxMX76r2Vgi4o2YK395qBL-HnAeeTMw_Q5NpxRfc99-CKpmylKDL_PLTZfvJpoal5Rm2zVAZgXnfY14BsDpZstKaJAV01D6s/s1600/DSC_1923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="1600" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtwAEhsooM20wyGwmbsvogYxQp9sA-gHcZLvTX9NcngkrxMX76r2Vgi4o2YK395qBL-HnAeeTMw_Q5NpxRfc99-CKpmylKDL_PLTZfvJpoal5Rm2zVAZgXnfY14BsDpZstKaJAV01D6s/s320/DSC_1923.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roseate Terns nesting in shelters in the "management zone" on North Brother on June 17, 2016. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
During the June 21, 2017 visit, the number of terns above the island had shrunk to about 30 and most Roseate nests that previously had eggs now did not or were missing an egg and the majority of the remaining eggs were cold. Most of the Common Tern nests were empty and the few Arctic Tern nests that were there, were gone. Four trail cameras were set on North Brother the following day and the photos showed that the predators were a group of 4 American Crows. The colony was now abandoned and for the first time in at least 35 years, there would be no breeding success at all. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Tern Breeding Site Fidelity</b><br />
Fidelity to natal colony is variable, but usually high. Predation and other causes of breeding failure are known to cause colonies to be abandoned when birds move en masse to other sites, sometimes settling synchronously in contiguous groups. (Nisbet 2002)<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>The Search for the Missing Terns</b><br />
On the heels of this year's low nest count, Bertin d'Eon and I searched the Tusket Islands area on June 15, 2017, for the initial missing 500 pairs. A few Common and Arctic were found above Murder Island, Peases Island had 11 nests and Green Island (south of Wedgeport) had 82 nests. The birds found nesting on the Tusket Islands were likely the same that were nesting there in 2016, but a majority simply moved around between islands.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcc_3eRft7mYK4pY8gBff_Zxan2hoGSkziyj0qx1ehX1Iy_9h6uiqSPu4d_3zu7ZgxYVzqSKHr3hBMddIrcmSif6WC8WrA5sO9SXvCRRx9LZzth9CtVnDwsF8LWCDsgfmf5IkZnzYXA28/s1600/20170615_113226_ARTE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcc_3eRft7mYK4pY8gBff_Zxan2hoGSkziyj0qx1ehX1Iy_9h6uiqSPu4d_3zu7ZgxYVzqSKHr3hBMddIrcmSif6WC8WrA5sO9SXvCRRx9LZzth9CtVnDwsF8LWCDsgfmf5IkZnzYXA28/s320/20170615_113226_ARTE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arctic Tern nest on Peases Island on June 15, 2017. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8g8qG30i1i8s7fsGXsFrD1kz3RMDr4NpFfWf4m2IuF1nbS297zmmEhQolWAG2FwSr6hlaY3rkmAbTnMOuSg2U_50I2vCnt1CNTOfjiI4m99H-W_Nap8uMgJrf7No-QAfKjQ73k3uoe0/s1600/20170615_113714_COTE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8g8qG30i1i8s7fsGXsFrD1kz3RMDr4NpFfWf4m2IuF1nbS297zmmEhQolWAG2FwSr6hlaY3rkmAbTnMOuSg2U_50I2vCnt1CNTOfjiI4m99H-W_Nap8uMgJrf7No-QAfKjQ73k3uoe0/s320/20170615_113714_COTE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Tern nest on Peases Island on June 15, 2017. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4Oj8ZmgiaiK_R73GH-3J0PbsxgKN307tiBLlYKJFL6ZziI_MCRSbvhv1_db7h4FV4-voxhWDFWJTyc6idQ5uh8i4Tz4gmbuuRwBG4E6AUat239BLNGSM_O2wBSxgqO0888hJRSeqBI4/s1600/DSC_0286_COTE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4Oj8ZmgiaiK_R73GH-3J0PbsxgKN307tiBLlYKJFL6ZziI_MCRSbvhv1_db7h4FV4-voxhWDFWJTyc6idQ5uh8i4Tz4gmbuuRwBG4E6AUat239BLNGSM_O2wBSxgqO0888hJRSeqBI4/s320/DSC_0286_COTE.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The newly expanded tern colony on Green Island, June 15, 2017.<i> Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On June 23, 2017, the Department of Natural Resources flew a helicopter along the coast from Yarmouth to Lockeport in search of the missing birds. Three groups of terns were identified by Pam Mills: 150 individuals in Yarmouth Harbour, 120 in Pubnico Harbour and 30 at Green Island near Cape Sable Island.<br />
<br />
Paul Gould, Alec d'Entremont, Florian Schmitt and I searched the islands west of Cape Sable Island on June 25, 2017. A small group of about 32 terns were found on an unnamed island in the Bear Point Thrums group. Our next destination was Green Island west of The Hawk on Cape Sable Island. Four Roseates were seen at Green Island in May 2016, but they were not present during my June 2016 nest survey when I counted 85 nests. Eight Roseates were at Green Island in May 2017, but there were only a few Common Terns left by June 25, 2017. The tern nesting site appeared to have been taken over by Herring Gulls. Later that day, Bertin d'Eon and I counted 27 nests on Île Ferré and none on Île Chespêque, both in Pubnico Harbour. In 2016, there were 30 nests on Île Chespêque, so those birds may have moved 3 km south to Île Ferré.<br />
<br />
I am contracted to do tern surveys for Environment and Climate Change Canada with a focus on Roseate Terns, so on June 28, 2017, Bertin d'Eon, Duncan Bayne (DNR Biologist) and I visited Toby Island and Coffin Island in Lunenburg County. There were two Roseates on Toby last year, so it was important to check the island again. We briefly saw one Roseate and similar to the previous year, the bird was never seen again. I assume that the Roseate Terns aren't nesting on Toby since they are not seen returning to the colony once everything calms down from a flush.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83eG0MYI34S0DHP4g-w2dwJ-l0zgt76E7BzsiAdBCppiPebOEo9aPiIw9i-GFZ-upr0IqvE_aZu0sjhasi2u5cunV5pmN5QYwedO5rLkzEDv2V-nJeo3wnrFyWPgCtM74FeLInDFUXzQ/s1600/20170628_103901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83eG0MYI34S0DHP4g-w2dwJ-l0zgt76E7BzsiAdBCppiPebOEo9aPiIw9i-GFZ-upr0IqvE_aZu0sjhasi2u5cunV5pmN5QYwedO5rLkzEDv2V-nJeo3wnrFyWPgCtM74FeLInDFUXzQ/s320/20170628_103901.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arctic Tern habitat on Coffin Island, Lunenburg County, on June 28, 2017. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On July 3, 2017, Calvin d'Entremont and I checked Common Eider nesting shelters on Pumpkin Island near West Pubnico and then followed a Common Tern carrying food from around Bar Island straight to Gull Island. We anchored the boat and then walked onto the island when I heard the distinctive harsh snarl of a Roseate Tern overhead. Once the terns lifted from the colony I was able to count at least 7 Roseates among the hundreds of terns. This was what I had been searching for!<br />
<br />
That afternoon, Ted d'Eon, Ingrid d'Eon, Gavin Maclean, Roland d'Eon, Bertin d'Eon and I returned to Gull Island with Ted's boat to do a thorough count of the nests. There were 233 viable nests and an additional 15 or so chicks running around. Most of these terns were new to Gull Island since we only counted 10 nests in 2016. The new terns on Gull Island represent about 40% of the terns that used to be on North Brother. The Gull Island colony is spread along the western and southern edge of the pond. Based on the stage of development of the chicks, it appears that nesting began earlier on the southern edge of the pond. There were many large chicks running around in that area. The northwestern group of nests only had 3 small chicks out of 60 nests. It seems plausible that the birds that never arrived at North Brother in early June nested on the southern side of the pond while another wave of birds arrived and nested on the western side of the pond after the total collapse of North Brother.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqucGHrpkQxkUiMLNdLKGKP9Mje76-_d0noB2F9hhsQvUeVC338Obyn6D4KP9-Fs8kIf85zGEo9Rw4-QC0TWBluundMUV6JX4HfeaZNuYrAdcO4F09T6Daf_UejzL93Z5Oln_BbNgAynA/s1600/GullIsland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="849" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqucGHrpkQxkUiMLNdLKGKP9Mje76-_d0noB2F9hhsQvUeVC338Obyn6D4KP9-Fs8kIf85zGEo9Rw4-QC0TWBluundMUV6JX4HfeaZNuYrAdcO4F09T6Daf_UejzL93Z5Oln_BbNgAynA/s320/GullIsland.jpg" width="306" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Google Maps aerial photo of Gull Island.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Duncan Bayne had told me about how docile the terns were at North Brother this year. That wasn't the case on Gull. They were attacking nearby gull chicks and would hit us in the head, so the tern colony appears healthy. Multiple Common Terns were seen arriving from the north carrying food. This is in contrast to North Brother where the terns were mostly heading south in search of prey.<br />
<br />
I was able to get two field-readable leg bands on the Roseates on Gull Island. Both birds were banded as adults at the North Brother colony; one was banded in 2014 and the other in 2016.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0LBfUpPV6iqgMw9Ak0d-SiR0lpdkvNbf-YawZ8uBDUBzd7yBO12TathOkCsKx_qyljQ5kRrbuqinpORj7V6RUNnFZjmzQFeNBEOJlm8TSRQoH0aNLjFLYXwnbCcP_zBMtw9TXIy6osw/s1600/DSC_5318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1600" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0LBfUpPV6iqgMw9Ak0d-SiR0lpdkvNbf-YawZ8uBDUBzd7yBO12TathOkCsKx_qyljQ5kRrbuqinpORj7V6RUNnFZjmzQFeNBEOJlm8TSRQoH0aNLjFLYXwnbCcP_zBMtw9TXIy6osw/s320/DSC_5318.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roseate Tern on Gull Island, July 3, 2017. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On July 5, 2017, Shawn Craik (Université Sainte-Anne), Manon Holmes (Acadia Univeristy), Nick Knutson (Université Sainte-Anne) and Ben Morton visited Gull Island and were able to get an accurate count of 24 Roseate Terns. They also confirmed two areas where the Roseates appeared to be nesting.<br />
<br />
The closest mainland location from Gull Island is the southern tip of Surette's Island which is about 6 km away. It is about 7.5 km away from Abbotts Harbour, where Ted and I typically launch our boats. Gull is the island in Lobster Bay that is the farthest away from all of the others, so should be a good place for the terns. We saw 5 gull chicks on the island and only about 10 gulls around. There were probably more earlier in the season. If we can get a permit to get rid of the gulls early next year, that would be beneficial.<br />
<br />
The abandonment of North Brother is the end of an era, but the terns seem to have chosen a great spot to resettle. Gull Island isn't about to become a ledge through soil erosion like North Brother is. It isn't a tall island, but should at least outlast us. We hope to acquire a permit to destroy gull nests next year before the terns arrive. As stated by Erksine (1992), local control of gulls numbers may be unavoidable if we wish to retain breeding eiders, terns or storm-petrels. We provide easy access food to gulls in the form of landfills and fish processing plants which results in unnaturally large populations.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Tern Colony Changes in Southwest Nova Scotia 2016/2017</b><br />
The nests at most of the terns colonies around Lobster Bay were counted in the last two years, so I thought I'd show the numbers on two maps. The only large colony that was missed is probably the one on Flat Island which are likely mostly Arctic Terns. A majority of the North Brother terns are still not accounted for, but at least the Gull Island colony seems to be doing well. Let's hope that it gets even larger in 2018.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnZQNr6H5Y6dS1NJdvDWcJgJttbeMsG85Cz2gSd1CnBMZaHdJZXWERNJ1y-Upx1YPlK64YKoORMaSyRyXDqNizvjUvI94yy-QEX33KUSmLRbQ86YQKtO0prLcUp2PjSFaiqACWkrtbWg/s1600/TERNS_2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnZQNr6H5Y6dS1NJdvDWcJgJttbeMsG85Cz2gSd1CnBMZaHdJZXWERNJ1y-Upx1YPlK64YKoORMaSyRyXDqNizvjUvI94yy-QEX33KUSmLRbQ86YQKtO0prLcUp2PjSFaiqACWkrtbWg/s320/TERNS_2016.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwumqG7Z6ObXl2Ih5KzFlyhKySMhosZ4BzTq8q_IzvAD-nWSSNGH-DltAy-Hu1zOgmSoLcSFShQB-WHTR8RHlkJcUJyQTCOXxObaug2zyUOOoGzzbX5KSNVLzQqRVwdSA7h4H4TkKOzY/s1600/TERNS_2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwumqG7Z6ObXl2Ih5KzFlyhKySMhosZ4BzTq8q_IzvAD-nWSSNGH-DltAy-Hu1zOgmSoLcSFShQB-WHTR8RHlkJcUJyQTCOXxObaug2zyUOOoGzzbX5KSNVLzQqRVwdSA7h4H4TkKOzY/s320/TERNS_2017.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>References:</strong><br />
Environment Canada. 2010. Amended Recovery Strategy for the Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii)<br />
in Canada. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Environment Canada. Ottawa.<br />
vii + 36 pp.<br />
<br />
Erskine, A.J. 1992. Atlas of breeding birds of the Maritime Provinces. Nimbus Publ./N.S. Museum. 270 pp.<br />
<br />
Nisbet, Ian C. 2002.Common Tern (Sterna hirundo), The Birds of North America (P. G. Rodewald, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America: https://birdsna.org/Species-Account/bna/species/comter<br />
DOI: 10.2173/bna.618</div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-89699864379726899002017-06-17T21:38:00.001-03:002017-06-18T06:49:12.961-03:00British Columbia 2017<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My last birding trip away from Nova Scotia was back in 2014 when I spent two weeks in England where I gathered 72 new species for my life list. Ontario, Florida and British Columbia were options for this year's trip since I have friends in those places, and therefore a free place to stay. I decided on BC since I had never been farther west than Windsor, Ontario, and because I would get more lifers there than in Ontario. I decided against Florida at this time because I thought it was important that I get to see more of our country.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>May 20, 2017</b><br />
I dipped on a King Eider at Cow Bay in the morning and then headed to the airport. I chose window seats for both sections of my flight. I watched below as we passed the Annapolis Valley, the Bay of Fundy, Grand Manan and stopped looking once we passed Mount Desert Island in Maine and headed inland - I probably wouldn't recognize anything after that.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2IsgZjh-8RDrK5cXQJP915_R3dM6z3bV3VA66hPtbmIqUuCdQY3BkESdjoNyo3g3YGyQCl0rJr4mC9zE9jGYXYua0pycnxU2m_6wdhmFdPiyBaymhaUGkZjo2dNISX2_RSmqNp0GflSc/s1600/20170520_125853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2IsgZjh-8RDrK5cXQJP915_R3dM6z3bV3VA66hPtbmIqUuCdQY3BkESdjoNyo3g3YGyQCl0rJr4mC9zE9jGYXYua0pycnxU2m_6wdhmFdPiyBaymhaUGkZjo2dNISX2_RSmqNp0GflSc/s320/20170520_125853.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annapolis River and Belleisle Marsh, Nova Scotia. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsx_hdDxV1tDJlLWb_qM1ixVWxSwcBiuAWRYxrRMTMgvB5N97yNZ_2WBq4bfhHzNdsbyJZnckVJIuntW4GnibWiL2YW3EGsbhyphenhyphenggL2WPTVD_P9kaefFBk8DChmkelRONWXBFbBRFuYCp0/s1600/20170520_130833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsx_hdDxV1tDJlLWb_qM1ixVWxSwcBiuAWRYxrRMTMgvB5N97yNZ_2WBq4bfhHzNdsbyJZnckVJIuntW4GnibWiL2YW3EGsbhyphenhyphenggL2WPTVD_P9kaefFBk8DChmkelRONWXBFbBRFuYCp0/s320/20170520_130833.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I saw the CN Tower before landing in Toronto. Upon landing I made my way to the gate for my next flight and soon we were off again, I watched 3 episodes of Breaking Bad on my phone and opened the window cover. I had never seen the Rockies before and they did not disappoint.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjT3N-6VavVH8STSZeEk2hl_Z1Qtei3gnGZrgTGlkcnh_EyD8C9rXVTSmtfhVq0ilniLVUWwxHRoL4jzkXqWLoHtbzMT9_zHRoN7VAwes5A3YkDzjRbabs6qgoG7lGpWUSA5c1DvKvFwA/s1600/20170520_185954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjT3N-6VavVH8STSZeEk2hl_Z1Qtei3gnGZrgTGlkcnh_EyD8C9rXVTSmtfhVq0ilniLVUWwxHRoL4jzkXqWLoHtbzMT9_zHRoN7VAwes5A3YkDzjRbabs6qgoG7lGpWUSA5c1DvKvFwA/s320/20170520_185954.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rocky Mountains somewhere east of Vancouver. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My first lifer was a Northwestern Crow from the plane's window as we were landing. Previous to the trip I had calculated from eBird that I had the chance of getting about 70 new species, but assumed I'd miss about 10.<br />
<br />
I made my way to Rory O'Connell's house in Vancouver with my Volvo rental which was a free upgrade from the Toyota Yaris I had actually bargained for. I had attended UNB with Rory and hadn't seen him in 9 years.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWET_8wLYUWOa2VfandXWhp-UD0vOIy1agTyIGsKpJwfAG7wPBd8u0MJ_Kk-MFlcWImI_LpljlPjQlkh5JMyjI9rqE3jOp2U_8SxM7sqaxjj1mGm7EPmFCMxAtCXhIcTSfbe1HwupyRKk/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWET_8wLYUWOa2VfandXWhp-UD0vOIy1agTyIGsKpJwfAG7wPBd8u0MJ_Kk-MFlcWImI_LpljlPjQlkh5JMyjI9rqE3jOp2U_8SxM7sqaxjj1mGm7EPmFCMxAtCXhIcTSfbe1HwupyRKk/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rory O'Connell and me. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>May 21, 2017</b><br />
The next morning I headed straight to Iona Island (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L261851" target="_blank">hotspot</a>), near the airport, an eBird hotspot with the potential of having quite a number of species that I wanted to see. I got Spotted Towhee and Marsh Wren on the side of the road before even reaching the hotspot. I walked around a bit seeing things like Glaucous-winged Gull and Yellow-headed Blackbird and ran into Cole Gaerber, a very talented young local birder. Cole and I birded together for a bit which resulted in brief sightings of Vaux's Swift and Rufous Hummingbird and a distant view of a few Cinnamon Teal. There were a number of <i>pugetensis</i> White-crowned Sparrows singing. They have pale lores and a yellow bill, unlike our <i>leucophrys</i> which has dark lores and pinkish bill. The <i>gambelii </i>subspecies of White-crowned is a regular vagrant to Nova Scotia, but <i>pugetensis</i> doesn't stray far from the Pacific coast.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj623QYKe4AH5b09PXZ0hNK3UzNdPyzA3aVygnEgnjkkPf4WUSaVQWKV2CWwUwXit92Hi2VVK1hs08stovj-jAgRrFfuXBAg-4qHBewRziBIBCG50NVAsze0rze6n7Wj839hOeipJdt_TA/s1600/DSC_1655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1559" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj623QYKe4AH5b09PXZ0hNK3UzNdPyzA3aVygnEgnjkkPf4WUSaVQWKV2CWwUwXit92Hi2VVK1hs08stovj-jAgRrFfuXBAg-4qHBewRziBIBCG50NVAsze0rze6n7Wj839hOeipJdt_TA/s320/DSC_1655.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Towhee at Iona Island, Metro Vancouver. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCQUz15Ff8NLLhz5iA6AllWQAUB-K23x652Iro53dPJP6xbZ38im3aVLqHT-BGOoYrot70qT2-o38z_Wux9jXasQK1rC3hzZ_s2SEfbpAbxoLio1aKH5vOvTFJ_9dKggtoJAZwywmuc8/s1600/DSC_1683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="1294" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCQUz15Ff8NLLhz5iA6AllWQAUB-K23x652Iro53dPJP6xbZ38im3aVLqHT-BGOoYrot70qT2-o38z_Wux9jXasQK1rC3hzZ_s2SEfbpAbxoLio1aKH5vOvTFJ_9dKggtoJAZwywmuc8/s320/DSC_1683.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-crowned Sparrow, <i>Z.l. pugetensis</i> with white lores and yellow bill, at Iona Island, Metro Vancouver. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuPB13s_iMdMIfn3S3D5Vg_IVgoGs13SJuS7Hpyv5WrQhPbSxBqcdsqbrCs91S-9cH1CSZh59qpsP0oBdAGag_3IybApNAob78O7jeFe1x9c2zY56WUvN_I2CqNyB5d463Q1YAMf-Lfo/s1600/DSC_1734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="1355" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuPB13s_iMdMIfn3S3D5Vg_IVgoGs13SJuS7Hpyv5WrQhPbSxBqcdsqbrCs91S-9cH1CSZh59qpsP0oBdAGag_3IybApNAob78O7jeFe1x9c2zY56WUvN_I2CqNyB5d463Q1YAMf-Lfo/s320/DSC_1734.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh Wren, <i>C.p. browningi </i>which breeds from s.w. BC to w.-central Washington, at Iona Island, Metro Vancouver. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Later that day I drove down to Boundary Bay, seeing Brewer's Blackbirds around the farms on the way, and ended up at Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L282714" target="_blank">hotspot</a>) where I picked up Black Oystercatcher on the beach and saw my first big Great Blue Heron colony, a heronry of hundreds of nests.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>May 22, 2017</b><br />
I picked up Siobhan Darlington at her brother's place in West Point Grey and we headed across Vancouver Harbour to the Maplewood Flats Conservation Area (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L164543" target="_blank">hotspot</a>). I had previously met Siobhan in the Annapolis Valley where she and a coworker were doing swallow surveys. We did a quick loop around the area and saw Western Tanager, Purple Martins and a Willow Flycatcher. There is a feeder at the entrance to the forest where we happened to meet with Rob Lyske who showed us Black-headed Grosbeak and pointed out my first singing Warbling Vireo and Orange-crowned Warbler. We tried for Black-throated Gray Warbler, but none were singing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuFVHSNtiJCp1Uc9FOm10wIwqaw7Va6sJmvi1Bq_zHpos7UQq5b202Eo1O2T5J-JNxs-WIEspGZbf_dm9mOcjozVJLlzaGLz92TS2I9y7nrfD11WILI5HgzMbuuOsr95kpPzUTwlHkn8/s1600/DSC_1818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="1469" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuFVHSNtiJCp1Uc9FOm10wIwqaw7Va6sJmvi1Bq_zHpos7UQq5b202Eo1O2T5J-JNxs-WIEspGZbf_dm9mOcjozVJLlzaGLz92TS2I9y7nrfD11WILI5HgzMbuuOsr95kpPzUTwlHkn8/s320/DSC_1818.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-headed Grosbeak, Maplewood Flats, Metro Vancouver. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After Maplewood, we headed to Lonsdale Quay, which was suggested by Rob Lyske, to see the Pigeon Guillemots.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvtxfqvqpA7OqlG6S0oMJHgk-zxxfkN4Sak0s79dlzYAMRWiO-BeRpCpQ1u63N5d35rrs67XbBU5vlUiuuZa9azjTJh6GZXXOMn1d0t90-m0OGaoATEu6TQONuRD3JhJ-yp5Omt1Mp8k/s1600/DSC_1833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvtxfqvqpA7OqlG6S0oMJHgk-zxxfkN4Sak0s79dlzYAMRWiO-BeRpCpQ1u63N5d35rrs67XbBU5vlUiuuZa9azjTJh6GZXXOMn1d0t90-m0OGaoATEu6TQONuRD3JhJ-yp5Omt1Mp8k/s320/DSC_1833.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pigeon Guillemot, a species very similar to our Black Guillemot, at Lonsdale Quay, Metro Vancouver. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>May 23, 2017</b><br />
I made my way to Vancouver Island on the ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay. A Pelagic Cormorant flew by giving me my best views of the trip, but otherwise, the ferry trip was uneventful with species like Common Murre and Pigeon Guillemot but I did get bad views of California Gull and Rhinoceros Auklet.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5L1J27N16uiQf4jkQCc5o0xfEubDZ2yvE7YNDkne7jhhu4mOkywHl3LOVsCBg5fbb2WoZzJ4AqXs4V9cEugsfdYoPJIJipSyVFcY2ndbTE-nDwqRmxlMtOTfsqtV0XB3D9DxWPFvipIY/s1600/DSC_1927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1257" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5L1J27N16uiQf4jkQCc5o0xfEubDZ2yvE7YNDkne7jhhu4mOkywHl3LOVsCBg5fbb2WoZzJ4AqXs4V9cEugsfdYoPJIJipSyVFcY2ndbTE-nDwqRmxlMtOTfsqtV0XB3D9DxWPFvipIY/s320/DSC_1927.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pelagic Cormorant on the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay ferry. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once on the island, I drove to Victoria to drop off my things at Siobhan's and went to Clover Point where I was surprised to find a Harlequin Duck. I did get somewhat better views of Rhinoceros Auklet and Glaucous-winged Gull, or some sort of Glaucous-winged Gull x Western Gull hybrids. Ronnie d'Entremont had kept reminding me to go to Esquimalt Lagoon (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L351648" target="_blank">hotspot</a>), so I made sure to make the short trip there from Victoria. I arrived at the lagoon as the wind picked up to about 50 km/h; the parking lot dirt was flying everywhere. I got some better photos of Black Oystercatcher and California Gull and was excited to find a second-cycle (seemed to have started primary moult) <i>brachyrhynchus</i> Mew Gull.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw80T4IRAIzsEqYfLRiL86NLd4DK_G22yBocKDkq2rlbLdJEP4A_1h108f-BUIydpHGwxTdn-6OCR6wue57lHJHi6Unv663kN85hoXhIjjVxTN-zI9akdhlFDA-YEUg2WdQu1uBWhJ2X4/s1600/DSC_2369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw80T4IRAIzsEqYfLRiL86NLd4DK_G22yBocKDkq2rlbLdJEP4A_1h108f-BUIydpHGwxTdn-6OCR6wue57lHJHi6Unv663kN85hoXhIjjVxTN-zI9akdhlFDA-YEUg2WdQu1uBWhJ2X4/s320/DSC_2369.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult California Gull at Esquimalt Lagoon, Vancouver Island. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UkQ8xm3uAQeeH8XPSwliZu3AFBH1i3NTYsu0iQCv2bVo8BTD7yRZSmo9QoIqUo5kqokr5gnc1Cs3s2u1arNazOA6AcBuLOKGeITB7HFkkpNE4MZ5Bfl0NmBxE61sntnwJvo4wQaqszI/s1600/DSC_2378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1014" data-original-width="1600" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UkQ8xm3uAQeeH8XPSwliZu3AFBH1i3NTYsu0iQCv2bVo8BTD7yRZSmo9QoIqUo5kqokr5gnc1Cs3s2u1arNazOA6AcBuLOKGeITB7HFkkpNE4MZ5Bfl0NmBxE61sntnwJvo4wQaqszI/s320/DSC_2378.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First-cycle/second-cycle Glaucous-winged Gull at Esquimalt Lagoon, Vancouver Island. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszKurh4IHulLCzofWAfloVAOzu7TMVJVr5gIEUA7NTGWHq9_SFzpYFgTkYmWrUlSaj0SdiRXZdF4-83CRM13bmkwPw8GixXCkabQ-9cDUUc37cadi415AJgLyxN1jZvyh-TkGNrIu8hw/s1600/DSC_2361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="1600" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszKurh4IHulLCzofWAfloVAOzu7TMVJVr5gIEUA7NTGWHq9_SFzpYFgTkYmWrUlSaj0SdiRXZdF4-83CRM13bmkwPw8GixXCkabQ-9cDUUc37cadi415AJgLyxN1jZvyh-TkGNrIu8hw/s320/DSC_2361.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second-cycle <i>brachyrhynchus</i> Mew Gull at Esquimalt Lagoon, Vancouver Island. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxb-mXGD05ww5U_cI0MLGVbFqppAyxSTY_1ayGXVOUtQHl9bc2JZp4GWUXD2yUBwojj1_6M5YgKYU9NrR0bZ58O0-xA8ujv80M8-AeFAMofl7kCE-sitj7uohBjxvi89kM_fEJlt1WTI/s1600/DSC_2297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxb-mXGD05ww5U_cI0MLGVbFqppAyxSTY_1ayGXVOUtQHl9bc2JZp4GWUXD2yUBwojj1_6M5YgKYU9NrR0bZ58O0-xA8ujv80M8-AeFAMofl7kCE-sitj7uohBjxvi89kM_fEJlt1WTI/s320/DSC_2297.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Oystercatcher at Esquimalt Lagoon, Vancouver Island. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>May 24, 2017</b><br />
I stopped in at McMicking Point long enough to get distant views of a Pacific Loon, about 108 Rhinoceros Auklets and a fly-by Black Oystercatcher. I was hoping to get Brandt's Cormorant or one of the murrelets, but you can't win 'em all. The next stop was Goldstream Provincial Park (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L351648" target="_blank">hotspot</a>) for American Dipper which I got within minutes of stepping out of the car. These birds are like nothing else. They are North America's only aquatic songbird, catching all of its food underwater. It is strange to see them flying low above the stream and suddenly plunging in. I got good looks of an Oregon Junco and heard what sounded very similar to a Mourning Warbler - it had to be a MacGillivray's Warbler. I did get to see it after a while. Other sounds at the park were Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Wester Wood-Pewee, Wilson's Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler and Wilson's Warbler.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hj5_BBomIHzIN7bq_HIUBNstn4U6En8xm5cwCyOBaiiGC46taYsfar7xUOP2sTak7Q_SjnLxUEyvKSH-FrCqNvOAEepw63_AIie-ubbSS2vw5X_IRjY25ZAScpiJ4K0zmYGgansLqoI/s1600/DSC_2507_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1025" data-original-width="1600" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hj5_BBomIHzIN7bq_HIUBNstn4U6En8xm5cwCyOBaiiGC46taYsfar7xUOP2sTak7Q_SjnLxUEyvKSH-FrCqNvOAEepw63_AIie-ubbSS2vw5X_IRjY25ZAScpiJ4K0zmYGgansLqoI/s320/DSC_2507_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Dipper at Goldstream Provincial Park, Vancouver Island. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivtSU3ZG-JH36ybuw34faZl6dm4DUgXlBUMVv6145EWAHowCJEZhBv-mjUysPeg0YmvjbiLnLt6W6fvW_mKoeRPLz7NdJcny438YYtGE_0FEyINKLBdLByY63hqf2dH41sE0gwSZq89E/s1600/DSC_2474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1600" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivtSU3ZG-JH36ybuw34faZl6dm4DUgXlBUMVv6145EWAHowCJEZhBv-mjUysPeg0YmvjbiLnLt6W6fvW_mKoeRPLz7NdJcny438YYtGE_0FEyINKLBdLByY63hqf2dH41sE0gwSZq89E/s320/DSC_2474.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark-eyed Junco, <i>J.h. shufeldti</i>,<i> </i>at Goldstream Provincial Park, Vancouver Island. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7Mk0ynIh78e6DLewFJmwo6brC140K60YeAmzqg8K4wihnOrjIFQB2G7CuOnsmBk9crHKG7U6927wvk7c3txFSZmWvTX1B8DpGpIR8idia4GRtBU-qbScPbQ1WzlB6H5i6s1UnbcQfdc/s1600/DSC_2633_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1581" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7Mk0ynIh78e6DLewFJmwo6brC140K60YeAmzqg8K4wihnOrjIFQB2G7CuOnsmBk9crHKG7U6927wvk7c3txFSZmWvTX1B8DpGpIR8idia4GRtBU-qbScPbQ1WzlB6H5i6s1UnbcQfdc/s320/DSC_2633_1.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MacGillivray's Warbler at Goldstream Provincial Park, Vancouver Island. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I then made a quick stop to Swan Lake (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L348441" target="_blank">hotspot</a>) near Victoria for Violet-green Swallow and Bewick's Wren. The wrens were very vocal and actually quite easy to see compared to our Winter Wrens. That evening I met up with Michael Bentley at Clover Point (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L268086" target="_blank">hotspot</a>) in Victoria. Michael has an ABA Listing Central Canada Life List of 540 species, which puts him in 2nd place, 6 behind Roger Foxall. Michael had contacted me a few months prior to see if he could participate in a pelagic trip that Ronnie d'Entremont is organizing in August 2017. This trip will be the first of its kind. It will be the first time that a group of birders will visit the continental slope near Nova Scotia in Canadian waters. There have been research trips to this area, but nobody has ever chummed. There is the possibility of megas like Audubon's Shearwater, Barolo's Shearwater, White-faced Storm-Petrel and Black-capped Storm-Petrel. If the trip is successful, Michael could boost his Canada list and approach or pass Roger Foxall.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2o0YMSYnYKz43iKQQGbX-wUkfYQRS5ZqG5cctXRvnoAaB00MS_hr4tmVz0c8QIbYJCzxFfaZv06OTy55vixRr28yg_JH_N3ck2hsduAjPeKgH9OcmtvtsTTyvz1RdrticPUR0pw9unw/s1600/DSC_2649_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1600" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2o0YMSYnYKz43iKQQGbX-wUkfYQRS5ZqG5cctXRvnoAaB00MS_hr4tmVz0c8QIbYJCzxFfaZv06OTy55vixRr28yg_JH_N3ck2hsduAjPeKgH9OcmtvtsTTyvz1RdrticPUR0pw9unw/s320/DSC_2649_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bewick's Wren at Swan Lake, Vancouver Island. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>May 25, 2017</b><br />
I met with Michael Bentley near Goldstream and we drove north to Goldstream Heights Drive (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L2708911" target="_blank">hotspot</a>) where we had Hammond's Flycatcher, Hutton's Vireo, Cassin's Vireo, Stellar's Jay and Townsend's Warbler. We spent most of the time listening so I don't have any photos that are worth showing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhRAv_NjjDyF0cs4KC0h4ESPlIcpfdvwqtCeKeO5_MvcbnC6RkCx0hlNdg7iGQ5rg_gFsaDUzbcOMMYmPM06qtUt6vrSNKEslz8R9xK8_PEbvREdutd8ZQox4NQs_d-PXsbC8NrnNwFU/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1127" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhRAv_NjjDyF0cs4KC0h4ESPlIcpfdvwqtCeKeO5_MvcbnC6RkCx0hlNdg7iGQ5rg_gFsaDUzbcOMMYmPM06qtUt6vrSNKEslz8R9xK8_PEbvREdutd8ZQox4NQs_d-PXsbC8NrnNwFU/s320/DSC_0007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael Bentley and me on Goldstream Height Drive. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I left Michael and headed north to Nanaimo and took the ferry to Horseshoe Bay. I was chatting with a girl on the ferry who was just getting into birding when she pointed to a bird flying past the bow. It was a Parasitic Jaeger! Begginers luck. I ended up seeing one more before the end of the ferry ride. I had seen Parasitics before, but never this close.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDob2vd-L_6zpxyO92Eb0Pqp6dhdIk3YM_d_gE6S2xh5tJR_QvMeZMC20B9_wwxPkLWs2jGk5LoJ7zoKXP-bf7zSAxFM-2SooFhs1AnbQ6r7R1NmuxxPxEf1sGV7KUZQ4O8gZnCiHm6E4/s1600/DSC_2758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1089" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDob2vd-L_6zpxyO92Eb0Pqp6dhdIk3YM_d_gE6S2xh5tJR_QvMeZMC20B9_wwxPkLWs2jGk5LoJ7zoKXP-bf7zSAxFM-2SooFhs1AnbQ6r7R1NmuxxPxEf1sGV7KUZQ4O8gZnCiHm6E4/s320/DSC_2758.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parasitic Jaeger on the ferry from Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I left the ferry terminal and drove up to Cypress Provincial Park to the viewpoint overlooking Vancouver.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmUIVEmZiFSa6v3rndpRuT6w7166-pt9Wo23lDYZa8gxLYhR05rn8eXGwo65f95oGiF02Z46wTdYAsVaPjV7gWNfLRIL9PiNHjebo93TtIoJaRSNwx72fBIzYN9QDnsVtbdyUyFLVPFQ/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmUIVEmZiFSa6v3rndpRuT6w7166-pt9Wo23lDYZa8gxLYhR05rn8eXGwo65f95oGiF02Z46wTdYAsVaPjV7gWNfLRIL9PiNHjebo93TtIoJaRSNwx72fBIzYN9QDnsVtbdyUyFLVPFQ/s320/DSC_0013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cypress Provincial Park lookout. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>May 26, 2017</b><br />
I walked through the section of Pacific Spirit Park (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L339520" target="_blank">hotspot</a>) north of W 16th Ave and the place was full of Pacific-slope Flycatchers. I briefly saw a Hutton's Vireo and got to record the songs of Pacific Wren, Wilson's Warbler, Black-headed Grosbeak and Pacific-slope Flyctacher. I then visited the nearby Camosung Bog (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L288134" target="_blank">hotspot</a>) and got better views of Hutton's Vireo and Bushtit.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPzXms_e9J4W0IehWx7QXl_ENWaOqAZuKColC9782iQzWVL19t58l7FV3JBKMNS7dwnVD9aMW5kt8aFm39QEsCFSaatJBbKOxNspB8QuufCh_xJ6og5a4GVAAX2GvOv6eL78SVsc1W2I/s1600/DSC_2799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="1196" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPzXms_e9J4W0IehWx7QXl_ENWaOqAZuKColC9782iQzWVL19t58l7FV3JBKMNS7dwnVD9aMW5kt8aFm39QEsCFSaatJBbKOxNspB8QuufCh_xJ6og5a4GVAAX2GvOv6eL78SVsc1W2I/s320/DSC_2799.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hutton's Vireo at Camosung Bog, Metro Vancouver. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeis7ZEvkUpsf969lgx9Z9QBflqsU1zBT6ZQHQvzdLiT5mf-XtiFVpGz2JqwmNcobGlVeNf0Bs1DIN2jmJYxCKRxn2_4efoacRyiCvtTxge7Yl_xDoH0AODJz8a32V68ztXpDMlycMWHA/s1600/DSC_2822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1469" data-original-width="1379" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeis7ZEvkUpsf969lgx9Z9QBflqsU1zBT6ZQHQvzdLiT5mf-XtiFVpGz2JqwmNcobGlVeNf0Bs1DIN2jmJYxCKRxn2_4efoacRyiCvtTxge7Yl_xDoH0AODJz8a32V68ztXpDMlycMWHA/s320/DSC_2822.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bushtit at Camosung Bog, Metro Vancouver. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>May 27, 2017</b><br />
I left Vancouver and took Highway 3 towards the Okanagan Valley. I hadn't expected to be driving kilometre after kilometre without cell service or even FM radio. The amount of forest on the stretch of road through the Cascade Mountains is impressive. I stopped alongside the road to see what I could find and luckily heard the only Varied Thrush that I would get on the trip. I assumed that I'd see more, but didn't. I stopped at the highest point on Highway 3, about 1400 m, at Allison Pass (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L342927" target="_blank">hotspot</a>) and got good looks of a Townsend's Warbler. I stopped in to Lighting Lake (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L339642" target="_blank">hotspot</a>) in EC Maning Park to eat and got Clark's Nutcracker and my first photos of a Steller's Jay.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbjWlHRbk2Ok5veiyz7ASP_nukhK-SYovHir_q5FQKnm2LqgJ1KVZPH_AG53DeFEgRrc1MnwtInwnzo7pkS60tpQdk82VRIfOJ4HGJr1tubqE3Aqf_0k0FXNPsRrD_6kQ109fkjekHjY/s1600/DSC_2924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="1600" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbjWlHRbk2Ok5veiyz7ASP_nukhK-SYovHir_q5FQKnm2LqgJ1KVZPH_AG53DeFEgRrc1MnwtInwnzo7pkS60tpQdk82VRIfOJ4HGJr1tubqE3Aqf_0k0FXNPsRrD_6kQ109fkjekHjY/s320/DSC_2924.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Townsend's Warbler at Allison Pass. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_gHk-q_mNE7Y-w_0H_fXqvR9lktnYXB7vQK40JrWq1iKxLzf849qCFjl9Ai-3RW_G3lZRcRUUMFeowhxvnkpaiejY0fVo6H0mFp-6k7S0B6Ui65_aULMsIuNJBudlOWdAxS5Gnh1AL4/s1600/DSC_2967_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="1600" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_gHk-q_mNE7Y-w_0H_fXqvR9lktnYXB7vQK40JrWq1iKxLzf849qCFjl9Ai-3RW_G3lZRcRUUMFeowhxvnkpaiejY0fVo6H0mFp-6k7S0B6Ui65_aULMsIuNJBudlOWdAxS5Gnh1AL4/s320/DSC_2967_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steller's Jay at Lightning Lake, EC Maning Park. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From EC Maning Park I drove north of Highway 3 to Swan Lake (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L351668" target="_blank">hotspot</a>) in Priceton where there were Western Meadowlarks, Western Bluebirds and a Caliope Hummingbird.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QWHiY7ezP_MMb2wIe-nPtJJya3AJbfJYVfLUAwwyZVx5DBhQCaK_Kxfxq4iLYTB9FYfTiK0zMKontcDp3XY6wMKy-7Bp6MX2A30VoSAv4JKTmU3Psq0erTTaKJTksjxogF6gyb0vdek/s1600/DSC_3056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1191" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QWHiY7ezP_MMb2wIe-nPtJJya3AJbfJYVfLUAwwyZVx5DBhQCaK_Kxfxq4iLYTB9FYfTiK0zMKontcDp3XY6wMKy-7Bp6MX2A30VoSAv4JKTmU3Psq0erTTaKJTksjxogF6gyb0vdek/s320/DSC_3056.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caliope Hummingbird at Swan Lake, Priceton. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That night I stayed at the Samesun hostel in Kelowna. It was an alright place, but it was fairly big with a lot of people and more noisy than I'd like.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>May 28, 2017</b><br />
I met up with Ann Gibson, a friend of Michael Force, at Robert Lake (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L265165" target="_blank">hotspot</a>) near Kelowna. The water levels had been dangerously high in the area lately and were still high at the lake. This meant that the shoreline was closer as were the birds. I got full-frame photos of Cinnamon Teal and Wilson's Phalaropes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH92sKDEqYp87KbceyurPqnK5ppchHvARcQdVt_0dVvDg1lcgmAV9uQYtRXP5dleDUgjv3mZDdmki-iG-HVIvMqRGDKN_GxyDfQZYu81BN5_csaLh4NEcOyvT1-4OD1SBseap960lxeWg/s1600/DSC_3159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH92sKDEqYp87KbceyurPqnK5ppchHvARcQdVt_0dVvDg1lcgmAV9uQYtRXP5dleDUgjv3mZDdmki-iG-HVIvMqRGDKN_GxyDfQZYu81BN5_csaLh4NEcOyvT1-4OD1SBseap960lxeWg/s320/DSC_3159.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinnamon Teal at Robert Lake near Kelowna. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijAALvGh8SKQUPeE3601YRekWYHBkUugg0amcZnbh6XqbcMZs3XQ32fHdQ2G7IbT9lJWaUdp6C0VEsaFVCFoFIcNTkJ7BNUjj0SUKTruUbl1T8hoWflJJsOzZC7jD56YqoZTywZ0Qmn3Y/s1600/DSC_3266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1600" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijAALvGh8SKQUPeE3601YRekWYHBkUugg0amcZnbh6XqbcMZs3XQ32fHdQ2G7IbT9lJWaUdp6C0VEsaFVCFoFIcNTkJ7BNUjj0SUKTruUbl1T8hoWflJJsOzZC7jD56YqoZTywZ0Qmn3Y/s320/DSC_3266.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wilson's Phalarope at Robert Lake near Kelowna. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcKwAy2z3-mKsZYhsaWnlalIFEGqB3JW43PUJXyA_OJkj4QnICwvarxMMXjaPUs2-bqWb0mYBm58i553JPCC0Ywe2lH9dMIYBcseu902lMLwekxfE65yTdgk8rbXQvSPlAB1JMxUHSzI/s1600/DSC_0034_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1029" data-original-width="1600" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcKwAy2z3-mKsZYhsaWnlalIFEGqB3JW43PUJXyA_OJkj4QnICwvarxMMXjaPUs2-bqWb0mYBm58i553JPCC0Ywe2lH9dMIYBcseu902lMLwekxfE65yTdgk8rbXQvSPlAB1JMxUHSzI/s320/DSC_0034_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ann Gibson and me at Beaver Lake Road. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Ann knew of a Swainson's Hawk nest near Kelowna, and we spotted the bird quickly as it watched from the top of a telephone pole. She then showed me Beaver Lake Road (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L292399" target="_blank">hotspot</a>). This was one of the best places that I visited during the entire trip. There were Western Meadowlarks, Lazuli Buntings, California Quails and Western Kingbirds. Later that day I made a quick stop at Robert Lake again and got Eared Grebe and returned to Beaver Lake Road to get photos of the birds we saw there in the morning.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSJ84udMJsH0L_26KZGMT7NVwAhPwF4kQ-xtrGab-80mUMPM0hhPdicOix2wMnAkz2WF97ZiSMCSUFNWEzTXlsQBXez09TyljIV0CvuJgWTuwNWANZ44L73q2ZvEZ-gBmEjBQLDi80tk/s1600/DSC_3552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="1542" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSJ84udMJsH0L_26KZGMT7NVwAhPwF4kQ-xtrGab-80mUMPM0hhPdicOix2wMnAkz2WF97ZiSMCSUFNWEzTXlsQBXez09TyljIV0CvuJgWTuwNWANZ44L73q2ZvEZ-gBmEjBQLDi80tk/s320/DSC_3552.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eared Grebes at Robert Lake near Kelowna. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQF3eBo0XpAr3VAc-XztaNzWkzKzZ40TYBUUGAgfLegoBp4-8cL1-DhY6wX9-vHVKJaDflDgzy6HTAnbgr-mLFtOXXQ4KSTDLk3lq8mlj_Es03jZnHszGGOkI0na0ysucme7-8EM3L0c/s1600/DSC_3668_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1049" data-original-width="1600" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQF3eBo0XpAr3VAc-XztaNzWkzKzZ40TYBUUGAgfLegoBp4-8cL1-DhY6wX9-vHVKJaDflDgzy6HTAnbgr-mLFtOXXQ4KSTDLk3lq8mlj_Es03jZnHszGGOkI0na0ysucme7-8EM3L0c/s320/DSC_3668_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Meadowlark on Beaver Lake Road. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWCJMs_Qn-sqvYMKWtA20TrTwue7j-5M6Yl1l5qUYMJpE94LIag2iemngwG64N4R29AtsA1fAAzAsSlP799oXpzchxmjzuTzoTuaJd-IaGEs0B-KKSiT16J_1EALqoLuOyvV9nPAZ4FY/s1600/DSC_3710_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="1600" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWCJMs_Qn-sqvYMKWtA20TrTwue7j-5M6Yl1l5qUYMJpE94LIag2iemngwG64N4R29AtsA1fAAzAsSlP799oXpzchxmjzuTzoTuaJd-IaGEs0B-KKSiT16J_1EALqoLuOyvV9nPAZ4FY/s320/DSC_3710_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California Quail on Beaver Lake Road. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTQaePDhLOUJP608OWxpCHlguGMJvM1LM-ck05d9ONvtDdWb73y9BIQviApqlbgteJxUBMS7TmQhJgZVeXSslZ844GycQjhX6reLpq5DilIoJ2xhDPXPRJLItHlca1zrIH-DkZJTSeuw/s1600/DSC_3754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="1600" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTQaePDhLOUJP608OWxpCHlguGMJvM1LM-ck05d9ONvtDdWb73y9BIQviApqlbgteJxUBMS7TmQhJgZVeXSslZ844GycQjhX6reLpq5DilIoJ2xhDPXPRJLItHlca1zrIH-DkZJTSeuw/s320/DSC_3754.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lazuli Bunting on Beaver Lake Road. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfZbuEToGYZ6o7SNfv0d2sxLN6aG7iJTxj6Z1R3rzSwCJrJtnpWXbatnytz8vC6gvPkYsp78y0wnpn6gIx5kq6cX2QDdW4DIAOpStioGDMXXFjjKvTXdOVl0rVCdkz7oCi9ewiAv_cDw/s1600/DSC_3814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1600" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfZbuEToGYZ6o7SNfv0d2sxLN6aG7iJTxj6Z1R3rzSwCJrJtnpWXbatnytz8vC6gvPkYsp78y0wnpn6gIx5kq6cX2QDdW4DIAOpStioGDMXXFjjKvTXdOVl0rVCdkz7oCi9ewiAv_cDw/s320/DSC_3814.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Wood-Pewee on Beaver Lake Road. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZmLUzhviraLnVFooXv3xUan0BhbvEai8xahjS0Yl6XAOns_ErdnYR_i5hLpzaS0dbj1ZTiflWmqKr7QeU6r0c6nuDVd_XM3ubZSOuAOsLdy4W6htFdGgOS-g0_d_OEIdnrDUk0yU7go/s1600/DSC_3839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1600" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZmLUzhviraLnVFooXv3xUan0BhbvEai8xahjS0Yl6XAOns_ErdnYR_i5hLpzaS0dbj1ZTiflWmqKr7QeU6r0c6nuDVd_XM3ubZSOuAOsLdy4W6htFdGgOS-g0_d_OEIdnrDUk0yU7go/s320/DSC_3839.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warbling Vireo on Beaver Lake Road. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihZ4hWCp5sLCpE5pIg0CCwB_IDQQp22NqVGZuD2uNtJqq83APKqTjVWPMePdzM0E3rspZ6aR1YE6PPqlgGEttwAbPoTwPXD9C3Xw5W6Ow0MhNCYyyX72KF62neemaHtWvuusHme59dj8/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihZ4hWCp5sLCpE5pIg0CCwB_IDQQp22NqVGZuD2uNtJqq83APKqTjVWPMePdzM0E3rspZ6aR1YE6PPqlgGEttwAbPoTwPXD9C3Xw5W6Ow0MhNCYyyX72KF62neemaHtWvuusHme59dj8/s320/DSC_0044.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beaver Lake Road. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I decided to change hostels and booked a single room in Penticton at the Hostel International for May 29. This would be closer to the remaining spots I wanted to hit in the lower Okanagan Valley.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>May 29, 2017</b><br />
The Vaseux Cliffs (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L450269" target="_blank">hotspot</a>) are a must see if you visit the Okanagan Valley. I immediately spotted a Golden Eagle and was surrounded by White-throated Swifts as I looked up at the cliff face. It took a bit of driving around and listening to hear Canyon Wren and Rock Wren and I didn't even get to see either. Although, I did have a Rock Wren at my house back in May 2012. I noticed there were a number of birds with their mouths open panting in the heat. The maximum temperature each day during the 5 days that I spent in the Okanagan Valley was 35 degree Celcius. I was drenched in sweat and I had an air-conditioned car!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRzAePIBFwmswJcugl2Fa3rHYJe8WQgJBjP5gV0bQ9EKjgQBg8pWB4P7Pxw-Chyphenhyphen0y-KHQUKq03sM7CyoIPSdnPZGlzvbg3GIqygEufugnm34B2wreX3cyjEbWaNkTwsBtQodMwLg7wGc/s1600/DSC_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRzAePIBFwmswJcugl2Fa3rHYJe8WQgJBjP5gV0bQ9EKjgQBg8pWB4P7Pxw-Chyphenhyphen0y-KHQUKq03sM7CyoIPSdnPZGlzvbg3GIqygEufugnm34B2wreX3cyjEbWaNkTwsBtQodMwLg7wGc/s320/DSC_0064.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vaseux Cliffs. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ffNiM16bAxNA4dYtUcG-gMPtgS0BYLY9O8OOGZgHbMWyl_TboABwT0JyrTgPyALbdMHnuTP_yB1QVC_IWbAXk9fBtycOmY1aTgE8_3WoUb2vCbQZiodNwjMPqhZvtEVYAPhpTvExskQ/s1600/DSC_3978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="794" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ffNiM16bAxNA4dYtUcG-gMPtgS0BYLY9O8OOGZgHbMWyl_TboABwT0JyrTgPyALbdMHnuTP_yB1QVC_IWbAXk9fBtycOmY1aTgE8_3WoUb2vCbQZiodNwjMPqhZvtEVYAPhpTvExskQ/s320/DSC_3978.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Eagle at Vaseux Cliffs. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6hfZx4tyBQgn2gKhaTqff-tHmEsA_VfDxjBxKjBEJsb1wuikpEqZl3CCoWNFFKkDM2PjxTR5enuN9IXWSMFjwUXnXiyK7tetZmbjqX4Mo_1ENQSfZ4ZF66drxHGGLbENDL3caCdtwOg/s1600/DSC_3946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="989" data-original-width="749" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6hfZx4tyBQgn2gKhaTqff-tHmEsA_VfDxjBxKjBEJsb1wuikpEqZl3CCoWNFFKkDM2PjxTR5enuN9IXWSMFjwUXnXiyK7tetZmbjqX4Mo_1ENQSfZ4ZF66drxHGGLbENDL3caCdtwOg/s320/DSC_3946.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-throated Swifts at Vaseux Cliff. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_PmA9DgHR02KNZQlpYZ1JPjJCZJY8E8yi1uxBc1xf8ND2tmXYNE7oredQ-KrxpfvhioH6NU2TZu-aQRlo5OGHI-20t7u-4lIVFu27rKsbF5UMLwZ2XCDBx6jTfFYtO-N3bTA6cIk2EM/s1600/DSC_3932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1154" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_PmA9DgHR02KNZQlpYZ1JPjJCZJY8E8yi1uxBc1xf8ND2tmXYNE7oredQ-KrxpfvhioH6NU2TZu-aQRlo5OGHI-20t7u-4lIVFu27rKsbF5UMLwZ2XCDBx6jTfFYtO-N3bTA6cIk2EM/s320/DSC_3932.jpg" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-billed Magpie at Vaseux Cliffs. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnACfMxj8I4N4T-wx8bN2B1wTzDld2Q1UA3pDJiYlV6VH1lV5HgOgWuYmF5tBCUv53jh49pBaXXGt_izNtJ4BTcUcKzJ8YbwAPBSBFIVwhHArO87Ta4DNFD2CRzR4Rx8JXjItQbyzaezg/s1600/DSC_4044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="964" data-original-width="1600" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnACfMxj8I4N4T-wx8bN2B1wTzDld2Q1UA3pDJiYlV6VH1lV5HgOgWuYmF5tBCUv53jh49pBaXXGt_izNtJ4BTcUcKzJ8YbwAPBSBFIVwhHArO87Ta4DNFD2CRzR4Rx8JXjItQbyzaezg/s320/DSC_4044.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooper's Hawk at Vaseux Cliffs. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The White Lake Grasslands Protected Area (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L285616" target="_blank">hotspot</a>) west of Okanagan Falls is sagebrush habitat that is home to the nationally endangered Sage Thrasher. Its range in British Columbia is restricted to the south Okanagan and Similkameen valleys. The Canadian breeding population is about 6 to 36 birds, most of these are in BC (Cannings 2015)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUOQxxtHcBSNweroyU9dQJhpc9tBuTBA2mmSNeO1z_rwDfpEDf5d-bSwjBf42H2yoJ0A5XL_fS2XqjMofGZ7DIspccL8t3hJpRC4Oqsu9a4adfY68mzNBQChS63x51hK6ljBEJw_ZUIo/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUOQxxtHcBSNweroyU9dQJhpc9tBuTBA2mmSNeO1z_rwDfpEDf5d-bSwjBf42H2yoJ0A5XL_fS2XqjMofGZ7DIspccL8t3hJpRC4Oqsu9a4adfY68mzNBQChS63x51hK6ljBEJw_ZUIo/s320/DSC_0061.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Lake Grasslands Protected Area. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntQ53X4fkse_bzFJU2TNi7M_964q3iXCWTS-T9OMfgT566CZsvq1zLGEKeDWpNSlpWj2ViLFrJReP3t8XhF05ihFIm9K94a17ssd0pyqwA98yNPQ5DQSYgw1uXM455X-8khZvexOZNUo/s1600/DSC_4064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="659" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntQ53X4fkse_bzFJU2TNi7M_964q3iXCWTS-T9OMfgT566CZsvq1zLGEKeDWpNSlpWj2ViLFrJReP3t8XhF05ihFIm9K94a17ssd0pyqwA98yNPQ5DQSYgw1uXM455X-8khZvexOZNUo/s320/DSC_4064.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Endangered Sage Thrasher at White Lake. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_55cYVT9OkZNvROyba-J1ZgLhTAGScEeO1VHrbo45pbmr-fG9kG1GTUDfB6pBjyGUXnWzoMXR5ICY6LrPGM0eJw2GmewsEy7h03hTh7aAIsemQvrAuOIXfcXx67Y15AmIDGexbDXX7A/s1600/DSC_4132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1115" data-original-width="1600" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_55cYVT9OkZNvROyba-J1ZgLhTAGScEeO1VHrbo45pbmr-fG9kG1GTUDfB6pBjyGUXnWzoMXR5ICY6LrPGM0eJw2GmewsEy7h03hTh7aAIsemQvrAuOIXfcXx67Y15AmIDGexbDXX7A/s320/DSC_4132.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brewer's Blackbird at White Lake. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>May 30, 2017</b><br />
I travelled 17 km of the Shuttleworth Creek Road (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L292275" target="_blank">hotspot</a>) near Okanagan Falls and added Lewis's Woodpecker and Mountain Chickadee to my life list and was able to get a few photos that I wanted. I had seen a pale Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler at Point Pleasant Park in Halifax back in 2012, but it was great to see the adult males of the species. They would definitely stick out in Nova Scotia. I took quite a few photos of a Dusky Flycatcher on the road. I had twitched the one in the Annapolis Valley in 2014, so it was interesting to see one in its habitat.<br />
<br />
The song of the Pacific-slope Flycatcher and Western Wood-Pewee are fairly distinctive, but I hadn't studied those of Hammond's and Dusky Flycatcher enough before the trip. I had to brush up on them while I was in the field and get some recordings to confirm I had them correct. That is one thing that you can never do enough of - listening to calls and songs before a trip like this.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXKEhcy_hTgPAhaAgccNWr7EChxXcUmdV_lFuztNMy5p6FRQCvw5YDUzwqBf7nKYDCTeiBeEgoewY_5ZNPv0oKkYQ3HqbB0NWCoxr6K0C3ETa_1bqor8Nl8pCZcwIbmuiFGol6a-qKAo/s1600/DSC_0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXKEhcy_hTgPAhaAgccNWr7EChxXcUmdV_lFuztNMy5p6FRQCvw5YDUzwqBf7nKYDCTeiBeEgoewY_5ZNPv0oKkYQ3HqbB0NWCoxr6K0C3ETa_1bqor8Nl8pCZcwIbmuiFGol6a-qKAo/s320/DSC_0066.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McKinney Hill Road, Oliver. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLao55oCMPMo9FPvNfJG_zOCHHPF3StYtP_Ij0OQJVSl9r3fcWXJF59dijix9gqjtLdrzSx7NchFiPwOuo6hOaWcVEHkTja2BH-FgTRGihTcsC7QfVt7FDvpjAY-dLGeWTfamClQ3AnAs/s1600/DSC_4262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="1510" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLao55oCMPMo9FPvNfJG_zOCHHPF3StYtP_Ij0OQJVSl9r3fcWXJF59dijix9gqjtLdrzSx7NchFiPwOuo6hOaWcVEHkTja2BH-FgTRGihTcsC7QfVt7FDvpjAY-dLGeWTfamClQ3AnAs/s320/DSC_4262.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dusky Flycatcher on Shuttleworth Creek Road. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQSRAMixqJOl3KFV6XfLZLLl9xfa3R8X1TQPKbc59KdaEQRw840GIBcCEujaaxxg6pXhvUq8_YXCVzzWqN62fXB9kIf34DSBJVVF0L-3I0kYGTQGajk1M1XzX3A_Ow1Kcg1r8wMo5QZI/s1600/DSC_4439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="1600" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQSRAMixqJOl3KFV6XfLZLLl9xfa3R8X1TQPKbc59KdaEQRw840GIBcCEujaaxxg6pXhvUq8_YXCVzzWqN62fXB9kIf34DSBJVVF0L-3I0kYGTQGajk1M1XzX3A_Ow1Kcg1r8wMo5QZI/s320/DSC_4439.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler on Shuttleworth Creek Road. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I had contacted Avery Bartels a few months ago to plan exactly where to go during the trip. His help was exactly what I needed and was very much appreciated. One of the stops that Avery suggested was a place in Oliver where Black-chinned Hummingbird is regular.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJlsWBzd2lIoLpt0TBUo2DNcT7djQ9lsbR7J3t_B3EGIzauBuzhmaquo5KxF8bDjnD8T4Z8XlAIvIkVbCtO9TXjM3l6Zro810Rkn9L5gPYtOrDXMBkdRVKvO2ezslXc_kzOPjOd9DijE/s1600/DSC_4447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="1200" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJlsWBzd2lIoLpt0TBUo2DNcT7djQ9lsbR7J3t_B3EGIzauBuzhmaquo5KxF8bDjnD8T4Z8XlAIvIkVbCtO9TXjM3l6Zro810Rkn9L5gPYtOrDXMBkdRVKvO2ezslXc_kzOPjOd9DijE/s320/DSC_4447.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-chinned Hummingbird in Oliver. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My only successful twitch in British Columbia was at Haynes Point Provincial Park (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L301569" target="_blank">hotspot</a>) where a Clark's Grebe was hanging out with the regular Western Grebes. I got to see both species in the scope and was able to compare them. They were much too far for photos. After the grebes, I headed to McKinney Road (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L294634" target="_blank">hotspot</a>) in Oliver to get Gray Flycatcher. I did see the bird well and noted the tail movements (slow downward wagging) and how it perched and hunted very low unlike other flycatchers that I've seen. I did not hear the bird, but got many photos. The Gray Flycatcher's range has been expanding northward and it first nested in BC in 1986 and only breeds in the Okanagan Valley and most choose the transition zone between Ponderosa Pines and shrub-steppe grasslands (Webber 2015).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlwO33xDcBAhEHGVyK3oNEURBXXRfAIb4ypOfkd3NMtz8ey4_e34fQv7K02oqUsNvE0nMWtoiSufvnbTVH3WGd6K9ivYh9tgjc2l4Bnt4MFZTtdsa8rG5ZuP5QqBmlXvwb0d4_dym2f0/s1600/DSC_4563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="1428" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlwO33xDcBAhEHGVyK3oNEURBXXRfAIb4ypOfkd3NMtz8ey4_e34fQv7K02oqUsNvE0nMWtoiSufvnbTVH3WGd6K9ivYh9tgjc2l4Bnt4MFZTtdsa8rG5ZuP5QqBmlXvwb0d4_dym2f0/s320/DSC_4563.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray Flycatcher on McKinney Road in Oliver. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>May 31, 2017</b><br />
I drove back to Vancouver again through Highway 3 and EC Maning Park, but stopped in a few places on the way and got better photos of Mountain Chickadee, Clark's Nutcracker and Western Tanager. I stopped to see an old classmate and her family in Langley. It was great seeing her.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_CI64jdo5-edPAxiDJOQNNZMN3Shm24RdGdXx29zrGUmfN_vAEvB8AMCQLMos3cgsUJQD31Yfsb7X51xeacXMAVn6_282TYfd5EhhgrwaD_H_LqM9-nqVdfZUUBbpBfIMeI8Qhxz_N8/s1600/DSC_4625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="1404" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_CI64jdo5-edPAxiDJOQNNZMN3Shm24RdGdXx29zrGUmfN_vAEvB8AMCQLMos3cgsUJQD31Yfsb7X51xeacXMAVn6_282TYfd5EhhgrwaD_H_LqM9-nqVdfZUUBbpBfIMeI8Qhxz_N8/s320/DSC_4625.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clark's Nutcracker in Keremeos. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeH4TXvkttyGyTe-kGfjfBLe1FpFTZs6dslhqOrX1vKfjzLSXZRcMMPmKv9W1dgSy2UFNpFUHSqgkYd2S4KAVFJpfk1MTusaHt4EmZR9Rzx6y8WzaZzVFbe6auhITex9-KIwVXQoz8Js/s1600/DSC_4710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="1600" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeH4TXvkttyGyTe-kGfjfBLe1FpFTZs6dslhqOrX1vKfjzLSXZRcMMPmKv9W1dgSy2UFNpFUHSqgkYd2S4KAVFJpfk1MTusaHt4EmZR9Rzx6y8WzaZzVFbe6auhITex9-KIwVXQoz8Js/s320/DSC_4710.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Chickadee in Keremeos. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7rdeK9V5ff-xoEy6ph0yKLF47J-UE-JONY2QNpC_dsgrjlF1VsMxROzGAsbIIkwE_MH2WoyR2tsLk7r1_V_mR9TzB6svJ7-pr0Qb7xOnigfmlXEYYk-II2G-p7A6JsYVWk9n9YDbc3Q/s1600/DSC_4771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1206" data-original-width="1600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7rdeK9V5ff-xoEy6ph0yKLF47J-UE-JONY2QNpC_dsgrjlF1VsMxROzGAsbIIkwE_MH2WoyR2tsLk7r1_V_mR9TzB6svJ7-pr0Qb7xOnigfmlXEYYk-II2G-p7A6JsYVWk9n9YDbc3Q/s320/DSC_4771.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Tanager in Keremeos. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVK7a-VouTsUplFHj6WHEU2v3oaGYO6oLWvRKCc3Wqmh4qyAn-nAJn3ClhODkx3F6bpw75M6KowIhQNFNRn7iTqPXpHgqY4A_2XNEsVFr8Ue6FZ20c2x27hI7AXbaLmCkVvgWcLk4bYc/s1600/20170531_182642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVK7a-VouTsUplFHj6WHEU2v3oaGYO6oLWvRKCc3Wqmh4qyAn-nAJn3ClhODkx3F6bpw75M6KowIhQNFNRn7iTqPXpHgqY4A_2XNEsVFr8Ue6FZ20c2x27hI7AXbaLmCkVvgWcLk4bYc/s320/20170531_182642.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old classmate and her kids in Langley. I believe this is my first selfie ever. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>June 1, 2017</b><br />
Jason Dain, a birder from the Halifax area in Nova Scotia was in Vancouver for work, so we got together in the morning and went to Delta (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L348443" target="_blank">hotspot</a>), south of Vancouver, to look for the Bar-tailed Godwits that had been reported there. We didn't see those, but did get to see a Western Sandpiper, although it was quite far. Jason has photos of it on the <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S37312528" target="_blank">eBird Checklist</a>. We then made a quick trip to Reifel Bird Sanctuary (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L124345" target="_blank">hotspot</a>).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJLn84pj_AUGK77bCha97JTocjl4dpamSHGz1Te1cwh3xG8JJXjXaCgRseci9u2HFxz3JdkHIosRKNLeHWnjZASHJz1xU0ZCpqdojcxVzNmeROBJplpdTovMjKUMAb7vZjiLrIC693sE/s1600/DSC_4825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="1298" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJLn84pj_AUGK77bCha97JTocjl4dpamSHGz1Te1cwh3xG8JJXjXaCgRseci9u2HFxz3JdkHIosRKNLeHWnjZASHJz1xU0ZCpqdojcxVzNmeROBJplpdTovMjKUMAb7vZjiLrIC693sE/s320/DSC_4825.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rufous Hummingbird at Reifel. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was still missing Black-throated Gray Warbler so I made a late day trip to Maplewood Flats (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L164543" target="_blank">hotspot</a>), but couldn't locate one. This warbler species along with the Black swift were my only remaining species that should be fairly easy to get.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>June 2, 2017</b><br />
I returned to Delta (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L348443" target="_blank">hotspot</a>) the following day since another person had reported that the Bar-tailed Godwits were still present there on June 1. I again dipped on the godwits, but got to see 5 Western Sandpipers, but the looks were still less than favourable. I tried Burnaby Lake (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L452571" target="_blank">hotspot</a>) for Black-throated Gray and missed that one as well.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>June 3, 2017</b><br />
I still needed Black-throated Gray and Black Swift, and I was determined to get them. I visited Maplewood Flats (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L164543" target="_blank">hotspot</a>) for a third time and finally heard a Black-throated Gray Warbler in the canopy. I got horrible views of it, but was happy to have found one. I finally made it to famous Stanley Park (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L275701" target="_blank">hotspot</a>) and walked around for 1.5 hours. I was about to open the car door to leave when I caught the shape of a swift circling high. It was a Black Swift and was the last "easy" species that I needed.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Concluding Remarks</b><br />
I ended the trip with almost exactly the amount of lifers that I thought I'd get. The total was 59. These are all listed below in chronological order.<br />
<br />
<u>#</u><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><u>Species</u><br />
1<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Northwestern Crow<br />
2<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Spotted Towhee<br />
3<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Rufous Hummingbird<br />
4<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Vaux's Swift<br />
5<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Glaucous-winged Gull<br />
6<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>California Gull<br />
7<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Cinnamon Teal<br />
8<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Brewer's Blackbird<br />
9<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Band-tailed Pigeon<br />
10<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Black Oystercatcher<br />
11<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Black-headed Grosbeak<br />
12<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Western Tanager<br />
13<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Pelagic Cormorant<br />
14<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Pigeon Guillemot<br />
15<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Pacific-slope Flycatcher<br />
16<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Bushtit<br />
17<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Anna's Hummingbird<br />
18<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Rhinoceros Auklet<br />
19<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Chestnut-backed Chickadee<br />
20<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Pacific Loon<br />
21<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>MacGillivray's Warbler<br />
22<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>American Dipper<br />
23<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Western Wood-Pewee<br />
24<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Red-breasted Sapsucker<br />
25<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Bewick's Wren<br />
26<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Violet-green Swallow<br />
27<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Townsend's Warbler<br />
28<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Steller's Jay<br />
29<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Cassin's Vireo<br />
30<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hutton's Vireo<br />
31<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hammond's Flycatcher<br />
32<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Pacific Wren<br />
33<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Clark's Nutcracker<br />
34<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Western Meadowlark<br />
35<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Western Bluebird<br />
36<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Pygmy Nuthatch<br />
37<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Calliope Hummingbird<br />
38<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Black-billed Magpie<br />
39<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Wilson's Phalarope<br />
40<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Bullock's Oriole<br />
41<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Lazuli Bunting<br />
42<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Red-naped Sapsucker<br />
43<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>California Quail<br />
44<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Eared Grebe<br />
45<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Canyon Wren<br />
46<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>White-throated Swift<br />
47<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Golden Eagle<br />
48<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Brewer's Sparrow<br />
49<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Sage Thrasher<br />
50<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Cassin's Finch<br />
51<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Mountain Chickadee<br />
52<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Lewis's Woodpecker<br />
53<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Black-chinned Hummingbird<br />
54<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Clark's Grebe<br />
55<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Western Grebe<br />
56<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Gray Flycatcher<br />
57<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Western Sandpiper<br />
58<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Black-throated Gray Warbler<br />
59<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Black Swift<br />
<br />
As I write this (June 17, 2017) I am in a three-way tie for 7th place in eBird for species seen in Canada during 2017. I'm sure I'll be pushed down fairly quick, but I'll enjoy it while it lasts.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKa2zgWqMOlitjKFeZICbIZmQ_ahX9o9yMS6Pp0V8_DRN23OYxKFkkvzAHRClYpHdgTOHdBbfHqMoT1hGIXHOEeayiiW4bl3JiUqxCS-cLjTEavS0t0Ee9Xaa7hgTlRxbQXG5bsp58GY/s1600/ebird2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="738" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKa2zgWqMOlitjKFeZICbIZmQ_ahX9o9yMS6Pp0V8_DRN23OYxKFkkvzAHRClYpHdgTOHdBbfHqMoT1hGIXHOEeayiiW4bl3JiUqxCS-cLjTEavS0t0Ee9Xaa7hgTlRxbQXG5bsp58GY/s400/ebird2017.jpg" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">eBird Top 100 eBirders in Canada for 2017 - June 17, 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I had a great time and would recommend a similar trip. A birding trip to BC should include the Okanagan Valley without a doubt. For me it was the most unique place that I saw and had the most interesting species. Thank you to all that gave me information before the trip and to the people that I had the pleasure of meeting during my stay there.<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>References</b><br />
Cannings, R.J. 2015. Sage Thrasher in Davidson, P.J.A., R.J. Cannings, A.R. Couturier, D. Lepage, and C.M. Di Corrado (eds.). The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of British Columbia, 2008-2012. Bird Studies Canada. Delta, B.C. http://www.birdatlas.bc.ca/accounts/speciesaccount.jsp?sp=SATH&lang=en [17 Jun 2017]<br />
<br />
Weber, W.C. 2015. Gray Flycatcher in Davidson, P.J.A., R.J. Cannings, A.R. Couturier, D. Lepage, and C.M. Di Corrado (eds.). The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of British Columbia, 2008-2012. Bird Studies Canada. Delta, B.C. http://www.birdatlas.bc.ca/accounts/speciesaccount.jsp?sp=GRFL&lang=en [17 Jun 2017]</div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-38765934281275093002017-05-11T22:08:00.002-03:002017-05-12T09:53:39.838-03:00A Swallow-tailed Kite in Nova Scotia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
<b>The Encounter</b><br />
<br />
I was driving home from work on Highway 103 on May 11, 2017 at about 4:50 pm, when an unmistakable shape caught my eye as it soared about 150 feet above the passing cars. I was looking up at a SWALLOW-TAILED KITE! I slammed on the breaks and maneuvered my car to the shoulder, the wheels leaving long tracks in the gravel. The car was shifted in park before it has stopped. I flung the door open, grabbed the camera and made my way out. Camera straps always have a habit of catching things, and this time was no exception. Once I got the strap untangled from the handbrake, I was out getting shots. At first the bird was flying directly away from me, but it then circled around and allowed me to get good underside photos. It flew effortlessly, without much flapping, towards the east and soon was out of sight.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIlqiPYy0Da5-rsLeJr_zHsV3shFlGArul6jU6kqRbTA53KHTzPa8ZxQDFufBGmpHSJl7jnQBa7F3mapcRmfHSSIjjgb6PpdOybOzCNyig6jc6eRG38R8Nv7FJ5viwqc3JnDlpQmTc0o/s1600/DSC_1124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIlqiPYy0Da5-rsLeJr_zHsV3shFlGArul6jU6kqRbTA53KHTzPa8ZxQDFufBGmpHSJl7jnQBa7F3mapcRmfHSSIjjgb6PpdOybOzCNyig6jc6eRG38R8Nv7FJ5viwqc3JnDlpQmTc0o/s320/DSC_1124.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swallow-tailed Kite near Argyle Head, Yarmouth County, May 11, 2017. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I ran back to the car, picked up the mobile phone and clumsily called Paul Gould, Ronnie d'Entremont, Ervin Olsen, Mark Dennis, Laurel Amirault and Larry Neily - the birders that are typically nearby. I say clumsily because I was shaking with excitement at this point. It is always a thrill finding a rare bird, but the impact is stronger when the realization of what it is your looking at is this obvious and immediate. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I posted about the find to the Nova Scotia Bird Society Facebook Page and the Nova Scotia Rare Bird Alert with my phone from the side of the highway. My fingers were still far from steady. I met Paul Gould as I turned the car around and headed north on the highway. We decided that he should go through Argyle Head from the south while I would be using the Argyle Head Road off Highway 103 to enter Argyle Head from the west. I drove through and stopped at a few places with good vantage points and then stopped at an open area near the Argyle River. Laurel Amirault and Larry Neily soon showed up and we discussed where a Swallow-tailed Hawk might choose to go. A read through Sibley and National Geographic revealed that it might be hanging around open woods, wetlands and forest edges. Larry shared that the ones he had heard about in Ontario followed lakeshores. Those types of habitats are quite common in the area, so that didn't narrow our search area.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mark Dennis, Sandra Dennis and Mike MacDonald drove past a few of us still standing around wondering where to go next - almost like they knew where they were going. Soon enough, Sandra called to say that Mark had re-found the bird from the Crowelltown Road. We all convened at the end of the road and everyone got to see the kite as it circled far to the north. The unique shape of the bird was apparent at this distance and the two-toned black and white was visible when the bird showed us its underside. The views were not great by any means, but at least the group saw it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
While we were admiring this vagrant, Mark reminded me that I had now spotted four rare raptors from a moving car in Nova Scotia: Crested Caracara, Gyrfalcon, Swainson's Hawk and now a Swallow-tailed Kite.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uQlLnQrGuOL4j9ADzNhmW0Xb91QISVpMTKpzD9cXnH4tQfd54S3prLB7flxCh8a-voDDS7d95bVwojeL-VInIRxZXg7HuiCm40qllIIuDjDsWwsgflUxjY8XmKrhO2X89Eis-LpkZqs/s1600/DSC_1118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uQlLnQrGuOL4j9ADzNhmW0Xb91QISVpMTKpzD9cXnH4tQfd54S3prLB7flxCh8a-voDDS7d95bVwojeL-VInIRxZXg7HuiCm40qllIIuDjDsWwsgflUxjY8XmKrhO2X89Eis-LpkZqs/s320/DSC_1118.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swallow-tailed Kite near Argyle Head, Yarmouth County, May 11, 2017. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Previous Nova Scotia Records</b></div>
<div>
<b></b> </div>
<div>
The first record of Swallow-tailed Kite in Nova Scotia was one found barely alive that soon died at the family home of Adelbert Wilson in August 1905 in Lower East Pubnico, Yarmouth County, only about 25 kilometres away from my recent sighting. The first photographically confirmed record was of one in Freeport, Digby County, on 9 June 2007 by Jeff Teed. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Listed below are the reports of this species in the province sourced from <i>Nova Scotia Birds, </i>the quarterly magazine published by the Nova Scotia Bird Society. There appear to be 10 previous reports with some form of validation, namely a body, written details or a photograph. Those validated reports are highlighted with an asterisk. My most recent find would be the 11th validated record for the province. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>*August 1905</i></div>
<div>
Lower East Pubnico, Yarmouth County<br />
Adelbert Wilson<br />
Dead bird</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>*22 April 1997</i><br />
Highway 22, halfway between Sydney and Louisbourg, Cape Breton.</div>
<div>
Shelia Fudge<br />
Described.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>*7 July 1999</i><br />
Bicentennial Drive, between Kearney Lake Road and business park exits, Halifax County<br />
Tony Lock<br />
Described.<br />
<br />
<i>*19 September 1999</i></div>
<div>
Canso, Guysborough<br />
Randy F. Lauff<br />
Described.</div>
<div>
<i></i><br />
<i>*25 March 2001</i></div>
<div>
Glace Bay, Cape Breton<br />
Cathy Murrant, Susann Myers<br />
Described.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>20 April 2001</i></div>
<div>
Near Bridgetown, Annapolis<br />
Fred Grieg<br />
No details. Originally reported as a Mississippi Kite, but might have been a Swallow-tailed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>8 August 2001</i><br />
Cape Sable Island, Shelburne<br />
fide Murray Newell, unsure of observer<br />
No details<br />
<br />
<i>*9 June 2007</i><br />
Freeport, Digby<br />
Jeff Teed<br />
First photographically confirmed report.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>10 June 2007</i></div>
<div>
Halifax, Halifax County</div>
<div>
Fred Greig</div>
<div>
No details</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>30 June 2007</i></div>
<div>
Petite Riviere, Lunenburg County<br />
Don Sedgwick<br />
No details</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>*10 April 2009 (NS Birds: 8th provincial record?)</i></div>
<div>
Truro, Colchester<br />
Kimberley Forster<br />
Photographed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>*5 July 2010</i></div>
<div>
Lawrencetown, Annapolis County<br />
Diana and William Ackroyd<br />
Photographed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>2 July 2011</i></div>
<div>
Brooklyn, Queens County</div>
<div>
Allan Smith<br />
No details.<br />
<br />
<i>5-6 July 2011</i></div>
<div>
Martin's River, Lunenburg County<br />
Donna and Alan Rowlands<br />
No details.<br />
<br />
<i>*2 July 2011</i><br />
Brooklyn, Queens County<br />
Andrew Hebda<br />
Finder said the bird matched the Google images for the species.</div>
<div>
<u><br /></u> </div>
<div>
<b>Species Range and Vagrancy</b><u><br /></u></div>
<div>
Swallow-tailed Kites are native to the southeast U.S. (Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas), Central America and South America. The entire U.S. population is migratory and birds arrive and depart early. (Myer 1995)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Eggs are present in nests in the United States from mid-March to mid-June dependant on location, incubation lasts about 30 days and the young depart from the nest after about 40 to 50 days (Myer 1995). The earliest breeding birds would still be caring for their young by this time in May, so we can assume that this bird is a non-breeder. </div>
<div>
<br />
I suppose if a nonmigratory species like a Crested Caracara can reach Nova Scotia, then a bird that is used to flying long distances of at least up to 6,500 km like a kite can easiyl reach us as a non-breeding wanderer.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Validated reports for Nova Scotia have occurred in spring (3 reports), summer (4 reports) and fall (2 reports). The eBird records on the eastern U.S. are more numerous during spring migration, so the timing of the occurrence of this bird fits the regional and local trends. A few birds are seen along the east coast of North America almost every spring and fall (Crossley 2013).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Spring 2017 has been good to us in southwest Nova Scotia so far. What's next to come?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>References</b><b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<div>
Crossley, R., J. Liguori, and B. Sullivan. 2013. The Crossley ID Guide: Raptors. Princeton University Press, 41 William Street, Princeton, NJ</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Meyer, Kenneth D.. 1995. Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus), The Birds of North America (P. G. Rodewald, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America: https://birdsna.org/Species-Account/bna/species/swtkit</div>
<div>
DOI: 10.2173/bna.138</div>
</div>
</div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-39276907394817103092017-02-27T20:09:00.001-04:002017-03-02T10:14:49.623-04:00If It Looks Like a Thayer's Gull<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Gulling</b><br />
<b><br /></b>Gulls are often one of the last species group that birders pay attention to. Individual variation, large plumage differences between ages, sexual dimorphism, plumage abnormalities, clinal variation, the effects of bleaching and wear and even as yet unresolved taxonomy issues all combine to create a bit of a mess.<br />
<br />
Back in 2014, I vowed to look through the thousands of gulls at Dennis Point Wharf in Lower West Pubnico until I found a <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2014/10/first-cycle-lesser-black-backed-gull.html" target="_blank">first-cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull</a>. I had previously spotted adults of this species, but while birds of the year are seperable from our more regular large, white-headed gulls, the differences are more subtle. These minute differences in feather pattern, bare part colour, size and shape are what gulling is all about. For the last 3 winters I've been spending hours and hours looking at gulls. This group of birds is fairly unique in that most of the time in the field is spent actually looking <u>at</u> birds, not looking <u>for</u> birds.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>More Questions than Answers</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
The American Ornithological Union's 57th supplement lists Thayer's Gull (<i>Larus thayeri</i>) and Iceland Gull (<i>Larus glaucoides</i>) as distinct species, Iceland Gull comprising the Kumlien's Gull (<i>Larus glaucoides kumlieni</i>) and nominate (<i>Larus glaucoides glaucoides</i>) subspecies.<br />
<br />
The taxonomic issues surrounding Thayer's Gull and Iceland Gull are still being discussed. I suggest that you read <i>Taxonomic History of Thayer's Gull</i>, a 1999 article in <i>Ontario Birds</i> by Ron Pittaway. Our innate need for classification of what we see becomes difficult in the case of these taxa. McLaren (2012) suggests that Thayer's Gull might best be treated as the dark extreme of a single species with Kumlien's Gull as the variable result of interbreeding with Iceland Gull. Earlier works such as Webber (1981) and Godfrey (1986) as well as a recent blog post named <a href="http://www.anythinglarus.com/2017/01/thayers-iceland-gull-one-species.html" target="_blank">Thayer's the Iceland Gull - One Species</a> by Amar Ayyash also suggest that the three taxa listed above should be conspecific:<br />
<br />
Iceland Gull (<i>Larus glaucoides glaucoides</i>)<br />
Kumlien's Gull (<i>Larus glaucoides kumlieni</i>)<br />
Thayer's Gull (<i>Larus glaucoides thayeri</i>)<br />
<br />
In the above classification, <i>L.g. glaucoides</i> becomes the nominate subspecies simply because it was described first by Meyer in 1822. Kumlien's Gull was first described in 1883 followed by Thayer's Gull in 1915.<br />
<br />
A recent discussion on the <i>North American Gulls</i> Facebook Page prompted a few heavy hitters in the birding world to give their two cents. Steve Hampton, Bruce Mactavish, Peter Adriaens and Christopher Gibbins appeared to prefer the 2-species solution with Kumlien's Gull as the hybrid between Thayer's and Iceland. Some compared these species with the species pairs of Glaucous-winged Gull & Western Gull or Blue-winged Warbler & Golden-winged Warbler with their respective hybirds the Olympic Gull and Brewster's Warbler. Independent of the opinions shared by the participants, all could agree that more research is needed.<br />
<br />
Pittaway's 1999 taxonomic history paper concluded with, "Regardless of how we classify them, they are no more or less identifiable in the field."<br />
<br />
The apparent clinal variation from from the dark-eyed, dark-winged, less gentle proportioned Thayer's Gull to the pale-eyed, white-winged, smaller-billed and more gentle looking Iceland Gull definitely does make identification of extralimital birds difficult. I think most would agree that if it looks like a Thayer's Gull, then we can assume that this is likely linked to its provenance and/or its genetic makup. Given the current taxonomic classification of Thayer's Gull as a separate species, if a bird in Nova Scotia is found to tick all of the boxes, I wouldn't hesitate to label it as a Thayer's and add it to your Nova Scotia list as a full species. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>The Pubnico Thayer's Gull</b><br />
<br />
Paul Gould and I were test driving my new-to-me Subaru Forester on January 8, 2017 when we spotted a great Thayer's candidate at Dennis Point Wharf in Pubnico, Yarmouth County. We snapped a few photos and made sure to get some views of the open wing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPgyydFWbZH7GFfTMmo3c77RvJadtS-xO9HYjc-ZzXgtco2pjFqsbb_3Rtjb740_kV3ibsGakTA7jt3sFvHbCZzGfMHTt7O7NFJqyjrYWutYOit50VUxr8tdXLqPBkvjfGRdOa1mkJPs/s1600/DSC_5625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPgyydFWbZH7GFfTMmo3c77RvJadtS-xO9HYjc-ZzXgtco2pjFqsbb_3Rtjb740_kV3ibsGakTA7jt3sFvHbCZzGfMHTt7O7NFJqyjrYWutYOit50VUxr8tdXLqPBkvjfGRdOa1mkJPs/s320/DSC_5625.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a photo from our first encouter with the Thayer's Gull at Dennis Point Wharf in Pubnico, Nova Scotia, January 8, 2017. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I didn't realize exactly how many boxes this bird ticked until I reviewed the photos at home. Here are a few reasons why this gull fits perfectly for a Thayer's Gull:<br />
<br />
-The black on the outer primaries when viewed from above is as dark as the adjacent Herring Gulls;<br />
-P10 has dark subterminal marks;<br />
-The outer web of P9 is completely dark;<br />
-There is an almost complete dark subterminal band on P5;<br />
-The iris was dark (contrast between the pupil and iris was only visible in direct sunlight);<br />
-The orbital ring is a deep pinkish colour;<br />
-The head, neck and breast show a extensive blotchy brown pattern;<br />
-The bill base is greenish-yellow;<br />
-The legs are a pale raspberry.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5e_dqE-K4OKJoEEO8iLAVhKsYDNJg6RZhS-ub1Py_6WMXQvsjG0jrMWdy8nzRJP8C6cCJ3lnWMRVoOiA6TIWTp8EO61TjSZgwP5vrK0kMjaU6VsUwtv9PDMfYWh6ez_stCtusoVp4aY/s1600/DSC_6052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5e_dqE-K4OKJoEEO8iLAVhKsYDNJg6RZhS-ub1Py_6WMXQvsjG0jrMWdy8nzRJP8C6cCJ3lnWMRVoOiA6TIWTp8EO61TjSZgwP5vrK0kMjaU6VsUwtv9PDMfYWh6ez_stCtusoVp4aY/s320/DSC_6052.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This image shows well the primary pattern of the Thayer's Gull at Dennis Point Wharf in Pubnico, Nova Scotia, January 14, 2017. P10 has dark subterminal marks between the mirror and apical spot; the outer web of P9 is completely dark; there is an almost complete dark subterminal band on P5. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_M5xVRvHQ09lUrCqTNQHN8jaQX4QA_f43joCydyUtJp0NTc5-Ft9kyMujrFBEx2hBxUHjg7o68zrynV_v0vQPMMPPSqCB9j1ZPkWTqkF7uU3ZZO8D7BvqvBBeRIg5QRtujxITvzuYwUU/s1600/DSC_5647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_M5xVRvHQ09lUrCqTNQHN8jaQX4QA_f43joCydyUtJp0NTc5-Ft9kyMujrFBEx2hBxUHjg7o68zrynV_v0vQPMMPPSqCB9j1ZPkWTqkF7uU3ZZO8D7BvqvBBeRIg5QRtujxITvzuYwUU/s320/DSC_5647.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we get a look at the pale underside of the outer primaries of the Thayer's Gull at Dennis Point Wharf in Pubnico, Nova Scotia, January 14, 2017. This is quite different from that of a Herring Gull. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7Iv0lcoJFjfMLx69RcKAiOaUqc73CEppXHUv5wnZPFQzf7jt9pkDzTWiuFwpcUmrTj40j63cJbUnelfrb3JnIGUU5pKUup-l8vqk_yc9NzhTIarMwfpjgDM1xWVraDXKPnldGdVhIsE/s1600/DSC_5964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7Iv0lcoJFjfMLx69RcKAiOaUqc73CEppXHUv5wnZPFQzf7jt9pkDzTWiuFwpcUmrTj40j63cJbUnelfrb3JnIGUU5pKUup-l8vqk_yc9NzhTIarMwfpjgDM1xWVraDXKPnldGdVhIsE/s320/DSC_5964.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This image allows for comparison of a Herring Gull with the Thayer's Gull at Dennis Point Wharf in Pubnico, Nova Scotia, January 14, 2017. Note how the black on the outer primaries is of equal darkness on both gulls. The Thayer's shows a dark eye and greenish-yellow based bill in contrast with the pale yellow iris and orangish-yellow based bill of the Herring. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrzHCOzogKILZYOlqzkqe9fkPtY5F8OoCwMtuFo6Q0QHSYzN1-V-ttttJZNlif_KEEyWRV2Mj_i51elC2ItTicwzznlTn2Uy8NListNVnTPYU67VfX-PuVyd14Cy0m20xIyTONWCwW8c/s1600/DSC_6000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrzHCOzogKILZYOlqzkqe9fkPtY5F8OoCwMtuFo6Q0QHSYzN1-V-ttttJZNlif_KEEyWRV2Mj_i51elC2ItTicwzznlTn2Uy8NListNVnTPYU67VfX-PuVyd14Cy0m20xIyTONWCwW8c/s320/DSC_6000.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we see the pale raspberry legs of the Thayer's Gull at Dennis Point Wharf in Pubnico, Nova Scotia, January 14, 2017. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This bird is immediately recognizable with the naked eye both in flight and on the water. The combination of features, most notably the dark eye, extensive hood and primary pattern are unique among the thousands of gulls at Dennis Point Wharf. It should be noted that there are many imposters as well. Kumlien's Gulls can show one or two Thayer's-like features like dark eyes, dark wings and an extensive hood, but only this bird has been found to show all of these features.<br />
<br />
I observed this bird 4 times during January and then we were in for a great surprise when Mark Dennis spotted this exact individual at West Head on nearby Cape Sable Island, Shelburne County, on February 1, 2017. We confirmed that it was in fact the Pubnico bird because both birds had a small portion of the inner web of P5 on the left wing missing. It was then refound in Pubnico on February 4, again at Cape Sable Island on February 10 and once more in Pubnico on February 25.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqL_xYUIIbF7fgyWUKsRkAgSpPB38A2ZOzt1gbPZx-54cEFZYI_n3jKyNiaAuvE-r4_OMZbhbf9V6AB88gdehmDAcYWBDxHWReB-NhtOfcQE9IIZ3HFMUeDSUZwmtdCZ7NE9HJqChFLM/s1600/DSC_7095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqL_xYUIIbF7fgyWUKsRkAgSpPB38A2ZOzt1gbPZx-54cEFZYI_n3jKyNiaAuvE-r4_OMZbhbf9V6AB88gdehmDAcYWBDxHWReB-NhtOfcQE9IIZ3HFMUeDSUZwmtdCZ7NE9HJqChFLM/s320/DSC_7095.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Thayer's Gull at Dennis Point Wharf in Pubnico, Nova Scotia, February 4, 2017. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTypCS8laovjsXlsOAv0-Z__XF4orB5ug3bgx1ZKY-S-5fKj-a98pGcQYipMb1D4rpLv9ntUbkqi5E7WTj4VPI95R3AJjEao1z16pJcS7Y0tUNAlgu9IBBOrlbBu11yMXMYl8fX0E3iGE/s1600/DSC_7171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTypCS8laovjsXlsOAv0-Z__XF4orB5ug3bgx1ZKY-S-5fKj-a98pGcQYipMb1D4rpLv9ntUbkqi5E7WTj4VPI95R3AJjEao1z16pJcS7Y0tUNAlgu9IBBOrlbBu11yMXMYl8fX0E3iGE/s320/DSC_7171.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Thayer's Gull at Dennis Point Wharf in Pubnico, Nova Scotia, February 4, 2017. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92yAsUoqMgvmDKErQNZl84bmztoZsg03oL7dfiJDfOlaq8KQ54OLEfJF-LjfyzRUO7rEScjDv7dNIne0K5GFB_Ptim0vUTtQ2DgXx6sJQRlbErqvauQNaCbXEFk9Al2by1T4LB9hYZXU/s1600/DSC_7153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92yAsUoqMgvmDKErQNZl84bmztoZsg03oL7dfiJDfOlaq8KQ54OLEfJF-LjfyzRUO7rEScjDv7dNIne0K5GFB_Ptim0vUTtQ2DgXx6sJQRlbErqvauQNaCbXEFk9Al2by1T4LB9hYZXU/s320/DSC_7153.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Thayer's Gull with two Kumlien's Gulls (adult and first-cycle) at Dennis Point Wharf in Pubnico, Nova Scotia, February 4, 2017. <i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>References:</b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="biblioauthor" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Godfrey, W .E.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span class="bibliotitle" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">1986. The Birds of Canada. Revised Edition. National Museums of Canada, Ottawa.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="bibliotitle" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">McLaren, I.A. 2012. All the Birds of Nova Scotia: status & critical identification. Gaspereau Press Ltd, Kentville, N.S., Canada</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />Pittaway, R. 1999. "Taxonomic History of Thayer's Gull". Ontario Birds 17(1):1-13.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="bibliotitle"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Weber J.W. 1981. The Larusgulls of the Pacific Northwest Interior, with</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="bibliotitle"></span></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">taxonomic comments on several forms (Part 1). Continental Birdlife 2(1): 110.</span></div>
</div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-1619989795670695562016-12-31T19:12:00.002-04:002016-12-31T19:12:50.318-04:002016 Year In Review - The Rarities<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
This post is a synopsis of the interesting birds that I saw in 2016 as well as a list of the lifers for the year.<br />
<br />
We had our first confirmed provincial record of <a href="http://we%20had%20our%20first%20confirmed%20provincial%20record%20of%20kamchatka%20gull%20early%20in%20the%20year./" target="_blank">Kamchatka Gull</a> that stayed in Meteghan during February and March. Spring of 2016 was notable due to the large number and variety of shorebirds, for example, I saw my first spring Stilt Sandpiper and American Golden Plover. I found my first singing Northern Waterthrush likely on territory in Yarmouth County. We confirmed another pocket of breeding Veerys for Yarmouth County at the <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30611241" target="_blank">Hebron Recreation Complex</a>. The number of sites that I know of with Canada Warblers during breeding season in my end of the province continues to rise (I just wasn't paying enough attention before). Fall 2016 didn't see an influx of western birds like the previous year. My father photographed the provinces 2nd record of <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2016/10/nova-scotias-second-calliope-hummingbird.html" target="_blank">Calliope Hummingbird</a> in my yard, a bird that I didn't get to see. I was witness to the unprecedented numbers of Cory's Shearwaters near the mainland during September and October. A photo that I had taken back in 2012 in my yard was identified this year as a <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2016/05/new-historical-record-nova-scotias-2nd.html" target="_blank">Rock Wren</a> representing only the 2nd record for the province.<br />
<br />
Lifers that were long overdue were Green Heron, Black Tern and Pine Grosbeak (I still don't have Spruce Grouse!). My total lifers this year was 13, down from the 22 during 2015 (<a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2016/01/2015-year-in-review-rarities.html" target="_blank">see 2015 review here</a>). I ended the year seeing 260 species in Nova Scotia.<br />
<br />
Here is the list of the 13 lifers for 2016. Self-found birds are annotated with an asterisk (*). The links associated with the items in the list bring you to the appropriate blog post or if I didn't blog about it - the eBird Checklist.<br />
<br />
1. <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S29446867" target="_blank">Green Heron</a><br />
2. <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S29469574" target="_blank">Curlew Sandpiper</a><br />
3. <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2016/05/identification-of-gray-cheeked-thrush.html" target="_blank">Gray-cheeked Thrush</a><br />
4. <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S29907826" target="_blank">Common Gallinule</a><br />
5. <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30674962" target="_blank">Sandwich Tern</a><br />
6. <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30802936" target="_blank">Black Tern</a><br />
7. <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30961674" target="_blank">Northern Rough-winged Swallow*</a><br />
8. <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31295351" target="_blank">Yellow-billed Cuckoo</a><br />
9. <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2016/09/cerulean-warbler-on-bon-portage.html" target="_blank">Cerulean Warbler</a> (*, sort-of)<br />
10. <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31604124" target="_blank">Least Bittern</a><br />
11. <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2016/09/identification-of-south-polar-skua.html" target="_blank">South Polar Skua</a><br />
12. <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S32701923" target="_blank">Pine Grosbeak</a><br />
13. <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S32701928" target="_blank">Pink-footed Goose</a><br />
<br />
Below are some of the memorable birds that I photographed during the year.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPzVDCelOmt0g8BbtASRpzN6sHArVqp-qAQFK4Ukgzi2UwhKjM6Xa5C3I-W-Xpo8-DGiufaQUdUYX8KzyiQy5c5iB36QKmtpOGqBP1jjWg87TpdB5uvuhXM7pUJIrCVKtvVWnuFjKKg4/s1600/D70_5791_MOBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPzVDCelOmt0g8BbtASRpzN6sHArVqp-qAQFK4Ukgzi2UwhKjM6Xa5C3I-W-Xpo8-DGiufaQUdUYX8KzyiQy5c5iB36QKmtpOGqBP1jjWg87TpdB5uvuhXM7pUJIrCVKtvVWnuFjKKg4/s320/D70_5791_MOBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Bluebird, Cape Sable Island, Jan 1, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuqK-8UkPRpiSDzzN3EkpDM5amPLrg_Nzlc5IMXmupgz-AHrLSETcd4CR-LY-bXWL33buvdPt81a1EBHhLjW4J47uXQoyxZCzp-HlRLz9auHtvs6cvuTHy5rNxqgftjRVCmfCb5SdqeE/s1600/D70_6419_SNGO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuqK-8UkPRpiSDzzN3EkpDM5amPLrg_Nzlc5IMXmupgz-AHrLSETcd4CR-LY-bXWL33buvdPt81a1EBHhLjW4J47uXQoyxZCzp-HlRLz9auHtvs6cvuTHy5rNxqgftjRVCmfCb5SdqeE/s320/D70_6419_SNGO.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow Goose in Yarmouth, January 8, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAouKrv9PZ5iY6h5ZJ_50VOTp0b5mRv4lfAqTOccSeXvjDyGR9lXWIi4L_OP3vEIcOe5I2nOIPaEzOq27gusQdvvwqb6cYNZbMwjtmCuWEGe8EqxJCyQ4plpKaXiehAcHDuE5k9QwL3w/s1600/D70_7559_COGR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAouKrv9PZ5iY6h5ZJ_50VOTp0b5mRv4lfAqTOccSeXvjDyGR9lXWIi4L_OP3vEIcOe5I2nOIPaEzOq27gusQdvvwqb6cYNZbMwjtmCuWEGe8EqxJCyQ4plpKaXiehAcHDuE5k9QwL3w/s320/D70_7559_COGR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abnormally coloured Common Grackle, Tusket, Feb 5, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivf7Z3atY2hcf7-DikXjrbuRbNDpxvC8zSIkKE7UN3SPjAPgnjPFCxc3OtTkyOAZyErHwjFTznpmIT21SbLvYl98CukHiQkJXRGUKeOp94r0_9Vy4_M93IzjO899naj-STbMZ3orasuzU/s1600/D70_7680_RSHA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivf7Z3atY2hcf7-DikXjrbuRbNDpxvC8zSIkKE7UN3SPjAPgnjPFCxc3OtTkyOAZyErHwjFTznpmIT21SbLvYl98CukHiQkJXRGUKeOp94r0_9Vy4_M93IzjO899naj-STbMZ3orasuzU/s320/D70_7680_RSHA.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-shouldered Hawk, Pleasant Lake, February 7, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGI7dOwUOi1eDHIWIxsJkX5UNrxEl7c_AlzVICiYZyp4uZoHLa4htuJZd_voO9y7EP1Cc4mJZ_TuWoUtKwN7-WBQ3U0NRlnaUloSsRgsW5lzY_cZrjnM-VhVyA8CO2nccQ6PurLdFFkY/s1600/D70_7733_EUST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGI7dOwUOi1eDHIWIxsJkX5UNrxEl7c_AlzVICiYZyp4uZoHLa4htuJZd_voO9y7EP1Cc4mJZ_TuWoUtKwN7-WBQ3U0NRlnaUloSsRgsW5lzY_cZrjnM-VhVyA8CO2nccQ6PurLdFFkY/s320/D70_7733_EUST.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abnormally coloured European Starling, Yarmouth, Feb 7, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30umPiC6syJOlrVWucOHENc7mlikB9Zeauf1QZntEBWPmdQey842sZ3Z1SKs5Pz7chOu8ebVwZ3-nF-pgRMP7CvEc7sR8XcVZ1PrfDObFaUP-rtxGPOwrbL7ZFytEW16RUTXaoe7hpdU/s1600/DSC_0128_SNOW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30umPiC6syJOlrVWucOHENc7mlikB9Zeauf1QZntEBWPmdQey842sZ3Z1SKs5Pz7chOu8ebVwZ3-nF-pgRMP7CvEc7sR8XcVZ1PrfDObFaUP-rtxGPOwrbL7ZFytEW16RUTXaoe7hpdU/s320/DSC_0128_SNOW.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy Owl, Cape Sable, March 28, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIZMRpWSgrAUyyBZqPOM8bLn5qRxLg1U30pB7V4FfAXEnAOQ1qSPFTq9oFJuIqU-d37xG9AqirYKXWxaTQd5jpNFjAl3Ti6_1t0fe2_baJqGFdqSowO_i2In0T3x33loi_Dt7JEGykk0/s1600/DSC_0299_CMWA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIZMRpWSgrAUyyBZqPOM8bLn5qRxLg1U30pB7V4FfAXEnAOQ1qSPFTq9oFJuIqU-d37xG9AqirYKXWxaTQd5jpNFjAl3Ti6_1t0fe2_baJqGFdqSowO_i2In0T3x33loi_Dt7JEGykk0/s320/DSC_0299_CMWA.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wintering Cape May Warbler, Argyle, April 4, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOjFh9d1XL5GCCkZso1jU8sDQb0yK5sgSfhoP3EYbPhXxVB8kqFAU5loIOX76SfUHWjrisNfORzBNQ8gepaia29yclg9aUf2qm7n4-llTUsMKTryHrkqePBjEhSSDje9pjWI0i62dpJY/s1600/DSC_0453_PIWA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOjFh9d1XL5GCCkZso1jU8sDQb0yK5sgSfhoP3EYbPhXxVB8kqFAU5loIOX76SfUHWjrisNfORzBNQ8gepaia29yclg9aUf2qm7n4-llTUsMKTryHrkqePBjEhSSDje9pjWI0i62dpJY/s320/DSC_0453_PIWA.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pine Warbler, Pubnico, April 16, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifns0xRHifu3B0O9mkPAl4i0Uk6hKcI3nGjivk7QeE5tj46mIepvLhLD5IO9_JI8hxGCdYWSpeD9RDWm887kvQjKuS7NgWWA11KY1G4Ubcg6Kw6eJQpzmwbY3Oel2KiGIO4ksDErT1_H4/s1600/DSC_8461_SUTA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifns0xRHifu3B0O9mkPAl4i0Uk6hKcI3nGjivk7QeE5tj46mIepvLhLD5IO9_JI8hxGCdYWSpeD9RDWm887kvQjKuS7NgWWA11KY1G4Ubcg6Kw6eJQpzmwbY3Oel2KiGIO4ksDErT1_H4/s320/DSC_8461_SUTA.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Tanager, Woods Harbour, May 6, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI04kfCZ0luLjalSvxqD_IE2p7oO_mktn3X9iRNNcFcEE2w4m5dLRiE2UuYHphuImFMURG3zoGEG3xFpbLfuD0X1pEHBfd04FqAc3ZiGmMuic0cokOkKMwyZx4SsIFxZfGf71KxLAkhRE/s1600/DSC_8486_GRHE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI04kfCZ0luLjalSvxqD_IE2p7oO_mktn3X9iRNNcFcEE2w4m5dLRiE2UuYHphuImFMURG3zoGEG3xFpbLfuD0X1pEHBfd04FqAc3ZiGmMuic0cokOkKMwyZx4SsIFxZfGf71KxLAkhRE/s1600/DSC_8486_GRHE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Heron, Pubnico, May 6, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijh6q2_rbJT7aqw1BiW-W83J6XtqBJ2Y3UGsgjINkyG9YAgnju0xKGBRfs2rzetb90ymaq9V4AfbCy2PDFujvve5G0KMZmZ83aJdQM3kIsqduCkWLUaL_hb9MYCBpWPz-9APQvksXSZoY/s1600/DSC_8922_STSA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijh6q2_rbJT7aqw1BiW-W83J6XtqBJ2Y3UGsgjINkyG9YAgnju0xKGBRfs2rzetb90ymaq9V4AfbCy2PDFujvve5G0KMZmZ83aJdQM3kIsqduCkWLUaL_hb9MYCBpWPz-9APQvksXSZoY/s320/DSC_8922_STSA.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stilt Sandpiper, Cape Sable Island, May 7, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_8J1l4H6apXQrDKPjjNcYd8Q4OGJN5tfyJYykePFMqvjEl3iO2UvqhJQie19U3nooDV0OGTUCNjZFPBnxTclnDtPFMxfnscd50-MrAznOjxSoLCxBU0EfZEIRPJL0oz__rCdvyDLL-w/s1600/DSC_8721_CUSA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_8J1l4H6apXQrDKPjjNcYd8Q4OGJN5tfyJYykePFMqvjEl3iO2UvqhJQie19U3nooDV0OGTUCNjZFPBnxTclnDtPFMxfnscd50-MrAznOjxSoLCxBU0EfZEIRPJL0oz__rCdvyDLL-w/s320/DSC_8721_CUSA.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of two Curlew Sandpipers, Cape Sable Island, May 7, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsCQ9XERsWNsO9MxeVqer5E8dpi66FWAH8-n3iGY52lYBStqJqvfeoFiHWMF6E1TNn944OJrQW8J9ug8TcpfvHbQs_8W4p9cOai5S72AiSkXrWXSyXQtnkXft5f8ISIQugtYrxvtJpIs/s1600/DSC_9050_GCTH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsCQ9XERsWNsO9MxeVqer5E8dpi66FWAH8-n3iGY52lYBStqJqvfeoFiHWMF6E1TNn944OJrQW8J9ug8TcpfvHbQs_8W4p9cOai5S72AiSkXrWXSyXQtnkXft5f8ISIQugtYrxvtJpIs/s320/DSC_9050_GCTH.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray-cheeked Thrush, Chebogue, May 8, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAD3m1Qr96pqoLH6LPY4g4npdhNM-qCLUZGdeWBDV5gVXEccC0i5lCr0bIqQl7kLf0m1Sj-VGY340937N7YrZTms84ulK_4HQCMvAm7nNvtZAfaNUyzUkvCA5eDeqovXMO78g0x_6GZLI/s1600/DSC_9500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAD3m1Qr96pqoLH6LPY4g4npdhNM-qCLUZGdeWBDV5gVXEccC0i5lCr0bIqQl7kLf0m1Sj-VGY340937N7YrZTms84ulK_4HQCMvAm7nNvtZAfaNUyzUkvCA5eDeqovXMO78g0x_6GZLI/s320/DSC_9500.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indigo Bunting, Cape Sable Island, May 15, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZS-hxSkEuYfeRPMfD9jqr1K3U5zi01F3vaYXjwpgpJMJ5BvB_G4UnAJnnfUEkzeZxHbIYQFm_7ISYU3AJSpnurNnHwWGM-rUdRLPVCpo4XqZX65uznJCpco2SSrkk02RvGfh-4Mij5HA/s1600/DSC_9518_OROR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZS-hxSkEuYfeRPMfD9jqr1K3U5zi01F3vaYXjwpgpJMJ5BvB_G4UnAJnnfUEkzeZxHbIYQFm_7ISYU3AJSpnurNnHwWGM-rUdRLPVCpo4XqZX65uznJCpco2SSrkk02RvGfh-4Mij5HA/s320/DSC_9518_OROR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchard Oriole, Cape Sable Island, May 15, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqIOBmxd6wkcTzqmaiUDsbFXZgzzCHa2WV0qqIJAWkz0qqsxWXpLhvL1jWk9LPq6jcYkI6C8SReDdRJl4f7gmr75vkyxkHDUv_Tbf9j_b-Ly5UIG3dvxtaiCH_6muMKmpK2L5zUTgyLk/s1600/DSC_9416_LBHE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqIOBmxd6wkcTzqmaiUDsbFXZgzzCHa2WV0qqIJAWkz0qqsxWXpLhvL1jWk9LPq6jcYkI6C8SReDdRJl4f7gmr75vkyxkHDUv_Tbf9j_b-Ly5UIG3dvxtaiCH_6muMKmpK2L5zUTgyLk/s320/DSC_9416_LBHE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Blue Heron, Pubnico, May 15, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlSyc2ZzGEZNecW6QftznBeBc1TswVpE6o9HkuK8fAzu_I44OK3QHOB7Myze4Tg72MHdo80N-KhFeVuPF8WxaJTxU5O1gKfBAP-y2MbDKDhLKd5HqZuZ9vJzwJL08tfpH0cgL_7bD-HQ/s1600/DSC_0709_COGA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlSyc2ZzGEZNecW6QftznBeBc1TswVpE6o9HkuK8fAzu_I44OK3QHOB7Myze4Tg72MHdo80N-KhFeVuPF8WxaJTxU5O1gKfBAP-y2MbDKDhLKd5HqZuZ9vJzwJL08tfpH0cgL_7bD-HQ/s320/DSC_0709_COGA.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Gallinule, Cape Sable Island, May 25, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTAZ6ocwRtepSe6oNHySWIqVD_fx_Pk9UZ6fg0ls4Y_IT7XegWpZLBDuy8wyrH53BkcbNjwzV4NbP1Q-Im37bTIs03fvoCa2GDuWU7VSy3e_l_roc4C3fSLS0Hj7L3bVEuo1qin-QH8c/s1600/DSC_0715_GLIB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTAZ6ocwRtepSe6oNHySWIqVD_fx_Pk9UZ6fg0ls4Y_IT7XegWpZLBDuy8wyrH53BkcbNjwzV4NbP1Q-Im37bTIs03fvoCa2GDuWU7VSy3e_l_roc4C3fSLS0Hj7L3bVEuo1qin-QH8c/s320/DSC_0715_GLIB.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glossy Ibis, Cape Sable Island, May 25, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPvQ9HExxt_MayvRz2f5KHwk-ZmbdzXss8JVM1sy7X1Dbi-0DYR1pMsxTXbBraAij8PLexaxcoSucEbDZDanu7rU8R08NdUn9jBW21Dj5M-qh2nZKJ2528TFEHm1_50l4z3bnG_uvEDU/s1600/DSC_1417_WIFL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPvQ9HExxt_MayvRz2f5KHwk-ZmbdzXss8JVM1sy7X1Dbi-0DYR1pMsxTXbBraAij8PLexaxcoSucEbDZDanu7rU8R08NdUn9jBW21Dj5M-qh2nZKJ2528TFEHm1_50l4z3bnG_uvEDU/s320/DSC_1417_WIFL.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willow Flycatcher, Yarmouth, June 6, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NgtaFTCZPY6EIhO9VT9NjYaygXg7_AIh2KNTLRm-R-PfKn47zJNrN41juDA7RHtvpeUIk4fbHAs8q9EoPC48UOrlgrDTHtakuvHExNKzQLwpPaDGMbuoBr_UimaGlKkbvgw5mrMzJuQ/s1600/DSC_0449_RNPH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NgtaFTCZPY6EIhO9VT9NjYaygXg7_AIh2KNTLRm-R-PfKn47zJNrN41juDA7RHtvpeUIk4fbHAs8q9EoPC48UOrlgrDTHtakuvHExNKzQLwpPaDGMbuoBr_UimaGlKkbvgw5mrMzJuQ/s320/DSC_0449_RNPH.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-necked Phalarope, Pubnico, May 17, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFLvTxfIX62K518eBN5Qbq1N-yx83NsMOtTrFX7A24oTrYU4-t9cqAMfbBRkugdot_xHn_g3gu0LdhQiQVQ0TFpH6pMPG1h67ibscvbeh3c4n4QfvUNP_QUbJWynIAX2_F3EbjvYrcc4/s1600/DSC_4078_SATE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFLvTxfIX62K518eBN5Qbq1N-yx83NsMOtTrFX7A24oTrYU4-t9cqAMfbBRkugdot_xHn_g3gu0LdhQiQVQ0TFpH6pMPG1h67ibscvbeh3c4n4QfvUNP_QUbJWynIAX2_F3EbjvYrcc4/s320/DSC_4078_SATE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandwich Tern, Pubnico, July 13, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXjPrPs75XFavXjf6Zdz9buLixD8UJlKpJxTp4EPjk4AgkYOSFxEi3Jer0E9tMvPHIYKZBD8EFojd5QfC_yi6CNK7uBNCjSKAz6SxCPrcP0C9-kVkNSotQ-E2ElXi08XtyZdC54JPntM/s1600/DSC_4284+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXjPrPs75XFavXjf6Zdz9buLixD8UJlKpJxTp4EPjk4AgkYOSFxEi3Jer0E9tMvPHIYKZBD8EFojd5QfC_yi6CNK7uBNCjSKAz6SxCPrcP0C9-kVkNSotQ-E2ElXi08XtyZdC54JPntM/s320/DSC_4284+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-billed Cuckoo, Pubnico, July 13, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CppjsUKH0WBvx1mhWfR1PqNgF2ou5vkNOOjtl3Xg5CObKIMHVgZqXhjK0Koj-K1pcmrsZeYU7NB7O1wHOxW1uQHS32CUKOiKfNni2NeEm7wf0sr0IvINNLeFFlJBIE76SjCewhzkPnc/s1600/DSC_3705_YCNH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CppjsUKH0WBvx1mhWfR1PqNgF2ou5vkNOOjtl3Xg5CObKIMHVgZqXhjK0Koj-K1pcmrsZeYU7NB7O1wHOxW1uQHS32CUKOiKfNni2NeEm7wf0sr0IvINNLeFFlJBIE76SjCewhzkPnc/s320/DSC_3705_YCNH.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, West Green Harbour, July 13, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplozBSAzqULhLG2txHl-x5O0-hfo_Xuy69zJRvBp_tkZyky9ys-0XNDhWGqD8XhD_3xsPHyOdeFlaRSuJFMLXLXLY-ekfAcLL1DJ6-SsumM2EIo2ebnD1Ywm-nqTnuis-8fFpyIpB4ZE/s1600/DSC_4932_RUFF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplozBSAzqULhLG2txHl-x5O0-hfo_Xuy69zJRvBp_tkZyky9ys-0XNDhWGqD8XhD_3xsPHyOdeFlaRSuJFMLXLXLY-ekfAcLL1DJ6-SsumM2EIo2ebnD1Ywm-nqTnuis-8fFpyIpB4ZE/s320/DSC_4932_RUFF.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruff, Amherst, July 22, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheKTwljbXFqMKLdiI-z15u3oNw7EazUXsPC2L4TZRr06FLAad6tYPgqCuG5vDNJB7JrymJzUX4FefjuQyC2p6hkBFu0yjG2HBnJF33xL0H1Mjx6BeHp3Pxf1mXVtCwVJvAsvVyJ6IMgc/s1600/DSC_5027_BLTE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheKTwljbXFqMKLdiI-z15u3oNw7EazUXsPC2L4TZRr06FLAad6tYPgqCuG5vDNJB7JrymJzUX4FefjuQyC2p6hkBFu0yjG2HBnJF33xL0H1Mjx6BeHp3Pxf1mXVtCwVJvAsvVyJ6IMgc/s320/DSC_5027_BLTE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Tern, Amherst, July 22, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-G9Vez_UqLxHxPxUecdYOqUQPNDx2RQO-sGd6_a9aT0zkCxiZdvHLCeyEyyaXVJgJ0zyfl86y0akbLExAyueUVGVSxDI0rpcAWA3tHNX5TipfHrp4w8oh401kCTkym-F6tPNn6SkAG8/s1600/DSC_5728_NRWS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-G9Vez_UqLxHxPxUecdYOqUQPNDx2RQO-sGd6_a9aT0zkCxiZdvHLCeyEyyaXVJgJ0zyfl86y0akbLExAyueUVGVSxDI0rpcAWA3tHNX5TipfHrp4w8oh401kCTkym-F6tPNn6SkAG8/s320/DSC_5728_NRWS.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Chebogue Pt, August 3, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNX9rxyi11CcJWVVHxBh2b0OqBsKdoOep32hhlImQQUAgpkl76Lnx4S9fbaYFtnPmwDck1MElnqNd3ZoGRbqU2WFsHgFmO8s_wl9k23Ay6ZFeqh54LQL-ZIONWS_OOMtoi2N8Ypzh5kPM/s1600/DSC_6545_COSH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNX9rxyi11CcJWVVHxBh2b0OqBsKdoOep32hhlImQQUAgpkl76Lnx4S9fbaYFtnPmwDck1MElnqNd3ZoGRbqU2WFsHgFmO8s_wl9k23Ay6ZFeqh54LQL-ZIONWS_OOMtoi2N8Ypzh5kPM/s320/DSC_6545_COSH.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cory's Shearwater, German Bank, August 13, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGcqKGeLPdIgBAHtUvPwV5ZTjttOFPs5USAJ5E8_F2TjfHX2y-dpgGBk3WOL-uMGNCF-5MQU3V18SysAqkiZQxCm4YYF82WTuyqSbnTf7f2-PaEDEnS7Jp_CZqj0ywe36ceG0h81iE2s/s1600/DSC_6840_MASH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGcqKGeLPdIgBAHtUvPwV5ZTjttOFPs5USAJ5E8_F2TjfHX2y-dpgGBk3WOL-uMGNCF-5MQU3V18SysAqkiZQxCm4YYF82WTuyqSbnTf7f2-PaEDEnS7Jp_CZqj0ywe36ceG0h81iE2s/s320/DSC_6840_MASH.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manx Shearwater, German Bank, August 13, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlKdIQaF-EmGcWCLjtN9lP51FBDYNg-W8i9lfebBleUsNv4P451_Z5iwA7v0v8Ifd01h7skp-IIbHftEs3l9dl7QH_CVbxEGhjovxuHXvOzntj6wEvTUXhs8PkF7gsFjw3qIeb-dygE8/s1600/DSC_8589__BBSA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlKdIQaF-EmGcWCLjtN9lP51FBDYNg-W8i9lfebBleUsNv4P451_Z5iwA7v0v8Ifd01h7skp-IIbHftEs3l9dl7QH_CVbxEGhjovxuHXvOzntj6wEvTUXhs8PkF7gsFjw3qIeb-dygE8/s320/DSC_8589__BBSA.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Cape Sable, August 27, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjfzLnQPJJMlm9u0vvEylfqcFZ_rZTHiYpRx-IaxFzbuaMhuJ-v6QcZYKorDFqDhyphenhyphen_t5bipwRiPN5Dw3VxFdMkoOAWdWmjERP8JJ6rbwc8_I3v81YTvSnsO4tSeIy0aHw9k3crnPzoUk/s1600/DSC_8799_CMWA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjfzLnQPJJMlm9u0vvEylfqcFZ_rZTHiYpRx-IaxFzbuaMhuJ-v6QcZYKorDFqDhyphenhyphen_t5bipwRiPN5Dw3VxFdMkoOAWdWmjERP8JJ6rbwc8_I3v81YTvSnsO4tSeIy0aHw9k3crnPzoUk/s320/DSC_8799_CMWA.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape May Warblers, Bon Portage Island, August 28, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGV-sb-O2F9WiPkgTmqqacam9PCxlcqPOj-8cCggrc6m15AxqXnKgdqBzl3xDtGgoIymeKMb2k6C9ZTT16h7mWxt3gN7Id0uYZbfxosLYTGKMOAOqvICdKGO2Lvt7aUX3mhQ4GXNI3RE/s1600/DSC_9195_CERW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGV-sb-O2F9WiPkgTmqqacam9PCxlcqPOj-8cCggrc6m15AxqXnKgdqBzl3xDtGgoIymeKMb2k6C9ZTT16h7mWxt3gN7Id0uYZbfxosLYTGKMOAOqvICdKGO2Lvt7aUX3mhQ4GXNI3RE/s320/DSC_9195_CERW.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cerulean Warbler, Bon Portage Island, September 3, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilc80NQR5p2DE0ixh1FSn9Zi0Yg7xqcFXkYSBbT2ciisZh-bhKRunlLKcDdSOnWnnk5CX1P5DEtJL5CIVURi8GkqB4My5MzUAm8H0gFq3Yj6nkgWUuSGQ2ZmHhpRLFNriXRWdJmGVD7yg/s1600/DSC_9371_REKN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilc80NQR5p2DE0ixh1FSn9Zi0Yg7xqcFXkYSBbT2ciisZh-bhKRunlLKcDdSOnWnnk5CX1P5DEtJL5CIVURi8GkqB4My5MzUAm8H0gFq3Yj6nkgWUuSGQ2ZmHhpRLFNriXRWdJmGVD7yg/s320/DSC_9371_REKN.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Knot, Peases Island, September 4, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6HUGJTM8z5yxd0eVuPBq3G7Yv9vX3i5vMaJG2UfphhSyOwO_nnjh7bkevNBhS_hGofIfr5jJlrXfh3bNRcMlagL39SOJ39MB-Yb_yTaSn4u5dbhcJpBEMHus49txKer2sLpr3cPRRzE/s1600/DSC_9673_PHVI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6HUGJTM8z5yxd0eVuPBq3G7Yv9vX3i5vMaJG2UfphhSyOwO_nnjh7bkevNBhS_hGofIfr5jJlrXfh3bNRcMlagL39SOJ39MB-Yb_yTaSn4u5dbhcJpBEMHus49txKer2sLpr3cPRRzE/s320/DSC_9673_PHVI.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Philedelphia Vireo, John's Island, September 10, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsK5tlTE3Ay9Mni4DMtgUpoao8m-UMRkKqzUXEJojihyBMkxTd4sWz8I1mEvokbzkabW4pmYJm0T-CwIDGusFc__slkk2d9N5mHyZh1k1r4czynEI9gq7Kcy6Q3SEmL5JV0fmnFi39l8/s1600/DSC_9939_LEBI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsK5tlTE3Ay9Mni4DMtgUpoao8m-UMRkKqzUXEJojihyBMkxTd4sWz8I1mEvokbzkabW4pmYJm0T-CwIDGusFc__slkk2d9N5mHyZh1k1r4czynEI9gq7Kcy6Q3SEmL5JV0fmnFi39l8/s320/DSC_9939_LEBI.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Least Bittern, CSI, September 16, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnPbAZhKMOpR3CS3sIARnZhQhYdIDzgpIdKzkHfIZ9D9zqPMjDlfKpHoihzhjzJr3_wGYQto8lZdyQ6jaeK3KYwBC70O14KFCT1wF5QAHD_OBaq4t4KJ6xV9QykkShISiXewmRSCliuY/s1600/DSC_0232_SPSK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnPbAZhKMOpR3CS3sIARnZhQhYdIDzgpIdKzkHfIZ9D9zqPMjDlfKpHoihzhjzJr3_wGYQto8lZdyQ6jaeK3KYwBC70O14KFCT1wF5QAHD_OBaq4t4KJ6xV9QykkShISiXewmRSCliuY/s320/DSC_0232_SPSK.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South Polar Skua, Bay of Fundy, September 24, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNT6WIC1WxVafM33Ts8vnCLCLXxjFB4AUAx601MGFR9uVpBn75Cn1gVHd-JS6x3yAGxqiZJMRpS_NV31JYoFpdtoBduFUw5B72pmk402bX1dA5ZxwlOxwT_UdEnc9JzQ8YmYiCRSUMugI/s1600/DSC_0748_1_AGPL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNT6WIC1WxVafM33Ts8vnCLCLXxjFB4AUAx601MGFR9uVpBn75Cn1gVHd-JS6x3yAGxqiZJMRpS_NV31JYoFpdtoBduFUw5B72pmk402bX1dA5ZxwlOxwT_UdEnc9JzQ8YmYiCRSUMugI/s320/DSC_0748_1_AGPL.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Golden Plover, Cape Sable, October 1, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjEROIRiAfl3W471nSeTojOTBctxPh7xRM7y5yv4Qq-ujS35D6nQotnQU-IPsnVHWQzCOUgKs2ti_oYT6a07T6dBrbNAHxrr5bkEwt66qSt2JqfoyQEQcPFGp-ZiiiKz_oRw-1IV63gI/s1600/DSC_0995_YBCH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjEROIRiAfl3W471nSeTojOTBctxPh7xRM7y5yv4Qq-ujS35D6nQotnQU-IPsnVHWQzCOUgKs2ti_oYT6a07T6dBrbNAHxrr5bkEwt66qSt2JqfoyQEQcPFGp-ZiiiKz_oRw-1IV63gI/s320/DSC_0995_YBCH.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-breasted Chat, Pubnico Pt, October 2, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3lY8KLK5WbYgh_b_ilN_3TI-G7q1IIJ-D9xiqodnmgHis9bwbgVBQd8dSsUUN7P01DbojR34kniqpatAO5XqH8YqPLeM9ggtnwpCXYV8LFXoXQilgyo8uMkoWxUfY6vJqJKUIH-pCwI/s1600/DSC_1003_PRAW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3lY8KLK5WbYgh_b_ilN_3TI-G7q1IIJ-D9xiqodnmgHis9bwbgVBQd8dSsUUN7P01DbojR34kniqpatAO5XqH8YqPLeM9ggtnwpCXYV8LFXoXQilgyo8uMkoWxUfY6vJqJKUIH-pCwI/s320/DSC_1003_PRAW.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prairie Warbler, Pubnico Pt, October 2, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuQI63zTUrKzlZoZeaz-BW4tqpjSE1koFzScbUwXJ_CIsEedKO4bsuLuGihciU8PU_XaVo2eYWAf21FIHcXia3djcJdwIFp3uTQ-FGdKHyIS2s-WgOCpUZRhhQrrBlbOlEwqYJVBvAOE/s1600/DSC_2388_COHA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuQI63zTUrKzlZoZeaz-BW4tqpjSE1koFzScbUwXJ_CIsEedKO4bsuLuGihciU8PU_XaVo2eYWAf21FIHcXia3djcJdwIFp3uTQ-FGdKHyIS2s-WgOCpUZRhhQrrBlbOlEwqYJVBvAOE/s320/DSC_2388_COHA.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooper's Hawk, Pubnico Pt, October 31, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3fQa-ECJVlXH5lGMUnK6d5GFo7IHVrxqUqC7yD6ZBCWkXQm4v47SPEXjR3NXtLLJZIGTogD5rz_p-I2VCXmYgtAC68Em7WP3j4AUSWjM3HwMP4RyEzF-_xnpXd7X6Jsp8SWirUIeCJM/s1600/DSC_2516_CCSP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3fQa-ECJVlXH5lGMUnK6d5GFo7IHVrxqUqC7yD6ZBCWkXQm4v47SPEXjR3NXtLLJZIGTogD5rz_p-I2VCXmYgtAC68Em7WP3j4AUSWjM3HwMP4RyEzF-_xnpXd7X6Jsp8SWirUIeCJM/s320/DSC_2516_CCSP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay-colored Sparrow, Pubnico Pt, November 2, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIFM3syIjJ25vmNN_q9CMs3UfTG8kD1EW7tj8kLZCx50kwRRrTMDazX_ByL7cFEYk79kfTdmE-AuCcHrVvQoXzxS8OK2UyJMUTi3prmWRlxi_ka8-RYp62PBitZoA8Hnjkb7rGI-0uag/s1600/DSC_3544_RBWO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIFM3syIjJ25vmNN_q9CMs3UfTG8kD1EW7tj8kLZCx50kwRRrTMDazX_ByL7cFEYk79kfTdmE-AuCcHrVvQoXzxS8OK2UyJMUTi3prmWRlxi_ka8-RYp62PBitZoA8Hnjkb7rGI-0uag/s320/DSC_3544_RBWO.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-bellied Woodpecker, Tusket, November 18, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nqR89_zeOH4AY6fmrLa1cTJ_jxrtUgOc0UD07MU4fRxQByNRc7zD0FeHwJinCgKzPrfW7MkbhA2EXurRGl7fWwaz7tgM9eQGLhCW98xa_QQGfXPh7_e2Tx7lNi7ByVvsqD2Yn8IJm3k/s1600/DSC_3573_RHWO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nqR89_zeOH4AY6fmrLa1cTJ_jxrtUgOc0UD07MU4fRxQByNRc7zD0FeHwJinCgKzPrfW7MkbhA2EXurRGl7fWwaz7tgM9eQGLhCW98xa_QQGfXPh7_e2Tx7lNi7ByVvsqD2Yn8IJm3k/s320/DSC_3573_RHWO.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-headed Woodpecker, West Pubnico, November 19, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcx06-7AGEInpr5kQiym4FQTH8G4SrtOsV3uhklR019n38O5-o_Dn1yIX_tCYvwb0j_pmb2ajFhf85aQJQTVpCrgPAgeC-oqev2lyOUKojeJdelAvfxWiSgF6kq58Z9Sjd_6INDMrauk/s1600/DSC_3637_BHGU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcx06-7AGEInpr5kQiym4FQTH8G4SrtOsV3uhklR019n38O5-o_Dn1yIX_tCYvwb0j_pmb2ajFhf85aQJQTVpCrgPAgeC-oqev2lyOUKojeJdelAvfxWiSgF6kq58Z9Sjd_6INDMrauk/s320/DSC_3637_BHGU.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-headed Gull, Meteghan, November 20, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziBRH-t9kjgTs1NrWBI2JSx8ZUybbeKakb4AdOF8TUnMEVJ75yktoJwOubps-0WluzTsF0LwR2TNhhjVD5UWSLqUjf4LNLDLQ8KDYLLTxzYh-Oo-sNVqAMY7edtLkQNVMWsoaG3MgXu0/s1600/DSC_3692_PFGO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziBRH-t9kjgTs1NrWBI2JSx8ZUybbeKakb4AdOF8TUnMEVJ75yktoJwOubps-0WluzTsF0LwR2TNhhjVD5UWSLqUjf4LNLDLQ8KDYLLTxzYh-Oo-sNVqAMY7edtLkQNVMWsoaG3MgXu0/s320/DSC_3692_PFGO.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink-footed Goose, Cape Jon, November 24, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nfE2YP0yDfZyNqKvQpFV9rj0icgt7IJwsXQCQhLxXZw4ZFW9S_vwaiwv93qzBidtlfD0ltcfQZ_hK5fgSR0NjV8C0NFsqCVZePLhieH_IieThOdNQ9Ha1d5GtS_xySoWnXxjLv9so4Y/s1600/DSC_3900_LASP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nfE2YP0yDfZyNqKvQpFV9rj0icgt7IJwsXQCQhLxXZw4ZFW9S_vwaiwv93qzBidtlfD0ltcfQZ_hK5fgSR0NjV8C0NFsqCVZePLhieH_IieThOdNQ9Ha1d5GtS_xySoWnXxjLv9so4Y/s320/DSC_3900_LASP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lark Sparrow, Canso, November 25, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NlPv6xm7huZkFMxX-KvXEqwU-HMQQYMMb_khp55Hm8H8YYK-mpSkzt42p6tCTOXmEAjKdcMYtVCaWBf6cxaya3vYESuS4s6B5K9HX7hWMIWgLbJthavut8kLR-Iir_nBeLJJ9tzWURU/s1600/DSC_4736_GWFG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NlPv6xm7huZkFMxX-KvXEqwU-HMQQYMMb_khp55Hm8H8YYK-mpSkzt42p6tCTOXmEAjKdcMYtVCaWBf6cxaya3vYESuS4s6B5K9HX7hWMIWgLbJthavut8kLR-Iir_nBeLJJ9tzWURU/s320/DSC_4736_GWFG.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater White-fronted Goose, Yarmouth, December 19, 2016.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-75905562778955642632016-10-23T17:56:00.000-03:002016-10-23T18:00:36.595-03:00Nova Scotia's Second Calliope Hummingbird<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My father, Arthur d'Entremont, photographed a hummingbird at our house in Pubnico, Yarmouth County, on October 21, 2016. I was at work at the time and when I arrived I set up the feeder to see if it would appear again. As I write this, it is two days later and the bird hasn't reappeared.<br />
<br />
I had noted the short-looking tail and had asked David Bell and Dominic Cormier for their opinions. They both said that at first look it reminded them of a Calliope Hummingbird, a western species. I then posted photos of the bird to the 'Advanced Bird ID' Facebook page for comments. Sheri L. Williamson quickly wrote back with this response.<br />
<br />
"Good call on the tail, Alix. Ruby-throateds often appear quite portly in fall, but this bird's short tail, proportionally large head, and pale face ID it as a Calliope."<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzi9B7o_AOPxDMS_GZ-OFGA4arSJ949-UKzh8jXxw6XUyO1iIgzk3icpaA2HheaLYzPmhcuVGUkZgJCZ8LVAArEKww-0_kNrtrx4qv857UWZZcr4AWV_449GalrwmaBAY25gnDp8Ihfo/s1600/IMG_0063_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzi9B7o_AOPxDMS_GZ-OFGA4arSJ949-UKzh8jXxw6XUyO1iIgzk3icpaA2HheaLYzPmhcuVGUkZgJCZ8LVAArEKww-0_kNrtrx4qv857UWZZcr4AWV_449GalrwmaBAY25gnDp8Ihfo/s400/IMG_0063_.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 1. </b>Calliope Hummingbird in Middle West Pubnico, Nova Scotia, Canada, October 21, 2016. <i>Photo by Arthur d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Sheri is an ornithologist and author of <i>A Field Guide to Hummingbirds of North America</i> in the Peterson Field Guide Series. She went on to mention that other supporting features are the pale loral spot at the base of the bill and what appears to be dark R1s. I inquired about age/sex and she said that these hummingbirds are even tough to age/sex in the hand and that this one was a female-type.<br />
<br />
A second-year male Calliope present briefly at a feeder in Lunenburg on September 16, 2010 is the only other record in Nova Scotia, making this Pubnico bird the second record for the province (McLaren 2012). Photos of this 2010 record can be seen in <a href="http://www.nsbirdsociety.ca/Publications/Newsletters/Vol%2053,%20number%201%20Winter%202011.pdf" target="_blank">Nova Scotia Birds Vol 53, No 1</a>. This bird is a long-distant migrant, and records of accidentals during fall migration and winter are increasingly common in the southeast and south-central US (Calder and Calder 1994).<br />
<br />
Figure 2 shows the Calliope in comparison to our default Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Note how the Calliope is very compact, with a short tail and large head. I've added arrows to allow easier visualization of the relative size of the body parts. In fact, the Calliope is North America's smallest breeding bird (length of 3.25"). The tail on a perched Calliope do not reach the folded wing tip. (Calder and Calder 1994)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHnKTjpGePTKfqurYEhr5G0SqXC5QR3YusMB20QEy6cgQ595PAJGVWBbzRthVbpiPmFEzDVrHKF5t_stkIeP6G2_ykYNP1UYwOjG94Oe0uRlI8jMwP1eVFweIIErjoYujohcY811_438/s1600/D70_3358_1_comparison_anno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHnKTjpGePTKfqurYEhr5G0SqXC5QR3YusMB20QEy6cgQ595PAJGVWBbzRthVbpiPmFEzDVrHKF5t_stkIeP6G2_ykYNP1UYwOjG94Oe0uRlI8jMwP1eVFweIIErjoYujohcY811_438/s400/D70_3358_1_comparison_anno.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 2. </b>Ruby-throated Hummingbird (left) and Calliope Hummingbird (right). Photos by Alix d'Entremont (left, <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">August 26, 2014</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">) and Arthur d'Entremont (right, October 21, 2016).</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
Even though proportions are enough to confidently identify this hummingbird to species, there are a couple other supporting features. The pale loral area near the base of the bill (Fig. 1) and the apparent dark central tail feathers (Figs. 1, 3 & 4) are characteristic of Calliope. The apparent change in amount of buffy colouration between photos is likely just a result of the poor photography conditions. The photos were taken with a point-and-shoot through a window on a rainy day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjRpKCVnz7P2QniLBb_-KsWorBcmM5Ng7t_F6xqtto3Kw_bbo6bvhUbHH0hxl1nqOjdcyyRQ2gBdddGoIETQrvTCq_3Nq_2Y4Be67zCkvdYtYZ2tOJEwfWkdvBrF0z9FkWjA8FtCEqTI/s1600/IMG_0059_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjRpKCVnz7P2QniLBb_-KsWorBcmM5Ng7t_F6xqtto3Kw_bbo6bvhUbHH0hxl1nqOjdcyyRQ2gBdddGoIETQrvTCq_3Nq_2Y4Be67zCkvdYtYZ2tOJEwfWkdvBrF0z9FkWjA8FtCEqTI/s400/IMG_0059_.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Figure 3. </b><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Calliope Hummingbird in Middle West Pubnico, Nova Scotia, Canada, October 21, 2016. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Arthur d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbMC6nBAMsChDAGb6ytbMV4XIpNCZCh4TChyphenhyphengKhTqP2-zmrMrbqWezs8AM__n__3R6xH2q1Tt6NynnaaEJIPElNIQQ6fjOZkqZLX1IomEC9y1GAG649ZLIAId48WKe55uVEB_BlOSwCI/s1600/IMG_0060_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbMC6nBAMsChDAGb6ytbMV4XIpNCZCh4TChyphenhyphengKhTqP2-zmrMrbqWezs8AM__n__3R6xH2q1Tt6NynnaaEJIPElNIQQ6fjOZkqZLX1IomEC9y1GAG649ZLIAId48WKe55uVEB_BlOSwCI/s400/IMG_0060_.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Figure 4. </b><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Calliope Hummingbird in Middle West Pubnico, Nova Scotia, Canada, October 21, 2016. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Arthur d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was recently discovered through old photos that our house had <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2016/05/new-historical-record-nova-scotias-2nd.html" target="_blank">Nova Scotia's second Rock Wren</a> back in 2012, now we have this Calliope Hummingbird, also a second for the province. Too bad I wasn't able to see the hummingbird, but at least my father did and was able to get identifiable photos through a window with his brand new point-and-shoot camera.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>References:</b><br />
McLaren, I.A. 2012. All the Birds of Nova Scotia: status & critical identification. Gaspereau Press Ltd, Kentville, N.S., Canada<br />
<br />
Calder, William A. and Lorene L. Calder. (1994). Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope), The Birds of North America (P. G. Rodewald, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America: https://birdsna.org/Species-Account/bna/species/calhum<br />
DOI: 10.2173/bna.135</div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-20999812378637588352016-09-25T18:26:00.001-03:002016-09-25T21:43:13.517-03:00Identification of a South Polar Skua<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Skuas in the Maritimes</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Most Great Skua reports in our province are of birds between August and early April (McLaren 2012), while some birds can remain in the North Atlantic throughout the year (Newell et al. 2013). Great Skuas have been recorded in summer off New England and the Maritimes (Dunne 2006). The South Polar Skua is typically seen from late May through September (Mclaren 2012). Given the timing overlap, care must be taken when identifying these birds.<br />
<br />
<i>Size</i><br />
Those with experience seeing both skua species notice subtle differences in size and structure between the two species expected in Nova Scotia waters. In relation to Great, South Polar averages smaller and more lightly built, with more slender bill and narrow wings (Alderfer 2014). Newell et al. (2013) caution that these differences are difficult to quantify, and due to the overlap in bill, wing, and tarsus measurements, species identification usually relies on plumage features.<br />
<br />
<i>Adult Plumage</i><br />
Adult South Polar Skuas are cold-toned, with generally plain head, neck and upperparts, except for pale buff and gold streaks on the hindneck (Newell et al. 2013). Adult Greats are warm-toned, with extensive pale buff and gold streaking and mottling on the head, neck and upperparts (Newell et al. 2013). Most, but not all, adults show a dark cap (Dunne 2006). Both of these species have light, intermediate and dark morphs, but McLaren (2012) states that the light morph South Polar is extremely rare in the North Atlantic. Behrens and Cox (2013) describe how Great Skuas typically show clear contrast between the paler wing coverts and darker flight feathers and very little contrast between the coverts and back, whereas South Polar Skuas have uniformly blackish wings.<br />
<br />
<i>Juvenile Plumage</i><br />
Juvenile South Polar Skuas fledge in about February, and have medium to dark grey head and body plumage contrasting with dark upperparts and underwing coverts. They sometimes show a paler back and can have a slightly paler band across the nape or distinctly paler head than body (Behrens and Cox 2013). Juvenile Great Skuas fledge in about August, have variably rufous (or reddish)-toned underparts, a dark hood and contrasting dark upperparts, with broad, paler, crescent-shaped subterminal markings on the scapulars and wing coverts (Newell et al. 2013). They are overall darker and cleaner looking than adults and show two-toned wings similar to adults, but with less contrast (Behrens and Cox 2013). The leading edge of the wing is often rusty brown (Behrens and Cox 2013). Some dark juvenile Great Skuas can appear to entirely lack the pale marks on the scapulars and thus are similar to South Polar. (Newell et al. 2013)<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>The September Brier Pelagic Skua</b><br />
<br />
On September 24, 2016, forty-one birders gathered at Brier Island to partake in a pelagic trip organized by Mark Dennis. Two skuas were observed during the 4.5 hours that we were in the Bay of Fundy. Views of the second skua prompted discussion on the boat as to its identification. Many photos were taken and it was decided that we should review the literature and photographs later to reach a confident conclusion at the species level. My photos of this bird are presented here.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SBDbudkldH8tw7jDxe4eAl1d3VoHZJmGF5pGZkgkLxTfv645mbRmzqU_LPaY_p46Ve_dYTRHs24rjlYClgY5IpDgQFcuNqHXGdi7nxXUilBAkWJrMsVQiXEgke_9-_Lo6oLdsnrhQ3A/s1600/DSC_0232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SBDbudkldH8tw7jDxe4eAl1d3VoHZJmGF5pGZkgkLxTfv645mbRmzqU_LPaY_p46Ve_dYTRHs24rjlYClgY5IpDgQFcuNqHXGdi7nxXUilBAkWJrMsVQiXEgke_9-_Lo6oLdsnrhQ3A/s320/DSC_0232.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 1.</b> South Polar Skua in the Bay of Fundy on Sep 24, 2016. Shape and size are hard to judge, but the head appears small, the bill slightly thinner and chest less bulging in comparison to a Great Skua. The dark portion of the face appears to form a mask rather than a cap like in Great Skua. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAg1xMRAg0DIaSPZpsFV-YAAFnc2UqWXq902fe7I9QpJl5svaZ5B2kCJT591B1hgCEfw2smABFORem-Wgk5nZwFT_3wCm7DalrKhCK8iOVvlUrYYRu08W_cl0RkikzG_tfVyg2cQWmWM/s1600/DSC_0235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAg1xMRAg0DIaSPZpsFV-YAAFnc2UqWXq902fe7I9QpJl5svaZ5B2kCJT591B1hgCEfw2smABFORem-Wgk5nZwFT_3wCm7DalrKhCK8iOVvlUrYYRu08W_cl0RkikzG_tfVyg2cQWmWM/s320/DSC_0235.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b>Figure 2.</b> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">South Polar</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Skua in the Bay of Fundy on Sep 24, 2016. The pale nape is evident here, but otherwise, the upperparts are uniform dark without any appreciable mottling or streaking. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFllr4HuI6MofYc9KcblF0lDXs9XLRNgEHSPW2jsP19ADBzHR_SiQMQUspbDOx_8bBZKuyqWwDbQ5rFzjAD_j_s2fhDMyqpwzI3mzTLpnbkoZmgfDOjXawvVpGuWyfugJ472-S8O7DZtg/s1600/DSC_0234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFllr4HuI6MofYc9KcblF0lDXs9XLRNgEHSPW2jsP19ADBzHR_SiQMQUspbDOx_8bBZKuyqWwDbQ5rFzjAD_j_s2fhDMyqpwzI3mzTLpnbkoZmgfDOjXawvVpGuWyfugJ472-S8O7DZtg/s320/DSC_0234.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b>Figure 3.</b> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">South Polar</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Skua in the Bay of Fundy on Sep 24, 2016. The almost complete primary moult is visible in this photo. The outer two primaries (P9 and P10) are growing. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Since primary moult is visible on this bird, a recent paper titled <i>South Polar and Great Skuas: the timing of primary moult as an aid to identification</i> (Newell et al. 2013) provides helpful details. This work presents a moult scoring system and an accompanying graph where date and moult score are the x and y axis, respectively. A moult score of 0 points represents a bird with old and unmoulted primaries, while 50 points would be given to a bird with recently and completely moulted primaries.<br />
<br />
Our September 24 skua has almost completed moulting its primary feathers. P1-P8 are completely grown (40 pts) while P9 is almost (4 pts) and P10 is more than half grown (3 pts). This gives our bird a primary moult score of 47; this combined with the date of September 24, plots this bird in a region of the moult score graph presented in Newell et al. (2013) that is unique to older South Polar Skuas. The authors also urge that the resulting identification from the moult score graph should align with other features of the bird in question. The uniform back and wing-coverts and pale neck are supportive of South Polar Skua.<br />
<br />
The moult score graph in Newell et al. (2013) is a very useful tool to confirm tentative skua identifications. We were fortunate that the age and moult timing of this bird resulted in only one option (adult or sub-adult South Polar Skua). Using the graph with some individuals will result in two or three options. In those cases, aging, morphology and plumage features are required to narrow down to species.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>References</b><br />
<br />
Alderfer, J., J.L. Dunn. 2014. (Ed). Complete Birds of North America, 2nd Edition. National Geographic Society. Washington DC, USA.<br />
<br />
Dunne, P. 2006. Pete Dunne's Essential Field Guide Companion: A Comprehensive Resource for Identifying North American Birds. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, NY.<br />
<br />
McLaren, I.A. 2012. All the Birds of Nova Scotia: status & critical identification. Gaspereau Press Ltd, Kentville, N.S., Canada<br />
<br />
Newell, D., S.N.G. Howell and D. Lopez-Velasco. 2013. South Polar and Great Skuas: the timing of primary moult as an aid to identification. British Birds Issue 106, pp. 325-346.<br />
<br />
Behrens, K and C. Cox. 2013. Peterson Reference Guide to Seawatching: Eastern Waterbirds in Flight. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, New York, NY.</div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-91708549320908747082016-09-11T20:00:00.002-03:002016-09-11T20:07:05.263-03:00Cerulean Warbler on Bon Portage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOKTlNScZVhkAqSx_1sGLGDB3gOPOeGkTm5YtpcbBb4UtSlm0j7PfufqYIswiAKG47o3m7rQkPy7pVGwPjHHxl-_04EAMWl6gxX2y-fHy8A5gruhPrDjxb8qc2lGd1yiYBnr8MK6PHiE/s1600/DSC_9195_CERW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOKTlNScZVhkAqSx_1sGLGDB3gOPOeGkTm5YtpcbBb4UtSlm0j7PfufqYIswiAKG47o3m7rQkPy7pVGwPjHHxl-_04EAMWl6gxX2y-fHy8A5gruhPrDjxb8qc2lGd1yiYBnr8MK6PHiE/s640/DSC_9195_CERW.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hatch-year female Cerulean Warbler at Bon Portage, Shelburne County, September 3, 2016. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Status & Recent Sightings</b><br />
McLaren (2012) rates the Cerulean Warbler as a rare vagrant to Nova Scotia with about 45 reported as of the end of 2010. The first was found on Sable Island on June 6, 1968 by C. Bell (<i>Nova Scotia Birds Society Newsletter</i> Vol. 10 No. 2). Sightings since 2010 are listed below:<br />
<br />
Aug. 17, 2011 - Bon Portage Island - Lucas Berrigan<br />
Oct. 2, 2011 - Chebucto Head, Halifax - David Currie (ph.)<br />
Oct. 2, 2011 - Hartlen Point, Halifax - Dennis Garratt, <i>fide</i> David Currie (3 BIRDS!)<br />
May 18, 2012 - Halifax Public Gardens - Dennis Garratt (female)<br />
Sep. 2014 - Lower Sackville, Halifax - Don Robar (<i>fide</i> Clarence Stevens, no details)<br />
Sep. 3, 2016 - Bon Portage Island - David Bell & Alix d'Entremont (imm. female, ph.)<br />
Sep. 2016 - Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Halifax - Dennis Garratt (imm. female)<br />
<br />
<i>*The Oct. 2012 Ceruleans above were part of a larger fallout due to a low-pressure system that moved up the U.S. coast towards us. This system propelled migrants offshore and then directly to Nova Scotia. (NS Birds Vol. 54 No. 1)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Field Encounter</b><br />
Chloe, Molly and Ben Symons joined me on a Zodiac trip to Bon Portage on September 3, 2016. I brought them to the island to show them the bird banding done by the Atlantic Bird Observatory staff.<br />
<br />
We watched a few birds get processed and then made our way south towards the lighthouse. I pulled out an immature Leach's Storm Petrel from a burrow to show the group. While observing the few shorebirds in the pond near the lighthouse, a bat flew in and landed on one of the buildings. I was able to get a few photos and Andrew Hebda (Curator of Zoology at the Nova Scotia Museum) as well as Hugh Broders (Professor of Biology at Saint Mary's University) believe it is likely a Silver-haired Bat.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0YYSVYyHbYXku1zVoWPpakNpF5VNT-QNunS02yxbFy5iVcroRvENA2h5cVpd_qs_UUG9ENFA1LDFIZdVoTA12HEHHfW3NkGp_KgBH67J9hGJOBt1Uzdz4rVppGGsSdhBmqLtBZN9Mnc/s1600/DSC_9103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0YYSVYyHbYXku1zVoWPpakNpF5VNT-QNunS02yxbFy5iVcroRvENA2h5cVpd_qs_UUG9ENFA1LDFIZdVoTA12HEHHfW3NkGp_KgBH67J9hGJOBt1Uzdz4rVppGGsSdhBmqLtBZN9Mnc/s320/DSC_9103.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Silver-haired Bat at Bon Portage, Shelburne County, September 3, 2016. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98YUalQntF8PXXxaKBaHwtHgMGoiISy8CqF4-dvjG0Ol8n29dRJgv5vkfLZFGmXlUhRrmHYiqduhjo4vP0CxOL56ICyIbdtu1rfl5VdceTFoyGbaMqYuCA684tUYsvWO9qxWIUrwQw20/s1600/DSC_9107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98YUalQntF8PXXxaKBaHwtHgMGoiISy8CqF4-dvjG0Ol8n29dRJgv5vkfLZFGmXlUhRrmHYiqduhjo4vP0CxOL56ICyIbdtu1rfl5VdceTFoyGbaMqYuCA684tUYsvWO9qxWIUrwQw20/s320/DSC_9107.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Silver-haired </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Bat at Bon Portage, Shelburne County, September 3, 2016. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpvJZ_7-Hh7HINPGPeB5vnJwueFmgckdHkQRSaLB6uKmof8guZdvNGSPtybP8aec1BchG8j80Ab25J0ROAA1NIlZKbiE1-WE5FENzJpd1w5TrHaURCDwbgvm8DmbJIOe-B_EfpmSY7JY/s1600/DSC_9112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpvJZ_7-Hh7HINPGPeB5vnJwueFmgckdHkQRSaLB6uKmof8guZdvNGSPtybP8aec1BchG8j80Ab25J0ROAA1NIlZKbiE1-WE5FENzJpd1w5TrHaURCDwbgvm8DmbJIOe-B_EfpmSY7JY/s320/DSC_9112.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Silver-haired </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Bat at Bon Portage, Shelburne County, September 3, 2016. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguB6NwC9DVIfYks_CEP3QNLEQguPFuMjR3QBvxZN-opW95DMEJ_dVrT3gDwm5pu9YqQBy3B54QP9sJuvAG2b8Aixyh3AVp-qDeWQGEB59_4QIQYXiJDqQl2790VEo4_9tNm2LFx8hu8TI/s1600/DSC_9123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguB6NwC9DVIfYks_CEP3QNLEQguPFuMjR3QBvxZN-opW95DMEJ_dVrT3gDwm5pu9YqQBy3B54QP9sJuvAG2b8Aixyh3AVp-qDeWQGEB59_4QIQYXiJDqQl2790VEo4_9tNm2LFx8hu8TI/s320/DSC_9123.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Silver-haired </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Bat at Bon Portage, Shelburne County, September 3, 2016. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We then made our way back to the cabins near the wharf. The area around the cabins is often one of the busiest places for passerines on the island. Chloe and I observed a warbler that I first took as a Bay-breasted, but wasn't quite sure so I pulled out the camera and snapped a few photos. Bay-breasteds don't have a pale supercillium, so it wasn't quite right for that species.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbh-HADD9_iGK17UQys0it8QycwNu7mmpuMhPnGdWlYPyWAsfiqLD3i3ANbaT61_pRLJ1UXJaPjTNQYJpvTG6vMpcl1h7yb67pn0nAsAp2rWCBYtC5FsejytbEo21hjn8LTIYU3fPQhpA/s1600/DSC_9202_CERW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbh-HADD9_iGK17UQys0it8QycwNu7mmpuMhPnGdWlYPyWAsfiqLD3i3ANbaT61_pRLJ1UXJaPjTNQYJpvTG6vMpcl1h7yb67pn0nAsAp2rWCBYtC5FsejytbEo21hjn8LTIYU3fPQhpA/s320/DSC_9202_CERW.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hatch-year female Cerulean Warbler at Bon Portage, Shelburne County, September 3, 2016. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_GGkiwFD6lq7tv85p7K2ewK7ZRmkUEd-PqHdpLKePPdJH8acWqHBXSIZRi6qJmVDfITzhrYkVxIzMhmSZy5mX3Evvr8xizwY05vdO2DX7w0kiNkk9EnGFIeyyzx3BopPiW7skGd_Yy4/s1600/DSC_9207_CERW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_GGkiwFD6lq7tv85p7K2ewK7ZRmkUEd-PqHdpLKePPdJH8acWqHBXSIZRi6qJmVDfITzhrYkVxIzMhmSZy5mX3Evvr8xizwY05vdO2DX7w0kiNkk9EnGFIeyyzx3BopPiW7skGd_Yy4/s320/DSC_9207_CERW.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hatch-year female Cerulean Warbler at Bon Portage, Shelburne County, September 3, 2016. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I asked David Bell (bander-in-charge) to check my photos and he was glad to share that he thought it was a Cerulean Warbler. David soon re-found the birth north of the wharf while walking to check the mist nets. David had actually briefly seen the Cerulean earlier in the day, but the brief views weren't enough to confirm its ID. I had never seen a Cerulean Warbler and wasn't quite ready for such a pale coloured and blandly patterned bird. Had it been an adult male, I'd have known right away. The lack of blue tones or streaking above along with the extensive yellow below make it a hatch-year female.<br />
<br />
Below are a few photos of a hatch-year Yellow-bellied Flycatcher that I took after the banding and processing was complete.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJJX5_ECIeYaqRSfFOqLOvzT7UXyksvw_ZwAno7PLrwK1IbDyE2K7PWTm-86mJ93ZRG4jOUzfIZtCpiqsmb9PbaydKDSwhivf8eM3RCI0KSeaOfJNIY0CECURdFBu7qtnc3DwXc-qsq8/s1600/DSC_9219_YBFL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJJX5_ECIeYaqRSfFOqLOvzT7UXyksvw_ZwAno7PLrwK1IbDyE2K7PWTm-86mJ93ZRG4jOUzfIZtCpiqsmb9PbaydKDSwhivf8eM3RCI0KSeaOfJNIY0CECURdFBu7qtnc3DwXc-qsq8/s320/DSC_9219_YBFL.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hatch-year Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at Bon Portage, Shelburne County, September 3, 2016. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsbc7k3y9aYi-V_xaMqw3QXyGUDhgHfVIUgbIyqywupkIet45UKwijkwS0hHmnLVjN1nyErU2Gne9BI_hnP1FU7T-exBl7IlFYWeCHkTd1fDGlQm7Vj_i8j1iLTqrqoLxMcnj3vQb3eI/s1600/DSC_9222_YBFL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsbc7k3y9aYi-V_xaMqw3QXyGUDhgHfVIUgbIyqywupkIet45UKwijkwS0hHmnLVjN1nyErU2Gne9BI_hnP1FU7T-exBl7IlFYWeCHkTd1fDGlQm7Vj_i8j1iLTqrqoLxMcnj3vQb3eI/s320/DSC_9222_YBFL.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hatch-year Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at Bon Portage, Shelburne County, September 3, 2016. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQ5u0v1fFFmbS3Vb8Tmj2mTYigRo1GCjN8SQgfhAhcWPg9zV5QiI21LL4JmvZ61POGrN4pMkICktvzOgD3fKt3KvF0MT3hBmRHOPoOI5cXP-pXcnnhCv7x9qClzEOqK9brQgo_qYcJfw/s1600/DSC_9224_YBFL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQ5u0v1fFFmbS3Vb8Tmj2mTYigRo1GCjN8SQgfhAhcWPg9zV5QiI21LL4JmvZ61POGrN4pMkICktvzOgD3fKt3KvF0MT3hBmRHOPoOI5cXP-pXcnnhCv7x9qClzEOqK9brQgo_qYcJfw/s320/DSC_9224_YBFL.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hatch-year Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at Bon Portage, Shelburne County, September 3, 2016. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>References:</b><br />
McLaren, I.A. 2012. All the Birds of Nova Scotia: status & critical identification. Gaspereau Press Ltd, Kentville, N.S., Canada</div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-80992653439501579992016-08-18T16:00:00.001-03:002016-09-12T10:39:32.696-03:00Pubnico Pelagic 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The yearly Pubnico Pelagic occured on August 13, 2016 this year. See <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2014/09/pubnico-pelagic-2014.html" target="_blank">Pubnico Pelagic 2014</a> and <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/09/pubnico-pelagic-2015.html" target="_blank">Pubnico Pelagic 2015</a> for the previous two years' blog posts. I also create a YouTube video for each trip, the 2016 video can be seen below, or follow this link <a href="https://youtu.be/8zh2cDwnppw" target="_blank">Pubnico Pelagic 2016</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8zh2cDwnppw/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8zh2cDwnppw?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
This trip is cause for excitement many months before we actually leave the wharf. It is a chance for those of us who rarely go offshore to get close-up views of many species that are only specs on the horizon when viewed from land. This year I had already seen both species of storm-petrel, a Pomarine Jaeger (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30172319" target="_blank">eBird Checklist</a>) and the four expected species of shearwater (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30921742" target="_blank">eBird Checklist</a>) on previous trips. This meant that most species that we would see wouldn't be new ticks for the year for me.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxngjsnFgA_Yfo2smiT4Q4A6heaWYaNjWUy7Z9eUTqtbEXgglLf94-b32xIxNPKhy5cRq-KN0WpruX0BrN-nPRgMstlbb8bxDPHtPAmGLdJKBe-_x3eYW1EF2vbWndquMHEaNNHROUs0/s1600/DSC_6545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxngjsnFgA_Yfo2smiT4Q4A6heaWYaNjWUy7Z9eUTqtbEXgglLf94-b32xIxNPKhy5cRq-KN0WpruX0BrN-nPRgMstlbb8bxDPHtPAmGLdJKBe-_x3eYW1EF2vbWndquMHEaNNHROUs0/s320/DSC_6545.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cory's Shearwater (<i>borealis</i> subspecies) at German Bank, August 13, 2016. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
An Audubon's Shearwater was photographed near Grand Manan on August 11, 2016, and a South Polar Skua was observed on a Brier Island whale trip on August 12, 2016. These two sightings combined with the very warm sea surface temperature maps (20 degrees Celcius just west of NS) seemed to suggest that we had the chance of finding something big.<br />
<br />
Ronnie d'Entremont organized the trip again this year and Steven d'Entremont captained the Rebecca Lynn I. The boat left at about 5:30 am from Dennis Point Wharf in Lower West Pubnico. Below is a list of the participants:<br />
<br />
Ronnie d'Entremont<br />
Raymond d'Entremont<br />
Paul Gould<br />
Eric Mills<br />
Bruce Stevens<br />
Alan Covert<br />
Ken McKenna<br />
Kevin Lantz<br />
Larry Neily<br />
Mark Dennis<br />
Mike MacDonald<br />
Jane Alexander<br />
Keith Lowe<br />
Reinhard Geisler<br />
Lori Mathis<br />
Jerry Mathis<br />
Graham Williams<br />
Peter Brannon<br />
Diane LeBlanc<br />
Liz Voellinger<br />
Simon d'Entremont<br />
Alix d'Entremont<br />
Peggy Scanlan<br />
Chris Pepper<br />
Angela Granchelli<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEity8FC5hX2gU9im-aByqPqeqhfVC9hEV31xqLSCs0aB7_Kd8DwzIXwXdfrqd2CwRpTkoCwhRQOgpu_65qIG4vpbA6O3X9Qx3CBZEGRv-F6meXSNdW0Orcc7H1ayKRaqzIFBJBABqDz76s/s1600/20160813_125624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEity8FC5hX2gU9im-aByqPqeqhfVC9hEV31xqLSCs0aB7_Kd8DwzIXwXdfrqd2CwRpTkoCwhRQOgpu_65qIG4vpbA6O3X9Qx3CBZEGRv-F6meXSNdW0Orcc7H1ayKRaqzIFBJBABqDz76s/s320/20160813_125624.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the crew; left to right: Mark Dennis, Ken McKenna, Liz Voellinger, Chris Pepper, Eric Mills, ?? and Raymond d'Entremont. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The first interesting observation of the trip were of shearwaters in Lobster Bay, before we even reached the Mud Islands. The Bon Portage crew regularly get good numbers of shearwaters passing by the island, so seeing them in Lobster Bay isn't really unexpected.<br />
<br />
We took the opportunity to sail near to Round Island on our way out to sea. Bruce Stevens spotted a Black-crowned Night-Heron as it flew over the island. I am almost convinced that these rare Nova Scotia breeders are nesting on nearby Mud Island. I had one on Round Island in 2012 (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S27809109" target="_blank">eBird</a>) and another three earlier this year (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30870586" target="_blank">eBird</a>). It has or currently does nest on Seal Island and islands near Cape Sable Island (McLaren 2012). Breeding of this species has been confirmed again this year on Bon Portage Island (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30208418" target="_blank">eBird</a>), where it has been breeding since 1977 (McLaren 2012).<br />
<br />
Once we passed the Mud Islands, a few of us thought we saw a few Manx, but they were too distant to be sure of the identification. A Cory's was also likely seen fairly early, but it too was gone before anyone else got to see it.<br />
<br />
We often hear of migrant birds landing on boats that can be many miles offshore. On this trip, we had three species of <i>Passerine</i> that were sighted quite far from land: Barn Swallow, Yellow Warbler and Brown-headed Cowbird. The cowbird flew 3 or 4 circles around the boat as two dozen birders watched it. We assumed it would try to land, but it flew off and returned later to circle the boat again without landing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFDiNu3Lx1QAx6rEGFSb9IhLgpMUGXybhaxyAjmOM_a-zOAVeqJczkDJNlmnAPddJhqiPxrFpcuTq-7Ar4zIeJSNk2MON1ZJVGrb0t754hHU7Qedz7hnG9rzKn3X-QVJl2BFgs12zLmg/s1600/DSC_6181_Compo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFDiNu3Lx1QAx6rEGFSb9IhLgpMUGXybhaxyAjmOM_a-zOAVeqJczkDJNlmnAPddJhqiPxrFpcuTq-7Ar4zIeJSNk2MON1ZJVGrb0t754hHU7Qedz7hnG9rzKn3X-QVJl2BFgs12zLmg/s320/DSC_6181_Compo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown-headed Cowbird, hatch-year Barn Swallow and Yellow Warbler,<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> August 13, 2016</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photos by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My first ever Lesser Black-backed Gull was one seen on the Pubnico Pelagic in 2012. That first bird was an adult while the one seen during this 2016 trip looked like an second-cycle type bird with still juvenile looking inner primaries. It appears to be finishing its second prebasic moult as it is growing the outer primaries and inner secondaries.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCChkEoBQobWDFcKyWmcKaS_LicSVkI-UgP-MJnNc_dG1gstMrBWwqG1_5SE0QeyNe7ERCPN0SW0YRNA8CLPs8UPURdcnQpLpYte503PZb94HoPzqDs57kPSUzJollES5bAHiNcfHXngI/s1600/DSC_6211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCChkEoBQobWDFcKyWmcKaS_LicSVkI-UgP-MJnNc_dG1gstMrBWwqG1_5SE0QeyNe7ERCPN0SW0YRNA8CLPs8UPURdcnQpLpYte503PZb94HoPzqDs57kPSUzJollES5bAHiNcfHXngI/s320/DSC_6211.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser Black-backed Gull at German Bank, August 13, 2016. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I spotted the only Northern Fulmar during the entire trip when it was a little distance away. It did fly in a bit closer, but only gave us one chance for photos. The Great Shearwaters outnumbered the Sooty Shearwaters with a ratio of ??.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYy5Rgh1SxD6jjiiv3DuEr0YmWpULkjV2kJZiiZ20LgbCDrMCwXG9ZFVZB5867BLeLqCefjgno7WEt7352zkDE4D0RzgDKgDoNcBrqqWG1KXkhtrqBxl1XWoiWw9VMxWMEHvX1XnlEwfw/s1600/DSC_6224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYy5Rgh1SxD6jjiiv3DuEr0YmWpULkjV2kJZiiZ20LgbCDrMCwXG9ZFVZB5867BLeLqCefjgno7WEt7352zkDE4D0RzgDKgDoNcBrqqWG1KXkhtrqBxl1XWoiWw9VMxWMEHvX1XnlEwfw/s320/DSC_6224.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Northern Fulmar at German Bank,</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> August 13, 2016</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OUYUyON0x2lbT8bUBr1kjsfZh13zOx_NBPYvyAcnalIzlqHGlWF_bPk9fSL8jV_72tiByRBmcMkFPALplJsyIjQ6-1AXblG-re2cSuHhsHxI9DtKTwplzxo45DQvEexK3H5IapkSGWg/s1600/DSC_6331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OUYUyON0x2lbT8bUBr1kjsfZh13zOx_NBPYvyAcnalIzlqHGlWF_bPk9fSL8jV_72tiByRBmcMkFPALplJsyIjQ6-1AXblG-re2cSuHhsHxI9DtKTwplzxo45DQvEexK3H5IapkSGWg/s320/DSC_6331.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Sooty Shearwater at German Bank,</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> August 13, 2016</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNVFlaSdN3oa_VKpGqTPlaaWNeF_tDqjdgkPCt3zKOHGr-tz32ljejVjMZAQf9tNSrMoLbiFVWN_gKvmXNE88E6_hF4CXm0K_TqZBFUPaDnaY8npBKsLPCgKJ7uYLVQmUX3G3cnM20h8/s1600/DSC_6365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNVFlaSdN3oa_VKpGqTPlaaWNeF_tDqjdgkPCt3zKOHGr-tz32ljejVjMZAQf9tNSrMoLbiFVWN_gKvmXNE88E6_hF4CXm0K_TqZBFUPaDnaY8npBKsLPCgKJ7uYLVQmUX3G3cnM20h8/s320/DSC_6365.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Great Shearwater at German Bank,</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> August 13, 2016</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
At first, the only storm-petrels that we had were Wilson's, but finally, Mark Dennis yelled out Leach's and we got some great views of both species to compare size, markings and flight style. Ronnie commented that photographing these tiny pelagic birds is similar in difficulty to "trying to eat jello with chopsticks". I agree.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7lyHa7eORTLezz6Hq9gwT4d9AKcSTR8T2x2SfEnihnKjIjGYeGx-RGe8lMsFP61imFuqkJSydLZnLhRmzBZoGYZ1dH1YD3VQSn6c90tggrmYD37OMGviZKCN_XpyJcgtNoDN625C2xY/s1600/DSC_6433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7lyHa7eORTLezz6Hq9gwT4d9AKcSTR8T2x2SfEnihnKjIjGYeGx-RGe8lMsFP61imFuqkJSydLZnLhRmzBZoGYZ1dH1YD3VQSn6c90tggrmYD37OMGviZKCN_XpyJcgtNoDN625C2xY/s320/DSC_6433.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Wilson's Storm-Petrel pitter-pattering on the water's surface at German Bank,</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> August 13, 2016</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VWRIF0J-4v43ehYmSUuqSsw3kOuvKHVjN0UfrF0yBGYxLFpIiJ6rFt-6C3G8182tsklMTiWFESPn2MWVwdJVn-uSJIQRT9yK89iAPXgjbvG619QFxMoeUb4MCXcnMOrv1XQeDDxhiLE/s1600/DSC_6280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VWRIF0J-4v43ehYmSUuqSsw3kOuvKHVjN0UfrF0yBGYxLFpIiJ6rFt-6C3G8182tsklMTiWFESPn2MWVwdJVn-uSJIQRT9yK89iAPXgjbvG619QFxMoeUb4MCXcnMOrv1XQeDDxhiLE/s320/DSC_6280.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Leach's Storm-Petrel at German Bank,</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> August 13, 2016</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The two other expected species of shearwater obligingly showed themselves. The first was a Cory's Shearwater (<i>Calonectris diomedia</i>) spotted by Dr. Eric Mills that gave us adequate underside views to eliminate the <i>C.d. diomedia </i>(Scopoli's) which has yet to be photographically confirmed in Nova Scotia. See the first photo in this blog post for an underside view of this Cory's. A sight record of Scopoli's exists from Sable Island in September 2015 (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S24941422" target="_blank">eBird Checklist</a>) and Mills et al. (2015) summarise the issue in an issue of <i>NS Birds</i>. The British and Dutch authorities have separated the two as distinct species, <i>Calonectris diomedia</i> (Scopoli's) and <i>Calonectris borealis</i> (Cory's), but in North America, they remain as subspecies.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGTLqglyWdUcp47jgJbhbQKbXZEOYh09RMVjR3eh0RfnBExrFjX7PUMhJH3PtqFhEDygihAItJwarQBVUb_CxBIZH70pTrf-SdaMkNorTQWWrkm4f_Rqn1JfVos5TZxj-xIAeP5Oo9gs/s1600/DSC_6552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGTLqglyWdUcp47jgJbhbQKbXZEOYh09RMVjR3eh0RfnBExrFjX7PUMhJH3PtqFhEDygihAItJwarQBVUb_CxBIZH70pTrf-SdaMkNorTQWWrkm4f_Rqn1JfVos5TZxj-xIAeP5Oo9gs/s320/DSC_6552.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cory's Shearwater at German Bank,</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> August 13, 2016</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Rounding off the four expected shearwater species was an extremely confiding Manx Shearwater. These small shearwaters typically only give brief views, and from my experience, aren't attracted to chum as much as the others. This Manx came in to the chum, at one point sitting on the water less than 10 feet from us. We watched as it circled the boat and dove completely in the water for a number of seconds. It was diving underwater when the other larger birds like Herring Gulls would fly in to steal the fish pieces that the Manx was trying to catch - a great technique for evading the bullies.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXeph0SfB5YntEeoqr0fd2eE2mtl7Pe4UgQag5CBNzgXFIZtv7NnTZoSzmMedm6aGNYMASrlP9o-iy370herkz1pzHmnz4-T76Ow1Po7B_5YPCGA5a760puUCvFdqTmqETCwE01jI_8uk/s1600/DSC_6730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXeph0SfB5YntEeoqr0fd2eE2mtl7Pe4UgQag5CBNzgXFIZtv7NnTZoSzmMedm6aGNYMASrlP9o-iy370herkz1pzHmnz4-T76Ow1Po7B_5YPCGA5a760puUCvFdqTmqETCwE01jI_8uk/s320/DSC_6730.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Manx Shearwater at German Bank,</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> August 13, 2016</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvPhmgPoPSim4YVRjnsCTZY1-V1W7hmQGAS7t9-ouvyd0SwFx814vgzdqHiXLjItQq5RNqJua1JZLltyAtoiHZ-m1y5L8CVXA5o8JRwo9OTdI5bevsN88lvD0Idj2Uq3Mr4rZ0b-3yeM/s1600/DSC_6800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvPhmgPoPSim4YVRjnsCTZY1-V1W7hmQGAS7t9-ouvyd0SwFx814vgzdqHiXLjItQq5RNqJua1JZLltyAtoiHZ-m1y5L8CVXA5o8JRwo9OTdI5bevsN88lvD0Idj2Uq3Mr4rZ0b-3yeM/s320/DSC_6800.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Manx Shearwater at German Bank,</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> August 13, 2016</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxJEIoI_27sfvPQW2WTsppdaWkW4GysuSIfIp7Axzauz72tpMlq5hlDGDpFKzZcLsTS2Uz6MrQHPzWvlI-ON5aFT8YY2_k-k1jZ8T6ojPf8orA37L9tIXKlSNCFxP8znT1KRQ4b7GKAw/s1600/DSC_6840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxJEIoI_27sfvPQW2WTsppdaWkW4GysuSIfIp7Axzauz72tpMlq5hlDGDpFKzZcLsTS2Uz6MrQHPzWvlI-ON5aFT8YY2_k-k1jZ8T6ojPf8orA37L9tIXKlSNCFxP8znT1KRQ4b7GKAw/s320/DSC_6840.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Manx Shearwater at German Bank,</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> August 13, 2016</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmE8fwG33a7zjNO9dEbg0K956ALJt8bxOqw8q0zeudy5U5Ya2xU7yCNhK6SF6u_DlbctBDlbdSXMTeAJbZooLiUzT_1iVdF8fV7Q6v5g5QJ2qYOJcGuTHqOoMORc6XFVDYqBmijPBAnI4/s1600/DSC_6934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmE8fwG33a7zjNO9dEbg0K956ALJt8bxOqw8q0zeudy5U5Ya2xU7yCNhK6SF6u_DlbctBDlbdSXMTeAJbZooLiUzT_1iVdF8fV7Q6v5g5QJ2qYOJcGuTHqOoMORc6XFVDYqBmijPBAnI4/s320/DSC_6934.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Manx Shearwater at German Bank,</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> August 13, 2016</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I thought I had 3 Black-legged Kittiwake recently from Outer Bald Island, but they were a few kilometres away, so I couldn't really rule out Bonaparte's or other small gulls, so didn't add them to my eBird checklist. I needed the species for my year list, so the adult that gave a good show was my first of the year.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegXcsKNJGXNR7tug6vMoWpw92_4nramhhRtExP3tPCJJ8HVRKAGe03z4EbETgig4vJdxOgwjF-nIROL2XYzHELdw1ujdel9KlCGoMKCT2Fr9gsttL40_LSBkInFnCEGBosSNH-JyIkUE/s1600/DSC_6579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegXcsKNJGXNR7tug6vMoWpw92_4nramhhRtExP3tPCJJ8HVRKAGe03z4EbETgig4vJdxOgwjF-nIROL2XYzHELdw1ujdel9KlCGoMKCT2Fr9gsttL40_LSBkInFnCEGBosSNH-JyIkUE/s320/DSC_6579.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Adult Black-legged Kittiwake at German Bank,</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> August 13, 2016</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A Northern Gannet came in for some chum so we got good fews of hooks with lead weights that were caught in its webbing. It also seemed to have an issue with one of its wings. After having observed the quick and agile Manx Shearwater, this gannet appeared gangly and uncoordinated as it went for the pieces of fish just below the water's surface.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfpwTR2gB9G9YqfTo7iKyC8_ZgjRF2ommpQ4QuyGAYAUb0kjYquxLEycAb6PS_YoQkM2oQFauar-1635CgfM0R3l4bciPNymNkcz8BGCgU2RERg21LK5AK6D8IOfrDGC8UphYhVmLosc/s1600/DSC_7017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfpwTR2gB9G9YqfTo7iKyC8_ZgjRF2ommpQ4QuyGAYAUb0kjYquxLEycAb6PS_YoQkM2oQFauar-1635CgfM0R3l4bciPNymNkcz8BGCgU2RERg21LK5AK6D8IOfrDGC8UphYhVmLosc/s320/DSC_7017.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Adult Northern Gannet at German Bank,</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> August 13, 2016</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0l_0dyhyphenhyphenirbv3SbP4oR3mYW2l6xEVG88Nv5vp_lMoyXwra0V07Qms30TEye8xX4v7HdTqIFroMNZ4cHvtbJ3rUAGhioniMWRosF7pJjDNguCRDRGbe6zzbdKTA0fmckoZaxwVd3a9M0M/s1600/DSC_6939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0l_0dyhyphenhyphenirbv3SbP4oR3mYW2l6xEVG88Nv5vp_lMoyXwra0V07Qms30TEye8xX4v7HdTqIFroMNZ4cHvtbJ3rUAGhioniMWRosF7pJjDNguCRDRGbe6zzbdKTA0fmckoZaxwVd3a9M0M/s320/DSC_6939.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Northern Gannet with line, hooks and lead weights caught in its webbing at German Bank,</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> August 13, 2016</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
eBird Checklists:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31138001" target="_blank">Leg 1 (5:30-6:30)</a><br />
<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31138003" target="_blank">Leg 2 (6:30-7:30)</a><br />
<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31138004" target="_blank">Leg 3 (7:30-8:30)</a><br />
<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31138005" target="_blank">Leg 4 (8:30-9:30)</a><br />
<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31138007" target="_blank">Leg 5 (9:30-10:30)</a><br />
<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31138009" target="_blank">Leg 6 (10:30-11:30)</a><br />
<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31138011" target="_blank">Leg 7 (11:30-12:30)</a><br />
<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31138015" target="_blank">Leg 8 (12:30-13:30)</a><br />
<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31138013" target="_blank">Leg 9 (13:30-14:30)</a><br />
<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31138018" target="_blank">Leg 10 (14:30-15:30)</a><br />
<br />
Below is a list of all species and total count during all legs of the trip.<br />
<br />
<strong>Species Name / Species Count</strong><br />
American Black Duck 1<br />
Common Eider 49<br />
Northern Fulmar 1<br />
Cory's Shearwater 2<br />
Great Shearwater 544<br />
Sooty Shearwater 28<br />
Manx Shearwater 1<br />
shearwater sp. 2<br />
Wilson's Storm-Petrel 20<br />
Leach's Storm-Petrel 3<br />
storm-petrel sp. 2<br />
Northern Gannet 65<br />
Great Cormorant 1<br />
Double-crested Cormorant 112<br />
Great Blue Heron 2<br />
Black-crowned Night-Heron 1<br />
Bald Eagle 2<br />
Black-bellied Plover 8<br />
Ruddy Turnstone 4<br />
Least Sandpiper 17<br />
White-rumped Sandpiper 3<br />
Semipalmated Sandpiper 7<br />
peep sp. 31<br />
Short-billed Dowitcher 2<br />
Red-necked Phalarope 79<br />
Red Phalarope 400<br />
Red-necked/Red Phalarope 416<br />
Pomarine Jaeger 1<br />
Razorbill 2<br />
Black Guillemot 275<br />
Atlantic Puffin 110<br />
alcid sp. 2<br />
Black-legged Kittiwake 2<br />
Herring Gull 410<br />
Lesser Black-backed Gull 3<br />
Great Black-backed Gull 280<br />
Common Tern 8<br />
Arctic Tern 2<br />
Common/Arctic Tern 21<br />
American Crow 4<br />
Common Raven 9<br />
Barn Swallow 2<br />
swallow sp. 3<br />
Yellow Warbler 1<br />
Brown-headed Cowbird 1<br />
passerine sp. 1<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The hopes of a "mega", a very rare bird, did not materialise. The sea surface temperature as measured by our boats instruments was only about 13 degrees Celcius, much cooler than what was displayed on Rutger's SST maps. It was a very pleasant trip in terms of sea conditions and weather and it was a pleasure to get to see birders that I rarely bump into. I'm looking forward to next year's trip.<br />
<br />
<b>References</b><br />
McLaren, I.A. 2012. All the Birds of Nova Scotia: status & critical identification. Gaspereau Press Ltd, Kentville, N.S., Canada.<br />
<br />
Mills, Eric L., Bruce Stevens & Jim Wilson. 2015. Cory's and Scopoli's Shearwaters - a Challenge for Atlantic Canadian Birders. <i>NS Birds</i> Vol. 57, No. 4. pp. 38-43.</div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-33878356249176645582016-08-06T08:08:00.001-03:002016-08-06T12:14:47.475-03:00Breeding Leach's Storm-Petrels in Southwest Nova Scotia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<strong>Leach's Storm-Petrels in Nova Scotia</strong><br />
Leach's Storm-Petrels are a species frequently seen by fisherman, but only seen by birders who put the effort in. While they do nest on many of our Atlantic Coast islands, they usually feed far offshore and only travel to and from their colonies at night (McLaren 2012). Going out to sea is the best way to see these birds, but you might catch a distant view of one from our headlands where they are only numerous during storm events. I observed a single individual in Yarmouth Harbour only a few hundred metres from the mainland on June 11, 2016, and two were seen at the same location a few days later by Ellis d'Entremont, so near shore sightings are a definite possibility but are rare.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdXiLv0g0mypYtpWWtfZjzm7w3DXJED_ZVMPK2hzYnrkvpOrOJai7uenbUICXhcDSb8eTzD0Ois8klXmwjuAs_G3OFGJdNKxGQl83CJwRTCF-zteiAaZhoJZNdJep-OsxcCzWoc2fLgw/s1600/D70_0599_LESP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdXiLv0g0mypYtpWWtfZjzm7w3DXJED_ZVMPK2hzYnrkvpOrOJai7uenbUICXhcDSb8eTzD0Ois8klXmwjuAs_G3OFGJdNKxGQl83CJwRTCF-zteiAaZhoJZNdJep-OsxcCzWoc2fLgw/s320/D70_0599_LESP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Leach's Storm-Petrel at German Bank, August 29, 2015. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Bon Portage Island [<a href="https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.467862,-65.7513377,2927m/data=!3m1!1e3" target="_blank">43.469349, -65.751828</a>] in Shelburne County is the most well known breeding site for Leach's Storm-Petrels in Nova Scotia, and is the largest in the Maritime Provinces (Stewart et al. 2015). An estimated 50,000 pairs (Oxley 1999) of these <em>procellariiformes</em> (tubenoses) spend the summer months on this island that is owned by Acadia University. The 3 km by 0.5 km mostly forested island, officially known as Outer Island on the maps, is internationally recognized as an <a href="http://www.ibacanada.ca/site.jsp?siteID=NS015" target="_blank">Important Bird Area</a>. Since fall of 1995, the Atlantic Bird Observatory monitors migration through mist netting.<br />
<br />
During one of my first visits to Bon Portage, I met with Ingrid Pollet, a storm-petrel researcher. She has contributed to published studies such as <em><a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jav.00361/abstract" target="_blank">Foraging movements of Leach's storm-petrels Oceanodroma leucorhoa during incubation</a></em> where archival light loggers were used to show that the average foraging trips for adult Leach's Storm-Petrels on Bon Portage was 1303 km with an average trip time of about 5 to 6 days.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ds41rjUw44eLY7LrFkH6suwsAcurs7v5Tl911D_pBrSSPW_oGM8Zinn8jfbszJyuDBD9sW1BZB9Bzs79WbvpqTEblt2IYybVGVsWSeBhlUIeufUUyxg3Ns622OkL4FvSNrJ7HsIlBbA/s1600/IMG_2575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ds41rjUw44eLY7LrFkH6suwsAcurs7v5Tl911D_pBrSSPW_oGM8Zinn8jfbszJyuDBD9sW1BZB9Bzs79WbvpqTEblt2IYybVGVsWSeBhlUIeufUUyxg3Ns622OkL4FvSNrJ7HsIlBbA/s320/IMG_2575.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banders' building on Bon Portage, September 2, 2012. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2CoEoywfTOSKFiNt1A1wbOXLnEoxsReZsFbRaljVwVyzYshI0qJiheV5EjiQWY8IOju8pjv8KE9Kbrvd2em9eFpufMbB-vzMdKngVjfJMtSibMPBWjTBI090yTMWkoJtTyNYSgfbmNA/s1600/IMG_2580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2CoEoywfTOSKFiNt1A1wbOXLnEoxsReZsFbRaljVwVyzYshI0qJiheV5EjiQWY8IOju8pjv8KE9Kbrvd2em9eFpufMbB-vzMdKngVjfJMtSibMPBWjTBI090yTMWkoJtTyNYSgfbmNA/s320/IMG_2580.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Weighing a Cape May Warbler on Bon Portage, September 2, 2012. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eVRlETshmqP35JPIIZ9qfDhRQWNcDWXMyfAYn1epxjdc1ZawtHbEE0VhMz8R-VmoeQAyDkDttNuwJ7UvGI3FJ_OZNZ2c5d9Y1YpRQmzB7Dq5z2wbp0Qae69NpzBF-OUvncl1MyMYuFM/s1600/DSC_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eVRlETshmqP35JPIIZ9qfDhRQWNcDWXMyfAYn1epxjdc1ZawtHbEE0VhMz8R-VmoeQAyDkDttNuwJ7UvGI3FJ_OZNZ2c5d9Y1YpRQmzB7Dq5z2wbp0Qae69NpzBF-OUvncl1MyMYuFM/s320/DSC_0111.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">David Bell holding a Blackpoll Warbler with a radio transmitter on Bon Portage, August 23, 2014. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbr3ig74t3wvlZx-QfuL-hriRda4iruAXwDF7WgYKOiy1RHOKw6qcCX12IaEOptoYYSNbED4Br7YaigholmEzztSYKNcDTqu_vXiT5M1IRAwQGMyteXTsBBsaM1Z25cIV-x-_IGIKRxyg/s1600/IMG_2591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbr3ig74t3wvlZx-QfuL-hriRda4iruAXwDF7WgYKOiy1RHOKw6qcCX12IaEOptoYYSNbED4Br7YaigholmEzztSYKNcDTqu_vXiT5M1IRAwQGMyteXTsBBsaM1Z25cIV-x-_IGIKRxyg/s320/IMG_2591.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">One of the field crew bunk houses on Bon Portage, September 2, 2012. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGGNLhruX1v8vbvOs-AmMU1vOQ6bjy9A74mhGl__Ia76fSQK7aBqYveB-Y29X7VUGd_cThFqDxfdjRaaP0zk8PjYL0UwT8YJ2bjf5OWzdM09kpUEaaQgyOB5_VofyOLkX8xac9G3_x7s/s1600/IMG_3260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGGNLhruX1v8vbvOs-AmMU1vOQ6bjy9A74mhGl__Ia76fSQK7aBqYveB-Y29X7VUGd_cThFqDxfdjRaaP0zk8PjYL0UwT8YJ2bjf5OWzdM09kpUEaaQgyOB5_VofyOLkX8xac9G3_x7s/s320/IMG_3260.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Ingrid Pollet reaching into a Leach's Storm-Petrel burrow for research on Bon Portage, July 21, 2013. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYT4Oh4XdGqSAVMJIIqDfZaMEwU8D3Tj0LMfK59iCKnyU2mBPl5KPy44ThyphenhyphensKSDivgU_B5Ko7eqzjrhPip2aolCVj7uP2qyMmMiCpEEFhFfcNJIIbaEYtnCOxlfZsLwgB-DA1fZSxAZc/s1600/IMG_3268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYT4Oh4XdGqSAVMJIIqDfZaMEwU8D3Tj0LMfK59iCKnyU2mBPl5KPy44ThyphenhyphensKSDivgU_B5Ko7eqzjrhPip2aolCVj7uP2qyMmMiCpEEFhFfcNJIIbaEYtnCOxlfZsLwgB-DA1fZSxAZc/s320/IMG_3268.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Ingrid Pollet holding an adult Leach's Storm-Petrel on Bon Portage, July 21, 2013. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5WaN_xtCbsid33QO_omXR34lCCeQoP2BIWdRB34X4nuliDan2H6EeVj4dTU5J6GUV2JDJFn_izxRDpnnYaLusNubCGNYVzeGAyjdHKNPitM8_LZR6t1a9m0ISaDb9E3SqJ-4AKUF5Pw/s1600/IMG_3271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5WaN_xtCbsid33QO_omXR34lCCeQoP2BIWdRB34X4nuliDan2H6EeVj4dTU5J6GUV2JDJFn_izxRDpnnYaLusNubCGNYVzeGAyjdHKNPitM8_LZR6t1a9m0ISaDb9E3SqJ-4AKUF5Pw/s320/IMG_3271.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Ingrid Pollet holding a banded Leach's Storm-Petrel on Bon Portage, July 21, 2013. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The other important breeding site is a relatively smaller colony at Country Island, Guysborough County [<a href="https://www.google.ca/maps/@45.1004493,-61.5415524,1162m/data=!3m1!1e3" target="_blank">45.101784, -61.542582</a>]. This is a circular island at about 500 m in diameter with an estimated 8700 (Pollet et al. 2014a) to 12,000 (Env. Canada data) breeding pairs of Leach's Storm-Petrels.<br />
<br />
While breeding popultion is difficult to monitor due to the remoteness of the colonies, the bird's nocturnal behaviour and its hidden burrow entrances, observations at Bon Portage and Country Island suggest that the population is stable or has declined slightly between the 1st and 2nd Maritime Breeding Bird Atlas. (Stewart et al. 2015)<br />
<br />
The map below shows that Leach's Storm-Petrels are absent in the Bay of Fundy and the Northumberland Strait areas. This is due to their preference for the cooler Atlantic Coast waters and their requirement for predator free islands, which are much more common on our province's southern coast. Interestingly, Tufts (1986) describes a small colony near Louisburg found in 1954 that was on a mainland peninsula.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzYBKZb_EYsUMQFzOPeXmttP6Vx8U0LB0dJzyaO3LOZCz6sVvW6Q_rCdZU-VLz4K5Ukx4Jn7RyHii_XtKlHFxzk-UVV2Cf199WQwNywwpQg2YkGHFMD8EfNaYxs719vBhuoT1Lm8-eN0/s1600/map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzYBKZb_EYsUMQFzOPeXmttP6Vx8U0LB0dJzyaO3LOZCz6sVvW6Q_rCdZU-VLz4K5Ukx4Jn7RyHii_XtKlHFxzk-UVV2Cf199WQwNywwpQg2YkGHFMD8EfNaYxs719vBhuoT1Lm8-eN0/s640/map.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Google Earth map is a fairly accurate depiction of all past and current Leach's Storm-Petrel colonies in Nova Scotia. The data comes from Environment Canada and the Maritime Breeding Bird Atlas projects.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<strong>July 2016 Environment Canada Surveys</strong><br />
During July 2016, I was contracted to do alcid and storm-petrel surveys for Environment Canada. The first half of July was fairly windy and my outboard motor was in for repairs for the better part of a week. This left me with little time to get to all of the islands that I had planned on visiting.<br />
<br />
<strong>Ram Island [</strong><b><a href="https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.6838156,-65.030761,826m/data=!3m1!1e3" target="_blank">43.683657, -65.029942</a></b><strong>]</strong><br />
Ram Island is about 800 m by 300 m, has no trees, and is 6.5 km east of Lockeport. I visited this grassy island twice this summer, once on June 25, 2016 (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30391288" target="_blank">eBird Checklist</a>) and again on July 30, 2016 (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30905688" target="_blank">eBird Checklist</a>). During the first trip I concentrated on getting accurate numbers of Razorbills (8), Atlantic Puffins (28) and Black Guillemots (73). <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51aVDiPSVDq8TRYwXd3KqF2lmVEeR4mVN1iM_n5R1CTMhFWyLV3A5ZtQ8O_VEP48rKVc28ZAKHG8mns-adK-fxTPSThkUkXfrJ5Og_KPR0b32F35FWC5xH8_WQRh4CbfbVDjivaTQE3I/s1600/DSC_2627_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51aVDiPSVDq8TRYwXd3KqF2lmVEeR4mVN1iM_n5R1CTMhFWyLV3A5ZtQ8O_VEP48rKVc28ZAKHG8mns-adK-fxTPSThkUkXfrJ5Og_KPR0b32F35FWC5xH8_WQRh4CbfbVDjivaTQE3I/s320/DSC_2627_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlantic Puffin on Ram Island, Shelburne County, June 25, 2016. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETFsTFNimvIU6hYl0hJ6O8tYv5s8oO7DcLBilX5emYiWhVtQeGeFmRVv8D6ndohem4Tt1X-jyqYy5cS8oboG3N4yl_a9u_BtXDwaV-HfLeUaCwpgxaExsYpn8ozgydhCjRk36TygNr44/s1600/Bertin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETFsTFNimvIU6hYl0hJ6O8tYv5s8oO7DcLBilX5emYiWhVtQeGeFmRVv8D6ndohem4Tt1X-jyqYy5cS8oboG3N4yl_a9u_BtXDwaV-HfLeUaCwpgxaExsYpn8ozgydhCjRk36TygNr44/s640/Bertin.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of Ram Island from the eastern tip looking west on July 30, 2016. <i>Photo by Bertin d'Eon.</i> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Environment Canada staff had provided me with historical information that showed that in 1976 they had found 25 pairs. Breeding was not confirmed at this site during the 1986-1990 (1st) or the 2006-2010 (2nd) Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas. It is possible that this site hadn't been checked since 1976.<br />
<br />
During the second trip on July 30, Bertin d'Eon and I concentrated on finding storm-petrel burrows. I found a hole on the side of a small grassy hill [43.682373, -65.027917] refered to as 'Site 1' on the map below. I played Leach's calls from my Sibley's app on my phone and immediately heard a response from the burrow. Two more burrows were found at this location, one of which I felt the adult inside the burrow while no breeding was confirmed for the other. Another nearby location labeled as 'Site 2' [43.682128, -65.028361] had two potential burrows, but to breeding was confirmed since there was no response to audio and the end of the holes were not reached.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOiTbFRnHEBIFrCZFPA4NM6CaGa-N0fsub8chZeL18kWZIH5UZXCY4Ug750esTMc1pBC4hgjt8yYz-TydimgN6Fah2CQ7jpNS4BcBYmb-tN7DD5CjWukOkTpSa1EWpATe5dWxO0k51yE/s1600/RamIslandMap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOiTbFRnHEBIFrCZFPA4NM6CaGa-N0fsub8chZeL18kWZIH5UZXCY4Ug750esTMc1pBC4hgjt8yYz-TydimgN6Fah2CQ7jpNS4BcBYmb-tN7DD5CjWukOkTpSa1EWpATe5dWxO0k51yE/s640/RamIslandMap.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Google Earth map shows the two locations on Ram Island, Shelburne County, where Leach's Storm-Petrel burrows were located on July 30, 2016. Breeding was only confirmed at 'Site 1'.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-Y2XsomWDOBNZQfRXC_BZMZhfDC3tZ0AYbQ3HiN8UWdOBV2u195A8PAlAhJLhyphenhyphen170sAcqQoPCguUz8SIRydfRNFYB3nV1fE-5RqD_IKLTHvZ8ZbGqC8uZl1upfUESJL4uLh4kKmV_Hk/s1600/20160730_103221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-Y2XsomWDOBNZQfRXC_BZMZhfDC3tZ0AYbQ3HiN8UWdOBV2u195A8PAlAhJLhyphenhyphen170sAcqQoPCguUz8SIRydfRNFYB3nV1fE-5RqD_IKLTHvZ8ZbGqC8uZl1upfUESJL4uLh4kKmV_Hk/s320/20160730_103221.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Site 1' where breeding was confirmed by a response from a bird in a burrow on Ram Island, Shelburne County, on July 30, 2016. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkP040wrOrOCa8meggiPZvUPy6tFPQX3J0hvYzLopnt6zAAYV53VO4eiEfOGZaUbL-8lfkI3VaBHeBvdisiY_yV2yY74gAEeUECe_H4qiUStZKDGNQGqX9Iy9d1YaAdtXSmfuRQ57KMOA/s1600/20160730_101521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkP040wrOrOCa8meggiPZvUPy6tFPQX3J0hvYzLopnt6zAAYV53VO4eiEfOGZaUbL-8lfkI3VaBHeBvdisiY_yV2yY74gAEeUECe_H4qiUStZKDGNQGqX9Iy9d1YaAdtXSmfuRQ57KMOA/s320/20160730_101521.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">A Leach's Storm-Petrel burrow at 'Site 1' on Ram Island, Shelburne County, on July 30, 2016. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<strong>Mud Island [</strong><b><a href="https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.4846755,-65.9842732,3311m/data=!3m1!1e3" target="_blank">43.484239, -65.988819</a></b><strong>]</strong><br />
Known by locals as "The Mud", this mostly forested Yarmouth County island lies 21.5 km southwest of Pubnico and is 2.7 km by 1 km at its widest. It has long been known that Mud Island was used by hundreds of pairs of Leach's Storm-Petrels. I was lucky enough to make two trips out to the island, on July 12, 2016 (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30658270" target="_blank">eBird Checklist</a>) and again on July 27, 2016 (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30870587" target="_blank">eBird Checklist</a>).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpvURMRxPdaAoNLHJEmLZayg5VyKPGIvIJPki6bY6HmkIT1DfA2RCbTTFS1xcryB1gJOexFOGpNepy6FQE2kckE4M3YymdfoSUtgM7IPto35deI43Ah-JjN_vpGH0rog-UTokUOeJa18/s1600/DSC_0933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpvURMRxPdaAoNLHJEmLZayg5VyKPGIvIJPki6bY6HmkIT1DfA2RCbTTFS1xcryB1gJOexFOGpNepy6FQE2kckE4M3YymdfoSUtgM7IPto35deI43Ah-JjN_vpGH0rog-UTokUOeJa18/s320/DSC_0933.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The northwestern cobble beach on Mud Island, Yarmouth County, July 13, 2016. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0kK8m1xT1yXHAy0xlzT6Fm9k_Ukwex7ISVMBSGkczMFI6JnV_5Dv3jUU4IbBLl8e4sznFwDWBqNWtC1ZLq-sfJlF8Q2O1o-2LMb1bg1vLNK83vhQB7feEyi6MOq4bBG9KxdiM-UfJxQ/s1600/DSC_0959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0kK8m1xT1yXHAy0xlzT6Fm9k_Ukwex7ISVMBSGkczMFI6JnV_5Dv3jUU4IbBLl8e4sznFwDWBqNWtC1ZLq-sfJlF8Q2O1o-2LMb1bg1vLNK83vhQB7feEyi6MOq4bBG9KxdiM-UfJxQ/s320/DSC_0959.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The western shore of Mud Island, Yarmouth County, July 13, 2016. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The results of both trips were cause for concern. No active nests were found and most nests had been dug up and the adults killed. The damage extended through the entire forested area, but the very middle was not checked. Three clues to the identification of the predator are that no tracks or droppings were found; no storm-petrel flesh or bone was present, only many feathers; and corvid feathers seemed to be a common sight near the areas of destruction. Photos of the ruined burrows have been sent around to Environment Canada and Department of Natural Resources, but no concensus has been reached. I've been told by fishermen that mink could make it to the island by hitching a ride on a loaded lobster boat on dumping day, but some feel that crows or ravens are more likely.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_H_VQo_Ep8bUUU6Crjqw28Vkl0NAmaJhbt9lcJlbZtBird1caOQZqsw602pRV2xIKaSjAAqE8WKJ9MY0ro25Ig7dSP4Kjpc1bLNvodnhuC8UA_VbFdJSTS_2zqvh7AFPb9V0pCD2kMc/s1600/DSC_0943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_H_VQo_Ep8bUUU6Crjqw28Vkl0NAmaJhbt9lcJlbZtBird1caOQZqsw602pRV2xIKaSjAAqE8WKJ9MY0ro25Ig7dSP4Kjpc1bLNvodnhuC8UA_VbFdJSTS_2zqvh7AFPb9V0pCD2kMc/s320/DSC_0943.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Leach's Storm-Petrel burrow destruction on Mud Island, Yarmouth County, July 13, 2016. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgnUY8xEB3Zw5vw363IVkgwnRyiZ_BM7QetWAhSX75S8cW9fQcX85_VUfGP02svQU_P_GQZ-1dVVPAZqDBn2qin21jFtF3ZA3CI4lxvvq0Li2SnDyYh9jC-JSZzvBaVleHVvdDn1MwwM/s1600/20160727_104154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgnUY8xEB3Zw5vw363IVkgwnRyiZ_BM7QetWAhSX75S8cW9fQcX85_VUfGP02svQU_P_GQZ-1dVVPAZqDBn2qin21jFtF3ZA3CI4lxvvq0Li2SnDyYh9jC-JSZzvBaVleHVvdDn1MwwM/s320/20160727_104154.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Leach's Storm-Petrel burrow destruction on Mud Island, Yarmouth County, July 27, 2016. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gwKufwoWkU36t1UPedu7eNE6qobY4aMCO93-o9HEJ_fpTVQxsyzvNrivSTJPtbjIxUvLxsCiQVghtvhPHdfbp8aP-OtU_iYU4mug29IWb5BGupVW5ZNYvRicienh5-ZSLLjVjoMaBSA/s1600/20160727_104213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gwKufwoWkU36t1UPedu7eNE6qobY4aMCO93-o9HEJ_fpTVQxsyzvNrivSTJPtbjIxUvLxsCiQVghtvhPHdfbp8aP-OtU_iYU4mug29IWb5BGupVW5ZNYvRicienh5-ZSLLjVjoMaBSA/s320/20160727_104213.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Leach's Storm-Petrel burrow destruction on Mud Island, Yarmouth County, July 27, 2016. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCM_o14FQOBRIOmdXf38yotJdbGw-VBjmGQcS6mqf0JO8NhlN0ujJLl_YFXVZ6WLr8n6m2JEqsrlMkEKCx8wUyzQvQgSB6kRcvg6qUpRlEdqrj6xG_lNsS-Ii36ihkNVMJT_-90wB7_4o/s1600/20160727_110246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCM_o14FQOBRIOmdXf38yotJdbGw-VBjmGQcS6mqf0JO8NhlN0ujJLl_YFXVZ6WLr8n6m2JEqsrlMkEKCx8wUyzQvQgSB6kRcvg6qUpRlEdqrj6xG_lNsS-Ii36ihkNVMJT_-90wB7_4o/s320/20160727_110246.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Leach's Storm-Petrel burrow destruction on Mud Island, Yarmouth County, July 27, 2016. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<strong>Stoddart Island [</strong><b><a href="https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.4713615,-65.7143682,1392m/data=!3m1!1e3" target="_blank">43.471700, -65.712889</a></b><strong>]</strong><br />
This forested island is about 1.75 km south of Shag Harbour, Shelburne County, and is approximately 1 km by 1.3 km in size. Bertin d'Eon and I visited the island on July 21, 2016 (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30791077" target="_blank">eBird Checklist</a>) and were unable to find any burrows. All burrows on the island seemed to be used by meadow voles since the entrances were smaller than those on Bon Portage and each entrance had the droppings of a small mammal. Three meadow voles were briefly seen as they scurried from one hole to the next. The Environment Canada data on Stoddart Island simply stated that Leach's Storm-Petrels were present in 2006, but gave no estimation of colony size. The island could have been abandoned by the birds if a predator made it to its shores.<br />
<br />
<strong>Outer Bald Island [</strong><b><a href="https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.5995138,-66.024118,410m/data=!3m1!1e3" target="_blank">43.599588, -66.023979</a></b><strong>]</strong><br />
The Outer Bald Island is a grassy island about 9 km south of Comeaus Hill and is owned by the Nova Scotia Nature Trust. A trip there on July 31, 2016 (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30917886" target="_blank">eBird Checklist</a>), by Alec d'Entremont, Florian Schmitt, Bertin d'Eon and myself was very successful.<br />
<br />
Eighty-one (81) burrows found, most on the northern side [43.600406, -66.024145] of the island and the remainder on the north-western corner [43.600380, -66.024782]. Most burrows were too long to reach the end with your hand.<br />
<br />
15 burrows where the end was reached, but nothing was found.<br />
52 burrows where the end was not reached and nothing was found.<br />
1 burrow with 1 adult & 1 egg<br />
1 burrow with 1 adult<br />
1 burrow with 1 chick<br />
2 burrows with single hatched egg<br />
1 burrow with a bad egg.<br />
8 burrows were less than 30 cm long.<br />
A few (~5 burrows had two entrances)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMJlhpUB00Vlm6yb_-_8VTMfwhMC6E4okDKD_41nW1SQxLOq4LxC1XeY8TW5hRoT3uLqgfLS-eHEX7fcGCuz18L_ZfNghyFjqG6wvLfMvelQhevtcO4Xslw7r08TBFsexwDFDAvQIPTk/s1600/OuterBald.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMJlhpUB00Vlm6yb_-_8VTMfwhMC6E4okDKD_41nW1SQxLOq4LxC1XeY8TW5hRoT3uLqgfLS-eHEX7fcGCuz18L_ZfNghyFjqG6wvLfMvelQhevtcO4Xslw7r08TBFsexwDFDAvQIPTk/s640/OuterBald.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">This Google Earth map shows Outer Bald Island. The Leach's Storm-Petrel burrows were found on the northern side and northwestern corner where the cliff edges are still covered in grass.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYit4vIWimx76SlVZ1W4lNA7PpnS4CVHLROllVG-dNcaEKZ61ln4wmtFTsQ9FwZgTEdImWJ3hlA8TzY7fHEGPwuo0gbbgH9NsREZ9BfvEPyp1iNcmzZjsI4sad5rPXbDuklnhUzNIWHR8/s1600/20160731_111745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYit4vIWimx76SlVZ1W4lNA7PpnS4CVHLROllVG-dNcaEKZ61ln4wmtFTsQ9FwZgTEdImWJ3hlA8TzY7fHEGPwuo0gbbgH9NsREZ9BfvEPyp1iNcmzZjsI4sad5rPXbDuklnhUzNIWHR8/s320/20160731_111745.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Adult Leach's Storm-Petrel on Outer Bald Island, Yarmouth County, July 31, 2016. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Bertin d'Eon.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUw8aH1UXmUCpIZrtWTc8AlDD9b9ZzJoRiilAkO4VFAx6Djz-00peG6sU3AIZLsoQ6VcoUURGgR8I_EgjTDA0Apz6HS_gnQAV9uvtlGDMqQdhZPFxnhlnwNmmWuA-kEmreUAgdaQojLRw/s1600/20160731_113734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUw8aH1UXmUCpIZrtWTc8AlDD9b9ZzJoRiilAkO4VFAx6Djz-00peG6sU3AIZLsoQ6VcoUURGgR8I_EgjTDA0Apz6HS_gnQAV9uvtlGDMqQdhZPFxnhlnwNmmWuA-kEmreUAgdaQojLRw/s320/20160731_113734.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Juvenile Leach's Storm-Petrel on Outer Bald Island, Yarmouth County, July 31, 2016. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Bertin d'Eon.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sptycdIa1LMFa-vMeMtGfO5_OH6AB1QXPkVq9rqNa16x6xvmiOQB5GqYUbgM_Trh4s1zM1vzAMGyZjgrJz7il7iqFtRyaN-szswrvs7pclWWY938blmqJBhShzlwbm_LN1-ZjyWbk4A/s1600/20160731_114119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sptycdIa1LMFa-vMeMtGfO5_OH6AB1QXPkVq9rqNa16x6xvmiOQB5GqYUbgM_Trh4s1zM1vzAMGyZjgrJz7il7iqFtRyaN-szswrvs7pclWWY938blmqJBhShzlwbm_LN1-ZjyWbk4A/s320/20160731_114119.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Bad Leach's Storm-Petrel egg on Outer Bald Island, Yarmouth County, July 31, 2016. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Bertin d'Eon.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Future Work</b><br />
I will be doing more Leach's Storm-Petrel surveys during 2017 and 2018 and hope to be able to get to some islands in Halifax and Guysborough Counties as well as the Bird Islands in Cape Breton. These birds are very interesting and difficult to monitor, so I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to do these surveys.<br />
<br />
<strong>References</strong><br />
McLaren, I.A. 2012. All the Birds of Nova Scotia: status & critical identification. Gaspereau Press Ltd, Kentville, N.S., Canada<br />
<br />
Oxley, J. R. 1999. Nesting distribution and abundance of Leach’s Storm-petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) on Bon Portage Island, Nova Scotia. Thesis. Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Pollet, I. L., R. A. Ronconi, I. D. Jonsen, M. L. Leonard, P. D. Taylor, and D. Shutler. 2014a. Foraging movements of Leach’s Storm-petrels Oceanodroma leucorhoa during incubation. Journal of Avian Biology 45:305-314.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Stewart, R.L.M., K.A. Bredin, A.R. Coururier, A.G. Horn, D. Lepage, S. Makepeace, P.D. Taylor, M.-A. Villard, and R.M. Whittam (eds.). 2015. Second Atlas of Breeding Birds of the Maritime Provinces. Bird Studies Canada, Natural History Society and Prince Edward Island, Nature New Brunswick, New Bunswick Department of Natural Resources, Nova Scotia Bird Society, Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, and Prince Edward Island Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Sackville, 528 + 22 pp.<br />
<br />
Tufts, R.W. 1986. Birds of Nova Scotia. 3rd ed. Nimbus Publishing Ltd. N.S. Museum. Halifax, N.S. 478 p.</div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-64436354113190416882016-05-29T13:51:00.000-03:002016-05-31T08:23:55.778-03:00New Historical Record: Nova Scotia's 2nd Rock Wren<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Field Encounter</b><br />
On May 12, 2012, I had snapped a few photos of a wren (Fig. 1) in our Pubnico, Yarmouth County, backyard. It was an extremely rare Rock Wren, but at the time I thought it was a House Wren. I had just recently caught the birding bug and the excitement of the April 2012 fallout was still in the air. Blue Grosbeaks, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Indigo Buntings and even a Yellow-throated Warbler took residence in my yard following the passing of a deep, slow moving low overnight on April 22 that had produced strong winds from the Caribean and the Gulf of Mexico up to New England and Nova Scotia. The event's weather was summarized by Ian McLaren in an <a href="https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/NS-RBA/conversations/messages/8628" target="_blank">NS-RBA post</a> and also treated more completely in <a href="http://nsbirdsociety.ca/Publications/Newsletters/Vol%2054,%20number%203%20Spring%202012.pdf" target="_blank"><i>Nova Scotia Birds</i> Vol. 54 No. 3</a> pp. 42-44. Was the appearance of this wren related to this weather pattern?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rMSwNN1FyK8clo4LHIsMEXc3fu3KMMOjGx7fT-X-FXcv5kC82pS-Ygn4b-kmToIf2NN7IQD7lSEWM5se83PpFaQE6nslrPnSf4Gw1dH6VMFJWNENU98R70uZtWGxyoCI5zhu8fi9p0o/s1600/DSC_0419_ROWR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rMSwNN1FyK8clo4LHIsMEXc3fu3KMMOjGx7fT-X-FXcv5kC82pS-Ygn4b-kmToIf2NN7IQD7lSEWM5se83PpFaQE6nslrPnSf4Gw1dH6VMFJWNENU98R70uZtWGxyoCI5zhu8fi9p0o/s400/DSC_0419_ROWR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 1.</b> Rock Wren in Middle West Pubnico, Yarmouth County, on May 12, 2012. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Identification</b><br />
On May 26, 2016, David Bell was reviewing historical eBird records for Nova Scotia when he came across my photos of the wren. I had just started birding back in 2012 and had found what I thought was the closest match to this bird in the bird books. I called it a House Wren, which was also somewhat rare in Nova Scotia. He explained to me that this was a far rarer species, a Rock Wren and only the second ever for the province of Nova Scotia as per McLaren (2012). Once I took a second look, now with more experience, It was fairly obvious that this was a Rock Wren.<br />
<br />
The features that distinguish this bird (Figs 1, 3 & 4) from House Wren (Fig. 2) are its longer bill, bold and extensive supercillium, dark legs, overall dull and more grayish plumage, buffy and un-barred flanks and shorter tail in relation to overall body size.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvwsZh-bcbZSoTT_a8ZydR8XpR9hN0PEQhbv0OVnCM_uZSafK1dKub4oh1qKAGHrELmvRR5oEwyFqz3lXe8GUbxUUqgiVku5tM19KBXTbzF8pSkJmryTWQaIE3NVQYAbO2YKZRD71Bmw/s1600/HOWR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvwsZh-bcbZSoTT_a8ZydR8XpR9hN0PEQhbv0OVnCM_uZSafK1dKub4oh1qKAGHrELmvRR5oEwyFqz3lXe8GUbxUUqgiVku5tM19KBXTbzF8pSkJmryTWQaIE3NVQYAbO2YKZRD71Bmw/s400/HOWR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 2.</b> House Wren at Cape Forchu, Yarmouth County, Oct 9, 2014. <i>Photo by Ervin Olsen.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The following are a few more photos of the Rock Wren.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtOtWwyBpOniaMGwbf8t7P-YDplZRdUq9TWkBsBSsd45UYKstvL2lyaSVvtwDHj_fuFheHlTQFOGMcBWIy0vDCK6n52OH261nDnrlpe9P2sRnQTnmczu7gNPhPn-luoOGeYxzoAf01Ek/s1600/DSC_0423_ROWR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtOtWwyBpOniaMGwbf8t7P-YDplZRdUq9TWkBsBSsd45UYKstvL2lyaSVvtwDHj_fuFheHlTQFOGMcBWIy0vDCK6n52OH261nDnrlpe9P2sRnQTnmczu7gNPhPn-luoOGeYxzoAf01Ek/s400/DSC_0423_ROWR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 3.</b> Rock Wren in Pubnico, Yarmouth County, May 12, 2012. This angle shows the long and lightly decurved bill, the grayish brown upperparts, the unstreaked breast and the buffy flanks. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsd9Jwt9ODryk9GIrRKCKYvQ_YzKHWh4SqrxOsbBdLEPxVaG7srum204SeelNZvnzGT6M05IVklFbmw-FRCqa9sh6kpM713opkVBbCoZSkofTcDQHywayeU_0chqeCgDPuDiyqdl7JEjM/s1600/DSC_0429_ROWR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsd9Jwt9ODryk9GIrRKCKYvQ_YzKHWh4SqrxOsbBdLEPxVaG7srum204SeelNZvnzGT6M05IVklFbmw-FRCqa9sh6kpM713opkVBbCoZSkofTcDQHywayeU_0chqeCgDPuDiyqdl7JEjM/s400/DSC_0429_ROWR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Figure 4.</b><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> Rock Wren in Pubnico, Yarmouth County, May 12, 2012. Notice the buffy tips of the outer tail feathers, the long bill and strong supercillium. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Range & Migration</b><br />
This wren breeds in the west from Middle America to southern British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. At present time, very little information regarding Rock Wren migration is available. Overall, it appears as though this species is a short-distance partial migrant. Most individuals from the northern part of the range as well as from higher elevations move southward during autumn. Spring migration takes place between mid-March and early May. (Lowther, Kroodsma & Farley 2000)<br />
<br />
<b>Vagrancy</b><br />
Due to this species' limited migration, extralimital records are few, however occurances in the north east of North America have occured in Minnesota, Ontario, Massachussetts and Nova Scotia. It has also been observed in Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Viginia and New Jersey. (Lowther, Kroodsma & Farley 2000).<br />
<br />
The only previous record for Nova Scotia was of a bird found by John Kearney and Nancy Blair on Seal Island on Oct 4, 1980 that is recorded in <a href="http://nsbirdsociety.ca/Publications/Newsletters/Vol%2023,%20number%201%20Winter%201981.pdf" target="_blank"><i>Nova Scotia Birds</i> Vol. 23 No. 1</a>.<br />
<br />
How did this bird get to Nova Scotia and when did it arrive? These are difficult questions to answer considering the lack of knowledge about Rock Wren migration. There are no other mentions of Rock Wren in the east in the spring 2012 issue of <i>North American Birds</i>, so the arrival of a bird in Pubnico was not part of a larger phenomenon. Was this a case of an initial orientation mistake made by the wren combined with the deep low pushing birds from the Gulf of Mexico up the Eastern Seaboard directly to Nova Scotia?<br />
<br />
Ian McLaren in <a href="http://nsbirdsociety.ca/Publications/Newsletters/Vol%2054,%20number%203%20Spring%202012.pdf" target="_blank">Nova Scotia Birds Vol. 54 No. 3</a> suggested that the majority of the Indigo Buntings that made it to Nova Scotia likely crossed the Gulf of Mexico during the evening of April 22 to be found from Brier Island to Halifax County on April 24. Did the Rock Wren come with the buntings or did it arrive later? Does the species use leap-frog migration where the most northerly breeders migrate the furthest south?<br />
<br />
There are many questions but I've found few answers.<br />
<br />
<b>Acknowledgements</b><br />
I would like to thank David Bell for his sharp eyes and identification skills which have provided me with another life bird for Nova Scotia.<br />
<br />
<b>References</b><br />
Lowther, Peter E., Donald E. Kroodsma and Greg H. Farley. 2000. Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/486<br />
doi:10.2173/bna.486<br />
<br />
McLaren, I.A. 2012. All the Birds of Nova Scotia: status & critical identification. Gaspereau Press Ltd, Kentville, N.S., Canada</div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-49403779655434090982016-05-22T14:59:00.003-03:002016-05-22T18:17:40.991-03:00Identification of a Gray-cheeked Thrush<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Field Encounter</b><br />
On May 8, 2016, Ronnie d'Entremont found a thrush lacking the chestnut tail of a Hermit and the buffy face of a Swainson's. This left him with two choices: Gray-cheeked and Bicknell's. He sent photos to Mark Dennis who felt that they best fit Gray-cheeked. By the end of the day, a few of us were able to get great views of the bird along with unobstructed photos.<br />
<br />
<b>Taxonony & Occurence</b><br />
It was only recently when Ouellet (1993) concluded that Bicknell's and Gray-cheeked thrushes were distinct species. These two were previously considered conspecific as Gray-cheeked Thrush, consisting of three subpecies: the present day <i>Catharus minimus minumus</i> (Gray-cheeked of Newfoundland and n. Quebec) and <i>C. m. aliciae </i>(Gray-cheeked breeding from Alaska to Labrador)<i> </i>along with Bicknell's Thrush (<i>Catharus bicknelli</i>). The split was accepted by the American Ornithologists' Union in 1995.<br />
<br />
Both Bicknell's and Gray-cheeked occur in Nova Scotia during migration, but breeding has only been confirmed with Bicknell's, mainly in the Cape Breton Highlands and formerly on our south shore islands (McLaren 2012). The second Maritime Breeding Bird Atlas found that Gray-cheeked Thrushes were probably breeding on Harbour Island, Halifax County and White Head Island, Guysborough County (Stewart et al. 2015).<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Identification</b><br />
Many sources state that differentiating between silent Gray-cheeked Thrush and Bicknell's Thrush in the field is difficult (Sibley 2014, Alderfer 2014...). The good quality photos of this bird in multiple positions are required in order to attempt confident identification of a silent bird. Lane & Jaramillo (2000) suggest that a broadside view under uniform lighting are required to make an accurate judgement of minute differences in colour. This was the case with this thrush as it was in the shade among willow trees producing diffused lighting. With perfect conditions and crisp photos from various angles, we have the best material to work with for a proper identification.<br />
<br />
<i>Primary Bases</i><br />
The colour contrast between the bases of the primaries and the rest of the wing are claimed as a useful in field identification of the two species (Lane & Jaramillo 2000). In Bicknell's, the primary bases are slightly warmer and more reddish-brown than the rest of the wing. In typical <i>aliciae</i> Gray-cheeked, the bases are paler and appear more washed out graying-brown, while <i>C. m. minimus</i> have warmer brown primary bases which may be indistinguishable from Bicknell's. Figure 1 provides a nice view of the primary bases, which appear to be a paler brown than the rest of the wing without any appreciable reddish-brown, but perhaps slightly warmer than the remainder of the wing.<br />
<br />
<i>Underparts Colour</i><br />
The flanks of Bicknell's are described by Lane & Jaramillo (2000) as reflecting the warmer brown upperparts seen in this species while contrasting more with the white belly than the washed-out, grayer flanks and belly of a Gray-cheeked. It is important to note that <i>C. m. minumus</i> tends to show warmer flanks than does <i>C. m. aliciae</i>. The contrast between cold-coloured flanks and belly (Figs 1 & 2) on the Chebogue Thrush seems minimal, suggesting Gray-cheeked.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTatn770wH5_dRnMy-S3hP4fAU7LeR-jWNqMqHcGV3VzLsqspm7NRVUutsy4mdbL2I-LdX4gq_4g0SxEoUc9rPX8OuFkR3lbtHZUzIBQuklgnuME1UbAovcV2CseB7HS_fz2ImDC8sXxI/s1600/DSC_9050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTatn770wH5_dRnMy-S3hP4fAU7LeR-jWNqMqHcGV3VzLsqspm7NRVUutsy4mdbL2I-LdX4gq_4g0SxEoUc9rPX8OuFkR3lbtHZUzIBQuklgnuME1UbAovcV2CseB7HS_fz2ImDC8sXxI/s320/DSC_9050.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Figure 1.</b><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> Chebogue Thrush at Chebogue Point, Yarmouth County, May 8, 2016. A thrush with little eye ring, cold overall plumage and long primary extentions past the tertials. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5PfCqTd1MbwmFbGVGTBrY0A1ke8g99gSVlBf5d5GnY8ZncszOw7HUHa3tYUoHJOK-KZ2psS6dRWUAnm9yrWe-kI2_PxR2Ua5depsdUpxEPqZ3IA6Bm3Lyo3B-bz00e09VXf3G6GbQRU/s1600/DSC_9042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5PfCqTd1MbwmFbGVGTBrY0A1ke8g99gSVlBf5d5GnY8ZncszOw7HUHa3tYUoHJOK-KZ2psS6dRWUAnm9yrWe-kI2_PxR2Ua5depsdUpxEPqZ3IA6Bm3Lyo3B-bz00e09VXf3G6GbQRU/s320/DSC_9042.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Figure 2.</b><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> Chebogue Thrush at Chebogue Point, Yarmouth County, May 8, 2016. The flanks appear to be less brownish than in Bicknell's and don't contrast very much with colour of the belly. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>Upperparts Colour</i><br />
Lane & Jaramillo (2000) state that the upperparts of Gray-cheeked are a monotone, cool olive-brown or grayish brown, while Bicknell's varies from a dull brown to a warm olive-brown, almost chestnut on the tail. The uppertail coverts and tail of Bicknell's is said to be a richer chestnut-brown compared to that of the Gray-cheeked that are concolorous with the back, however <i>C. m. minimus</i> approaches Bicknell's.<br />
<br />
Luckily there was a Hermit Thrush at the exact same location, so useful colour comparisons can be made. It is clear that the Hermit Thrush (Figure 4) is much warmer overall and shows a clearly bright chestnut tail. Compare this to the extremely cold-looking Chebogue Thrush and you get an appreciation of how little warm browns and reds are apparent its overall plumage. Figure 3 clearly shows that the cold-coloured back of the Chebogue Thrush contrasts with the warmer tail, more reminiscent of either Bicknell's or <i>minimus</i> Gray-cheeked.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejQJJyGFmcT9bRTnyj83RsitkNDByymuAfdfXeteAb1p4JREvo3D49TgKLqj5kj2iCyQSGhYwFrCZYJGaRA6MZ7QgC8gp6hgZ64K211hEpv9SaYu0TC9DyNJu-I-OelYoEW_HwvUklWg/s1600/DSC_9056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejQJJyGFmcT9bRTnyj83RsitkNDByymuAfdfXeteAb1p4JREvo3D49TgKLqj5kj2iCyQSGhYwFrCZYJGaRA6MZ7QgC8gp6hgZ64K211hEpv9SaYu0TC9DyNJu-I-OelYoEW_HwvUklWg/s320/DSC_9056.jpg" width="274" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Figure 3.</b><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> Chebogue Thrush at Chebogue Point, Yarmouth County, May 8, 2016. This photo provides a nice view of the warmer-toned tail in comparison to the more grayish-brown back. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlcf_2QivJ7A7LGYpQH182HN2jtMnSn49yULM0zUIKQpCqwFvGEr4jUBadMe9S0yaq9AwO_gBRjX9SnvhDp5Uy9sl52qd8PofSRIFYLEWeleGLR77nA2F8ZTuqhCb9aX0NRs818MVJx4/s1600/DSC_9081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlcf_2QivJ7A7LGYpQH182HN2jtMnSn49yULM0zUIKQpCqwFvGEr4jUBadMe9S0yaq9AwO_gBRjX9SnvhDp5Uy9sl52qd8PofSRIFYLEWeleGLR77nA2F8ZTuqhCb9aX0NRs818MVJx4/s320/DSC_9081.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Figure 4.</b><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> Hermit Thrush at Chebogue Point, Yarmouth County, May 8, 2016. Note how cold-toned the upperparts of the Chebogue Thrush are compared to this Hermit Thrush. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>Wing Ratio</i><br />
While plumage and bare parts colouration are suggestive, Townsend et al. (2015) explain that vocalizations and morphometrics are much better tools for identification. Since this bird was silent, we must rely most on shape captured in the photos. Lane & Jaramillo (2000) propose that the ratio of the length of the primary extension beyond the tertials to the length of the exposed tertials might be the best way to compare the wing length of both species. They found that in Bicknell's, this ratio is 1:1 or less while in Gray-cheeked, it is 1:1 or greater. I have measured these dimensions on two photos of the thrush in question using Adobe Photoshop. The measurements in pixels as well as the resultant ratios are given below.<br />
<br />
Exposed tertials: 243<br />
Primaries: 311<br />
Ratio: <b>1.28:1</b><br />
<br />
Exposed tertials: 230<br />
Primaries: 278<br />
Ratio: <b>1.20:1</b><br />
<br />
We see that the ratio matches that expected for Gray-cheeked, a result of that species' long wings. A Bicknell's Thrush was recently photographed in <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S29579516" target="_blank">New Jersey</a> and the photos allow for measurement of this ratio and produces a value of about 1:1. While the New Jersey bird doesn't show a lot of contrast between the back and tail, the upperparts are clearly warmer than that of the Chebogue Thrush. The pale base of the lower mandible of that Bicknell's is more extensive (far past the nostrils) than that of the Chebogue Thrush and seems to have a more yellow, approaching orange colouration and less fleshy tones than the Chebogue Thrush. <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S29580038" target="_blank">Here</a>, and <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S29553815" target="_blank">here</a> are a few more photos of the New Jersey Bicknell's.<br />
<br />
<i>Wing Morphology</i><br />
Another wing feature that provides evidence of this bird's identification as a Gray-cheeked is the wing morphology. Pyle (2007) illustrates how P7 & P8 are of equal length in the folded wing in Bicknell's while P8 is longer than than P7 in Gray-cheeked. Figure 5 shows the relative length of the primaries, note how P8 is slightly longer than P7 and how P9 is hidden under P8, just like Pyle's description of Gray-cheeked.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsXA_rQ8_klyXpR4-jkN75R3gNiWvWpGbKaFtyZUz7Z0jfX3DtRMqszIRFwVaq5IPyVcpPnxW3bk37eKOZYlstopk5RTf66Uo3k5OBCRlpSq0nV6Xh3KCZeCxIpwhN-oVIqQGTYLzX98/s1600/PaulGould2_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsXA_rQ8_klyXpR4-jkN75R3gNiWvWpGbKaFtyZUz7Z0jfX3DtRMqszIRFwVaq5IPyVcpPnxW3bk37eKOZYlstopk5RTf66Uo3k5OBCRlpSq0nV6Xh3KCZeCxIpwhN-oVIqQGTYLzX98/s320/PaulGould2_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 5.</b> <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Chebogue Thrush at Chebogue Point, Yarmouth County, May 8, 2016. This composite shows the wing morphology which matches Gray-cheeked more than Bicknell's. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Paul Gould.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>Mandible</i><br />
Ouellet (1993) states that Bicknell's Thrush's bill base is bright pale yellow, whereas it is flesh or yellowish flesh in Gray-cheeked, and Todd (1963) noted that <i>C. m. minimus</i> of Newfoundland had a more extensive pale base than <i>C. m. aliciae </i>and Townsend et al. (2015) quantify this by describing that the pale extent in <i>minimus</i> extends beyond the nostril. The pale base to the mandible on the Chebogue Thrush pushes slightly beyond the nostril, enough to consider <i>minumus</i>. The colour of the pale base seems to show fleshy tones, but appear similar to some Bicknell's photos on the internet. Lane & Jaramillo (2000) do conclude that both the colour and extent of the pale base of the mandible is unreliable, so little weight will be given to it here.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Migration Timing</i><br />
eBird reports along with migration timing data provides evidence in support of Gray-cheeked Thrush. As of May 8, all of the reports of Bicknell's Thrush are limited to the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. In contrast, reports of Gray-cheeked Thrush come from as near as New York state. The earliest arrival date of migrant Bicknell's in New England as reported by Townsend et al. (2015) is May 15. McLaren (2012) does mention a report of Bicknell's on April 23 1983 at Brier Island, but this was during an extraordinary event where numerous thrushes arrived extremely early. There was no similar event in this case, so the arrival of a Bicknell's Thrush by May 8 excluding fallouts is unlikely.<br />
<br />
<i>ID Conclusions</i><br />
We have strong morphological evidence that the Chebogue Thrush is a Gray-cheeked. I don't feel confident in assigning this bird to a subspecies with any great amount of certainty. The back and tail of the Chebogue Thrush are not concolorous, more similar to that of <i>minimus</i>, but the primary bases don't appear to have any reddish-brown. The extent of the pale base of the mandible also seems within range for <i>minimus</i>. Due to these features, I would lean towards this being a Gray-cheeked Thrush headed to Newfoundland or northern Quebec (<i>Catharus minimus minimus</i>).<br />
<br />
<b>References</b><br />
Alderfer, J., J.L. Dunn. 2014. (Ed). Complete Birds of North America, 2nd Edition. National Geographic Society. Washington DC, USA.<br />
<br />
American Ornithologists' Union. 1995. Fortieth supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk 112: 819-830.<br />
<br />
Lane, D. F. and A. Jaramillo. 2000. Identification of Hylocichla/Catharus thrushes; Part III: Gray-cheeked and Bicknell’s thrushes. Birding 32(4): 318-331.<br />
<br />
McLaren, I.A. 2012. All the Birds of Nova Scotia: status & critical identification. Gaspereau Press Ltd, Kentville, N.S., Canada<br />
<br />
Ouellet, H. 1993. Bicknell's Thrush: Taxonomic status and distribution. Wilson Bulletin 105: 545-754.<br />
<br />
Pyle, P., S.N.G. Howell, R.P. Yunick, and D.F. Desante. 1997. Identification guide to North American Birds, Part 1, Columbidae to Ploceidae. Slate Creek Press, Bolinas, California.<br />
<br />
Sibley, D.A. 2014. The Sibley Guide to Birds 2nd Ed. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, N.Y.<br />
<br />
Stewart, R.L.M., K.A. Bredin, A.R. Coururier, A.G. Horn, D. Lepage, S. Makepeace, P.D. Taylor, M.-A. Villard, and R.M. Whittam (eds.). 2015. Second Atlas of Breeding Birds of the Maritime Provinces. Bird Studies Canada, Natural History Society and Prince Edward Island, Nature New Brunswick, New Bunswick Department of Natural Resources, Nova Scotia Bird Society, Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, and Prince Edward Island Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Sackville, 528 + 22 pp.<br />
<br />
Todd, W.E.C. 1963. Birds of the Labrador Penunsula and Adjacent Areas. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.<br />
<br />
Townsend, Jason, Kent P. McFarland, Christopher C. Rimmer, Walter G. Ellison and James E. Goetz. 2015. Bicknell's Thrush (Catharus bicknelli), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/592<br />
doi:10.2173/bna.592</div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-20032401791725132862016-03-23T15:22:00.001-03:002016-04-19T21:27:32.471-03:00A Kamchatka Gull in Nova Scotia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>The Meteghan Gull</b><br />
Clarence Stevens Jr. notified Joan Comeau of his find of a Mew Gull (<i>Larus canus</i>) on Febrary 27, 2016 at the wharf in Meteghan, Digby County. The bird was re-found and photographed the next day on February 28 by Joan Comeau on the flats to the east of the wharf at Meteghan (see <a href="https://www.google.ca/maps/@44.1925482,-66.1610112,578m/data=!3m1!1e3" target="_blank">Google Maps</a>). Joan sent me her photos to get confirmation on the identification and she was thrilled with my reply of "OMG. You found it!!". She had a right to be happy with her photos; there are only small numbers of Mew Gulls that winter in Nova Scotia each year (McLaren 2012). I made the trip up to Meteghan on March 13, 2016 and was able to get a few distant photos (Fig. 1). At the time of writing, the gull was last seen on March 24, 2016 by Mark Dennis and Mike MacDonald.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbcNfIcCPhm9y-LNuEHoQOx1a8gDZq1GqRajAK7UxkDDqCXFVec0HcZLhnhDCxBXGY8sdNkxfJB10knXyr6vK5LdhGMIgNa9Gn23xVr4qSqrG6tJSnuh7RX4XvmDLzwwlphLXiwi7CKM/s1600/DSC_0363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbcNfIcCPhm9y-LNuEHoQOx1a8gDZq1GqRajAK7UxkDDqCXFVec0HcZLhnhDCxBXGY8sdNkxfJB10knXyr6vK5LdhGMIgNa9Gn23xVr4qSqrG6tJSnuh7RX4XvmDLzwwlphLXiwi7CKM/s640/DSC_0363.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 1.</b> The Meteghan gull in Meteghan, Digby County on March 13, 2016. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>The Mew Gull Complex</b><br />
I wrote a blog post last year about my first North American sighting of a <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/03/common-gull.html" target="_blank">Mew Gull in Dartmouth</a>. I described how the Mew Gull Complex is currently considered to be comprised of four subspecies: <i>L.c. canus </i>(Common Gull)<i>, L.c. heinei </i>(Russian Common Gull)<i>, L.c. kamtschatschensis </i>(Kamchatka Gull)<i> and L.c. brachyrhynchus </i>("Short-billed" or Mew Gull). To avoid any confusion, I'll use the Latin names rather than the English names, a practice that seems more typical in Europe. The subspecies that we get in Nova Scotia each winter is <em>canus</em>.<br />
<br />
At present time, the <a href="http://aba.org/" target="_blank">American Birding Association</a> <a href="http://listing.aba.org/aba-checklist/" target="_blank">Checklist</a> v. 7.8.1 from November 2015 treats all 4 taxa in the Mew Gull Complex as conspecific. Olsen & Larsson (2004) describe <i>kamtschatschensis</i> as distinct and the largest of the four taxa, probably requiring full species status. Some works, such as del Hoyo et al. (1996), Sibley & Monroe (1996), and most recently, Adriaens & Gibbins (2016) suggest that <i>brachyrhynchus</i> should be its own full species, a split that seems more likely to happen than <i>kamtschatschensis </i>being split from the rest.<br />
<br />
<i>Brachyrhynchus </i>breeds in western North America and winters along the Pacific coast to California. <i>Canus </i>breeds in Europe and European Russia and winters both in the breeding area and south to the northern coast of the Mediterranean. <i>Heinei </i>breeds from White Russia eastwards to central Mongolia and winters in central Asia, the southern Black Sea and Caspian Sea and further south to the Persian Gulf and some make it to the coast of China. <i>Kamtschatschensis </i>breeds in eastern Siberia and Kamchatka and winters southwards along the coast to Japan, Korea and China. (gull-research.org)<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.gull-research.org/" target="_blank">Gull Research Organization</a> has a section devoted to the Mew Gull Complex complete with descriptions, measurements and many photos.<br />
<br />
<b>Subspecific Identification</b><br />
On March 13, 2016 Ronnie d'Entremont posted photos of the Meteghan gull on the <em>North American Gulls</em> Facebook Page. Lou Bertalan of Germany commented that he thought the gull looked like <i>kamtschatschensis</i> and Maxine Quinton shared that she agreed. Once you carefully study the overall structure and mantle colour, it is evident that this bird doesn't look like <i>canus</i>, our default Mew Gull. Once I was alerted to the possibility of this gull being <i>kamtschatschensis</i>, I sent photos that I had taken on March 13 as well as the great wing photos taken by Mark Dennis on March 14 to Peter Adriaens and Chris Gibbins. Their recent paper entitled <i>Identification of the Larus canus complex</i> takes up 64 pages of volume 38 of <i>Dutch Birding</i>. It is a monumental paper that is essential to the subspecific identification of Mew Gulls.<br />
<br />
As chance would have it, both authors were travelling together when they received the photos and suggestion that it could be <i>kamtschatschensis</i>. Chris Gibbins wrote on behalf of both that "the size and jizz, and the upper parts, are obviously good and everything we can see in the primary pattern looks good too." He went on to say that this primary pattern would be very rare in <i>canus</i>.<br />
<br />
Elimination of <i>brachyrhynchus</i> is fairly easy based on size and structure which, in comparison to the Meteghan gull, would be small overall, have a rounded dove-like head, and a smaller bill (Fig. 2).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUS0fPi049Sov9jiVVU_kf8I7Ap3dMwc8lyDJSstvB5kG_ZLqTIG79H73mgxv3Pl39OJemDoeTnCljF-NrDQxYzJosGtkfac-zUPEYPzBzAAcm2Pug-d4CEm406oPKKT_y2SlDaXsq7c/s1600/20120921-BC-Short-billed_Ronnie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUS0fPi049Sov9jiVVU_kf8I7Ap3dMwc8lyDJSstvB5kG_ZLqTIG79H73mgxv3Pl39OJemDoeTnCljF-NrDQxYzJosGtkfac-zUPEYPzBzAAcm2Pug-d4CEm406oPKKT_y2SlDaXsq7c/s640/20120921-BC-Short-billed_Ronnie.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 2.</b> Brachyrhynchus in British Columbia on Sep 21, 2012. <i>Photo by Ronnie d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>Mantle Colour</i><br />
One of the most obvious characteristics of this bird is the dark mantle. In his eBird checklist, Mark Dennis described the colour as "almost as dark as <i>graellsii</i> Lesser Black-backed Gull". When comparing this gull to nearby Ring-billed Gulls, the difference is striking (Figs. 3, 4). Figure 5 shows the relatively pale mantle colour of our regular winter <i>canus</i>, also in comparison to a Ring-billed Gull. While there is a large amount of overlap in mantle colour between Mew Gull subspecies, a dark bird such as this one seems out of range at least for <i>canus</i>, the palest of the four subspecies.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaUg0rH81RcddU7nk0k6zLtzFhUFoUnTtTU1Lkq1tquTD-rmpsUkxbGKUKGJDjx9LK2mWiDlh1iqn-Rw86N1g1j9vYolosiJU4vzLYgRyssG1K4JFl5PdnBN0oseZFrWyDr15zoeaEps/s1600/poss-kam5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaUg0rH81RcddU7nk0k6zLtzFhUFoUnTtTU1Lkq1tquTD-rmpsUkxbGKUKGJDjx9LK2mWiDlh1iqn-Rw86N1g1j9vYolosiJU4vzLYgRyssG1K4JFl5PdnBN0oseZFrWyDr15zoeaEps/s640/poss-kam5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 3.</b> Ring-billed Gull (L) and Meteghan gull (R) in Meteghan, Digby County, on March 14, 2016. Notice the much darker mantle of the Meteghan gull compared to the Ring-billed Gull. <i>Photo by Mark Dennis.</i> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCGEok4N1bCcGA0ys3AtebOo6sSyZMPR5315zGbaWPha00gzB0Nv7AtrCnU0vn-j7XFJjniG0mjRq9o5_QF-G8eqb5r3dmq0cx3j_wY-l7MtCO0YszJLfIgYkVf1jrVDcfzNSHYfcMHo/s1600/939372_1733695186853544_426569671_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCGEok4N1bCcGA0ys3AtebOo6sSyZMPR5315zGbaWPha00gzB0Nv7AtrCnU0vn-j7XFJjniG0mjRq9o5_QF-G8eqb5r3dmq0cx3j_wY-l7MtCO0YszJLfIgYkVf1jrVDcfzNSHYfcMHo/s640/939372_1733695186853544_426569671_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 4.</b> Left to right Great Black-backed Gull, Meteghan gull and Ring-billed Gull at Meteghan on March 15, 2016. <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Notice the darker mantle of the Meteghan gull compared to the Ring-billed Gull.</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Simon d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>Overall Size</i><br />
Adriaens & Gibbins (2016) generalize that the taxa increase in size from west to east but warn that there is much variation and overlap. <i>Brachyrhynchus</i> is the smallest and then progressively larger are <i>canus</i>, <i>heinei</i> and <i>kamtschatschensis</i>. The authors compare the size of <i>kamtschatschensis</i> as similar to that of Ring-billed Gulls. Figures 3 and 4 show two birds of similar size, strenghtening our argument for <i>kamtschatschensis</i>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNWKYi_qq0LdG6bIe26YG3q4LIi6sb7WqM5z7QbcTi2gZztmQl6bXJZ9cc0pPL5Plu_MnnD7Xy_fm67IBLk9_RX4gxiljaQ6BCkjj9x1fskZ9iysln1ZIU04GX3Di8I4o2Y4sYBTEK0Y/s1600/20160203-Sackville-JimEdsall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNWKYi_qq0LdG6bIe26YG3q4LIi6sb7WqM5z7QbcTi2gZztmQl6bXJZ9cc0pPL5Plu_MnnD7Xy_fm67IBLk9_RX4gxiljaQ6BCkjj9x1fskZ9iysln1ZIU04GX3Di8I4o2Y4sYBTEK0Y/s640/20160203-Sackville-JimEdsall.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 5.</b> Our regular winter <i>canus</i> (L) compared to a much bulkier looking Ring-billed Gull (R). Note the gentle head shape, large looking eye, visible bill band and in comparison to the Ring-billed Gull, only slightly darker mantle. <i>Photo by Jim Edsall.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>Head Shape</i><br />
In comparison to the other taxa, many <i>kamtschatschensis </i>show an obviously long, sloping forehead and a long and strong bill giving the bird a 'snouty' impression (Adriaens & Gibbins 2016). Characteristics similar to these are more prominent in some photos than others. Figure 6 shows a more gentle looking head shape of the Meteghan gull, but still shows a larger bill and more sloped forehead in comparison to the typical small bill and rounded head of <i>canus</i>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjO2drORZOWGfdRuEtIVtVNt-9yKJO5_WoMPSp9cNnC0QdW5PZOgNLPqVWtaNMiCGpsTfUBBIWAfP2tnS7m11-PLer-vRQm6CXjIPYYpOsLIkQiunCdAismRT_gX6vNFihRNFy3BQlJU/s1600/MEGU_HeadComparison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjO2drORZOWGfdRuEtIVtVNt-9yKJO5_WoMPSp9cNnC0QdW5PZOgNLPqVWtaNMiCGpsTfUBBIWAfP2tnS7m11-PLer-vRQm6CXjIPYYpOsLIkQiunCdAismRT_gX6vNFihRNFy3BQlJU/s640/MEGU_HeadComparison.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 6.</b> Meteghan gull (L) on March 12, 2016 and a regular <i>canus</i> (R) in Dartmouth on Feb 27, 2015. <i>Photos by Joan Comeau (L) and Alix d'Entremont (R).</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Some photos show the Meteghan gull with an extremely sloping forehead and very large looking bill (Fig. 7). This variability in appearance emphasizes the caveat that we should never rely on a single photograph when shape is an important part of a bird's identification features. Gulls, like many other species, appear to change shape with every posture.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlAqXwO1CjDrj2a3saALoGG81LeMHG-BuaP5ZBilK4GyWnd9JKMOA_JMpBA6sg4sDl8ro2ZBxy69iz3OagoRhK375iCTh5jnGlSqGNO-hc7rxUrUo2SizodRZM0ypr9_kS0vA5spxaf0/s1600/MEGU_SlopedHead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlAqXwO1CjDrj2a3saALoGG81LeMHG-BuaP5ZBilK4GyWnd9JKMOA_JMpBA6sg4sDl8ro2ZBxy69iz3OagoRhK375iCTh5jnGlSqGNO-hc7rxUrUo2SizodRZM0ypr9_kS0vA5spxaf0/s640/MEGU_SlopedHead.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 7.</b> The Meteghan gull on March 1, 2016, showing an extremely sloped forehead and large bill. <i>Photo by Joan Comeau.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><br /></i>
<i>Head Pattern</i><br />
The winter head pattern of the four taxa also differs; although we are in early spring, this feature still deserves a look (see Fig. 7). <i>Heinei</i> typically show a clean white head in early winter, so a late winter bird would likely show a white crown unlike the blotchy streaks on the crown of this gull. (Adriaens & Gibbins 2016)<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Bills and Eyes</i><br />
Most <i>canus</i> & <i>heinei</i> show a complete dark bill-band, but <i>kamtschatschensis</i> and <i>brachyrhynchus</i> both rarely show a complete band, like the Meteghan gull which has a barely visible broken bill-band (Figs. 6 & 7). Howell & Dunn (2007) describe the variation in eye colour of <em>kamtschatschensis</em> as dirty lemon (flecked dusky) to brownish and of the four plates of adults that are presented in their 2007 work, three appear to have irides identical in colour to those of the Meteghan gull (Fig. 8).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYqJu6hi2goQ74Xnk9M-YwYTLyEJFDeu-Nwe0akU1DfnJjAe3FEt54MgtBdhx7NMkvpdgYAKc6Dprwh2PHlKeYzdnqV8jThMbDMlf1SE6cERzQAwR0RkZfxRzyebioR9T-nWLzEQIh_U/s1600/12788815_1554781931498863_1308473246_o_cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYqJu6hi2goQ74Xnk9M-YwYTLyEJFDeu-Nwe0akU1DfnJjAe3FEt54MgtBdhx7NMkvpdgYAKc6Dprwh2PHlKeYzdnqV8jThMbDMlf1SE6cERzQAwR0RkZfxRzyebioR9T-nWLzEQIh_U/s400/12788815_1554781931498863_1308473246_o_cropped.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 8.</b> The Meteghan gull on Feb 27, 2016. The eyes are actually not entirely black; the iris in direct sunlight is brown, clearly much lighter than the black pupil. Adriaens & Gibbins (2007) found that more than 60% of the <i>kamtschatschensis </i>in their study had irides that were either dark or slightly paler than the pupil. <i>Photo by Joan Comeau.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>Primary Pattern</i><br />
Of all four taxa, <i>canus</i> tends to have the most limited amount of black on P4-5, with only 9% having any black on P4 like this gull. The white mirror on P9 of <i>canus </i>is often larger than that of the same primary of the other taxa. An extremely small percentage (~5%) of <i>canus</i> show an outer web mirror on P9 that is about equal to the length of the black tip as on the Meteghan gull. These small percentages mean that <i>canus </i>will seldom show these wing tip features.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicv1ftPY_VqQeEQb4yiWcythF_U8CYq6ue9tQu70H7hiRAUaBCj2Y8GAP0meKvlQ6V1_vjt4eSl4yAFMWTcf8Grrmk_8O7-bLb06qlLMU-UmwPVfLzXrlAVhLQOqoOHZhH1JLeRrGLzEg/s1600/MEGU_WingPrimaries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicv1ftPY_VqQeEQb4yiWcythF_U8CYq6ue9tQu70H7hiRAUaBCj2Y8GAP0meKvlQ6V1_vjt4eSl4yAFMWTcf8Grrmk_8O7-bLb06qlLMU-UmwPVfLzXrlAVhLQOqoOHZhH1JLeRrGLzEg/s640/MEGU_WingPrimaries.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Figure 9. </b><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Upper side of both wings of t</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">he Meteghan gull on March 14, 2016. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photos by Mark Dennis.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>Heinei</i> shows the most black in the primaries. Figure 9 shows that this gull has a black wedge on the outer web of P6 that is slightly less than 1/3 the length of the feather, shorter than is typical in <i>heinei</i> (wedge covers more than 1/3). This gull has a bold white tongue tip to P7, whereas <i>heinei</i> usually has little or no white on the tongue tip on this primary (Fig. 15).<br />
<br />
<i>Kamtschatschensis</i>, according to Adriaens & Gibbins (2006), has the most variable primary pattern, but still usually shows a combination of unique features. Most show a complete black band on P5 and some black on P4, like the Meteghan gull and 95% of <i>kamtschatschensis</i> show a big white tongue-tip on P7, as this gull does.<br />
<br />
The grey tongues on the underside of the outer three primaries in <i>kamtschatschensis</i> average longer and wider than in <i>heinei</i>. In Figure 10, the Meteghan gull shows a grey tongue on P8 that is about 1/2 the length of the feather and also obvious tongues on both P9 and P10, more than in typical <i>heinei</i>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMMwjRRC7c-s8i4FtxxOzL0X8ZXkTanj1FiPKTKw1g2shdJYsBzaFi4XW3k111yTCxS1IZZ-uO-qe8owEg02xH2MhwfwSQ9VXa76EHf-ra39Lc9gS5txnmj2Lnve75tVRvP6-P9lOQSk/s1600/MEGU_Primaries_underside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMMwjRRC7c-s8i4FtxxOzL0X8ZXkTanj1FiPKTKw1g2shdJYsBzaFi4XW3k111yTCxS1IZZ-uO-qe8owEg02xH2MhwfwSQ9VXa76EHf-ra39Lc9gS5txnmj2Lnve75tVRvP6-P9lOQSk/s400/MEGU_Primaries_underside.jpg" width="381" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 10.</b> Underside of the right wing of the Meteghan gull on March 14, 2016. <i>Photo by Mark Dennis.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Adriaens & Gibbins (2016) warn that the main confusion taxon for <i>kamtschatschensis</i> in terms of primary pattern is <i>brachyrhynchus</i>. Applying the primary pattern identification key provided by Adriaens & Gibbins (2016) results in <em>kamtschatschensis </em>and this was confirmed by Adriaens (pers. comm.). The feature that potentially led away from <i>kamtschatschensis</i> in the late stages of the key was the apparent grey at the base of the outer web of P9 in one photo; the others show an entirely black outer web. In the photo, what looks to be a gray based outer web of P9, might actually be the inner web of P10. This makes it clear that high quality photos of the spread wings are required for accurate results from the primary pattern identification key.<br />
<br />
<b>Comparison Photos</b><br />
Since visual comparisons have already been made with <em>brachyrhynchus</em> and <em>canus</em>, I thought it was fitting to compare the Meteghan Gull with photos of <em>heinei</em> and <em>kamstchastchensis</em>. I would like to thank <a href="http://www.ouessant-digiscoping.fr/" target="_blank">Aurélien Audevard</a>, an ornithologist with the Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, and Kjeld Tommy Pedersen who is a laboratory technician at the Natural History Musem of Denmark for the use of their photos. There are many more photos of all four <em>Larus canus</em> taxa at <a href="http://www.gull-research.org/" target="_blank">Gull Research Organization</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBF3u1dzy2NpcmrKH8fkU43DrlnJRdfBXG92FnjOwRhTEWr4S4IVfrHKpQn4g9u8aE1A5E6USEHAZwOKmEtmh7sQYSFhi5DSjCWywXKnSVtcJ6OVmP36P-9c6TPjoWpYIRbrgogQh7YQI/s1600/Goeland_du_kamchatka_2B_06022010_-_Japon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBF3u1dzy2NpcmrKH8fkU43DrlnJRdfBXG92FnjOwRhTEWr4S4IVfrHKpQn4g9u8aE1A5E6USEHAZwOKmEtmh7sQYSFhi5DSjCWywXKnSVtcJ6OVmP36P-9c6TPjoWpYIRbrgogQh7YQI/s640/Goeland_du_kamchatka_2B_06022010_-_Japon.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 12.</b> Kamchatka Gull (<i>L.c. kamtshatschensis</i>) during non-breeding season in Hokkaido, Japan on February 2, 2010. Note the large bill and sloping forehead similar to that of the Meteghan gull. The eye colour of this bird also seems to be a great match. There is no visible bill band, a feature seen in about 40% of <i>kamtschatschensis </i>studied by Adriaens & Gibbins (2016). <i>Photo by Aurélien Audevard.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhYpub1b1mb4iyUX9uT8ny1X16q6QiaRfklXggDh-RilBn-Kqg-L9Zbc_8wQpc8fS0wb4cfApgEGn9os6Yxn01RHsUPCLUGzmU8j_0xfJYvI_-Bu5AcaIC1wNfkecgBG0VKgb-wlIv4Y/s1600/Goeland_du_kamchatka_L1_06022010_-_Japon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhYpub1b1mb4iyUX9uT8ny1X16q6QiaRfklXggDh-RilBn-Kqg-L9Zbc_8wQpc8fS0wb4cfApgEGn9os6Yxn01RHsUPCLUGzmU8j_0xfJYvI_-Bu5AcaIC1wNfkecgBG0VKgb-wlIv4Y/s640/Goeland_du_kamchatka_L1_06022010_-_Japon.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 13.</b> <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Kamchatka Gull (<i>L.c. kamtschatschensis</i>) in Hokkaido, Japan on February 2, 2010. This view shows the tongues on the underside of the outer primaries. P10 has an obvious tongue as does P10 of the Meteghan Gull. Adriaens & Gibbins (2016) describe that about 70% of <i>heinei </i>show no tongue to P10. This particular <i>kamtschatschensis </i>does seem to show longer tongues on P9 and P8 than the Meteghan Gull. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Aurélien Audevard.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LR8bP0x0ohULACh_g0b4hoehGQUPrIfnU6uajxYNbe39B96h_2iK9MBgztgQ8OANLyb4LXoOLCKpu63Hplj01SsGObBHwRmoszL_950WDs73z9IFMfmow3CXFJdqTN6TAI6NoeeKaok/s1600/DKC+AC2494+YN+6K9+Sortedamss%25C3%25B8en+17-02-2011+CPH+DK+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LR8bP0x0ohULACh_g0b4hoehGQUPrIfnU6uajxYNbe39B96h_2iK9MBgztgQ8OANLyb4LXoOLCKpu63Hplj01SsGObBHwRmoszL_950WDs73z9IFMfmow3CXFJdqTN6TAI6NoeeKaok/s400/DKC+AC2494+YN+6K9+Sortedamss%25C3%25B8en+17-02-2011+CPH+DK+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Figure 14.</strong> Russian Common Gull (<em>L.c. heinei</em>) at Sortedamssøen, Denmark on February 17, 2011. The bill of this <em>heinei</em> shows the typical obvious dark bill band. The barely perceptible bill band on the Meteghan gull is more similar to that of <em>brachyrhynchus</em> or <em>kamtschatschensis.</em> <i>Photo by Kjeld Tommy Pedersen.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FuDccqbjNdyNq9-qapSEJ8r3vf5tV80GjCT-yu9O-vz8oSv2Ds6sQQQ7GwjWgQB7bKg2RT0SlYGQ-pMCxCvHljwZKeP4X0kcios6RRx9uUdeuGt-LT4MwfugoasVWKcykKa2_AzExdk/s1600/DKC+AC2494+YN+6K9+Sortedamss%25C3%25B8en+17-02-2011+CPH+DK+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FuDccqbjNdyNq9-qapSEJ8r3vf5tV80GjCT-yu9O-vz8oSv2Ds6sQQQ7GwjWgQB7bKg2RT0SlYGQ-pMCxCvHljwZKeP4X0kcios6RRx9uUdeuGt-LT4MwfugoasVWKcykKa2_AzExdk/s640/DKC+AC2494+YN+6K9+Sortedamss%25C3%25B8en+17-02-2011+CPH+DK+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Figure 15.</strong> Russian Common Gull (L.c. heinei) at Sortedamssøen, Denmark on February 17, 2011. Mew Gulls (L.canus) with limited dark markings on the primary coverts are still aged as adults on the Gull Research Organization webpage. It could point to a young adult, but the primary patterns should still be representative of a full adult. <i>Photo by Kjeld Tommy Pedersen.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<strong>Identification Conclusions</strong><br />
Dr. Eric Mills, a long-time birder in Nova Scotia also with world wide experience, saw this bird on March 15, 2016 and notes in his eBird checklist that "In my opinion (after looking at recent literature) only <em>brachyrhynchus</em> and <em>kamschatschensis</em> are possibilities, and this bird is far too large, too large-billed, and has the wrong head shape for <em>brachyrhynchus</em>." Mark Dennis, originally from the UK, confidently says that "[he has] seen many thousands of Common Gulls in Europe and some in Asia but none as dark as this." Perhaps most convincing are the comments from Peter Adriaens and Chris Gibbins, the authors of the most complete and most recent paper on subspecific identification of the Mew Gull Complex, who shared regarding the Meteghan gull that "the size and jizz, and the upper parts, are obviously good and everything we can see in the primary pattern looks good too [for <i>kamtschatschensis</i>]."<br />
<br />
The Meteghan gull is clearly not <i>brachyrhynchus</i>, as this taxon would be much smaller overall and would have a rounded head and small bill. The mantle colour appears too dark for the expected range seen in <em>canus</em>. <em>Heinei</em> typically show a clean white crown by early winter, unlike the blurry streaked crown of this gull. The head and bill shape better fits <i>heinei</i> and <i>kamtschatschensis</i> and the bill markings are closer to that of <i>brachyrhynchus</i> and <i>kamtschatschensis</i>. The limited extent of black in the outer primaries of typical <i>canus</i> doesn't fit that of the Meteghan Gull which shows less black than typical <i>heinei</i>. The primary identification key from Adriaens & Gibbins (2016) leads to <em>kamtschatschensis.</em><br />
<br />
My own research, positive comments from local experienced birders along with thoughts from Peter Adriaens and Chris Gibbins appear to confirm the Meteghan gull as <em>kamtschatschensis</em>, a first for Nova Scotia.<br />
<br />
<b>Precedence in North America</b><br />
Other east Asian gulls such as Slaty-backed and Back-tailed gulls have been found in eastern North America with some regularity. An adult Slaty-backed Gull was in Glace Bay, Cape Breton, December 2003 through February 2004 and we've had a minimum of two Black-tailed Gulls since our first was found on Sable Island in May 1997. Records of two other east Asian gulls in Nova Scotia make our acceptance of a first record of <i>kamtschatschensis </i>that much easier.<br />
<br />
Outside of Alaska, reports of <i>kamtschatschensis</i> are very rare, but there are multiple well studied birds in blog sites and eBird that are listed below with links to documentation.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ri-avianrecords.org/Home/annual-reports-3/report-1" target="_blank">Rhode Island - January-February 2006</a><br />
<a href="http://ofo.ca/ofo-docs/2006OBRCReport.pdf" target="_blank">Ontario - March 2006</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ilbirds.com/index.php?topic=3154.msg4129" target="_blank">Illinois - February 2008</a><br />
<a href="http://www.peregrineprints.com/zzzz_Article_2010_KAMG.htm" target="_blank">Ontario - November 2009</a><br />
<a href="http://www.nebirdsplus.com/Mew_Gull.htm" target="_blank">Massachussetts - 2010</a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pbtrimble/11802322576/" target="_blank">Massachussetts - 2013</a><br />
<a href="http://birdingfrontiers.com/2014/09/20/kamchatka-gull-at-st-johns-newfoundland/" target="_blank">Newfoundland - September 2014</a> (<a href="http://alvanbuckley.blogspot.ca/2014/09/that-mewcommon-gull-thing.html" target="_blank">Birding with Buckley</a>)<br />
<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S22347612" target="_blank">Massachussetts - March 2015</a><br />
<a href="http://www.shorebirder.com/2015/04/apr-15-mew-gull-in-west-havenmilford-ct.html" target="_blank">Connecticut - April 2015</a> (<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S22892065" target="_blank">eBird checklist 1</a>, <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S22925974" target="_blank">eBird checklist 2</a>)<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Acknowledgements</b><br />
I would like to thank Peter Adriaens and Chris Gibbins for their expert comments on the photos that I had sent to them. Maxine Quinton carefully read every word of a draft of this blog and provided me with many excellent suggestions that were incorporated in the final version. Thank you to Joan Comeau, Ronnie d'Entremont, Mark Dennis, Jim Edsall, Simon d'Entremont, Aurélien Audevard and Kjeld Tommy Pedersen for their excellent photos.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>References:</b><br />
Adriaens, P. & C. Gibbins. 2016. Identification of the Larus canus complex. <i>Dutch Birding</i> 38:1-64.<br />
<br />
del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott & J. Sargatal, eds. 1996. Handbook of the birds of the world, vol. 3. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.<br />
<br />
Howell, S.N.G. and J. Dunn. 2007. Gulls of the Americas. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, N.Y.<br />
<br />
Howell, S.N.G., I. Lewington & W. Russell. 2014. Rare Birds of North America. Princeton University Press<br />
<br />
McLaren, I.A. 2012. All the Birds of Nova Scotia: status & critical identification. Gaspereau Press Ltd, Kentville, N.S., Canada<br />
<br />
Olsen, Klaus Malling, and Hans Larsson. 2004. Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America. London: Christopher Helm.<br />
<br />
Sibley, CG and BL Monroe. 1996. Birds of the World, on diskette, Windows version 2.0. Charles G. Sibley, Santa Rosa, CA, USA</div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-10513819216968298392016-03-07T12:40:00.002-04:002016-03-07T17:16:25.627-04:00Aberrant Red-tailed Hawk<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
<b>A Partially White Red-tailed Hawk in Yarmouth</b></div>
<div>
A few images of an intriguing Red-tailed Hawk were posted to the Nova Scotia Bird Society Facebook page by Robert Surette. The hawk was photographed on March 4, 2016, soaring above the Town of Yarmouth and Robert was fortunate enough to capture both the underside (Fig. 1) and upperside (Fig. 2) of this magnificent bird.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cSOOrJiZD2aJcsXUdLuOcTQdspOk-rtXCi-jIHQJM_oKmDZtEjFuj6iE90TUTu4CgrM47Qh7NVd1GmAwOR-IxPPrhkwAWxyV1B0NmuHFf5r35vA-SVSpLhjQ-5d9EeSmHkbKTkWaCQ0/s1600/rtha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cSOOrJiZD2aJcsXUdLuOcTQdspOk-rtXCi-jIHQJM_oKmDZtEjFuj6iE90TUTu4CgrM47Qh7NVd1GmAwOR-IxPPrhkwAWxyV1B0NmuHFf5r35vA-SVSpLhjQ-5d9EeSmHkbKTkWaCQ0/s640/rtha.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 1.</b> Aberrant Red-tailed Hawk in the Town of Yarmouth, Yarmouth County, March 4, 2016. Notice the asymmetric pattern to the white flight feathers. <i>Photo by Robert Surette.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
With a quick glance, it almost looks like the bird is missing many secondaries and primaries (Fig. 1). If a bird were moulting flight feathers, the same feathers would be replaced at the same time on both wings, creating symmetry in the feather gaps. Upon closer inspection you see that there are no gaps, the feathers are actually present, but they appear entirely white. See my previous post named <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2016/02/ghost-grackle.html" target="_blank">Ghost Grackle</a> for some introductory information on colours and colour aberrations in birds.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnmVMQtHxGCbbTPKRK-OWPVfFCVmNHMmLkmzAMM6Wp-FlzzUV8QAdL0M5TF4qQ5WTqNryzKS4qTI7vg6jybHD3NuJppVuZ8EiPfJJzdhoMPgIM7YiL334y7jUVTfCrwjjRpZB4lKGtzQ/s1600/rtha2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnmVMQtHxGCbbTPKRK-OWPVfFCVmNHMmLkmzAMM6Wp-FlzzUV8QAdL0M5TF4qQ5WTqNryzKS4qTI7vg6jybHD3NuJppVuZ8EiPfJJzdhoMPgIM7YiL334y7jUVTfCrwjjRpZB4lKGtzQ/s640/rtha2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 2.</b> <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Aberrant Red-tailed Hawk in the Town of Yarmouth, Yarmouth County, March 4, 2016. This view of the upperparts of this hawk shows that is it mostly white. The head and tail appear normally coloured, as do some of the flight feathers. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Robert Surette.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The aberrant feathers appear entirely white. There is no indication of any pale brownish or greyish feathers. Aberrant feathers are known to bleach quickly; this requires checking of feathers that are protected when the bird perched for an indication of what a feather looked like when it was new. The secondaries of a Red-tailed Hawk are covered when the hawk is perched, and these feathers also appear to be pure white from below (Fig. 1) and from above (Fig. 2).<br />
<br />
This hawk is definitely not an <i>albino</i>. This requires that all feathers lack both melanin pigments, which would render a Red-tailed Hawk's plumage entirely white. We can also eliminate all other aberrant conditions except <i>leucism </i>and <i>progressive greying</i> due to the fact that the unusual feathers appear pure white and not brown or grey. These two remaining conditions are difficult to tell apart if all feathers are affected. Luckily, this is not the case here. When <i>leucism </i>affects only part of the bird's plumage, the pattern produced is typically symmetrical. As previously mentioned, the pattern is asymmetrical. The differences between the wings are annotated by arrows in Figure 3. (Grouw 2013)<br />
<br />
<em>Leucism</em> almost always affects the extremities (outer primaries, head, feet, belly...), so a bird showing many white feathers on the back and few in the wing along with normally coloured outer primaries, head and belly is likely not a <em>leucistic</em> individual. <em>Progressive graying</em> is also documented to occur with some regularity in Red-tailed Hawks. (van Grouw, pers. comm.)<br />
<br />
The left wing has only one white outer primary (P10) while the right wing has three (P7, P9 & P10). There are also clear differences between each wing in the secondaries, the right wing having a large patch of white feathers not present in the left wing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcR0DGeopTr7zIonv2nG_XP0iI2ykvwdTg7wz92nMRZUfJvgc4CPOErp9HgC4Qnwz-YpHvizxViHzanzC_g2Hix9URE9A2e2ntG6DE6EXvazZ3fEpLEw8bikmZSubS0c_HbVSVWCpdJs/s1600/rtha_anno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcR0DGeopTr7zIonv2nG_XP0iI2ykvwdTg7wz92nMRZUfJvgc4CPOErp9HgC4Qnwz-YpHvizxViHzanzC_g2Hix9URE9A2e2ntG6DE6EXvazZ3fEpLEw8bikmZSubS0c_HbVSVWCpdJs/s640/rtha_anno.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Figure 3.</b><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Aberrant Red-tailed Hawk in the Town of Yarmouth, Yarmouth County, March 4, 2016. This view of the underparts of this hawk shows that the white feather pattern is not bilaterally symmetrical. We also see that the head, body and underwing coverts appear normally coloured. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Robert Surette.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This pattern of white feathers is characteristic of the colour abnormality called <i>progressive greying, </i>a condition that is more common than <i>leucism</i>. <i>Progressive greying</i> arises once a bird reaches a certain age and is specifically the progressive loss of pigment cells with age. Once the condition begins, the bird will gain an increasing number of white feathers after every moult until the entire plumage is white. (van Grouw 2013)<br />
<br />
<b>History of White Red-tailed Hawks in Nova Scotia</b><br />
Red-tailed Hawks with white plumage have been documented fairly regularly in Nova Scotia. See the list below for <i>NS Birds</i> issues from Jan 1997 until today with mention of white Red-tailed Hawks. All but the latest issue include a link to the PDF on the Nova Scotia Bird Society website. Follow the link to read about the sightings.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>NS Birds Vol 57 No 2 (</i>Fig. 4)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://nsbirdsociety.ca/Publications/Newsletters/Vol%2052,%20number%203%20Summer%202010.pdf" target="_blank">NS Birds Vol 52 No 3</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://nsbirdsociety.ca/Publications/Newsletters/Vol%2052,%20number%202%20Spring%202010.pdf" target="_blank">NS Birds Vol 52 No 2</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://nsbirdsociety.ca/Publications/Newsletters/Vol%2051,%20number%201%20Winter%202009.pdf" target="_blank">NS Birds Vol 51 No 1</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://nsbirdsociety.ca/Publications/Newsletters/Vol%2050,%20number%202%20Spring%202008.pdf" target="_blank">NS Birds Vol 50 No 2</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://nsbirdsociety.ca/Publications/Newsletters/Vol%2048,%20number%201%20Winter%202006.pdf" target="_blank">NS Birds Vol 48 No 1</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://nsbirdsociety.ca/Publications/Newsletters/Vol%2047,%20number%202%20Summer%202005.pdf" target="_blank">NS Birds Vol 47 No 2</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://nsbirdsociety.ca/Publications/Newsletters/Vol%2044,%20number%201%20Winter%202002.pdf" target="_blank">NS Birds Vol 44 No 1</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://nsbirdsociety.ca/Publications/Newsletters/Vol%2043,%20number%202%20Spring%202001.pdf" target="_blank">NS Birds Vol 43 No 2</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://nsbirdsociety.ca/Publications/Newsletters/Vol%2040,%20number%203%20Summer%201998.pdf" target="_blank">NS Birds Vol 40 No 3</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://nsbirdsociety.ca/Publications/Newsletters/Vol%2040,%20number%201%20Winter%201998.pdf" target="_blank">NS Birds Vol 40 No 1</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://nsbirdsociety.ca/Publications/Newsletters/Vol%2039,%20number%201%20Winter%201997.pdf" target="_blank">NS Birds Vol 39 No 1</a></i></div>
<br />
Two long-staying birds were at Sheffield Mills from 1988 until 1996 and the Wolfville/Hortonville area from 2001 until 2010 (Fig. 5). Some other white Red-tailed Hawks have been spotted in Kingston, Kings Co. in 1998; Meiklefield, Pictou Co. in 1998; Pomquet, Antigonish Co. in 2007; West Hants in 2008 and the recent bird at Canning in November 2014 (Fig. 4).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-fJO8TUNM0b-2Ia2knH5Nsg_-zYUmrbNOD3id0eC7RPxvTpJ0INUSJncw4qVm1iTd1-BKQ8DV4xje1u5i72Mju-4x4BEhk8NDy37tlvgHYcSegE4xvSp2DfuktYmzNe2R4tUo1mq5Fs/s1600/rtha4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-fJO8TUNM0b-2Ia2knH5Nsg_-zYUmrbNOD3id0eC7RPxvTpJ0INUSJncw4qVm1iTd1-BKQ8DV4xje1u5i72Mju-4x4BEhk8NDy37tlvgHYcSegE4xvSp2DfuktYmzNe2R4tUo1mq5Fs/s320/rtha4.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 4.</b> A mostly white Red-tailed Hawk at Canning November 6, 2014. Without better photos, we can't be sure of the exact condition, but it is likely leucism or progressive greying - the affected feathers do look pure white. <i>Photo by Mel Carlton.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPX2x_meO_3WiUUPavbdSjCvj2LUNuxuqH0daubrRhgsAdc0FAvLIbrahsf79K_0COg-iQX0PO-NMmGtIwpF5Q-RSd_hEiEUsCf7NUOTNaCQaRf_Jwd2y0mV-rT1F2kvsZLgqZ_KV2UVg/s1600/Leucistic+Red+Tailed+Hawk-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPX2x_meO_3WiUUPavbdSjCvj2LUNuxuqH0daubrRhgsAdc0FAvLIbrahsf79K_0COg-iQX0PO-NMmGtIwpF5Q-RSd_hEiEUsCf7NUOTNaCQaRf_Jwd2y0mV-rT1F2kvsZLgqZ_KV2UVg/s640/Leucistic+Red+Tailed+Hawk-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Figure 5.</strong> White Red-tailed Hawk at Grand Pré in November 2009. The feet and eyes of this bird appear normally coloured, so it isn't an albino. The affected plumage appears pure white, so again it is likely caused by leucism or progressive greying through a lack of melanin. <em>Photo by Tuma Young.</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Christmas Bird Counts in The Valley have consistently produced a relatively high number of Red-tailed Hawks in comparison to the rest of the province. A higher number of birds would definitely give an observer a higher chance of spotting an aberrant Red-tailed Hawk.<br />
<br />
In the process of researching this hawk, it has been clear that most of the birding community in North America hasn't jumped on van Grouw's aberrant colour mutation terminology. While both <em>leucism</em> and <em>progressive greying</em> produce plumage and skin that is all white or partly white through a lack of melanin, they do differ in that <em>leucism</em>'s effects on an individual does not change over time while <em>progressive greying</em>'s effects on the bird's pluamge spreads over time.<br />
<br />
<b>References:</b><br />
Grouw, Hein van. 2013. What colour is that bird? The causes and recognition of common colour aberrations in birds. <i>British Birds</i> 106: 17-29.</div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-65821528039181774762016-02-23T08:05:00.001-04:002016-02-24T08:25:21.208-04:00Ghost Grackle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Aberrant Colour Terminology</b><br />
Most people have heard of albinism, but there are many other mechanisms that result in various aberrant plumages in birds. Recent general birding publications only mention a few of the possible aberrant conditions. The introduction in Sibley (2014) briefly touches on albinism, leucism, melanin reduction and carotenoid issues while warning readers that "It is generally impossible for an observer in the field to determine the underlying cause of the abnormality". Alderfer & Dunn (2014) contains a few words each on albinism, leucism and melanism. Reibler et al. (2014) also noted that this is an active area of research and that concepts are continually being refined and extended.<br />
<br />
Terminology usage between references varies. The most complete and recent publication that I've come across was a 2013 paper in <i>British Birds</i> called <i>What colour is that bird? The causes and recognition of common colour aberrations in birds</i> by Hein van Grouw. Hein is a Bird Curator at the Natural History Museum in London, England, and is currently working with the British Trust for Ornithology on the occurence and causes of colour aberrations in blackbirds. His 2013 paper is cited in many recent papers on aberrant plumages in birds, therefore, it should be an appropriate reference.<br />
<br />
<b>Colour Basics</b><br />
Natural colours in feathers arise from the deposition of pigments, the development of keratin nanostructures, or both. Other colouration is acquired through soiling, staining, sun bleaching or abrasion. (Davis 2007)<br />
<br />
The most common pigments in birds are melanins. There are two forms of melanin: eumelanin and phaeomelanin. Eumelanin is responsible for black, grey and dark brown colours while phaeomelanin produces warm reddish-brown to pale buff. Carotenoids are the second most common pigment and vary in colour from pale yellow to scarlet red. (Grouw 2013)<br />
<br />
There are also rarer pigments called psittacofulvins and porphyrins. Psittacofulvins produce red, orange and yellow strictly in birds of the order Psittaciforms (parrots, cockatoos, lories and lorikeets). Porphyrins are more widespread, being present in at least 13 orders of birds including owls and bustards (large, Old World, omnivorous bird). (Reidler 2014)<br />
<br />
Attempts to age and sex the many Mountain Bluebirds (at least 4) that arrived in Nova Scotia during autumn 2015 led me to learn about structural colours. The blue colour seen in these westerners is a structural colour created by light scattered by keratin structures and air in the feathers along with melanin. Shawkey & Hill (2006) studied structural colours and showed that melanin's primary function is to absorb the incoherently scattered light, thereby enhancing colour purity of the light scattered by the keratin and air. The keratin structures not only help to produce blue feathers in birds, but also green and iridescent colours (Davis 2007).<br />
<br />
<b>Aberrant Colours</b><br />
There are many genetic mutations that cause colour aberrations. According to van Grouw (2013), the six most common heritable colour aberrations are <i>albinism</i>,<i> leucism</i>,<i> progressive graying</i>,<i> brown</i>,<i> dilution</i>,<i> ino </i>and<i> melanism</i>. <i>Progressive graying </i>may or may not be heritable.<br />
<br />
The table below is modified from van Grouw (2013), and summarizes the seven colour aberrations listed above.<br />
<br />
<table border="2" bordercolor="#000000" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="3" style="background-color: white; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Mutation</th>
<th>Gene Action</th>
<th>Effect</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><i>Albinism</i></td>
<td>Total lack of both melanins in feathers, eyes and skin.</td>
<td>All white plumage, red eyes, and pink feet and bill.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><i>Leucism</i></td>
<td>Partial or total lack of both melanins in feathers and skin.</td>
<td>All-white plumage or all-white feathers mixed in with normal-coloured ones. Pink or normal bill and feet and always normal-coloured eyes. Is typically bilaterally symetrical.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><i>Progressive Graying</i></td>
<td>Partial or total lack of both melanins that progresses with age.</td>
<td>All-white plumage or all-white feathers mixed in with normal-coloured ones. Pink or normal bill and feet and always normal-coloured eyes.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><i>Brown</i></td>
<td>Qualitative reduction of eumelanin.</td>
<td>Originally black is brown, originally reddish/yellow/brown is unaffected.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><i>Dilution</i></td>
<td>Quantitative reduction in both melanins (1) or only eumelanin (2).</td>
<td>(1) Originally black is silvery gray, originally reddish-/yellow-brown is buff/cream.<br />
<br />
(2) Originally black is silvery gray, originally reddish-/yellow-brown is unaffected.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><i>Ino</i></td>
<td>Qualitative reduction both melanins, strong (1) or weak (2).</td>
<td>(1) Originally black is very pale brown/cream, originally reddish-/yellow-brown hardly visible. Eyes pinkish, pink feet and bill.<br />
<br />
(2) Originally black is light brown, originally reddish-/yellow-brown is buff/cream. Pink feet and bill.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><i>Melanism</i></td>
<td>Abnormal deposit of melanin.</td>
<td>Increase of black and/or reddish-brown.</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Ghost Grackle</b><br />
On Feb 3, 2016, I was visually sifting through a large flock of blackbirds at Pleasant Lake, Yarmouth Co., when something white caught my eye. It was the same size as the Common Grackles it was with, but I didn't really get a good look at it on that day. Two days later on Feb 5, the white bird showed up at my work feeder in Tusket (Fig. 1), about 3 km from Pleasant Lake. I got good looks of it this time and it was clearly an aberrant Common Grackle. I called Ervin Olsen who came quickly and was able to see the "Ghost Grackle".<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qwm6jDtFJwqSfewDsVUq62XrHIpGwypausy6l3Q0WKHn9H8I2S6lEzg0ZxXTU_7d0CfPKnjbhxNGi6OydRZzSXl-jIV_Ct5urSDGZK8sqis2mCbe0_93E7FJt_sO7HLSaJy-RNJmUqM/s1600/D70_7566_COGR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qwm6jDtFJwqSfewDsVUq62XrHIpGwypausy6l3Q0WKHn9H8I2S6lEzg0ZxXTU_7d0CfPKnjbhxNGi6OydRZzSXl-jIV_Ct5urSDGZK8sqis2mCbe0_93E7FJt_sO7HLSaJy-RNJmUqM/s640/D70_7566_COGR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 1.</b> Aberrant Common Grackle in Tusket, Feb 5, 2016. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Van Grouw (2013) admits that identifying the mutations causing aberrant colours in birds is difficult, but he is optimistic that many mutations can be named. Underlying mutations can be eliminated by examining this bird in detail and using the table above.<br />
<br />
We can begin by eliminating <i>albinism</i>, <i>leucism</i> and <i>progressive greying </i>since the Ghost Grackle doesn't show all-white plumage or all-white feathers. Both the head and parts of the feathers that are protected by overlying feathers are a pale brown, not white. Figure 2 shows the bird with spread tail and wings which makes visible the parts of the flight feathers that are covered when the bird is perched. These normally covered parts of the feathers are less bleached than the exposed parts and show a more true representation of the colour of the feathers just after moult.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZ2kp2IiWiPx291Zv3yA1KEKy8JxI7li9CJpuAArBPDIRFe3LTCRDMmljxdrzMC9PXw_WBZ_Eq9RrqcX2pQo0R8oqhgk7eX-Ox4WH1cJ6RFUJSaWCci4iXeeqhvhYfNTzgwC8_zaQbxk/s1600/D70_7513_COGR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZ2kp2IiWiPx291Zv3yA1KEKy8JxI7li9CJpuAArBPDIRFe3LTCRDMmljxdrzMC9PXw_WBZ_Eq9RrqcX2pQo0R8oqhgk7eX-Ox4WH1cJ6RFUJSaWCci4iXeeqhvhYfNTzgwC8_zaQbxk/s640/D70_7513_COGR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Figure 2.</b><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> Aberrant Common Grackle in Tusket, Feb 5, 2016. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>Dilution</i>'s effect on a black bird such as a Common Grackle would produce a grayish body. The Ghost Grackle is more pale brownish and doesn't appear to show any gray at all. Both types of <i>ino</i> require at least a pink bill and feet, which is not the case for this bird. It is clearly not <i>melanistic</i>, so we are left with the mutation known as <i>brown</i>. After <i>progressive graying</i>, <i>brown</i> in the most common colour aberration in birds. (van Grouw 2013)<br />
<br />
More technically, <i>brown </i>is is the case where the number of eumelanin pigments remains unchanged, but the appearance of the pigment is altered. The alteration is specifically that the eumelanin sythesis is incomplete as the eumelanin is not fully oxidised, changing what is normally black to brown. In this mutation, the pigment phaeomelanin is unaffected (van Grouw believes that there is no phaeomelanin in Common Grackles). This partial oxidation results in plumage that is very sensitive to sunlight and will bleach quickly. This susceptibility to bleaching is why checking the less exposed parts of the plumage is required. (van Grouw 2013)<br />
<br />
How is the iridescence that characterizes the Common Grackle effected by the reduced oxidation of the eumelanin? Maia et al. (2009) found that the role of melanin in the production of iridescence in Blue-black Grassquits was to provide additional refraction interfaces and to absorb incoherently reflected light, which are instrumental in the production of iridescence. Therefore, it is safe to assume the eumelanin in the Common Grackle is essential to the creation of iridescence. Shawkey et al. (2006) do look at a few grackle species, but not the Common Grackle, and only mention melanin's role in creating refraction interfaces and do not touch on its role in absorption of incoherently reflected light (possibly an oversight).<br />
<br />
One obvious feature of this bird remains unscrutinized. The head and neck are much darker than the body, even if it was exposed to sunlight as much as the exposed body plumage that has quickly bleached towards white. This is due to the relatively high concentration of eumelanin in the head and neck. A higher concentration of pigment bleaches less quick than a lower concentration, which in this case, results in a darker head and neck. (van Grouw pers. comm.)<br />
<br />
While the head and neck of a typical Common Gracle is clearly iridescent, the body appears to show less idirescence, perhaps tending somewhat towards glossy. Maia et al. (2011) explain that iridescent feathers requires a continuous layer of melanin beneath the surface keratin where as gloss is produced by a less organized, quasi-ordered melanin layer. Matte black feathers show even less melanin order and continuity compared to those showing gloss. This suggests a relatively higher concentration of melanin in the iridescent feathers compared to that of the less iridescent feathers (i.e. glossy or matte feathers).<br />
<br />
While it is possible that a higher concentration of melanin in the head and neck are due to the pigment's role in iridescence, there might also be another, possibly related, reason. Van Grouw (pers. comm.) shared his experience of non-iridescent black birds birds like Carrion Crow and Black Oystercatcher. He explains that these birds also show a higher melanin concentration in the head, which is not related to visible iridescence. Shawkey et al. (2006) describe how a small number of morphological steps are required for matte feathers to evolve into iridescent ones. Perhaps the high concentration of melanin in Carrion Crow and Black Oystercatcher hint at past iridescence or possible future iridescence in these species. This evolution idea is simply speculation, it would be interesting to see research on this topic.<br />
<br />
It seems that the mutation <i>brown</i> in this Common Grackle has both changed the blacks to browns and entirely removed any perceptible gloss or iridescence. The reduced oxidation of the eumelanin has also disrupted the mechanisms that create gloss and iridescence, but still provides differing intensities of pale matte brown colouration to the feathers.<br />
<br />
There are many very technical papers available for free download from the internet on the subject of feather colouration and aberrant plumags. All of the journal references below are freely downloadable; if you've got an interest in this topic, and want to lean more - dive in!<br />
<br />
<strong>Acknowledgements:</strong><br />
I wish to thank Hein van Grouw for his e-mail comments regarding the photos of the Ghost Grackle that I had sent to him. Maxine Quinton and Kathleen MacAuley provided feedback to draft versions of this post which were extremely helpful.<br />
<br />
<b>References:</b><br />
Alderfer, J., J.L. Dunn. 2014. (Ed). Complete Birds of North America, 2nd Edition. National Geographic Society. Washington DC, USA.<br />
<br />
Davis, J. N. 2007. Color abnormalities in birds: A proposed nomenclature for birders. Birding 39:36–46.<br />
<br />
Elphick, C., J.B. Dunning Jr., & D.A. Sibley. 2009. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior. Alfred A. Knopf, New York.<br />
<br />
Grouw, Hein van (2013) What colour is that bird? The causes and recognition of common colour aberrations in birds. <i>British Birds</i> 106: 17-29.<br />
<br />
Maia, R., J. V. O. Caetano, S. N. Báo, and R. H. Macedo. 2009. Iridescent structural colour production in male blue-black grassquit feather barbules: the role of keratin and melanin. Journal of the Royal Society Interface 6:S203-11.<br />
<br />
Maia, R., L. D'Alba and M.D. Shawkey. 2011. What makes a feather shine? A nanostructural basis for glossy black colours in feathers. Proc Biol Sci 278(1714):1973-1980.<br />
<br />
Reidler R., C. Pemse, J. Druzik, M. Gleeson and E. Pearlstein. 2014. A Review of Color-Producing Mechanisms in Feathers and Their Inflence on Preventative Conservation Strategies. <i>Journal of the American Institute for Conservation</i> Vol. 53 No. 1, 44-65.<br />
<br />
Shawkey, M.D. and G.E. Hill. 2006. Significance of a basal melanin layer to production of non-iridescent structural plumage colour: evidence from an amelanotic Stellers' Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri). <i>Journal of Experimental Biology</i> 209:1245-1250.<br />
<br />
Shawkey, M.D., M.E. Hauber, L.K. Estep & G.E. Hill. 2006. Evolutionary transitions and mechanisms of matte and iridescent plumage coloration in grackles and allies (Icteridae). <i>Journal of the Royal Society Interface</i>, 3, 777-786.<br />
<br />
Sibley, D.A. 2014. The Sibley Guide to Birds 2nd Ed. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, N.Y.</div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-68761383634906626822016-01-01T07:29:00.000-04:002016-01-06T09:01:14.979-04:002015 Year In Review - The Rarities<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
2015 provided me with 22 lifers, down from 36 <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/01/2014-year-in-review-rarities.html" target="_blank">last year</a>. The rarest birds that I saw this year were the two <b><a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/04/two-rosss-geese-in-nova-scotia.html">Ross's Geese</a></b> provided the second and third records for the province, the Apple River <b><a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/03/fieldfare.html" target="">Fieldfare</a></b> was the eighth record and the <b><a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/05/a-little-egret-in-nova-scotia.html">Little Egret</a></b> that represented the seventh record.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrl0VtB6v3tqdO02l4xwgkrV6D9fcSiFu-y6QMaejjFIssMDtSDTKm_xJqwskkBXHHjd1lnadusYOp8xEp1C94VLKGPnqBJbFfp3UYwbiqRo3WjjXwWh0ZgLUqatH5ElJGQE4IaQFYwI/s1600/D70_1234_FIEL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrl0VtB6v3tqdO02l4xwgkrV6D9fcSiFu-y6QMaejjFIssMDtSDTKm_xJqwskkBXHHjd1lnadusYOp8xEp1C94VLKGPnqBJbFfp3UYwbiqRo3WjjXwWh0ZgLUqatH5ElJGQE4IaQFYwI/s640/D70_1234_FIEL.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The eighth ever <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/03/fieldfare.html" target="">Fieldfare in Nova Scotia</a>. This one spent from Jan 31 to Apr 13 in Apple River, Cumberland County. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Here is the list. Self found birds are annotated with an asterisk (*).<br />
<br />
<b>1. <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/02/hoary-redpoll.html">Hoary Redpoll*</a></b><br />
<b>2. <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/03/fieldfare.html">Fieldfare</a></b><br />
<b>3. <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/03/common-gull.html">Mew Gull</a></b><br />
<b>4. Scarlet Tanager</b><br />
<b>5. Caspian Tern*</b><br />
<b>6.<a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/05/a-little-egret-in-nova-scotia.html"> Little Egret</a></b><br />
<b>7. Tennessee Warbler*</b><br />
<b>8. Cory's Shearwater</b><br />
<b>9. Parasitic Jaeger</b><br />
<b>10. Black-billed Cukcoo</b><br />
<b>11. Say's Phoebe</b><br />
<b>12. Long-billed Dowitcher*</b><br />
<b>13. Clay-colored Sparrow</b><br />
<b>14. Marbled Godwit</b><br />
<b>15. Lark Sparrow*</b><br />
<b>16. Red-headed Woodpecker</b><br />
<b>17. Redhead</b><br />
<b>18. <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/12/mountain-bluebirds-mountain-bluebirds.html">Mountain Bluebird</a></b><br />
<b>19. <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/12/a-three-lifer-day.html">Greater White-fronted Goose</a></b><br />
<b>20. <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/12/a-three-lifer-day.html">Sandhill Crane</a></b><br />
<b>21. <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/12/a-three-lifer-day.html">Cackling Goose</a></b><br />
<b>22. Ruff</b><br />
<br />
Below are photos of some of the interesing birds that I photographed during the year.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftf9OWEeYlomHmzPMOlOUCVygC7_wW6ZJlq0Y2m8sqI3_yy2DQJsV_2_kHSjSHIU_VZO9G4azqXbS4bsoDSvmO9iSEtBLMsKlLuC1418vuX7VyCRt_4iDxpE_ghX3fpfftPLgjhfYq8o/s1600/D70_8021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftf9OWEeYlomHmzPMOlOUCVygC7_wW6ZJlq0Y2m8sqI3_yy2DQJsV_2_kHSjSHIU_VZO9G4azqXbS4bsoDSvmO9iSEtBLMsKlLuC1418vuX7VyCRt_4iDxpE_ghX3fpfftPLgjhfYq8o/s640/D70_8021.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There has been no unanumous agreement on this gull, but most Europeans agree that it shows many Caspian Gull features (the yellow-legged white-headed gull) in Pubnico Jan 3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsoTinFAVW82t339AY1_lIGn1Sq6MIDpxWnrcsu9Rv5-I9fWzpJ7LGav7aRP13_lfhpPFhjpAMf7-6LRs4CYgDC_4rrZRWdX8QkX6cJ6fUk12SiNQlGGYoW1WZ1KKmXPMVPzLhQtSr9g/s1600/D70_9035_EATO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsoTinFAVW82t339AY1_lIGn1Sq6MIDpxWnrcsu9Rv5-I9fWzpJ7LGav7aRP13_lfhpPFhjpAMf7-6LRs4CYgDC_4rrZRWdX8QkX6cJ6fUk12SiNQlGGYoW1WZ1KKmXPMVPzLhQtSr9g/s640/D70_9035_EATO.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Towhee in Pubnico Jan 27.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtS_Z9ESS1fFY43f_OQgEojCYVmkSmuApHn7o53b5Azf8G2R2it_2KFN0mtA1hMlIYny-8Q2s1pJMLoHUkhuybwfdvnagjbXnzR-HSSc6h4aFDAoxMQRGmlP_uMWUZNXvJ7brV4uybaM/s1600/D70_9506_HORE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtS_Z9ESS1fFY43f_OQgEojCYVmkSmuApHn7o53b5Azf8G2R2it_2KFN0mtA1hMlIYny-8Q2s1pJMLoHUkhuybwfdvnagjbXnzR-HSSc6h4aFDAoxMQRGmlP_uMWUZNXvJ7brV4uybaM/s640/D70_9506_HORE.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/02/hoary-redpoll.html">Hoary Redpoll</a> in Pubnico Feb 4</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeSpdwAbB7plRhuufqsHhSfadbRj7jh_B3AqqURkg2sdJeL8hwOYwqth2wbamNLLvg6uwUylqJn0q-kA_PO2tZmalRjqdRS-GEoI2yQqlXVnJQedwEE2-gpXDRuMqIA0oVxypCNhKroc/s1600/D70_0193_COHA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeSpdwAbB7plRhuufqsHhSfadbRj7jh_B3AqqURkg2sdJeL8hwOYwqth2wbamNLLvg6uwUylqJn0q-kA_PO2tZmalRjqdRS-GEoI2yQqlXVnJQedwEE2-gpXDRuMqIA0oVxypCNhKroc/s640/D70_0193_COHA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooper's Hawk in Yarmouth Feb 7</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseJKN8hqDrCbAP_KkHHb9bPbabeYf52JL25T-pmkX8EErS6Ga8EI1Z1C9pE9ovxVfXNOpMZQtEZBhdlzpdRYHEeceHYPWAoarXD49LyaS5ncLLrfOfta6c3fQAFW-ADNeNhLWgtnfwW0/s1600/D70_0126_1_NOMO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseJKN8hqDrCbAP_KkHHb9bPbabeYf52JL25T-pmkX8EErS6Ga8EI1Z1C9pE9ovxVfXNOpMZQtEZBhdlzpdRYHEeceHYPWAoarXD49LyaS5ncLLrfOfta6c3fQAFW-ADNeNhLWgtnfwW0/s640/D70_0126_1_NOMO.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Mockingbird in Yarmouth Feb 7</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9Z3ZBYiuFtjEnecQk5z2NeCdXjaWiopHkm0xgeA2jFgKVFpbKMqrzDrnJzG0RjhuzBwBxamRbClqv_YLx6HIE_9JrUj8-s-hZ_7DTz2uouy7dAdrq1dqR0pQIe4ZW95oH9lZHIjc7us/s1600/D70_0257_COHA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9Z3ZBYiuFtjEnecQk5z2NeCdXjaWiopHkm0xgeA2jFgKVFpbKMqrzDrnJzG0RjhuzBwBxamRbClqv_YLx6HIE_9JrUj8-s-hZ_7DTz2uouy7dAdrq1dqR0pQIe4ZW95oH9lZHIjc7us/s400/D70_0257_COHA.jpg" width="340" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooper's Hawk in Tusket Feb 9</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimakclQ6pzgXtAm9Evq2SDicegW7A_pIufb7_Xt1GxqsSodaFkf-LLQ6U7mY_G8gkdBWzHamfI6EuN4pevYnPc_Aq7qigQIbrImX4Pu_ipuYXxjnE402eR1xLVhPIlENgDkqVZJZjsysU/s1600/D70_1234_FIEL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimakclQ6pzgXtAm9Evq2SDicegW7A_pIufb7_Xt1GxqsSodaFkf-LLQ6U7mY_G8gkdBWzHamfI6EuN4pevYnPc_Aq7qigQIbrImX4Pu_ipuYXxjnE402eR1xLVhPIlENgDkqVZJZjsysU/s640/D70_1234_FIEL.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/03/fieldfare.html" target="">Fieldfare</a> in Apple River Feb 27</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaunO8V4lpOtkgxJV_Sf4Chv_dGMKu5GANqgWA6K_XPDV5zBeEcHk9ESzKyHn5fPGvuhFKy-QcoV3rtK43K8cZVRNjEJD1J9RarAPsf8ZotiGDEFJ8WkkWEl0z4TCZN5cr7LDfPpXP0XQ/s1600/D70_1339_MEGU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaunO8V4lpOtkgxJV_Sf4Chv_dGMKu5GANqgWA6K_XPDV5zBeEcHk9ESzKyHn5fPGvuhFKy-QcoV3rtK43K8cZVRNjEJD1J9RarAPsf8ZotiGDEFJ8WkkWEl0z4TCZN5cr7LDfPpXP0XQ/s640/D70_1339_MEGU.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/03/common-gull.html">Mew (Common) Gull</a> in Dartmouth Feb 27</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhCIJNQ0_xqfmr9aVe-OPuUmCCIHETF14C8rj4rIMCQHtxROsIU7a6I192GkkNnFtUzkc2-9xPGi4mwLUzLMagSHl4_tS8hCrac0-tBE1ibm6eYiex0z6vbI-WyuR88aCtl3ZHh7Ugso/s1600/D70_1623_FB2048_EUWI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhCIJNQ0_xqfmr9aVe-OPuUmCCIHETF14C8rj4rIMCQHtxROsIU7a6I192GkkNnFtUzkc2-9xPGi4mwLUzLMagSHl4_tS8hCrac0-tBE1ibm6eYiex0z6vbI-WyuR88aCtl3ZHh7Ugso/s640/D70_1623_FB2048_EUWI.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eurasian Wigeon in Dartmouth Feb 28 </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVZ2uerf_SsBYs1tPVV2J5ZYimuOApejbXiW14AoFHq65ZWVNU2RuTGEQeE2tBWE5N0qgy2CUiiKanDvaCmBF62COfX3Uggf3qKhtQZp7dzn8huSg4bVyyqPNeZMTLwyY1O3rsmsWbPw/s1600/D70_2470_1_ROGO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVZ2uerf_SsBYs1tPVV2J5ZYimuOApejbXiW14AoFHq65ZWVNU2RuTGEQeE2tBWE5N0qgy2CUiiKanDvaCmBF62COfX3Uggf3qKhtQZp7dzn8huSg4bVyyqPNeZMTLwyY1O3rsmsWbPw/s640/D70_2470_1_ROGO.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/04/two-rosss-geese-in-nova-scotia.html">Ross's Geese</a> at Mavilette Apr 5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKCG1S4rTweeAiYJwPMQXnUukZ5B_8V6NIH8fE01QhF4AKlcdbP2Xk19oTizfqQwzWO1XLAz_aCosHxKazPYvdnvyojCbrWULM-A87U3H4OC4gvgVAI9i6UGuS_2ldkvMSEVTZ9FYazY/s1600/D70_2983_LAGU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKCG1S4rTweeAiYJwPMQXnUukZ5B_8V6NIH8fE01QhF4AKlcdbP2Xk19oTizfqQwzWO1XLAz_aCosHxKazPYvdnvyojCbrWULM-A87U3H4OC4gvgVAI9i6UGuS_2ldkvMSEVTZ9FYazY/s640/D70_2983_LAGU.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laughing Gull in Yarmouth Apr 15</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_mamxuVo-Y1mp7wWbsCAVn7ueBnISZ96RyZcUM9SogIid5C76U_1FbK-rZZVxIIGPsmQQrFTwaDHqRb5aHqBhC9FQFXJL5S2PIhSKZYHswbnWTZRxF_m55nz-b7fi0y9bEaPFI-qymU/s1600/D70_3520_FISP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_mamxuVo-Y1mp7wWbsCAVn7ueBnISZ96RyZcUM9SogIid5C76U_1FbK-rZZVxIIGPsmQQrFTwaDHqRb5aHqBhC9FQFXJL5S2PIhSKZYHswbnWTZRxF_m55nz-b7fi0y9bEaPFI-qymU/s640/D70_3520_FISP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Field Sparrow in Argyle Apr 23</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1JzdcLfcgAxMl8kjkpe2y_GM2av0qTEGuTE3FwINRS-pVMRFbrm8zy1T1zqY3rswFTeKxDqFFO1UUSViO4j01U5nWCwVa-SEceULeEuH3rIunavuzaYz1G9sqnQ2eulUQHw_onrS6aE/s1600/D70_3579_INBU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1JzdcLfcgAxMl8kjkpe2y_GM2av0qTEGuTE3FwINRS-pVMRFbrm8zy1T1zqY3rswFTeKxDqFFO1UUSViO4j01U5nWCwVa-SEceULeEuH3rIunavuzaYz1G9sqnQ2eulUQHw_onrS6aE/s640/D70_3579_INBU.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indigo Bunting in Argyle Apr 23</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7H8mL-E9QPhM8MzZ0VTVQxypDojonwnNA7aa5gvJsROWKtUrnDMuRYLdQ__iM5eT5tgKKJFemDuHmk4b5NV8IGXMgcXJ0ysNpWu_mO5Yj2kIjAx7qrtkXM1AQEFKr2OcSuFhIx7Pj98Y/s1600/D70_3809_PUMA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7H8mL-E9QPhM8MzZ0VTVQxypDojonwnNA7aa5gvJsROWKtUrnDMuRYLdQ__iM5eT5tgKKJFemDuHmk4b5NV8IGXMgcXJ0ysNpWu_mO5Yj2kIjAx7qrtkXM1AQEFKr2OcSuFhIx7Pj98Y/s400/D70_3809_PUMA.jpg" width="322" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Martin at Cape Sable Island May 5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLUQl00TBJeVG7jjZD0SYjj7-p4kKw9_cguPquu6XLmdsR6WaN4O0JNxQebAT7_NYiVlfdqfdCMgUwRUH7JCOeKwfbSmNS82XddYbxUtOKKWkKIakliUIKQD9eYc4Q7au2YdcEBLwZnE/s1600/D70_3871_CHSP_PUFI_SCTA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLUQl00TBJeVG7jjZD0SYjj7-p4kKw9_cguPquu6XLmdsR6WaN4O0JNxQebAT7_NYiVlfdqfdCMgUwRUH7JCOeKwfbSmNS82XddYbxUtOKKWkKIakliUIKQD9eYc4Q7au2YdcEBLwZnE/s640/D70_3871_CHSP_PUFI_SCTA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet Tanager at Cape Sable Island May 5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimr6kcTR1Uqhis648KqVQ64OCz1G9-7tLLHTfYapv9_iSX9OIDzvR8JnjF2gk02qWYW0BTCAV-YUABnQtyJgruCNUdNOKGe9umdhQnT2ggTiC77MLEOsQI4kXt9DVgbwofR3MkNGnhQM/s1600/D70_4171_OROR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimr6kcTR1Uqhis648KqVQ64OCz1G9-7tLLHTfYapv9_iSX9OIDzvR8JnjF2gk02qWYW0BTCAV-YUABnQtyJgruCNUdNOKGe9umdhQnT2ggTiC77MLEOsQI4kXt9DVgbwofR3MkNGnhQM/s640/D70_4171_OROR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchard Oriole in Pubnico May 8</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2S1mkDm5LA6Py_kmlCOG6KbsAjDq_HDUph7jyGT-olRbEKWtG7T40TAdQdpbDgDSVPU2MTIi0B4olZtG1ClmjaTNwZfrgcOr5WyIWMP-Mu_o0g3RnYvjN8uOxARmlo_jPgOOIc1bzkhk/s1600/D70_4456_RBGR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2S1mkDm5LA6Py_kmlCOG6KbsAjDq_HDUph7jyGT-olRbEKWtG7T40TAdQdpbDgDSVPU2MTIi0B4olZtG1ClmjaTNwZfrgcOr5WyIWMP-Mu_o0g3RnYvjN8uOxARmlo_jPgOOIc1bzkhk/s640/D70_4456_RBGR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose-breasted Grosbeak in Pubnico May 13</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUMFKaku5dFPS0ykvhsyf9_zRTC3EjQ3KJBDHv_MUuKWb2xxwKnJwA1yF70JlLeZC87mXrTHUxGLJMmu_zvXQZ0N0rYFL0kA96VRKFdRsW40Kl9VLOrb5LpPhgXzvt9bYamBPHkjnSh8/s1600/D70_4493_BAOR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUMFKaku5dFPS0ykvhsyf9_zRTC3EjQ3KJBDHv_MUuKWb2xxwKnJwA1yF70JlLeZC87mXrTHUxGLJMmu_zvXQZ0N0rYFL0kA96VRKFdRsW40Kl9VLOrb5LpPhgXzvt9bYamBPHkjnSh8/s640/D70_4493_BAOR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baltimore Oriole in Pubnico May 13</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pmNYapTIXwrN3HTzbQQaFJVE3uIUf4nO3vNoX8YH0s8jHQBJLOoSnA-WR9zxqTea25tUx0mxQiJCPbyaQqM7fWPwwD9c657zf8NovwgvqKUTa90nCBSBEqCufYiWFkMkk3xUazkiGNs/s1600/D70_4632_BRTH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pmNYapTIXwrN3HTzbQQaFJVE3uIUf4nO3vNoX8YH0s8jHQBJLOoSnA-WR9zxqTea25tUx0mxQiJCPbyaQqM7fWPwwD9c657zf8NovwgvqKUTa90nCBSBEqCufYiWFkMkk3xUazkiGNs/s640/D70_4632_BRTH.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Thrasher in Pubnico May 13</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIqCiafvWrmlgk_61Ym7VX1EQ2RVhcW9Bbg4vxbD5ejeTUpq-uLKaBEtT6I8YsuCsqDsYdHWWTVmrozB-7-12T1WT-VTZ296CxWDmbqnUcS4P38WRLHRLx_Cdl7ykHWLaLHYr2GoTjcc/s1600/D70_4870_SCTA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIqCiafvWrmlgk_61Ym7VX1EQ2RVhcW9Bbg4vxbD5ejeTUpq-uLKaBEtT6I8YsuCsqDsYdHWWTVmrozB-7-12T1WT-VTZ296CxWDmbqnUcS4P38WRLHRLx_Cdl7ykHWLaLHYr2GoTjcc/s640/D70_4870_SCTA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet Tanager in Pubnico May 14</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6hZMprk6HKt_ZWyELo3ojg43m3eDy_QE7hNSrjN5dHqC25Ur_oligRON8oX31_n8OVhmCbPtyiDY9rHvfIlVgnpXH5zIg_fvKT-PXWaYAI-8h3MD4KEr8uTMwtGbhCyrnILR0QspjI0/s1600/D70_4933_GCFL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6hZMprk6HKt_ZWyELo3ojg43m3eDy_QE7hNSrjN5dHqC25Ur_oligRON8oX31_n8OVhmCbPtyiDY9rHvfIlVgnpXH5zIg_fvKT-PXWaYAI-8h3MD4KEr8uTMwtGbhCyrnILR0QspjI0/s640/D70_4933_GCFL.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great-crested Flycatcher in Pubnico May 14</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxLH35JSE5KWnk9uVT4VK6lJwRXwMnOHjXHjZMNJgX21xOU44Ycl_Y5m1NFyj_RXppnw0yQXjLyfNPybBqKzb_f32X2tN-A7vY4YjujL6hiw_GCp5unASbLxVNjth2DB9_6NwFuljVjo/s1600/D70_5348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxLH35JSE5KWnk9uVT4VK6lJwRXwMnOHjXHjZMNJgX21xOU44Ycl_Y5m1NFyj_RXppnw0yQXjLyfNPybBqKzb_f32X2tN-A7vY4YjujL6hiw_GCp5unASbLxVNjth2DB9_6NwFuljVjo/s640/D70_5348.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/05/a-little-egret-in-nova-scotia.html">Little Egret</a> at Cape Sable Island May 15</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyLEbMN2zrW66shR4JJq0pd3B6ak2hudhhP3qEAm9-pas1pGtlqjB5hyphenhyphenGnfkY2MBPS2tV6-oEMgtdmW1AX9yaFO2q1TS51nrA8AkckmYKVF79bi76HwnIGn5q5wTUhyphenhyphen3SZcGN3wCVVQg/s1600/D70_6232_SUTA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyLEbMN2zrW66shR4JJq0pd3B6ak2hudhhP3qEAm9-pas1pGtlqjB5hyphenhyphenGnfkY2MBPS2tV6-oEMgtdmW1AX9yaFO2q1TS51nrA8AkckmYKVF79bi76HwnIGn5q5wTUhyphenhyphen3SZcGN3wCVVQg/s640/D70_6232_SUTA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Tanager at Bear Pt May 21</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbboXw6Y5OP1UeK5mOFrs0yZjAUdX6sF5MderItdWFAgvsoxZON_bbjl8xy6KNXqdypr9i9oGA-I31zi2uqC_kCsCorGvgJk0yl0_U0xfwPPO9U6ZpUAH7QrxrIYut4iTw87Tf6KmdhE/s1600/D70_6239_TRHE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbboXw6Y5OP1UeK5mOFrs0yZjAUdX6sF5MderItdWFAgvsoxZON_bbjl8xy6KNXqdypr9i9oGA-I31zi2uqC_kCsCorGvgJk0yl0_U0xfwPPO9U6ZpUAH7QrxrIYut4iTw87Tf6KmdhE/s640/D70_6239_TRHE.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tricolored Heron at Pinkneys Pt May 22</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhOFqLyCytC6bg8F0BklsT6pufReRXCwYdCSY9nl2JjQwE-ty_DF1zg6040woUkgft4Ae2lrd6TFLbYS8EUOrWZrsklWDhw7G5F7yQFwN5k1TH_m44tdb06BPd8TgWjp6UyGLCYQXdKU/s1600/D70_6319_PUMA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhOFqLyCytC6bg8F0BklsT6pufReRXCwYdCSY9nl2JjQwE-ty_DF1zg6040woUkgft4Ae2lrd6TFLbYS8EUOrWZrsklWDhw7G5F7yQFwN5k1TH_m44tdb06BPd8TgWjp6UyGLCYQXdKU/s640/D70_6319_PUMA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Martin at Chebogue Point May 23</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MaWHOZfzWcm2DlqKkUXx87LjwLKkcnFsEVdVOR_6VBMS4gbmVE4pmOVTNJZTUhnLVoba8MK6Bt9DWicT8CHOLwpzAukM-dme9er8sgSbaGd1kTCGI0Qx39-f9lHkbllvmsm45JpNhZM/s1600/D70_6757_LBHE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MaWHOZfzWcm2DlqKkUXx87LjwLKkcnFsEVdVOR_6VBMS4gbmVE4pmOVTNJZTUhnLVoba8MK6Bt9DWicT8CHOLwpzAukM-dme9er8sgSbaGd1kTCGI0Qx39-f9lHkbllvmsm45JpNhZM/s640/D70_6757_LBHE.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Blue Heron in Pubnico June 6</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStSRksxMrIvVnlcOtpdpmIiQ-FD04zMkjCtXQesWsbo7v3NmZSMSiSrhqUGH6cFDoINueELyV3VvqpVKw9nM6uZqruBNlZMBqs4o0c-PYQMC1GtRcm7V9t-zEww04tZkeOP6FBMLSb2I/s1600/D70_7900_EABL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStSRksxMrIvVnlcOtpdpmIiQ-FD04zMkjCtXQesWsbo7v3NmZSMSiSrhqUGH6cFDoINueELyV3VvqpVKw9nM6uZqruBNlZMBqs4o0c-PYQMC1GtRcm7V9t-zEww04tZkeOP6FBMLSb2I/s640/D70_7900_EABL.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Bluebird in Kemptville Jul 4</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqMlhxQqbUcfTcAF1iUKmtyv04EeiSEmmlEvJocY0uL6kJPIDrppFI1afLckvo36OLDEunfqWykwbTe2AYSk7sb62Fvc9sXb14dEa5HRCu0W7UKtpjlQf-pNYCgyS4pzLm4_YIliQcJQ/s1600/D70_8252_COSH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqMlhxQqbUcfTcAF1iUKmtyv04EeiSEmmlEvJocY0uL6kJPIDrppFI1afLckvo36OLDEunfqWykwbTe2AYSk7sb62Fvc9sXb14dEa5HRCu0W7UKtpjlQf-pNYCgyS4pzLm4_YIliQcJQ/s640/D70_8252_COSH.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cory's Shearwater Offshore of Sambro Jul 11</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoc5ZrW32CnYpJETto3EAEq3AoJIBIa8q5SCN4vOrkNMeTg-fgAKW0zefK6UGYQO6Ydf8srtTOuVoAo_fgNGvll-z8HJt3nYVNYccuU8B5mWRpdiEA3O5rf4YSxxywUaN1j-U4gFv0nmw/s1600/D70_8054_MASH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoc5ZrW32CnYpJETto3EAEq3AoJIBIa8q5SCN4vOrkNMeTg-fgAKW0zefK6UGYQO6Ydf8srtTOuVoAo_fgNGvll-z8HJt3nYVNYccuU8B5mWRpdiEA3O5rf4YSxxywUaN1j-U4gFv0nmw/s640/D70_8054_MASH.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manx Shearwater Offshore of Sambro Jul 11</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcUkhET32fiGc9oe1TynKMF7jdxc1aOSPEZ2KckMuL6bOp3d965JOWVFN_wv7RDe6hVXdZwNXFwTnYe7-w-cnTv1Hg9yr0dQGxf1JMTjBiX9emoLZnu1ZwDJa0uYQE9KI8FICJDHc0Gg/s1600/D70_8652_BBCU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcUkhET32fiGc9oe1TynKMF7jdxc1aOSPEZ2KckMuL6bOp3d965JOWVFN_wv7RDe6hVXdZwNXFwTnYe7-w-cnTv1Hg9yr0dQGxf1JMTjBiX9emoLZnu1ZwDJa0uYQE9KI8FICJDHc0Gg/s640/D70_8652_BBCU.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-billed Cuckoo at Cape Sable Island Jul 25</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMjPifq8-3GtKD0qPnC0i2rYre-oGJMbYqNapeKtcbUUav6LGPoYZLm3O67ujE4pgPWv68asc4HCWu2h0bSJ1GYEJben0xXlc-C1BYS0i62CDDv56o6BlrC2i5IclICQwACzyzauaedQ/s1600/D70_9289_GRSH_SOSH_COSH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMjPifq8-3GtKD0qPnC0i2rYre-oGJMbYqNapeKtcbUUav6LGPoYZLm3O67ujE4pgPWv68asc4HCWu2h0bSJ1GYEJben0xXlc-C1BYS0i62CDDv56o6BlrC2i5IclICQwACzyzauaedQ/s640/D70_9289_GRSH_SOSH_COSH.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cory's Shearwater at Brier Island Aug 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1zk_iq7S1cuqEbkVDiGm1b5tA8-BzTsa7MshsByR_gGkQMCpi50WksQ3E7MIz_m42o9UkdTxbTmWhRwxUeQL5oNBWIJqf-XlQxYyvBVE9-MjM2fp9BhM7SdfIYmk_h0b4aWW4-A9axo/s1600/D70_9713_YCNH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1zk_iq7S1cuqEbkVDiGm1b5tA8-BzTsa7MshsByR_gGkQMCpi50WksQ3E7MIz_m42o9UkdTxbTmWhRwxUeQL5oNBWIJqf-XlQxYyvBVE9-MjM2fp9BhM7SdfIYmk_h0b4aWW4-A9axo/s640/D70_9713_YCNH.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Grey Island Aug 16</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6MSWM31H2q8qkxIAiO1jcDzQlrhc5JAII0RmvAOr8zTNukSg3VyzZBZtG1gANSc5Lg43bzUtwhpkyzFt7DtGC54q02bLBqdd8uJKdvNvfwBCjhppykJVodsbw1SqrhucKdDn65Wly0g/s1600/D70_0355_1_COSH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6MSWM31H2q8qkxIAiO1jcDzQlrhc5JAII0RmvAOr8zTNukSg3VyzZBZtG1gANSc5Lg43bzUtwhpkyzFt7DtGC54q02bLBqdd8uJKdvNvfwBCjhppykJVodsbw1SqrhucKdDn65Wly0g/s640/D70_0355_1_COSH.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cory's Shearwater at <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/09/pubnico-pelagic-2015.html">German Bank Aug 28</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunM2A9uCUNbubqS9Hx5O4f69Yc0xs3DnRNK8J2k8kXBtl6V9IlLmLP5x2_GlivAVcchAFfNswLffhV0fk_Lb8vIbbVEYPqXqVa15GDFU8buLVjiHXiD-OV9t6hNT589Xx4cunfiKK8sc/s1600/D70_0376_MASH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunM2A9uCUNbubqS9Hx5O4f69Yc0xs3DnRNK8J2k8kXBtl6V9IlLmLP5x2_GlivAVcchAFfNswLffhV0fk_Lb8vIbbVEYPqXqVa15GDFU8buLVjiHXiD-OV9t6hNT589Xx4cunfiKK8sc/s640/D70_0376_MASH.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manx Shearwater at <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/09/pubnico-pelagic-2015.html">German Bank Aug 28</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdy9qUFMOieiCd9tQj_5IF2SSHv4EhkvUpv1mTx9jrq_rSh1qaynDOf6T_fpw7OU7rRmYITEGN1zJmJzu1QdcmQ7B-yE4actThcFGcI70OUEAidenRIFiPQRPPgX0evOSLf7rkAN6gcRg/s1600/D70_0910_BBSA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdy9qUFMOieiCd9tQj_5IF2SSHv4EhkvUpv1mTx9jrq_rSh1qaynDOf6T_fpw7OU7rRmYITEGN1zJmJzu1QdcmQ7B-yE4actThcFGcI70OUEAidenRIFiPQRPPgX0evOSLf7rkAN6gcRg/s640/D70_0910_BBSA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Cape Sable Sep 5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEFGoehLY9t4xbYyn2pzQXRnnacNuicaxrPiJmigam5BE5_4Q5Q_RlPmS28YzpTdiZt7LkvgneNdQFI24QXK-d7pGBpgu4-di46n_P9d_p3EstYFsC-fKx6-0c93Lno7i8sXtwgdnXT4/s1600/D70_1112_STSA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEFGoehLY9t4xbYyn2pzQXRnnacNuicaxrPiJmigam5BE5_4Q5Q_RlPmS28YzpTdiZt7LkvgneNdQFI24QXK-d7pGBpgu4-di46n_P9d_p3EstYFsC-fKx6-0c93Lno7i8sXtwgdnXT4/s640/D70_1112_STSA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stilt Sandpiper at Cape Sable Island Sep 5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXg0DzplKa_ibN2CXQGJQxmyKQZEkPht30ZkmcCCxAzaeoO9n2-NVf6CfPnXPGmhqpIP-d3_dsjO2Kg_AB4YC6ogmVpSZOwkqtwtOCXuYZuGDJM6siiVjZXhsOlbqOLOxk4tPSZiBZcF0/s1600/D70_1135_SAPH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXg0DzplKa_ibN2CXQGJQxmyKQZEkPht30ZkmcCCxAzaeoO9n2-NVf6CfPnXPGmhqpIP-d3_dsjO2Kg_AB4YC6ogmVpSZOwkqtwtOCXuYZuGDJM6siiVjZXhsOlbqOLOxk4tPSZiBZcF0/s640/D70_1135_SAPH.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Say's Phoebe at Cape Sable Island Sep 5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNTA1wtFi5W-kJ6YYpkF0YF2YKOY2iHGCvj8FsCFR04P-w6npkJCKGMXA0dbV7W7qJwpmcyCjIru6N7l2UWfZ6rW822spUZGfM3ehFBLgQ7wbtC-vOwI95ybJZE2oAXzC5qzsCS36dT8/s1600/D70_1325_WEKI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNTA1wtFi5W-kJ6YYpkF0YF2YKOY2iHGCvj8FsCFR04P-w6npkJCKGMXA0dbV7W7qJwpmcyCjIru6N7l2UWfZ6rW822spUZGfM3ehFBLgQ7wbtC-vOwI95ybJZE2oAXzC5qzsCS36dT8/s640/D70_1325_WEKI.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Kingbird at Melbourne Sep 14</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFGWUktgRTfXIM1B3l5yDH9vNok-Xc25tLyS_dQIHDlrGzjN_z-STAYIakvl3cdKJMdkowywJaLF0sLAbs5N3Xo6-Xe-esxJwaZ_l4wZTkvadBUzJfo26QJdwdzJ8158x4F89lwW4sqU/s1600/D70_1919_BASA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFGWUktgRTfXIM1B3l5yDH9vNok-Xc25tLyS_dQIHDlrGzjN_z-STAYIakvl3cdKJMdkowywJaLF0sLAbs5N3Xo6-Xe-esxJwaZ_l4wZTkvadBUzJfo26QJdwdzJ8158x4F89lwW4sqU/s640/D70_1919_BASA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baird's Sanpiper at Peases Island Sep 17</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZjh0SFI_ayqDfVPIsO7VZukm2qwoHDpTI8W_qEDbtjhu11F3LFhyRqN0ZP-Su8BQ7e4Wiv35GYQGvcGNjbiBeQKBSF6kb_6ifxoLwrvpVZbGh9h8DtlXQ1acsWFE-YLOa7ChJpLT7Rk/s1600/D70_1952_HOWA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZjh0SFI_ayqDfVPIsO7VZukm2qwoHDpTI8W_qEDbtjhu11F3LFhyRqN0ZP-Su8BQ7e4Wiv35GYQGvcGNjbiBeQKBSF6kb_6ifxoLwrvpVZbGh9h8DtlXQ1acsWFE-YLOa7ChJpLT7Rk/s640/D70_1952_HOWA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hooded Warbler at Johns Island Sept 17</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHnRAH2VzO6_s5GF4dJx8szksbRiTei0PaUEIJ3IRxF5j91n9hPEMP5FfxogX0XtlZqd4yoeg6NsOJO_ZJQWnQ5LsTgFFx5FBFrnFxWKc1BJ6q6bQJnKj-YiPpkpRY1BaZOOPfa4AKMg/s1600/D70_2757_CCSP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHnRAH2VzO6_s5GF4dJx8szksbRiTei0PaUEIJ3IRxF5j91n9hPEMP5FfxogX0XtlZqd4yoeg6NsOJO_ZJQWnQ5LsTgFFx5FBFrnFxWKc1BJ6q6bQJnKj-YiPpkpRY1BaZOOPfa4AKMg/s640/D70_2757_CCSP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay-coloured Sparrow at Cape Sable Oct 4</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOj3GG6mR8u_nMgZp7iVSWyDhZOM8CB4cJBAuF8JmC04zfExV8DFarK9ekJR6z6_g5gd6ywNsUmkon2ULz_XsPrX598w9nrstrlN5viWsk3CBOsBPxZCEcL8YpvA4jqcl6u8QW9Vo0sM/s1600/D70_3221_FISP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOj3GG6mR8u_nMgZp7iVSWyDhZOM8CB4cJBAuF8JmC04zfExV8DFarK9ekJR6z6_g5gd6ywNsUmkon2ULz_XsPrX598w9nrstrlN5viWsk3CBOsBPxZCEcL8YpvA4jqcl6u8QW9Vo0sM/s640/D70_3221_FISP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Field Sparrow at Cape Forchu Oct 11</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jvtxdVs-G3o7rM7jK1W26v7R0o3K0Rft4VHpUqIWwTO2fJPm2HOn2IV-ZBcL4vPsLHgdu6assijt_gTKEPepMzkUc4oyQ-Eqk6C70DwXlNi-buPn061KmGBDK8WcS3hESUhXZnzyYVQ/s1600/D70_3369_LASP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jvtxdVs-G3o7rM7jK1W26v7R0o3K0Rft4VHpUqIWwTO2fJPm2HOn2IV-ZBcL4vPsLHgdu6assijt_gTKEPepMzkUc4oyQ-Eqk6C70DwXlNi-buPn061KmGBDK8WcS3hESUhXZnzyYVQ/s640/D70_3369_LASP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lark Sparrow at Chebogue Oct 11</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6ZciUaBAp2py-4Nm40d8UvR0ex_GYSQrQ-wzb5mU-gLD8NjA2o4uMeJL4O0mrHnw6YGwNsc7VLME_zVc2OHmhtA8q51lSdu9iiH7-rgvIQ4qKuqPuyyvYay8qrIyYC4kM_TJUAXc0QQ/s1600/D70_3434_BLGR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6ZciUaBAp2py-4Nm40d8UvR0ex_GYSQrQ-wzb5mU-gLD8NjA2o4uMeJL4O0mrHnw6YGwNsc7VLME_zVc2OHmhtA8q51lSdu9iiH7-rgvIQ4qKuqPuyyvYay8qrIyYC4kM_TJUAXc0QQ/s640/D70_3434_BLGR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Grosbeak at Cape Sable Island Oct 11</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIonfyFrpgIZahoyfmeu_mOCbTOCEeA4sOb2z59SVmeN_NVQ6LVBPsSamxb_vqwtMiNgYjckMoc9k_-ZjHp2KqZBIK3mgatJDps1f4afhqjLhHChmoqsP34KJ4eqclMm3jJ9mJ2AIC4HQ/s1600/D70_3695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIonfyFrpgIZahoyfmeu_mOCbTOCEeA4sOb2z59SVmeN_NVQ6LVBPsSamxb_vqwtMiNgYjckMoc9k_-ZjHp2KqZBIK3mgatJDps1f4afhqjLhHChmoqsP34KJ4eqclMm3jJ9mJ2AIC4HQ/s640/D70_3695.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-headed Woodpecker at Atwoods Brook Oct 16</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_eT1xu_NauzPVAaRDHVdcMLmwreNYP5s3BxpwOqY_mUljHQiVvGvpN0LIMV0HLkqWywKgg0jbc1xr8Xl-cLTyhjfnKWvG61vryYYA84XuVw4IV70elmpKlxUnDxs4D-N8ZEAuBhzGCc/s1600/D70_3976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_eT1xu_NauzPVAaRDHVdcMLmwreNYP5s3BxpwOqY_mUljHQiVvGvpN0LIMV0HLkqWywKgg0jbc1xr8Xl-cLTyhjfnKWvG61vryYYA84XuVw4IV70elmpKlxUnDxs4D-N8ZEAuBhzGCc/s640/D70_3976.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/10/yellow-throated-warbler.html">Yellow-throated Warbler</a> at Arcadia Oct 25</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvGtW1TsONdicLno6R3RMBiPhd8PirZ0E5rVq3LeCDklL6sZ9iUNc5Zvx0UBHadUC5sTBMvr4d1SxhhrPQtTHqBUWnEDPOZgWamyb69iDVgQRhlL50S2pTjbWL5R8-NpzuiWMg865hLM/s1600/D70_4476_LBDO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvGtW1TsONdicLno6R3RMBiPhd8PirZ0E5rVq3LeCDklL6sZ9iUNc5Zvx0UBHadUC5sTBMvr4d1SxhhrPQtTHqBUWnEDPOZgWamyb69iDVgQRhlL50S2pTjbWL5R8-NpzuiWMg865hLM/s640/D70_4476_LBDO.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long-billed Dowitcher at Pinkney's Point Nov 8</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VNVUEhS9JVGo9gmQ7KBj-Gd5nNBLRfR1cOLW7PAuvp9-5SqqioEhraZtaiXwGH6IB_CudMpXEyWU5bVhZsThAmcVOvu8efbn0lIv5TPw3j3kGW7zM_aV7OeDwK88i9_0rtVgNHV6Cqw/s1600/D70_4590_REDH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VNVUEhS9JVGo9gmQ7KBj-Gd5nNBLRfR1cOLW7PAuvp9-5SqqioEhraZtaiXwGH6IB_CudMpXEyWU5bVhZsThAmcVOvu8efbn0lIv5TPw3j3kGW7zM_aV7OeDwK88i9_0rtVgNHV6Cqw/s640/D70_4590_REDH.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Redhead at Annapolis Nov 15</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqwhyphenhyphenWSw_9VPoIJ1ZNc7Q4LAEvGRS9Mo7JU85iqye6cIyGWHpcoFdhONuvjC5vLzBEcSviZGMTorEsbGDPwi5WsVO6wzDk0rf_e5u-A_fY7NEgCJCDQ_-1w9uV2rqdxCRSvOA8z-fAFU/s1600/D70_4719_WEKI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqwhyphenhyphenWSw_9VPoIJ1ZNc7Q4LAEvGRS9Mo7JU85iqye6cIyGWHpcoFdhONuvjC5vLzBEcSviZGMTorEsbGDPwi5WsVO6wzDk0rf_e5u-A_fY7NEgCJCDQ_-1w9uV2rqdxCRSvOA8z-fAFU/s640/D70_4719_WEKI.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Kingbird at Salmon River Nov 22</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5a-xlkNmIUrL-AWZPZfIboVdd1Olx0vKLHnnq50JWIMFQ5IfX1WnX_Bzw82ANW22U9JhQ5kW3pEfHHS6lp_lGMAxFdgOjL8VhWYT80IIxOXDV2bN5DH3CSQCYJ1Ym3-gr2pAtiZmwck/s1600/D70_4755_MOBL_compare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5a-xlkNmIUrL-AWZPZfIboVdd1Olx0vKLHnnq50JWIMFQ5IfX1WnX_Bzw82ANW22U9JhQ5kW3pEfHHS6lp_lGMAxFdgOjL8VhWYT80IIxOXDV2bN5DH3CSQCYJ1Ym3-gr2pAtiZmwck/s640/D70_4755_MOBL_compare.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/11/mountain-bluebirds-and-other-western.html">Mountain Bluebird</a> at Mavillette Nov 22</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZGs0bOG_GQzTteXIs6BfITcplA6YOdnDFUmGLgFqVdOlvH88auwAHz8hAPJV298n8zy37CCktQt8MRqTV86ivMesvoJ6Zh9K8nznMzj-LVTeYd2_cQqun2e6qg8AksuP2pbM4lqr9rY/s1600/D70_5153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZGs0bOG_GQzTteXIs6BfITcplA6YOdnDFUmGLgFqVdOlvH88auwAHz8hAPJV298n8zy37CCktQt8MRqTV86ivMesvoJ6Zh9K8nznMzj-LVTeYd2_cQqun2e6qg8AksuP2pbM4lqr9rY/s640/D70_5153.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/12/a-three-lifer-day.html">Greater White-fronted Goose</a> at Shubenacadie Dec 5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZzHba4yhTUcwL4U9oC1Ih07_MmE9fBJvQAuVKIwigyQZPWiwA8Tenpc_2_TeSsGxfYMQK2i8n27osNSPszwEJog4mnEwMlnsGoZtRLNAXKxYbewPpbEpH7S1JuEox1XPuy5roShJhfg/s1600/D70_5162_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZzHba4yhTUcwL4U9oC1Ih07_MmE9fBJvQAuVKIwigyQZPWiwA8Tenpc_2_TeSsGxfYMQK2i8n27osNSPszwEJog4mnEwMlnsGoZtRLNAXKxYbewPpbEpH7S1JuEox1XPuy5roShJhfg/s640/D70_5162_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/12/a-three-lifer-day.html">Sandhill Cranes</a> at near Shubenacadie Dec 5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpN9sHFWPKVeYlTDRe4aSlR32h83dCc7ETQKucEN0c5oglCjPO2FDI3l7j7HNPsiP5kmQvtrtzRZx1b2H6GGwkur8chj68GYC2zxK5Q5PKhUdhZVL7VXj_I7Qeo9978G0H75vC_5gUay4/s1600/D70_5196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpN9sHFWPKVeYlTDRe4aSlR32h83dCc7ETQKucEN0c5oglCjPO2FDI3l7j7HNPsiP5kmQvtrtzRZx1b2H6GGwkur8chj68GYC2zxK5Q5PKhUdhZVL7VXj_I7Qeo9978G0H75vC_5gUay4/s640/D70_5196.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/12/a-three-lifer-day.html">Cackling Goose</a> at Shubenacadie Dec 5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijz-vFTjKzT1kyYtU6SEgTy-jUhu1gLg9kv3o2UQiT4QD4FjLvJlbfhQQ80FfZxZRQHiTDxvzyMdc6NHliLaNLAbMwvphMawH7iUhOIhKFeeD5Lqe6LkIEsrTF2wZ9vsLvCTPvdJfgTfQ/s1600/D70_5252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijz-vFTjKzT1kyYtU6SEgTy-jUhu1gLg9kv3o2UQiT4QD4FjLvJlbfhQQ80FfZxZRQHiTDxvzyMdc6NHliLaNLAbMwvphMawH7iUhOIhKFeeD5Lqe6LkIEsrTF2wZ9vsLvCTPvdJfgTfQ/s640/D70_5252.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2015/12/mountain-bluebirds-mountain-bluebirds.html">TWO Mountain Bluebirds</a> at Cape Sable Island Dec 6</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNk9_sUSdKKAmicwfG1nVip2J8br6JvYp_NcwHlnrInR5aB8A8fNn_BKiEM1Bq7gHWuBSfZaXk9ZZl1nSPxU5dFOPrPWFvqCeKvClkCPmReBK3HbZA1_oaymZMrZBZikUWca3Mku6pCY/s1600/D70_5339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNk9_sUSdKKAmicwfG1nVip2J8br6JvYp_NcwHlnrInR5aB8A8fNn_BKiEM1Bq7gHWuBSfZaXk9ZZl1nSPxU5dFOPrPWFvqCeKvClkCPmReBK3HbZA1_oaymZMrZBZikUWca3Mku6pCY/s640/D70_5339.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TWO American White-Pelicans in Pubnico Harbour Dec 7</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rZBOTv7T22s1vwmmQwjKJzpZC90w9mDXIvwPg7_d_-riTDH80qAee3UpulcT8UpEaoCA9lXtRi4ulvI6RaW2XoRvEsLYBpCW8LohL50aGms2QY5l4_eVMVSPiGwSw6PyrPypbMgjLLg/s1600/D70_5386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rZBOTv7T22s1vwmmQwjKJzpZC90w9mDXIvwPg7_d_-riTDH80qAee3UpulcT8UpEaoCA9lXtRi4ulvI6RaW2XoRvEsLYBpCW8LohL50aGms2QY5l4_eVMVSPiGwSw6PyrPypbMgjLLg/s640/D70_5386.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barrow's Goldeneye in Yarmouth Harbour Dec 8</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenFqS6284jGKlKpAIqhRJLsdD8Lu0qHdS-uqn1sebM5MjkZordcyQBRqefHQyts53C7-ykH6IZ3_ayw9Em9nFU3vwGKaeeLeEpEosjq4U23gGFUNHv4W_PalxMnZrE8M3n5lbUMvA4i4/s1600/D70_5441_BHGU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenFqS6284jGKlKpAIqhRJLsdD8Lu0qHdS-uqn1sebM5MjkZordcyQBRqefHQyts53C7-ykH6IZ3_ayw9Em9nFU3vwGKaeeLeEpEosjq4U23gGFUNHv4W_PalxMnZrE8M3n5lbUMvA4i4/s640/D70_5441_BHGU.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-headed Gull at Pinkneys Point Dec 12</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mNqiQ7gDmYZ0gVgJLugPLYfZBJMhnhDxMQNIolKlFQQD0V7QtNWXu7D6WvZPaFy-60r41tMEjQ6KEik5Ggcvk0YhmxItNuLghISdBcQyVc9xynTsbkqaLJdG0Z2i9J_WSvFY11x80vI/s1600/D70_5590_SEOW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mNqiQ7gDmYZ0gVgJLugPLYfZBJMhnhDxMQNIolKlFQQD0V7QtNWXu7D6WvZPaFy-60r41tMEjQ6KEik5Ggcvk0YhmxItNuLghISdBcQyVc9xynTsbkqaLJdG0Z2i9J_WSvFY11x80vI/s640/D70_5590_SEOW.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Short-eared Owl at The Cape Dec 26</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWB_cVKmeXBu-wMpXPePTN2Qt0euhMpMyNRLbLdJpzT69PltcHfevtEcU0fUXRUlHR-eL8uPquen7lJLI9WpBu14LXi-f7SYAsb_UNRuY2t9wXIiOXWxTy76bDUByk8wkEiE8MAoPclQ/s1600/D70_5726_RSHA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWB_cVKmeXBu-wMpXPePTN2Qt0euhMpMyNRLbLdJpzT69PltcHfevtEcU0fUXRUlHR-eL8uPquen7lJLI9WpBu14LXi-f7SYAsb_UNRuY2t9wXIiOXWxTy76bDUByk8wkEiE8MAoPclQ/s640/D70_5726_RSHA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-shouldered Hawk at Pleasant Lake Dec 30</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-74205930040247430772015-12-29T19:11:00.000-04:002015-12-29T21:43:19.448-04:00Mountain Bluebirds, Mountain Bluebirds, Mountain Bluebirds.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It is clear that 2015 has been a tremendous year for Mountain Bluebirds in Nova Scotia. Many of our birders were able to add this western open-habitat thrush to their provincial list. These visiting rarities have been long-staying and have for the most part stuck to small areas making them easy to find.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">2015 Timeline</span></b><br />
Important observations of Mountain Bluebirds this year are listed below in chronological order:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Nov 15</b> - Simon-Paul d'Entremont photographed two bluebirds at Mavillette, Digby County. They were assumed to be Eastern Bluebirds at the time.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Nov 22</b> - David Bell and Dominic Cormier discover a hatch-year (HY) female Mountain Bluebird at Freeport, Digby County. See the <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S25953732" target="_blank">eBird Checklist</a> for photos.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Nov 22</b> - David Bell and Dominic Cormier find a HY male Mountain Bluebird at Mavillette, Digby County. See my <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S25952751" target="_blank">eBird Checklist</a> for photos from that day.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Nov 28</b> - Richard Hatch saw three bluebirds at Mavillette, Digby County, that he identified as two Mountains and one Eastern. No photos were taken that day and multiple birds were not observed again at Mavillette until Dec 26, see this item below.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Dec 2</b> - Cal Kimola Brown found a HY male Mountain Bluebird at Fish Plant Rd, Cape Sable Island, Shelburne County. The bird at this location was never resighted.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Dec 6</b> - Alix d'Entremont got two HY male Mountain Bluebirds (Fig. 1) at Church Hill Rd, Cape Sable Island, Shelburne County (only 0.5 km away from the Dec 2 sighting). One is likely the same that was photographed nearby on Dec 2 by Cal Kimola Brown. See my <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S26148761" target="_blank">eBird Checklist</a> for photos.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Dec 26</b> - Simon-Paul d'Entremont photographed two Mountain Bluebirds at Mavillette, Digby County. One is a HY male, and the other, a HY female.</li>
</ul>
<div>
A few questions arrise from the list of observations above.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What explains the lack sightings of multiple birds at Mavillette after Nov 28 and before Dec 26? The Mountain Bluebird at Mavillette was consitenty found at the Cape View Motel and Restaurant, but would sometimes dissapear to the south-east in the large expanse of coastal alders. Was this where the others were spending time?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Were the three bluebirds seen on Nov 28 comprised of the one HY male Mountain Bluebird and one Eastern Bluebird photographed on Nov 15 in addition to the HY female Mountain Bluebird from Freeport (Fig. 2)? Freeport is only 25 km from Mavillette, so that seems very possible also given that the age and sex of the bird is the same. In order to survive, vagrant birds will linger at good locations where they can find enough food. Mavillette, with its open landscape, appears to be an appropriate place for these bluebirds.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAkLA_6IwyHBGU7jvjUNR70zuS2vEwapCPWVuSHgwYDLY30-2Byb4Cb7UKszR4TuDyXkmeLCrs4hC0255RMfz-ETgdyLJDJApUwj2mSnFcWkC3Wrh7Cmvz9l0pYqpEmx9pOBDfpCOP8Y/s1600/D70_5252_MOBL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAkLA_6IwyHBGU7jvjUNR70zuS2vEwapCPWVuSHgwYDLY30-2Byb4Cb7UKszR4TuDyXkmeLCrs4hC0255RMfz-ETgdyLJDJApUwj2mSnFcWkC3Wrh7Cmvz9l0pYqpEmx9pOBDfpCOP8Y/s320/D70_5252_MOBL.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 1.</b> Two hatch-year male Mountain Bluebirds at Cape Sable Island, Dec 6, 2015. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ06VgTiaRsT4-BlHFytWzkUrjLM3O_Kcy9IjSbQJB2H0IDEyDZTssXzm7XSwqPO5Qcw9ojvX3FBtHIeDXgZw8idb_MeRd70MUBzneGZROftDG7ks4YHHnNSJjDRmgD5Tap7fcpQ06x2g/s1600/21256281_Freeport-Mavillette_Comparison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ06VgTiaRsT4-BlHFytWzkUrjLM3O_Kcy9IjSbQJB2H0IDEyDZTssXzm7XSwqPO5Qcw9ojvX3FBtHIeDXgZw8idb_MeRd70MUBzneGZROftDG7ks4YHHnNSJjDRmgD5Tap7fcpQ06x2g/s320/21256281_Freeport-Mavillette_Comparison.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 2.</b> Hatch-year females at Mavillette (Dec 26, 2015) and Freeport (Nov 22, 2015) that might be the same individual. <i>Photos by Simon-Paul d'Entremont and David Bell.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There is precedence in Nova Scotia of different bluebird species in one location. On Jan 18, 1999, a Mountain Bluebird (present since Jan 16) in Centreville, CSI, was joined by an Eastern Bluebird. Both birds remained until at least Feb 7, 1999.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Historical Sightings in NS</span></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I've combined all issues of <i>NS Birds</i> (previously named the <i>Nova Scotia Bird Society Newsletter</i> and later <i>Nova Scotia Birds</i>) into a 1.6 Gigabyte PDF complete with searchable text. This allows me to search by species name and find all occurances quickly.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>Oct 25, 1989</b> - possible female at Hartlen Point, HRM.</li>
<li><b>Jan 27 - Feb 10, 1992</b> - our first fully confirmed, a HY male in Brooklyn, Queens County.</li>
<li><b>Jan 10, 1995</b> - female at Sable Island, HRM.</li>
<li><b>Jan 3, 1999</b> - immature at Port Morien, CBRM.</li>
<li><b>Jan 16, 1999</b> - female at Cape Sable Island, Shelburne County.</li>
<li><b>Nov 14-15, 2002</b> - female at Cape Sable Island, Shelburne County.</li>
<li><b>Dec 22-24, 2002</b> - one at Little River Harbour, Yarmouth County.</li>
<li><b>Jan 15-17, 2003</b> - one at Cape Sable Island, Shelburne County. *same as the Nov 2002 bird?*</li>
<li><b>mid-April, 2005</b> - one at Long Island, Digby County. (7th)</li>
<li><b>May 23, 2007</b> - one in Upper East Green Harbour, Shelburne County.</li>
<li><b>May 10, 2009</b> - one in Dartmouth, HRM.</li>
<li><b>Dec 31, 2011</b> - one in Glace Bay, CBRM.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The above results in a total of 12 reports. There is a high probability that the Jan 2003 sighting was the same bird that was seen in Nov 2002. We are now left with 11 historical occurances of Mountain Bluebird in Nova Scotia. There have been at least 4 during 2015 (assuming the Freeport and Mavillette HY females are one in the same), the conservative total becomes 15. Twelve records have been during fall/winter and the remaining 3 in spring.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Migration and Vagrancy</span></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mountain Bluebirds are the most migratory of the bluebirds. They breed from east-central Alaska in the north to extreme west Texas in the south. They winter as far south as central Mexico and north to north-central Oregon. Depending on the severity of winter, they concentrate in the nothern of southern potion of the winter range. Autumn migration begins in August and extends into November. (Power & Lombardo, 1996)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The unprecedented number of Mountain Bluebirds in Nova Scotia during late fall and winter 2015 are mirrored by multiple sightings in other parts of eastern North America. Below are the number of Mountain Bluebirds reported to eBird in other eastern provinces and states.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Ontario - 2</li>
<li>Quebec - 1</li>
<li>New Brunswick - 1</li>
<li>Massachussetts - 1</li>
<li>Florida - 1</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Figure 3 compares the eBird reports from fall migration 2014 to those of 2015. These maps allow us to visualize a phenomenon of vagrant Mountain Bluebirds that was not confined to NS. It is fair to say that a specific weather pattern at a particular latitude, altitude and time played a role in the arrival of the Mountain Bluebirds to eastern North America. During August and early September, we get airflow from the southwest. October through December is characterized by zonal airflow across North American from west to east, directly towards our province. This wind pattern contributes to the yearly arrival of birds from the west. (McLaren, 2012)<br />
<br />
Another cause of vagrancy is misorientation, but the effect would be more consistent from year to year. A quick look through eBird shows that significant numbers of Mountain Bluebirds in the east, similar to the 2015 event, don't occur on a regular basis. The last time that we saw large numbers was during fall/winter 2011/2012.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1Ojdng_grdxk82WOISjg3RQYXhswtGeFsxusbYm_h_M2iRJd3UV-8EjlVvtoVB_BPTVGr8tiBIbaCl3Tr-ryGNL07EmdoiKZTehn2t222-a7vOdLff1FkjDCrMMnj42wSbcUtmsJPMs/s1600/eBird_MOBL_Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1Ojdng_grdxk82WOISjg3RQYXhswtGeFsxusbYm_h_M2iRJd3UV-8EjlVvtoVB_BPTVGr8tiBIbaCl3Tr-ryGNL07EmdoiKZTehn2t222-a7vOdLff1FkjDCrMMnj42wSbcUtmsJPMs/s640/eBird_MOBL_Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 3.</b> Late fall/winter Mountain Bluebird eBird reports from 2014/2015 (left) vs late fall/winter 2015. <i>From eBird.org.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Fall and winter 2015 were characterized by many other notable western vagrants to our province; these include Hermit Warbler, many Western Kingbirds, Bullock's Oriole, two American White Pelicans, an apparent "western" Marsh Wren and Western Flycatcher (Pacific-slope or Cordilleran).<br />
<br />
One Mountain Bluebird in Nova Scotia is thrilling enough, but two separate locations with two individuals is amazing. Nova Scotia keeps providing evidence that it is truly a great place for vagrant birds. Its location (halfway between the north and south poles) and geography (surrounded by water and comprised of many headlands and islands) are great for producing exciting birding. (McLaren, 2012)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">References</span></b></div>
<div>
<br />
McLaren, I.A. 2012. All the Birds of Nova Scotia: status & critical identification. Gaspereau Press Ltd, Kentville, N.S., Canada<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
Power, Harry W. and Michael P. Lombardo. 1996. Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/222</div>
<div>
doi:10.2173/bna.222</div>
</div>
</div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-78142000520683902762015-12-08T17:26:00.001-04:002015-12-10T12:29:18.123-04:00A Three Lifer Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
At 5 am on Dec 5, 2015, I picked up Ervin Olsen and Mark Dennis by car and we drove east on Highway 103. The plan was to drive up to Shubenacadie to twitch on three good birds that had been reported in the area. These three species were all lifers for me, so a long day of driving would be worth it. Eight Sandhill Cranes (<i>Grus canadensis</i>), and one each of Greater White-fronted Goose (<i>Anser albifrons</i>) and Cackling Goose (<i>Branta hutchinsii</i>) were within a 15 minute drive of each other.<br />
<br />
We made great time and reached Snides Lake, a 29 acre water body near Exit 10 in Shubenacadie, by 8:15 am. We were on the northern side and all of the waterfowl were on the opposite end (Fig. 1). After a bit of searching, Mark found the Greater White-fronted Goose. We looked around a bit more for the Cackling and decided to drive closer to the geese and try for a photo.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJ1s6rm_Fv00j54lH_muLWhw6mto4jNFa0kee_8FF1PNxJKrxIszzgiBjiN9ndHhXlPLYI_uGDl5jg2iJmmSrEwuF3US9uc0NhQPFnlTzb5zg10AjQZtgEi94nOWcVyn_sF29_zu_n38/s1600/20151205_082052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJ1s6rm_Fv00j54lH_muLWhw6mto4jNFa0kee_8FF1PNxJKrxIszzgiBjiN9ndHhXlPLYI_uGDl5jg2iJmmSrEwuF3US9uc0NhQPFnlTzb5zg10AjQZtgEi94nOWcVyn_sF29_zu_n38/s640/20151205_082052.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 1.</b> Mark Dennis and Ervin Olsen looking through the hundreds of geese at Snides Lake, Hants Co., Dec 12, 2015. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This new vantage point provided much better views of the rare goose. It appeared fairly small compared to the Canada Geese that surrounded it (Fig. 2). The orange bill is very obvious through the scope, even at a distance of over 600 m. Mark shared with us that Greater White-fronted is quite easy to spot by checking for its orange legs when in a standing group of Canadas.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOR3n1YKn9l6XmdGOlVxvn76VpEqhYfCzRPJH9_Mcvc36CRBl4Dy3QOtZpZ8uMavVrNZHqS5gof73S76aKQoIHk5qfTDCg4A6MvwiDLpzPfAR-LS-QrHqfijl9M-FV5jxRIpajI-UVPI/s1600/D70_5147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOR3n1YKn9l6XmdGOlVxvn76VpEqhYfCzRPJH9_Mcvc36CRBl4Dy3QOtZpZ8uMavVrNZHqS5gof73S76aKQoIHk5qfTDCg4A6MvwiDLpzPfAR-LS-QrHqfijl9M-FV5jxRIpajI-UVPI/s640/D70_5147.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 2.</b> Greater White-fronted Goose with Canada Geese at Snides Lake, Hants Co., Dec 12, 2015. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This individual is a juvenile and lacks the adult's distinctive white band around the bill and on the forehead. The most expected subspecies in Nova Scotia is the "Greenland White-fronted Goose" <i>A. a. flavirostris</i>. This population normally migrates to Europe, but increasingly occurs in n.e. US and Atlantic Canada. This bird fits for <i>flavirostris</i> as it shows a distinctly orange bill and lacks the grayish back tones and pinkish bill shown by <i>A. a. gambelli</i>, the subspecies that breeds across n.w. Canada (Fig. 3). (McLaren, 2012)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EwzphxDceYp5MWxXoooks05yypH1dofwIE_5IBM5BoJcQ9aFq4erR2pkohPzfNbvqSN5w6hTwm9DDxu1xUFN27hyphenhyphen4oH0OWLp1Nk2ZDZ74J1cj6qSKrS_TtkKoK6iWKM8emsXPZ5xgdw/s1600/D70_5153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EwzphxDceYp5MWxXoooks05yypH1dofwIE_5IBM5BoJcQ9aFq4erR2pkohPzfNbvqSN5w6hTwm9DDxu1xUFN27hyphenhyphen4oH0OWLp1Nk2ZDZ74J1cj6qSKrS_TtkKoK6iWKM8emsXPZ5xgdw/s640/D70_5153.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 3.</b> Juvenile Greater White-fronted Goose at Snides Lake, Hants Co., Dec 5, 2015. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Timing was right when I received a call from Andy de Champlain as he stood on the Milford Rd admiring the group of eight Sandhill Cranes (<i>Grus canadensis</i>). Merridy Rankin accompanied Andy and Fulton Lavender and offered to meet us at Snides Lake and lead us directly to the cranes. We arrived at the Milford Rd location and the flock of eight was my second lifer of the day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsO6KmN6Sub6dxhlcYaKaPm0THQvKkNXQeYZV7Mgfscn1JybOogq8ubFnyxTVSvqjjpXwqw9fEyhjzpfattJzB1D6C66O7uvUBCuVtVzWC3btpa7T-vR1kIgyt9pqSqO3GZyHrbKdDbk/s1600/D70_5162_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsO6KmN6Sub6dxhlcYaKaPm0THQvKkNXQeYZV7Mgfscn1JybOogq8ubFnyxTVSvqjjpXwqw9fEyhjzpfattJzB1D6C66O7uvUBCuVtVzWC3btpa7T-vR1kIgyt9pqSqO3GZyHrbKdDbk/s640/D70_5162_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 4.</b> Eight Sandhill Cranes on the Milford Rd, Halifax Co., Dec 5, 2015. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Both the Greater (<i>G. c. tabida</i>) and Lesser Sandhill Cranes (<i>G. c. canadensis</i>) are reported to have occured in the province. Most references warn that subspecific indentification should only be attempted on individuals that are on the extreme ends of the proportional differences between subspecies (McLaren 2012, Alderfer 2014). Compared to Greater, Lesser Sandhill Cranes are smaller and have relatively shorter legs and neck. McLaren (2012) gives us a rule of thumb: the bill of <i>tabida</i> is about twice the length of the head, that of <i>canadensis</i> about the length of the head. <i>G. c. rowani</i> represents a population that is between <i>canadensis</i> and <i>tabida </i>in both breeding location and structure.<br />
<br />
The bill length of most birds appear to be closer to the length of the head than twice the length of the head. There has been some subspecific discussion of these cranes on the NSBS Facebook Group, but nothing that I would call concrete. For some "light" reading regarding Sandhill Crane subspecies, there is a 2001 article that Maxine Quinton forwarded to me named <a href="http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=usgsnpwrc" target="_blank">Mitochondrial Phylogeography, Subspecific Taxonomy, and Conservation Genetics of Sandhill Cranes (Grus Canadensis; Aves: Gruidae)</a> that is interesting.<br />
<br />
Twitching birds often provides opportunities to see birders from other parts of the province that you don't often get to spent time with. We took the opportunity to grab a few photos, like the one in Figure 5.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOa-vuJs9Gef8jQ9ikUxYNxa_zo9VG8eMx0Jz54sQjlDdbvNhlbinzJOqqEc-vH9w6H_7w6j4nNAHW-fWsNqaR0pP2p_szF-No_EbTXagkhZmCNiE0FNqREjXTxS1MDsuFQ-OIHemmGWs/s1600/12339563_10156139653965012_4457326733098586872_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOa-vuJs9Gef8jQ9ikUxYNxa_zo9VG8eMx0Jz54sQjlDdbvNhlbinzJOqqEc-vH9w6H_7w6j4nNAHW-fWsNqaR0pP2p_szF-No_EbTXagkhZmCNiE0FNqREjXTxS1MDsuFQ-OIHemmGWs/s640/12339563_10156139653965012_4457326733098586872_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 5.</b> Andy de Champlain, Fulton Lavender and Alix d'Entremont (me). <i>Photo by Ervin Olsen.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Once we had our fill of photos and scope views of the Sandhill Cranes, Andy and Fulton followed us to the next water body where we hoped we'd find a Cackling Goose. It had been seen at at a pond just south of Shubenacadie near the railroad tracks. Eric Mills called it Shaws Pond on eBird, so that is what I'll go with. The five of us arrived and soon after we were joined by another Nova Scotia Bird Society member, Donna MacNeil. We crossed the railroad tracks (carefully looking both ways) and Mark soon found our target bird.<br />
<br />
Once I got my binoculars onto the Cackling Goose, I first noticed how how pale it was and then how small it was in comparison to the Canada Geese (Fig. 6). Switching optics often resulted in the temporary loss of the subject. I finally was able to get my camera on it and get a few photos.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJZlELgAL_lA90ht9PIBOOV0GYDvMdhNI9Opl2NUF5y8mZWMXUEkhtlIF24UOVmxW_6PtT8g4ydPiFEhTX_UZqgV4nGkikHt4G7PUxvNwfJ471dti8F9BoV7tKx06uhhBYyq4A5IPhLs/s1600/D70_5176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJZlELgAL_lA90ht9PIBOOV0GYDvMdhNI9Opl2NUF5y8mZWMXUEkhtlIF24UOVmxW_6PtT8g4ydPiFEhTX_UZqgV4nGkikHt4G7PUxvNwfJ471dti8F9BoV7tKx06uhhBYyq4A5IPhLs/s640/D70_5176.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 6.</b> Cackling Goose among Canada Geese at Shaws Pond, Hants Co., Dec 5, 2015. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Cackling Goose (<i>Anser hutchinsii</i>) was only split from Canada Goose (<i>Anser canadensis</i>) in 2004 in the 45th Supplement of the AOU Checklist. The split occured due to differences in size, voice, habitat and timing of migration (Mowbray et al., 2002). In general terms, it looks like a small Canada Goose, almost how Ross's Goose is a tiny version of a Snow Goose. If you were to shrink a typical Canada Goose, you still wouldn't have a Cackling. In comparison to Canada Goose, Cackling Goose has a relatively shorter neck, smaller bill and steeper forehead (Alderfer, 2014).<br />
<br />
The only subspecies of Cackling Goose that is expected in Nova Scotia is "Richardson's Cackling Goose" <i>A. h. hutchinsii </i>(McLaren, 2012). This population breeds from the Mackenzie River Delta to Baffin Island and south to n. Hudson Bay, migrates mid-continent and spends the winters in the south-central US (Mowbray et al., 2002). The other three subspecies breed west of <i>hutchinsii</i> and also winter further west (Alderfer & Dunn, 2014).<br />
<br />
A three lifer day in Nova Scotia is getting harder as my species list climbs. I may have to wait for a storm during spring or fall migration for this to happen again.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>References:</b><br />
<br />
Alderfer, J., J.L. Dunn. 2014. (Ed). Complete Birds of North America, 2nd Edition. National Geographic Society. Washington DC, USA.<br />
<br />
McLaren, I.A. 2012. All the Birds of Nova Scotia: status & critical identification. Gaspereau Press Ltd, Kentville, N.S., Canada<br />
<br />
Pyle, P., S.N.G. Howell, R.P. Yunick, and D.F. Desante. 1997. Identification guide to North American Birds, Part 1, Columbidae to Ploceidae. Slate Creek Press, Bolinas, California.<br />
<br />
Mowbray, Thomas B., Craig R. Ely, James S. Sedinger and Robert E. Trost. 2002. Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/682<br />
doi:10.2173/bna.682</div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-91660688974972238172015-11-26T10:48:00.001-04:002016-02-01T06:29:46.436-04:00Mountain Bluebirds and Other Western Rarities<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbB3UjGWriB8OE63heptlqAfc5_g9rrXb1rHdqXY-XgOptZM4civ5QEVDl8h3k-I2cG0LrfvhJuiLaT3OZKbwJFT0l4Jb4vc3GrFf6V0KXZ8ra1drwx_pgyMSJnGYd3o2JMPqnjntYwOM/s1600/D70_4750_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbB3UjGWriB8OE63heptlqAfc5_g9rrXb1rHdqXY-XgOptZM4civ5QEVDl8h3k-I2cG0LrfvhJuiLaT3OZKbwJFT0l4Jb4vc3GrFf6V0KXZ8ra1drwx_pgyMSJnGYd3o2JMPqnjntYwOM/s640/D70_4750_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 1.</b> Mountain Bluebird at Mavillette, <i>Digby</i>, November 22, 2015. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On November 22, 2015, David Bell and Dominic Cormier found two Mountain Bluebirds, one at Freeport and another (Fig. 1) in Mavillette, both in Digby County. Paul Gould and I had just found a Yellow-breasted Chat in the multiflora brambles near Prospect St in Yarmouth when I received the good news about the Mavillette bird via text. We said our goodbyes to the chat and drove up Highway 101 towards my next lifer. Just north of Salmon River we noticed an interesting bird on the wires. We stopped to investigate and found that it was a Western Kingbird (Fig. 2).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmGdQW5K-t6uwuuWlHdIv0L4dDsp15DmTj9exaJJVQ-K9QUSjg6VrELlqmCubE-XaYPCH_OJOV91Cz1qjTpBruGQJjDGSCrRaTFIQPZJj0719ycZY5yQsLE-hRVwQve1n_XaxtgZIRs0/s1600/D70_4719_WEKI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmGdQW5K-t6uwuuWlHdIv0L4dDsp15DmTj9exaJJVQ-K9QUSjg6VrELlqmCubE-XaYPCH_OJOV91Cz1qjTpBruGQJjDGSCrRaTFIQPZJj0719ycZY5yQsLE-hRVwQve1n_XaxtgZIRs0/s640/D70_4719_WEKI.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 2.</b> Western Kingbird at Salmon River, <i>Digby</i>, November 22, 2015. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
David and Dominic were still in Mavillette keeping an eye on the bluebird when we arrived. We quickly shook hands and thanked them as they had to leave to do maintenance on more radio bird tracking systems. The Mountain Bluebird was my 294th bird for the province.<br />
<br />
The Mountain Bluebird breeds in western North America and is migratory in most of its range. It is a rare but regular vagrant to the East. There had previously been at least 11 reports of this western thrush in Nova Scotia, most during fall and winter. The last sighting was on 10 May 2009 in Dartmouth. (Mclaren, 2012)<br />
<br />
<b>Identification Tips</b><br />
<br />
Lets begin by looking at structure to identify this bird to species. Compared to Western Bluebirds and Eastern Bluebirds, Mountain Bluebirds are longer-winged, longer-legged and thinner-billed (Alderfer, 2014). Figure 3 is very useful to compare structure between the Mountain Bluebird and Eastern Bluebird as both birds are in a similar position.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mv-9DlOuaF9OcfSS0BflPbbCNvmjMrcNNcwmxgt7ZVXYt7sFoESkDED6Kmb7ZFfgwhE2xOH1ymbqIa6mMNmx41D0BPcZr2zI0-IXQutWgG7IRokzr95dz2xXRNUcOuhgVDgiSAGXX2Q/s1600/Bluebird_structure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mv-9DlOuaF9OcfSS0BflPbbCNvmjMrcNNcwmxgt7ZVXYt7sFoESkDED6Kmb7ZFfgwhE2xOH1ymbqIa6mMNmx41D0BPcZr2zI0-IXQutWgG7IRokzr95dz2xXRNUcOuhgVDgiSAGXX2Q/s640/Bluebird_structure.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 3.</b> Mountain Bluebird (L) and Eastern Bluebird (R) at Mavillette November 15, 2015. <i>Photos by Simon-Paul d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Mountain Bluebirds only have one moult per year, the pre-basic moult completed on the summering grounds. Therefore, there is no extreme difference in plumage between seasons. An adult male would be almost entirely sky-blue - clearly not matching our bird. A hatch-year male would be similar, but duller blueish to mixed brown and blue. Hatch-year males show strong moult limits in the greater secondary coverts - the inner ones having bright blue centres. The first pre-basic moult includes 1-8 inner greater coverts. A single bright blue replaced inner greater covert is visible in Figure 4. This replaced feather creates strong contrast with the remaining retained greater coverts. (Pyle, 1997)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopQ8uRw2pc0Mvpu1_3L3S4mybs9FiplSNt3iwPNmDJkRineiPzcBVcFOovWi3KBF7VJo1s6he4wNeuQvD-nMc_MbTxhNbOp6ppDsK2l5L_ofn0bEQVLhmnepR6wfHhTEIde0o3dadSwA/s1600/20151122-DavidBell_annotated.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopQ8uRw2pc0Mvpu1_3L3S4mybs9FiplSNt3iwPNmDJkRineiPzcBVcFOovWi3KBF7VJo1s6he4wNeuQvD-nMc_MbTxhNbOp6ppDsK2l5L_ofn0bEQVLhmnepR6wfHhTEIde0o3dadSwA/s640/20151122-DavidBell_annotated.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 4.</b> <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Mountain Bluebird at Mavillette, </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Digby</i><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">, November 22, 2015. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by David Bell.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Adult females are dull bluish gray and hatch-year females are dull brownish to grayish. The amount of blue on the bird combined with the presence of a strong moult limit in the greater coverts make it a hatch-year male. Some photos show more pure blue on the upperparts than others (Fig. 5).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9G-xF4WAABJL2JqxfqDwQ5JElmTvp7eWmtjvvumEQEn1v2a6Dr3SRe1J1cdxt4aqp0obQZvts1otp68fxbWZIc1AKcTZHWepNbrgmRKYVL_cSImd1mbpZpZG3cr8TRi3DM7B-_122Z8/s1600/20151123-Ellis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9G-xF4WAABJL2JqxfqDwQ5JElmTvp7eWmtjvvumEQEn1v2a6Dr3SRe1J1cdxt4aqp0obQZvts1otp68fxbWZIc1AKcTZHWepNbrgmRKYVL_cSImd1mbpZpZG3cr8TRi3DM7B-_122Z8/s640/20151123-Ellis.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Figure 5.</b><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Mountain Bluebird at Mavillette, </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Digby</i><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">, November 23, 2015. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Ellis d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Multiple Recent Western Vagrants</b><br />
<br />
Five western rarities were in s.w. Nova Scotia on November 22, 2015:<br />
<br />
-<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S25946287" target="_blank">Mountain Bluebird</a> at Freeport, <i>Digby</i><br />
-Mountain Bluebird at Mavillette, <i>Digby</i><br />
-<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S25953733" target="_blank">Western Kingbird</a> at East Ferry, <i>Digby</i><br />
-Western Kingbird at Salmon River, <i>Digby</i><br />
-Western Kingbird at Louis Head, <i>Shelburne</i><br />
<br />
One could hypothesise that the weather system that brought hundreds of Franklin's Gulls to the eastern US mid-November contributed to the recent arrival of western birds to Nova Scotia. The track of the mid-November storm seemed favourable to bring some exciting birds to the Maritimes.<br />
<br />
The Mountain Bluebird at Mavillette was actually present since mid-November. Simon-Paul d'Entremont had photographed two bluebirds at Mavillette on November 15 that were, at the time, passed off as Eastern Bluebirds. Once the November 22 bird was identified as a Mountain Bluebird, Simon and I reviewed his earlier images and were surprised that the rare bluebird was in fact present on November 15. One of the Simon's bluebirds was a Mountain Bluebird and the other was an Eastern Bluebird.<br />
<br />
The Western Kingbird at Louis Head, <i>Shelburne,</i> was originally reported November 15. A <a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S25911367" target="_blank">Franklin's Gull</a> was sighted briefly at Hall's Harbour, <i>Kings</i>, on November 19. The number of western vagrants concentrated in such a brief period provide evidence supporting a weather-driven arrival.<br />
<br />
<b>References</b><br />
<br />
Alderfer, J., J.L. Dunn. 2014. (Ed). Complete Birds of North America, 2nd Edition. National Geographic Society. Washington DC, USA.<br />
<br />
McLaren, I.A. 2012. All the Birds of Nova Scotia: status & critical identification. Gaspereau Press Ltd, Kentville, N.S., Canada<br />
<br />
Pyle, P., S.N.G. Howell, R.P. Yunick, and D.F. Desante. 1997. Identification guide to North American Birds, Part 1, Columbidae to Ploceidae. Slate Creek Press, Bolinas, California.</div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-48206173570974382052015-10-31T18:07:00.001-03:002015-10-31T18:07:24.962-03:00Yellow-throated Warbler<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Yellow-throated Warbler (<i>Setophaga dominica</i>) is an annual vagrant to Nova Scotia in small numbers. Most are reported in autumn, mainly during October (McLaren, 2012). One to four have been reported during fall migration in the last five years. This warbler breeds in the eastern US; the population nearest to our province is in Delaware, however its breeding range is expanding northward (Alderfer, 2014).<br />
<br />
On the morning of Oct 25, 2015, Paul Gould and I found a Yellow-throated Warbler in Arcadia, Yarmouth County. It was only my second sighting of this species, the first being a yard bird during the fallout of April 2012.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2oWxd1N6K9uRDNQ8ld0VlfI8VMn9yVrJu-6qGhkQT2egp3-6bKt7x87ejrT0U7EWB2BvsPgiJ5cifrRLGKLHs4Z_zPeu8pflC03cuTRXJNyCw2-W7kCmQYD79aCPjnpc203qOAbfx1HQ/s1600/D70_3977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2oWxd1N6K9uRDNQ8ld0VlfI8VMn9yVrJu-6qGhkQT2egp3-6bKt7x87ejrT0U7EWB2BvsPgiJ5cifrRLGKLHs4Z_zPeu8pflC03cuTRXJNyCw2-W7kCmQYD79aCPjnpc203qOAbfx1HQ/s640/D70_3977.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 1.</b> Yellow-throated Warbler in Arcadia, Yarmouth County, Oct 25, 2015. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
McLaren (2012) describes two subspecies that can be expected in Nova Scotia; the western <i>S.d. albilora</i> and the eastern <i>S.d. dominica</i>. Alderfer (2014), Pyle (1997) and Sibley (2014) all describe the geographic variation in this species. Alderfer (2014) lists three subspecies, the two already mentioned above and an additional <i>S.d. stoddardi </i>that is found nesting in the Florida panhandle and an adjacent portion of Alabama.<br />
<br />
Recent research (McKay 2008, 2009) suggests recent expansion of this species and shows that the morphological differences between the subspecies are clinal. Sibley, in his <a href="http://www.sibleyguides.com/bird-info/field-identifiable-subspecies-of-birds-an-annotated-list/" target="_blank">blog post</a> regarding identifiable subspecies, explains that Coastal (eastern) and Interior (western) forms differ slightly in plumage and bill length, but extensive variation makes identification of many birds uncertain. Some believe that this species should be treated as monotypic (Alderfer, 2014). The continued inclusion of subspecific field marks in recent publications (Alderfer 2014, Sibley 2014) indicate that, even if morphological differences are clinal, it is still useful to investigate these varying features of the Yellow-throated Warbler. These differing characteristics might still provide information on the likely origin of a vagrant bird, but possibly only for individuals on the extreme ends of the continuum. It is still interesting to study the features of vagrant Yellow-throated Warblers that arrive to our province. Patterns of occurance will be statistically stronger when backed by more information. For the remainder of this article, I will use the terms western birds for <i>albilora</i> and eastern birds for <i>dominica </i>- this will better represent recent understanding of the variation within this species as a cline.<br />
<br />
Western birds show white above the lores (rarely yellow) and often a small white spot at the base of the chin. Eastern birds show yellow above the lores (rarely white) and rarely shows a small patch of white on the chin (Alderfer, 2014). Bill length increases from west to east, although birds breeding along the Gulf Coast and on the Delmarva Peninsula have markedly longer bills (McKay et al., 2012).<br />
<br />
This bird shows a patch of white feathers on the chin (Fig. 2), especially when viewed from below. The supraloral area seems to show a very slight hint of yellowish, but is predominantly white. Bill length is difficult to assess without measurements in the hand, but this bird appears somewhat short billed (see Fig. 3 as well).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2gbW9RTl3-HLEoq5A0mmuRpmWcx6n6iQelpF5UmuxT1qazzw2ZbTzVbBmFxQ1WHe13Rygad_j5YDS5RxiHPQQT8J_gLIHj1pGJcA4FffLDpXekpyc4ChBWaKbRgnK0pO6v_2PkUXpoY/s1600/lores_chin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2gbW9RTl3-HLEoq5A0mmuRpmWcx6n6iQelpF5UmuxT1qazzw2ZbTzVbBmFxQ1WHe13Rygad_j5YDS5RxiHPQQT8J_gLIHj1pGJcA4FffLDpXekpyc4ChBWaKbRgnK0pO6v_2PkUXpoY/s640/lores_chin.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 2.</b> Yellow-throated Warbler in Arcadia, Yarmouth County, October 25, 2015. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Figure 3 compares this bird to one with slightly more yellow in the supraloral area and another with still more yellow. All three of these birds show some amount of white on the very upper chin.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltZf9vU3gQC9KpIo5WR_JAN9Gdyu25ZPfbHCyW-vmFtTaJcXvc0EIQXTAwbFLhoAxJVvQEYMH-n9ZKsnaf1dtC10zJGm2kZPmfbb5KyiqLbPtz7Mt-ZN3vQ3wL8ZMz88XByVLa9dtBbs/s1600/comparison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltZf9vU3gQC9KpIo5WR_JAN9Gdyu25ZPfbHCyW-vmFtTaJcXvc0EIQXTAwbFLhoAxJVvQEYMH-n9ZKsnaf1dtC10zJGm2kZPmfbb5KyiqLbPtz7Mt-ZN3vQ3wL8ZMz88XByVLa9dtBbs/s640/comparison.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 3.</b> Yellow-throated Warblers. <i>Photos by Alix d'Entremont (left and middle) and Ronnie d'Entremont (right).</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Individuals breeding in the western portion of the range show more white in the outer tail feathers (McKay et al., 2012). Dunn and Garrett (1997) state that the white on the outer rectrices of western birds appears to meet the white undertail coverts. Figure 4 seems to show extensive white under the rectrices - similar to that of a western bird.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieD62nDpM4IopL9CJjPnQkpEgxUSEouFQMSfmEvM7I20b5LzK0F4R022wxj0Ls4CqTkYERDPO2GEDSZhzVDhYc7EwHOAHr3SFLdlegxYK2xaG2cqW-On7dGkof_GDwOUFYt2-jcdGKIxY/s1600/D70_3974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieD62nDpM4IopL9CJjPnQkpEgxUSEouFQMSfmEvM7I20b5LzK0F4R022wxj0Ls4CqTkYERDPO2GEDSZhzVDhYc7EwHOAHr3SFLdlegxYK2xaG2cqW-On7dGkof_GDwOUFYt2-jcdGKIxY/s640/D70_3974.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 4.</b> <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Yellow-throated Warbler in Arcadia, Yarmouth County, October 25, 2015. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
McKay (2008) concluded that there was a strong west-to-east clinal change in bill length and proportion of yellow in the lores. He goes on the say that a discriminant function analysis failed to correctly assign most individuals, especially those collected near the subspecies border. The analysis did however correctly group individuals from the extreme east or west part of the range into subspecies. This provides evidence that in actuality only the extreme individuals in the continuum can be confidently assigned to a geographic area.<br />
<br />
This Yellow-throated Warbler shows mostly white above the lores, only slight white on the chin, what looks like a relatively small bill and extensive white on the underside of the outer tail feathers. Due to the lack of a strong delineation between currently accepted subspecies, I believe that we can assume that this bird isn't from the far east, but might be from the intermediate zone. A quick Google Image search produces photos of birds with an entirely white supraloral area and a wide white patch on the upper chin. These are likely a good representation of the appearance of the birds from the far west.<br />
<br />
It will be interesting to see if the recommendation of McKay (2008) to eliminate the subpecies S<i>.d. albilora</i> and S<i>.d. stoddardi</i> will widely be accepted by the birding and ornithological communities.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>References:</b><br />
<br />
Alderfer, J., J.L. Dunn. 2014. (Ed). Complete Birds of North America, 2nd Edition. National Geographic Society. Washington DC, USA.<br />
<br />
Dunn, J. and K. Garrett. 1997. A Field Guide to Warblers of North America. Peterson Field Guide<br />
Series. Houghton Mifflin Co., New York.<br />
<br />
McKay, B. D. 2008. Phenotypic variation is clinal in the Yellow-throated Warbler. Condor 110(3):569-574.<br />
<br />
McKay, B. D. 2009. Evolutionary history suggests rapid differentiation in the Yellow-throated Warbler Dendroica dominica. Journal of Avian Biology 40(2):181-190.<br />
<br />
McKay, Bailey and George A. Hall. 2012. Yellow-throated Warbler (Setophaga dominica), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/223<br />
doi:10.2173/bna.223<br />
<br />
McLaren, I.A. 2012. All the Birds of Nova Scotia: status & critical identification. Gaspereau Press Ltd, Kentville, N.S., Canada<br />
<br />
Pyle, P., S.N.G. Howell, R.P. Yunick, and D.F. Desante. 1997. Identification guide to North American Birds, Part 1, Columbidae to Ploceidae. Slate Creek Press, Bolinas, California.<br />
<br />
Sibley, D.A. 2014. The Sibley Guide to Birds 2nd Ed. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, N.Y.</div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-769990853492283542015-10-09T19:58:00.000-03:002015-10-09T19:58:54.294-03:00AHY Male Yellow-rumped Warbler<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Finding a deceased bird is not the most joyous experience, but it offers an opportunity for detailed study. The following image (Fig. 1) shows the vibrant yellow patch that the Yellow-rumped Warbler is named for. A hint of the yellow in the crown is also visible.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48_xW9z_L60CdSeIQK_30rfeO7YKAib-POTQ223HIfcGi2k2rgVWhYNrMjA5wM_c6Qo-M3yRDbQ8aqoH_LoxK9hzjb8pX7YLeS72HB5W5sbowJM2-_LYi1Ep4BKJ0eOt4k1VJnDQjMc0/s1600/DSC_0297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48_xW9z_L60CdSeIQK_30rfeO7YKAib-POTQ223HIfcGi2k2rgVWhYNrMjA5wM_c6Qo-M3yRDbQ8aqoH_LoxK9hzjb8pX7YLeS72HB5W5sbowJM2-_LYi1Ep4BKJ0eOt4k1VJnDQjMc0/s640/DSC_0297.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 1.</b> Yellow-rumped Warbler dorsal view. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
All Yellow-rumped Warblers have mostly brownish upperparts in fall, but AHY (after-hatch-year) males typically show the greatest amount of blue-gray (MBO). Figure 1 shows blue-gray on the coverts, scapulars, mantle, nape, and the rump area. Notice the wide dark centres to the uppertail coverts which is more extensive on older birds and males (Pyle, 1997).<br />
<br />
AHY males show on average the greatest amount of yellow on the breast and crown (Fig. 2). AHY males are the only age/sex class in fall to sometimes show traces of black in the lores or auricular (MBO). Black lores are clear in Fig. 3.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJ_g2jYUTC9T-U7pBvnfGwzITStBlOYMLj2GcCUKtlNToYQfuwBzDaCusff8pZKf7Mu_itki41TiWJhLiH9nYRuJm0F09ZSOmFT4_w1_pw1O_25ZMo8WXnQf2VghImAQc7-Uah0PEC14/s1600/DSC_0295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJ_g2jYUTC9T-U7pBvnfGwzITStBlOYMLj2GcCUKtlNToYQfuwBzDaCusff8pZKf7Mu_itki41TiWJhLiH9nYRuJm0F09ZSOmFT4_w1_pw1O_25ZMo8WXnQf2VghImAQc7-Uah0PEC14/s320/DSC_0295.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 2.</b> Yellow-rumped Warbler underside. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SVR0F77kMes-IW_Y4z6wi0Gizl6RVN0j75Eyy6CThhwowJ4-_WxCos1isC3aeF9nczQHGPttr1fsMkfXGsEiaAy0-HgH071FMv3fISL6cG_h94MvfFSh7VF9AlPERZ9-mUkriwd-6vg/s1600/DSC_0296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SVR0F77kMes-IW_Y4z6wi0Gizl6RVN0j75Eyy6CThhwowJ4-_WxCos1isC3aeF9nczQHGPttr1fsMkfXGsEiaAy0-HgH071FMv3fISL6cG_h94MvfFSh7VF9AlPERZ9-mUkriwd-6vg/s320/DSC_0296.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 3.</b> Yellow-rumped Warbler head. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The wing of AHY males show very little contrast between feather groups - it is dark overall (Fig. 4). A hatch-year bird would show contrast between the greater coverts and the rest of the wing (primaries, primary coverts and secondaries). This contrast in young birds is due to the dull, retained juvenal feathers compared to the newer and darker greater secondary coverts. AHY females have browner and duller wings than those of AHY males. (MBO)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPc8fh9PrK8UwLfnGX8aAsXg0rzbmpBJqPHCZPO1iCZs6tjcXXcjFCHNNuCnSFaKMaP45iSw9SI8ta4vB8tw04QQ00eiiEPnH2YVKOUbJuzC6q08Q00G7MdlyyHA2Ec_LXrL1wKNqpsvg/s1600/DSC_0292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPc8fh9PrK8UwLfnGX8aAsXg0rzbmpBJqPHCZPO1iCZs6tjcXXcjFCHNNuCnSFaKMaP45iSw9SI8ta4vB8tw04QQ00eiiEPnH2YVKOUbJuzC6q08Q00G7MdlyyHA2Ec_LXrL1wKNqpsvg/s640/DSC_0292.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 4.</b> Yellow-rumped Warbler wing view. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Figure 5 shows that white is present on on the outer 3 tail feathers (r4-r6) and that the base colour of these is blackish. Pyle (1997) cautions that there is more overlap in rectrix shape by age in Yellow-rumped Warblers than in other <i>Dendroica</i> warblers. Nevertheless, the tail feathers of this bird appear fairly blunt-tipped like an AHY bird.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjya0AK96vko753FuTOACVGW-Mgw4LdDd0Mm0r-pXoO5yNcZbp5Ysk8hfW8p5MKfhinsNIdCvcdVl_qi_rQR4eJfQ1WLQJOdja7DdCDy-6-qPtVz0IAdHaC5IrmQuf0xVQ0qL2rWhcU8Do/s1600/DSC_0294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjya0AK96vko753FuTOACVGW-Mgw4LdDd0Mm0r-pXoO5yNcZbp5Ysk8hfW8p5MKfhinsNIdCvcdVl_qi_rQR4eJfQ1WLQJOdja7DdCDy-6-qPtVz0IAdHaC5IrmQuf0xVQ0qL2rWhcU8Do/s640/DSC_0294.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Figure 5.</b> Yellow-rumped Warbler tail. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>References:</b><br />
<br />
McGill Bird Observatory (MBO). (n.d.) [Photo Library: Yellow-rumped (Myrtle/Audubon's) Warbler / Paruline à croupion jaune (Dendroica coronata)]. Retrieved October 9, 2015. http://www.migrationresearch.org/mbo/id/mywa.html<br />
<br />
Pyle, P., S.N.G. Howell, R.P. Yunick, and D.F. Desante. 1997. Identification guide to North American Birds, Part 1, Columbidae to Ploceidae. Slate Creek Press, Bolinas, California.</div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800307166890371952.post-36747357643312511882015-09-01T08:21:00.001-03:002015-09-01T19:01:58.304-03:00Pubnico Pelagic 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The annual Pubnico Pelagic is the birding highlight of the year for me. A visit offshore offers wonderful opportunities for close up views of species that are typically kilometres away when observed from the mainland. A trip report of the previous year's pelagic can be found at <a href="http://alixdentremont.blogspot.ca/2014/09/pubnico-pelagic-2014.html" target="_blank">Pubnico Pelagic 2014</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMsPhpzrdwor9Npy7wLrjP0znDhaEkAVZDM1Dzih7zEQQDE4nv5Yak2eB0ZU7QJhF6_SgQu0CZVlr1IsYy6Y5c8krTxojSrkkhTzftoQt7jg5FZ0obVDp-dl898pC8T34gXXqSCWBUR4/s1600/D70_0505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMsPhpzrdwor9Npy7wLrjP0znDhaEkAVZDM1Dzih7zEQQDE4nv5Yak2eB0ZU7QJhF6_SgQu0CZVlr1IsYy6Y5c8krTxojSrkkhTzftoQt7jg5FZ0obVDp-dl898pC8T34gXXqSCWBUR4/s640/D70_0505.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Fulmar at German Bank, Nova Scotia on August 29, 2015. I consider fulmars to be one of the best looking seabirds. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span id="goog_480181802"></span>
Ronnie d'Entremont once again organized the trip this year. The vessel was the Captain Derek, a commercial lobster fishing boat, with Rodney d'Entremont at the helm. All 25 birders are listed below.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ronnie d'Entremont</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ted d'Eon</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Raymond d'Entremont</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Paul Gould</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Eric Ruff</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Barbara Ruff</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Eric Mills</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ian McLaren</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
David Currie</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bruce Stevens</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Richard Stern</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rick Whitman</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jake Walker</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Judy O'Brien</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Gisele d'Entremont</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Alan Covert</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ken McKenna</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mike King</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Kevin Lantz</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Larry Neily</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mark Dennis</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mike MacDonald</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jane Alexander</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Keith Lowe</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Alix d'Entremont<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKhxT8-KfLFkNfNqX_QnjwVbb6Ai3zhVQgsMpslqncqUl7NnbDEKS0abx4NNjncXNIhh-UFuHgT8mTMu2wVSqh_YjcwDWZmlk5N1LvJiMYzJJPi8IKoJkWWMRlYq-fMgU9wupoAn1p-c/s1600/GermanBank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKhxT8-KfLFkNfNqX_QnjwVbb6Ai3zhVQgsMpslqncqUl7NnbDEKS0abx4NNjncXNIhh-UFuHgT8mTMu2wVSqh_YjcwDWZmlk5N1LvJiMYzJJPi8IKoJkWWMRlYq-fMgU9wupoAn1p-c/s640/GermanBank.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The route for this year's pelagic trip. The water depth at German Bank was from 50 to 70 metres.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I had been checking the <a href="http://marine.rutgers.edu/cool/sat_data/?nothumbs=0&product=sst&region=maine" target="_blank">sea surface temperature</a> maps prior to departure. On August 21 the nearshore waters were up to 20°C, but this warm water abruptly left a few days before the trip along with the high hopes of spotting more southern warm water species (Audubon's Shearwater, White-faced Storm-Petrel, Black-capped Petrel...).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAf5gyKW6mXSPtBxhm2OwPkKX-QYiOmATtDYG6o7v3Oas0yYrWzygBxkOivOgN-z1686rSN2kxTyDUBw2W41hE-WRoL5OHSDnxlK3zFfDDnkqh_O9C3ZlAU6DOiK5oK3gGedCPkE_0UY/s1600/150821.233.0735.n19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAf5gyKW6mXSPtBxhm2OwPkKX-QYiOmATtDYG6o7v3Oas0yYrWzygBxkOivOgN-z1686rSN2kxTyDUBw2W41hE-WRoL5OHSDnxlK3zFfDDnkqh_O9C3ZlAU6DOiK5oK3gGedCPkE_0UY/s320/150821.233.0735.n19.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">SST on August 21 from Rutgers Coastal Ocean Observation Laboratory</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMFKeq3EhQ38bRXqlp_3-Yjjgvsyla916Y3AvPHcX_dv7QvmVbrjaEpk0O9lq4Uxfmnc6qzPJpP5sa3MxuD9sOHsSMfeeAOf_G6UKwHOyyztD_6nqISrhNkP5kB9N1fnELckD1doUtno/s1600/150829.241.0746.n19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMFKeq3EhQ38bRXqlp_3-Yjjgvsyla916Y3AvPHcX_dv7QvmVbrjaEpk0O9lq4Uxfmnc6qzPJpP5sa3MxuD9sOHsSMfeeAOf_G6UKwHOyyztD_6nqISrhNkP5kB9N1fnELckD1doUtno/s320/150829.241.0746.n19.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SST on August 29 from Rutgers Coastal Ocean Observation Laboratory</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We left Dennis Point Wharf in Lower West Pubnico shortly after 5 am on August 29, 2015. Out of Pubnico Harbour, we took a hard right and headed west towards the Mud Islands. We passed near to Round Island where we were able to see Black Guillemots and Atlantic Puffins in the water and Black-bellied Plovers and Whimbrel on the island.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GDFcmIOErPaLLyA_g3Uy5TqsYiaJEBMMKLHr605PAtXvcMfN62BdfJosJeaqcPgECy4ppNPBzVeLNHTgMKHSbho-_Hnrt8fD_TAtHI75qHCS8Mq-yHxwabAo9Dx-3_3RqUmtuEwfwD4/s1600/IMG_5778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GDFcmIOErPaLLyA_g3Uy5TqsYiaJEBMMKLHr605PAtXvcMfN62BdfJosJeaqcPgECy4ppNPBzVeLNHTgMKHSbho-_Hnrt8fD_TAtHI75qHCS8Mq-yHxwabAo9Dx-3_3RqUmtuEwfwD4/s640/IMG_5778.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Kevin Lantz (upper right) armed with the chum chucker as the rest of the group scans for birds of interest at German Bank, Nova Scotia on August 29, 2015. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As we headed past the Mud Islands, out of Lobster Bay, we were surrounded by fog. This is when Mark Dennis spotted the first Great Shearwater. At 8:23 am we peered through the fog at a dark figure on a direct path with strong wing beats. David Currie and Kevin Lantz were the only two that were lucky enough to snap a few shots of this bird. Most were thinking skua, but no one called it out at the time. A quick view of the photos after this brief encounter made it obvious that we just had a skua. The bulky body, short tail and thick, hooked bill were clear. The thick fog and low light made it so that the characteristic white flash on the skua's wings were invisible. The photos are simply silhouettes and confident identification is likely not possible. There are primary molt timing differences between South Polar Skua and Great Skua, but the age of the bird must be known for this information to be useful. The Sibley Guide to Birds 1st ed. (2000) provides details on these molt timings.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBfyvCkvsWMHbvRcZXWNUyvz6o98Fxe0oi0HMHN0XTd6cnF3FH46DWkTPTtXNRo0g-buzickd5A8gb55sbCChbWFQKMaunyBxg7fqmLxIFNWn1VKoIe0hxMn35NBbRzWkNZtt_PUhETU/s1600/IMG_5531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBfyvCkvsWMHbvRcZXWNUyvz6o98Fxe0oi0HMHN0XTd6cnF3FH46DWkTPTtXNRo0g-buzickd5A8gb55sbCChbWFQKMaunyBxg7fqmLxIFNWn1VKoIe0hxMn35NBbRzWkNZtt_PUhETU/s320/IMG_5531.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skua species at German Bank, Nova Scotia<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">on August 29, 2015</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. <em>Photo by Kevin Lantz.</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0rpZJPa03CNVtY4wfIwJXC3IIlAkpjP3dcVQkWv-Hba-JQxiHCHEn74hyphenhyphenOJkltArn9tqxjwHxsZSdbBrc15P90DJiHyVslL7gSs4B7f7lZrYGCAcctMGEzWhBp_VcOB82zvPZrxMXJw/s1600/IMG_5532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0rpZJPa03CNVtY4wfIwJXC3IIlAkpjP3dcVQkWv-Hba-JQxiHCHEn74hyphenhyphenOJkltArn9tqxjwHxsZSdbBrc15P90DJiHyVslL7gSs4B7f7lZrYGCAcctMGEzWhBp_VcOB82zvPZrxMXJw/s320/IMG_5532.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Skua species at German Bank, Nova Scotia</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">on August 29, 2015</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. <em>Photo by Kevin Lantz.</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSgtZcSUkWR7E8AT6GT86rXlBjknSd9RPyZqfJuLDC2K5bl2vGArZ2-DGRoAC6KQabtC-62vfMn4JVQKQ-NmYiimNuY1aajUt5WG-YaiUG96t3VagmC2se1z6bMysR5ogXXt4ht_bfk4/s1600/IMG_6062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSgtZcSUkWR7E8AT6GT86rXlBjknSd9RPyZqfJuLDC2K5bl2vGArZ2-DGRoAC6KQabtC-62vfMn4JVQKQ-NmYiimNuY1aajUt5WG-YaiUG96t3VagmC2se1z6bMysR5ogXXt4ht_bfk4/s320/IMG_6062.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skua species at German Bank, Nova Scotia on August 29, 2015. This photo shows the white bases to the primaries that were invisible to the birders observing with binoculars. <em>Photo by David Currie.</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After the skua encounter we ran into a Cory's Shearwater which provided life list ticks to a few aboard. We examined photos of all Cory's seen and none showed the required amount of white on the underside of P8-P10 to be Nova Scotia's first Scopoli's Shearwater. Scopoli's Shearwater (<i>Calonectris diomedea diomedea</i>) is currently considered by the American Ornithologists Union at subspecies of Cory's Shearwater and is much rarer in the w. Atlantic Ocean than is Cory's Shearwater (<i>Calonectris diomedea borealis</i>). A bird photographed on July 4, 2015 off of Grand Manan, New Brunswick has been confirmed by Steve N.G. Howell as being a Scopoli's Shearwater. A later issue of <i>NS Birds</i> will contain an article that will provide more details on this taxonomic issue as well as discuss identification.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BIrCCfrmYsLtW2JJm67tF72HEs90RbLLlnqajpzXIGO0OO9rU9JrRnyPGVdCKgH5hy_XwrC3zyHPIJL4ECyBgrHRCb1b-MnyLXkjLX3gJnD2-eRtitZwwnKDfPYgf_228AvXZjdOOVY/s1600/D70_0355_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BIrCCfrmYsLtW2JJm67tF72HEs90RbLLlnqajpzXIGO0OO9rU9JrRnyPGVdCKgH5hy_XwrC3zyHPIJL4ECyBgrHRCb1b-MnyLXkjLX3gJnD2-eRtitZwwnKDfPYgf_228AvXZjdOOVY/s640/D70_0355_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cory's Shearwater at German Bank, Nova Scotia</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">on August 29, 2015</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Cory's Shearwaters molt their primaries outward towards P10 from the inner feathers (Howell, 2012). Wing molt is evident in photos of the Cory's above. Below are expanded views of the wing. Monteiro and Furness (1996) explain that breeding Cory's Shearwaters (<i>C. d. borealis</i>) spend from late-Feb to late-Oct at the breeding sites. This would mean that any Cory's seen in Nova Scotia at this time of the year is a non-breeding individual. Howell (2012) states that non-breeding birds start molting their primaries mid-Jul to mid-Oct and likely finish Dec-Feb after having left North American waters.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOkidWo3p6FFsQOotPW64_CmfsQaFJpvnKgVEZ6dH2ddbCtJY8W0uDsEzy8qIvAcQN9zWnPe4DlmWDd0Baz2OgG1uTjOadtrmJFyQ2wfLtd0xfQ6hH_4Pz4OC6zETQRKLrlISq8p3MWs/s1600/D70_0355_1_annotation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOkidWo3p6FFsQOotPW64_CmfsQaFJpvnKgVEZ6dH2ddbCtJY8W0uDsEzy8qIvAcQN9zWnPe4DlmWDd0Baz2OgG1uTjOadtrmJFyQ2wfLtd0xfQ6hH_4Pz4OC6zETQRKLrlISq8p3MWs/s640/D70_0355_1_annotation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cory's Shearwater at German Bank, Nova Scotia<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">on August 29, 2015</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. This photo clearly shows a molt limit in the primaries and primary coverts. The new feathers are much more grey than the old ones that are more solid brown. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyHR2OnfZomTRP_L7nHUQSRmZ3_Qc5CvwjA_6K3Wef43MhKqjVj8hKQN4xqufMzfYrFiTEp674GleqgyRcWNh3oyWjR1mESmX-tEMkI7HGoHLW_3g_oLjXKltDI9By-oTJC5LWSzAqao/s1600/D70_0365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyHR2OnfZomTRP_L7nHUQSRmZ3_Qc5CvwjA_6K3Wef43MhKqjVj8hKQN4xqufMzfYrFiTEp674GleqgyRcWNh3oyWjR1mESmX-tEMkI7HGoHLW_3g_oLjXKltDI9By-oTJC5LWSzAqao/s640/D70_0365.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An underside view of the wing of the same Cory's Shearwater. This perspective gives a better appreciation of the amount of wear on the tips of the outer primaries. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The most amazing encounter of the day for most was of the Pomarine Jaeger that appeared shortly after 9 am and kept circling the boat offering amazing views. The all-dark unbarred underwing coverts of this jaeger indicate that it is an adult. Prebasic molt in Pomarine begins soon after leaving the arctic (Haven Wiley and Lee, 2000). Primary molt is visible in that it has dropped P1 and P2. The sharply demarcated facial pattern and yellow nape have been replaced by a more mottled and less contrasting appearance.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzPVYd7-voQt6gMD55TF3BIuYdX8rgtIwYawOy3iGP4XuGz9_w7vptnYQfYFBfSmwcjMPFbny59FREPIJz93qwGnC9-3hMlHgldjrPNAWlDzZM69sZThBCPmpwYyM8nKCiHMsdoqxBmg/s1600/D70_0282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzPVYd7-voQt6gMD55TF3BIuYdX8rgtIwYawOy3iGP4XuGz9_w7vptnYQfYFBfSmwcjMPFbny59FREPIJz93qwGnC9-3hMlHgldjrPNAWlDzZM69sZThBCPmpwYyM8nKCiHMsdoqxBmg/s640/D70_0282.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pomarine Jaeger at German Bank, Nova Scotia<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">on August 29, 2015</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHID98h3YrljRiuzNBue2lgz4XRAEXJDwAm5BB-clq8bRDLpNoG01YTDdtqthojvCAO_z0gyioESCys0YEbGnjk8maGH5AWmyCm_xgCjYbJLnELV_5urh1lha8EdWnav6LmyNmTEpv44E/s1600/D70_0121_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHID98h3YrljRiuzNBue2lgz4XRAEXJDwAm5BB-clq8bRDLpNoG01YTDdtqthojvCAO_z0gyioESCys0YEbGnjk8maGH5AWmyCm_xgCjYbJLnELV_5urh1lha8EdWnav6LmyNmTEpv44E/s640/D70_0121_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Pomarine Jaeger at German Bank, Nova Scotia</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">on August 29, 2015</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsI-suvwG4sQREenz8UIDR2ovyFPesGlkbbL9D7hzlm20hyphenhyphenFhLelKWMwvScaT7Ho41AntLuxNFALGZ3xzSwoQYfZbuyPklfZhXfvAyaIpklKoxeOYc4Q9RC1cv_4x5IBbdluPrDnDzVE/s1600/D70_0250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsI-suvwG4sQREenz8UIDR2ovyFPesGlkbbL9D7hzlm20hyphenhyphenFhLelKWMwvScaT7Ho41AntLuxNFALGZ3xzSwoQYfZbuyPklfZhXfvAyaIpklKoxeOYc4Q9RC1cv_4x5IBbdluPrDnDzVE/s640/D70_0250.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Pomarine Jaeger at German Bank, Nova Scotia</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">on August 29, 2015</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This Pomarine Jaeger has straight and short central tail feathers compared to the relatively longer central rectrices that are twisted 90° of a Pomarine that I photographed in 2012 (see below). Pomarines in alternate plumage show longer (7-11 cm past the rest of the tail) and twisted central rectrices while birds in basic plumage have ones that are shorter (1-6 cm past the rest of the tail) and straight (Haven Whiley and Lee, 2000). It can then be assumed that the 2012 bird had not molted its central rectrices while the 2015 bird has already replaced them.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0S91w7KgKZMfH49iXjsT30eShA63bKVuFcTJB-8y93CQqBMgReNHFpgeFDBxYan1CxBvfM2TxOWrVOhov7YDgUnwk7uUojMSALvaKUNWqcMzpDT6Kb_onqaM5mvyWv49WUKKJ-oFkzlc/s1600/14702586403_ff64476f93_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0S91w7KgKZMfH49iXjsT30eShA63bKVuFcTJB-8y93CQqBMgReNHFpgeFDBxYan1CxBvfM2TxOWrVOhov7YDgUnwk7uUojMSALvaKUNWqcMzpDT6Kb_onqaM5mvyWv49WUKKJ-oFkzlc/s640/14702586403_ff64476f93_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pomarine Jaeger at Southeast Bank, Nova Scotia on August 25, 2012. <i>Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The first of two Manx Shearwater were seen at 9:22 am. This my first view of a Manx on the water. I paid attention to the short bouts of flapping and quicker wing beats compared to the larger Great Shearwater as it took flight. Observed on the water, the bird showed the white undertail and wings projecting past the tail (unlike Audubon's).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCsFnaYgFGPvcq_nnFchH3QCKQj936hTX_mW9syiOaRpRTVmBQamCaiNTlXc5HQJpZEi81nH3HUOIBr03bYfPZ1y0vZRNU3VkMbTqemL93auowe5B8PYRyG4Mkb5-o_EJYjVT2OUfWgQ/s1600/D70_0376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCsFnaYgFGPvcq_nnFchH3QCKQj936hTX_mW9syiOaRpRTVmBQamCaiNTlXc5HQJpZEi81nH3HUOIBr03bYfPZ1y0vZRNU3VkMbTqemL93auowe5B8PYRyG4Mkb5-o_EJYjVT2OUfWgQ/s640/D70_0376.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manx Searwater at German Bank, Nova Scotia<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">on August 29, 2015</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. This photo shows the wing projecting past the tail and the white undertail coverts. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We got nice views of hundreds of Great Shearwaters and had up to 6 Northern Fulmars that were visible at the same time. The southern hemisphere breeding Wilson's outnumbered Leach's Storm-Petrel, as is expected.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhK40zW9-i1UeLJ6r99RwgVe51WPS-5DPQ86HrxhKkGYvGxfPghGFUKEZG7TbpuD7T1AebzMBe354mIeqoAknNp4qZZbAXI54c-wNMufYUAbRmCxlLdIQJKWAaE4PwNDxF_y-LB5Pswg/s1600/D70_0404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhK40zW9-i1UeLJ6r99RwgVe51WPS-5DPQ86HrxhKkGYvGxfPghGFUKEZG7TbpuD7T1AebzMBe354mIeqoAknNp4qZZbAXI54c-wNMufYUAbRmCxlLdIQJKWAaE4PwNDxF_y-LB5Pswg/s640/D70_0404.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Shearwater at German Bank, Nova Scotia<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">on August 29, 2015</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZLi0xaIvVY2tdqVX5ndsUlkK98dPmdl72t6zVURIQU09kT5fXVPdlFTjf1Jl14uHGNC317hiCM0-4F3i-LOubRLswI0clHteKd0YUMf8WpPKeSd3CPaoGV_ZSPFanvPFsffRy9hwTU8/s1600/D70_0417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZLi0xaIvVY2tdqVX5ndsUlkK98dPmdl72t6zVURIQU09kT5fXVPdlFTjf1Jl14uHGNC317hiCM0-4F3i-LOubRLswI0clHteKd0YUMf8WpPKeSd3CPaoGV_ZSPFanvPFsffRy9hwTU8/s640/D70_0417.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The upperparts of Northern Fulmars always look like they are in a state of disrepair. This one shows wing covert molt and is growing the outer two primaries. Photo taken at German Bank, Nova Scotia<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">on August 29, 2015</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Alix d'Entremont.</i><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxMakaU9nBrwUNEaFm6a4Nx4JGWgbCtARhM3H3NQ2gzBzp41dkDMEptmMQKsF6881hJw_hKfovIiPvfLD6JaOLoGKCFQJQLc8hyphenhyphenIXHmcK11H_cTmQvq7BYSUkcVMtSVAgby84VxopN54/s1600/LESP_WISP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxMakaU9nBrwUNEaFm6a4Nx4JGWgbCtARhM3H3NQ2gzBzp41dkDMEptmMQKsF6881hJw_hKfovIiPvfLD6JaOLoGKCFQJQLc8hyphenhyphenIXHmcK11H_cTmQvq7BYSUkcVMtSVAgby84VxopN54/s640/LESP_WISP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leach's and Wilson's Storm-Petrels at German Bank, Nova Scotia<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">on August 29, 2015</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photos by Alix d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I had to capitalize on the chance of getting my photo taken with Dr. Ian McLaren, a man that I admire greatly. He continues to inspire and contributes immensely to birding in Nova Scotia. If you don't already own a copy of his tremendous publication named <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/All-Birds-Nova-Scotia-McLaren/dp/1554471168" target="_blank">All the Birds of Nova Scotia</a>, I suggest that you do yourself a favour and add it to your birding book shelf.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjHsnfjyPtrRaTrbfF0IkAHk5kRzKFn9Ch_FpClFlnwJI3xkFkIXoh0efgxusKcFcRoO4Y6Ik7Z_SqMPxSSJEXV4N1F09QCW7KbMa5WEnbJiDCXV5ZvPOgUU1eJA4Era00b6YBK_lCJY/s1600/IMG_5770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjHsnfjyPtrRaTrbfF0IkAHk5kRzKFn9Ch_FpClFlnwJI3xkFkIXoh0efgxusKcFcRoO4Y6Ik7Z_SqMPxSSJEXV4N1F09QCW7KbMa5WEnbJiDCXV5ZvPOgUU1eJA4Era00b6YBK_lCJY/s640/IMG_5770.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Ian McLaren and myself during the Pubnico Pelagic<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">on August 29, 2015</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">. </span><i style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Mike King.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The following day (August 30) we all headed to Yarmouth County's warbler hotspot to see if we could find any interesting migrants or vagrants. We were not disappointed. Three (and maybe four) Warbling Vireos, a Prairie Warbler, a Cape May Warbler, two Baltimore Orioles and an Orchard Oriole were great finds on the Thomas and Gerry Roads at Cape Forchu.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlQr6WdK7fGVJ17NYyMeB93RC9XYB4OTUc6r2lgifuxOSRi4A8C0t4xD0VdR0WUi6HFvrFnwk2JjoQLQk0tsvI9H_cb__dONnVQjf9rwXxPRtt8LKw47Jg_gwmNwyzwoaD5zL_vK0cu0/s1600/IMG_8515_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlQr6WdK7fGVJ17NYyMeB93RC9XYB4OTUc6r2lgifuxOSRi4A8C0t4xD0VdR0WUi6HFvrFnwk2JjoQLQk0tsvI9H_cb__dONnVQjf9rwXxPRtt8LKw47Jg_gwmNwyzwoaD5zL_vK0cu0/s640/IMG_8515_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing left to right: Jake Walker, David Curie, Alan Covert, Mike King, Bruce Stevens, Ian McLaren, Ellis d'Entremont, Richard Stern, Ken McKenna, Rick Whitman, Judy O'Brien, Sharron Marlor, Ronnie d'Entremont and Keith Lowe. I am kneeling on the ground. Not all participants of the pelagic are present in this photo. A few that did not take part had joined our group at Cape Forchu. <i>Photo by Gisele d'Entremont.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Jake Walker had the difficult task of record keeper for the trip. He was the right man for the job. <strong>eBird checklists</strong> (ordered chronologically, 24 hour clock) are found below. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S24832668" target="_blank">0600-0730</a> Pubnico Harbour to the Mud Islands<br />
<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S24832669" target="_blank">0730-0900</a> Mud Islands to German Bank<br />
<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S24832670" target="_blank">0900-1300</a> German Bank<br />
<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S24832671" target="_blank">1300-1400</a> German Bank to Mud Islands<br />
<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S24832672" target="_blank">1400-1500</a> Mud Islands to 2 miles offshore<br />
<a href="http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S24832673" target="_blank">1500-1600</a> 2 miles offshore to Pubnico Harbour<br />
<br />
Next is a list of all species seen with counts.<br />
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10326">
American Black Duck 1</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10325">
Common Eider 11</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10341">
Common Loon 1</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10358">
Northern Fulmar 12</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10374">
Cory's Shearwater 8</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10340">
Great Shearwater 227</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10405">
Manx Shearwater 3</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10420">
Sooty Shearwater 2</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10421">
shearwater sp. 4</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10360">
Wilson's Storm-Petrel 13</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10431">
Leach's Storm-Petrel 3</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10438">
Northern Gannet 60</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10440">
Double-crested Cormorant 80</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10389">
cormorant sp. 80</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10453">
Great Blue Heron 1</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10455">
Bald Eagle 1</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10471">
Black-bellied Plover 4</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10472">
Greater Yellowlegs 9</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10486">
Willet 1</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10487">
Whimbrel 1</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10489">
Sanderling 5</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10497">
Red-necked Phalarope 32</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10504">
Red Phalarope 46</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10507">
Phalarope sp. 180</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_10508">
skua sp. 1</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_20766">
Pomarine Jaeger 2</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_20768">
Black Guillemot 9</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_20770">
Atlantic Puffin 20</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_20772">
Herring Gull 300</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_20774">
Great Black-backed Gull 150</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_20776">
Common Tern 2</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_20778">
Sterna sp. 17</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_20780">
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3</div>
<div id="ecxyui_3_16_0_1_1441018574870_20782">
Common Raven 2</div>
<br />
<b>References:</b><br />
<br />
Howell, S.N.G. 2012. Petrels, Albatrosses & Storm-Petrels of North America. Princeton University Press, Princeton and Oxford.<br />
<br />
Monteiro, L.R. and R.W. Furness. 1996. Molt of Cory's Shearwater during the breeding season. Condor 98:216-221.<br />
<br />
Haven Wiley, R. and David S. Lee. 2000. Pomarine Jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/483</div>
Alixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02011274693316984392noreply@blogger.com3