Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from NS-RBA > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Friday, May 24 at 09:08 AM EST The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Himalayankingfisher,©Jan Wilczur

24 May Snowy Egret ["mike" ] 23 May Swifts, Thrasher, nesting Phoebes and Kestrels. [Ken McKenna ] 23 May Swifts, Thrasher, nesting Phoebes and Kestrels. [Ken McKenna ] 23 May Cattle Egret in Walden [James Hirtle ] 22 May FWD: Cattle Egret in Lunenburg County ["accentor50" ] 21 May Summer Tanager Upper Economy [Ken McKenna ] 21 May Summer Tanager Upper Economy [Ken McKenna ] 21 May Temperance [Ken McKenna ] 21 May Temperance [Ken McKenna ] 21 May Brown Thrasher, Baltimore Oriole, 15 warbler species [Ken McKenna ] 21 May Brown Thrasher, Baltimore Oriole, 15 warbler species [Ken McKenna ] 21 May Brown Thrasher, Baltimore Oriole, 15 warbler species [Ken McKenna ] 21 May Brown Thrasher, Baltimore Oriole, 15 warbler species [Ken McKenna ] 20 May Wood Duck and Northern Parula near Huntingdon Point [Ellie Innovative Imaging Studio ] 20 May Re: Wood Ducks, Brier Island ["C. Davis" ] 20 May Re:White-crowned Sparrow [Bernard Burke ] 20 May White-crowned Sparrow ["viaurita" ] 20 May WEDNESDAY MAY 22! Monthly meeting of the NS Bird Society ["ullihoeger" ] 19 May Temperance St Swifts (371) + a few spring migrants [Ken McKenna ] 19 May blackburnian warbler [clyde stoddart ] 19 May Wood Ducks, Brier Island [Eric Mills ] 18 May FWD: Eastern Bluebird at Hatchet Lake, HRM ["accentor50" ] 18 May FWD: Orchard Oriole in Woods Harbour ["accentor50" ] 18 May FWD: Red-bellied Woodpecker inTupperville ["accentor50" ] 17 May brant [clyde stoddart ] 16 May Melbourne [Stuart & Rachel Smith ] 16 May White-crowned Sparrow [Joyce Allen ] 15 May Blue grosbeak [Stuart & Rachel Smith ] 14 May Colchester NAMC ["Ross & Linda Hall" ] 14 May Caspian Terns- Camp Geddie, Big I. [Ken McKenna ] 14 May Caspian Terns- Camp Geddie, Big I. [Ken McKenna ] 13 May FWD: Am. Oystercatchers & Gull-billed Tern on CSI ["accentor50" ] 13 May Hartlen Point Bluebird ["davidns6" ] 12 May NSMC ["Sylvia Fullerton" ] 12 May Re:NAMC at Sullivan's /Red Bridge Ponds,Dartmouth, N.S. [] 12 May Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Lower Argyle ["Alix" ] 12 May great egret [clyde stoddart ] 12 May Re: NAMC Yesterday ["Bob McDonald" ] 12 May Western Willet, Brier Island [Eric Mills ] 12 May Western Willet, Brier Island [Eric Mills ] 11 May Laughing Gull, Arisaig Wharf, Antigonish Co. [Bruce Stevens ] 09 May Request - Joshua Barss-Donham [] 6 May Re: Pomarine Jaeger [Paul Evans ] 06 May Gull-billed Tern at Daniel's Head, Cape Sable Island ["Alix" ] 6 May Pomarine Jaeger [Kate Steele ] 06 May Canada Warbler and Other Recent Birds [Hans Toom ] 6 May sandwich tern [clyde stoddart ] 4 May Crested Caracara sighted in Middle West Pubnico [Frank Gummett ] 4 May Fwd: Rufous hummingbird sighting [Richard Stern ] 4 May Fwd: Rufous hummingbird sighting [Richard Stern ] 1 May Hermit Thrush in Camp Hill Cemetery, Robie St., Halifax [] 01 May RE Photos uploaded on the NS RBA website ["ullihoeger" ] 01 May Sandhill Crane in Falmouth ["Ryan" ] 01 May Parasitic Jaeger in Eastern Passage ["docorragain" ] 30 Apr Photos of Little Egret and Northern Shoveler [Hans Toom ] 30 Apr ? Parasitic Jaeger at Lawrencetown beach on Monday, April 28th [] 30 Apr Eastern Phoebes ["Ryan" ] 29 Apr Re: Fall Birds? [Richard Stern ] 29 Apr R-B Woodpecker /arrivals [Joyce Allen ] 29 Apr Fall Birds? ["Tom" ] 28 Apr palm, thrasher [clyde stoddart ] 28 Apr Mud Island Birds ["Alix" ] 27 Apr My Little Egret Photos [Richard Stern ] 27 Apr My Little Egret Photos [Richard Stern ] 27 Apr Baltimore Oriole [] 27 Apr Little Egret, Northern Shoveller, Ipswich Sparrows and Lesser Yellowlegs [Hans Toom ] 27 Apr Shorebirds at the Hawk [Dominic Cormier ] 26 Apr Blue Gray Gnatcatcher/Northern Parula ["Ronnie D'Entremont" ] 26 Apr Re: Little Egret [] 26 Apr Little Egret still present ...... [Richard Stern ] 26 Apr Little Egret still present ...... [Richard Stern ] 26 Apr A different Yellow-headefd Blackbird last winter? [] 26 Apr A different Yellow-headefd Blackbird last winter? [] 26 Apr FWD: Indigo Bunting in Cape Breton RM ["accentor50" ] 25 Apr How do I change my e-mail to a seperate one for these messages ["J. D. MacDonald" ] 25 Apr Little Egret [] Subject: Snowy Egret From: "mike" <elvismi17 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 24 May 2013 13:53:40 +0000 There is a Snowy Egret along the causeway into Lockeport at 1045 this morning, 2013-05-24. Mike Drenth Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry ------------------------------------ Subject: Swifts, Thrasher, nesting Phoebes and Kestrels. From: Ken McKenna <kenmcken AT eastlink.ca> Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 10:33:56 -0300 Ken McKenna Box 218 Stellarton NS B0K 1S0 902 752-7644 Hi all Unlike some of the reports of other NS locations for the first night of Swiftwatch 2013, it was not rainy in New Glasgow. It was 100% overcast, 13C, with a light breeze( Beaufort 2) when I arrived at the Temperance St. school parking lot in New Glasgow at 8:15- much earlier than I normally would go it if were not an official count night. There were 4 others already on hand to watch and we were joined shortly after by 1 other for a total of 6 observers. Only one, Rick Ferguson, counted with me and I took the swift total for the night as an average of our 2 tallies. Scores of swifts were flying near the chimney when I arrived, but other observers who had been there for at least 10 min. prior said none had entered yet. Numbers continued to build as minutes ticked away and there was a lot of counter-clockwise flights at the chimney til 8:44 when a large bolus entered in a short time. At this point Rick and I had different totals.ranging from 340-480. I took the average of these 2 figures as the rest of our counts for the night were almost identical. Very shortly after that lump went in, another 120 entered. Over the next 23 min, there were trickles of 1-3 for a grand total of 558 swifts. We left at 9:12 when it was too dark to see. I feel the average is a pretty good estimate as I am usually under-estimating. All agreed it was well worth the time to come out and observe. cheers Ken PS Brown Thrasher still on Maple St. in Westville and I had 3-4 Veerys in birding this morning in Brookville-Churchville area as well as an E. Phoebe nest with 6 eggs under a bridge, and a Kestrel in a nest hole in a live poplar. We met an hiker in McLellan's Brook who had an E. Phoebe nest in a building on his nearby property . Canada Geese in this area still sitting on nests. Subject: Swifts, Thrasher, nesting Phoebes and Kestrels. From: Ken McKenna <kenmcken AT eastlink.ca> Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 10:33:56 -0300 Ken McKenna Box 218 Stellarton NS B0K 1S0 902 752-7644 Hi all Unlike some of the reports of other NS locations for the first night of Swiftwatch 2013, it was not rainy in New Glasgow. It was 100% overcast, 13C, with a light breeze( Beaufort 2) when I arrived at the Temperance St. school parking lot in New Glasgow at 8:15- much earlier than I normally would go it if were not an official count night. There were 4 others already on hand to watch and we were joined shortly after by 1 other for a total of 6 observers. Only one, Rick Ferguson, counted with me and I took the swift total for the night as an average of our 2 tallies. Scores of swifts were flying near the chimney when I arrived, but other observers who had been there for at least 10 min. prior said none had entered yet. Numbers continued to build as minutes ticked away and there was a lot of counter-clockwise flights at the chimney til 8:44 when a large bolus entered in a short time. At this point Rick and I had different totals.ranging from 340-480. I took the average of these 2 figures as the rest of our counts for the night were almost identical. Very shortly after that lump went in, another 120 entered. Over the next 23 min, there were trickles of 1-3 for a grand total of 558 swifts. We left at 9:12 when it was too dark to see. I feel the average is a pretty good estimate as I am usually under-estimating. All agreed it was well worth the time to come out and observe. cheers Ken PS Brown Thrasher still on Maple St. in Westville and I had 3-4 Veerys in birding this morning in Brookville-Churchville area as well as an E. Phoebe nest with 6 eggs under a bridge, and a Kestrel in a nest hole in a live poplar. We met an hiker in McLellan's Brook who had an E. Phoebe nest in a building on his nearby property . Canada Geese in this area still sitting on nests. Subject: Cattle Egret in Walden From: James Hirtle <jrhbirder AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 02:23:03 +0000 Today the cattle egret was at three separate farm locations. I plan to go and look for it tomorrow. It is in Walden. James R. Hirtle Bridgewater Subject: FWD: Cattle Egret in Lunenburg County From: "accentor50" <bmaybank AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 20:10:15 -0000 21 May Hi all: I just received a photo of a Cattle Egret which was in Walden, Lunenburg County today from Mandy Eisenhauer, whose brother lives there and captured the photo. James R. Hirtle Bridgewater Forwarded by Blake Maybank Subject: Summer Tanager Upper Economy From: Ken McKenna <kenmcken AT eastlink.ca> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 23:15:36 -0300 Ken McKenna Box 218 Stellarton NS B0K 1S0 902 752-7644 Hi all I had a call this evening from Brad McLaughlin who indicated at least one Summer Tanager has been present for about a week at the Peterson feeder on Brown Rd., Upper Economy. One seen most is a first spring male and there might also be a female around as well. Brad also noted a White-crowned Sparrow at his feeder and one more at another Upper Economy feeder. Rick Ferguson reported that the Westville Brown Thrasher was present again today ( May 21). Ken Subject: Summer Tanager Upper Economy From: Ken McKenna <kenmcken AT eastlink.ca> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 23:15:36 -0300 Ken McKenna Box 218 Stellarton NS B0K 1S0 902 752-7644 Hi all I had a call this evening from Brad McLaughlin who indicated at least one Summer Tanager has been present for about a week at the Peterson feeder on Brown Rd., Upper Economy. One seen most is a first spring male and there might also be a female around as well. Brad also noted a White-crowned Sparrow at his feeder and one more at another Upper Economy feeder. Rick Ferguson reported that the Westville Brown Thrasher was present again today ( May 21). Ken Subject: Temperance From: Ken McKenna <kenmcken AT eastlink.ca> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 21:41:21 -0300 Ken McKenna Box 218 Stellarton NS B0K 1S0 902 752-7644 Once again a spectacular show at the Temperance St school in New Glasgow tonight with a bit of a slower start than the last time I was there a couple days ago. The first bird entered the chimney at 8:49. Swifts started together in numbers at 8:52 making lots of charges at the chimney. All but 4 of the total of 539 entering tonight went in between 8:59-9:01. I may have missed 100 in the final grouping going in as I was slightly distracted and not sure on the final grouping total ( using fingers to keep track of the 100's sometimes fails!) . The webcam was apparently working today for the first time so maybe Ally Manthorne or someone else was watching to check my estimate. I did not see anyone else in the parking lot to enjoy the performance. Tomorrow is the first night of Swiftwatch 2013. Lets hope for a good total! cheers Ken Go Mooseheads go!! Subject: Temperance From: Ken McKenna <kenmcken AT eastlink.ca> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 21:41:21 -0300 Ken McKenna Box 218 Stellarton NS B0K 1S0 902 752-7644 Once again a spectacular show at the Temperance St school in New Glasgow tonight with a bit of a slower start than the last time I was there a couple days ago. The first bird entered the chimney at 8:49. Swifts started together in numbers at 8:52 making lots of charges at the chimney. All but 4 of the total of 539 entering tonight went in between 8:59-9:01. I may have missed 100 in the final grouping going in as I was slightly distracted and not sure on the final grouping total ( using fingers to keep track of the 100's sometimes fails!) . The webcam was apparently working today for the first time so maybe Ally Manthorne or someone else was watching to check my estimate. I did not see anyone else in the parking lot to enjoy the performance. Tomorrow is the first night of Swiftwatch 2013. Lets hope for a good total! cheers Ken Go Mooseheads go!! Subject: Brown Thrasher, Baltimore Oriole, 15 warbler species From: Ken McKenna <kenmcken AT eastlink.ca> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 13:20:49 -0300 Ken McKenna Box 218 Stellarton NS B0K 1S0 902 752-7644 Hi all Yesterday, May 20, Rick Ferguson was pleased to host a Brown Thrasher singing in his back yard from early morning till dusk. He still has 3 Common Redpolls at his feeder near Ferguson's store on Maple St. in Westville. The Thrasher could be heard along the whole block. Elsewhere, Charlie Kendell and I saw the male Baltimore Oriole at Sylvester Station, a traditional breeding territory for a pair most years since the first Breeding Bird Atlas work of Steve Vines. Most common bird of the day was probably Northern Parula and most stops had several singing. Other warblers in numbers were Chestnut-sided, Ovenbird, Nashville, Black-th Green, Am Redstart, Yellow, Black and White, Myrtle ( not near as many as last week) with smaller numbers of Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, Blackburnian, Bay-breast(2), Wilson's (2) and Magnolia. Eastern Kingbirds were at a treed pond on the Gray Rd. cheers Ken Subject: Brown Thrasher, Baltimore Oriole, 15 warbler species From: Ken McKenna <kenmcken AT eastlink.ca> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 13:20:49 -0300 Ken McKenna Box 218 Stellarton NS B0K 1S0 902 752-7644 Hi all Yesterday, May 20, Rick Ferguson was pleased to host a Brown Thrasher singing in his back yard from early morning till dusk. He still has 3 Common Redpolls at his feeder near Ferguson's store on Maple St. in Westville. The Thrasher could be heard along the whole block. Elsewhere, Charlie Kendell and I saw the male Baltimore Oriole at Sylvester Station, a traditional breeding territory for a pair most years since the first Breeding Bird Atlas work of Steve Vines. Most common bird of the day was probably Northern Parula and most stops had several singing. Other warblers in numbers were Chestnut-sided, Ovenbird, Nashville, Black-th Green, Am Redstart, Yellow, Black and White, Myrtle ( not near as many as last week) with smaller numbers of Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, Blackburnian, Bay-breast(2), Wilson's (2) and Magnolia. Eastern Kingbirds were at a treed pond on the Gray Rd. cheers Ken Subject: Brown Thrasher, Baltimore Oriole, 15 warbler species From: Ken McKenna <kenmcken AT eastlink.ca> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 13:20:49 -0300 Ken McKenna Box 218 Stellarton NS B0K 1S0 902 752-7644 Hi all Yesterday, May 20, Rick Ferguson was pleased to host a Brown Thrasher singing in his back yard from early morning till dusk. He still has 3 Common Redpolls at his feeder near Ferguson's store on Maple St. in Westville. The Thrasher could be heard along the whole block. Elsewhere, Charlie Kendell and I saw the male Baltimore Oriole at Sylvester Station, a traditional breeding territory for a pair most years since the first Breeding Bird Atlas work of Steve Vines. Most common bird of the day was probably Northern Parula and most stops had several singing. Other warblers in numbers were Chestnut-sided, Ovenbird, Nashville, Black-th Green, Am Redstart, Yellow, Black and White, Myrtle ( not near as many as last week) with smaller numbers of Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, Blackburnian, Bay-breast(2), Wilson's (2) and Magnolia. Eastern Kingbirds were at a treed pond on the Gray Rd. cheers Ken Subject: Brown Thrasher, Baltimore Oriole, 15 warbler species From: Ken McKenna <kenmcken AT eastlink.ca> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 13:20:49 -0300 Ken McKenna Box 218 Stellarton NS B0K 1S0 902 752-7644 Hi all Yesterday, May 20, Rick Ferguson was pleased to host a Brown Thrasher singing in his back yard from early morning till dusk. He still has 3 Common Redpolls at his feeder near Ferguson's store on Maple St. in Westville. The Thrasher could be heard along the whole block. Elsewhere, Charlie Kendell and I saw the male Baltimore Oriole at Sylvester Station, a traditional breeding territory for a pair most years since the first Breeding Bird Atlas work of Steve Vines. Most common bird of the day was probably Northern Parula and most stops had several singing. Other warblers in numbers were Chestnut-sided, Ovenbird, Nashville, Black-th Green, Am Redstart, Yellow, Black and White, Myrtle ( not near as many as last week) with smaller numbers of Northern Waterthrush, Common Yellowthroat, Blackburnian, Bay-breast(2), Wilson's (2) and Magnolia. Eastern Kingbirds were at a treed pond on the Gray Rd. cheers Ken Subject: Wood Duck and Northern Parula near Huntingdon Point From: Ellie Innovative Imaging Studio <ellie.iistudio AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 23:08:39 -0300 For some reason I was given to understand that wood ducks were common so I never reported that one was visiting friends of ours on the road down to Huntingdon Point (nr. Hall's Harbour). It has been there with a mate in past years. I saw it there a few weeks ago and got a poor photograph of it.. Today they mentioned seeing a Northern Parula on the same property. They said it was not an uncommon bird for the area, though it was the first they had seen, but I mention it as it might be of interest. Ellie Subject: Re: Wood Ducks, Brier Island From: "C. Davis" <nuthatch AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 22:19:59 -0300 We were visiting my family cottage on the Belleisle Bay off the St. John River in NB this past weekend. Late Saturday afternoon a pair of Wood Ducks appeared in our cove. Besides being happy to see them, my brother-in-law was surprised and commented that he usually sees them as early as April in that location. Cheryl Davis Dartmouth, NS On May 19, 2013, at 1:03 AM, Eric Mills wrote: > > Cold and windy on the island today, but despite a north wind there was a good early morning arrival of warblers. > > Most interesting, a group of 9 Wood Ducks in the big pond, Pond Cove, a most unusual number for here. Coincidentally, Roger Burrows noted the arrival of several Wood Ducks on Grand Manan today. > Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone. > > Eric L. Mills > 286 Kingsburg Road > RR#1, Rose Bay, NS B0J 2X0 > Canada > e.mills AT dal.ca > > > Subject: Re:White-crowned Sparrow From: Bernard Burke <bernieb1 AT eastlink.ca> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 20:22:48 -0300 Hi All For some unknown reason Rita is unable to get the complete proper links for individual photos to appear, so I am posting the White-crowned Sparrow photos on her behalf: http://burkeviauphotos.smugmug.com/Nature/Recent-Photos/14749798_WCRqJH#!i=2524019232&k=3PwsvwH&lb=1&s=XL http://burkeviauphotos.smugmug.com/Nature/Recent-Photos/14749798_WCRqJH#!i=2524020765&k=2xfLFXM&lb=1&s=XL http://burkeviauphotos.smugmug.com/Nature/Recent-Photos/14749798_WCRqJH#!i=2524022334&k=r5DmCHr&lb=1&s=XL Bernard Burke Subject: White-crowned Sparrow From: "viaurita" <viaurita AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 21:40:20 -0000 Hi Everyone There was a White-crowned Sparrow in River Bourgeois(Richards Pond Rd) today (May 20, 2013) Here are some photos. http://burkeviauphotos.smugmug.com/Nature/Recent-Photos/14749798_WCRqJH#!i=2524019232&k=3PwsvwH&lb=1&s=A http://burkeviauphotos.smugmug.com/Nature/Recent-Photos/14749798_WCRqJH#!i=2524020765&k=2xfLFXM&lb=1&s=A http://burkeviauphotos.smugmug.com/Nature/Recent-Photos/14749798_WCRqJH#!i=2524022334&k=r5DmCHr&lb=1&s=A Thanks Rita Viau ------------------------------------ Subject: WEDNESDAY MAY 22! Monthly meeting of the NS Bird Society From: "ullihoeger" <uhoeger AT dal.ca> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 20:19:42 -0000 Hi Folks, Just another reminder that the May meeting of the Nova Scotia Bird Society is not on the its usual 4th Thursday of the month, it is on WEDNESDAY the 22nd. Time and location as usual. Wednesday, May 22, 2013 – Regular Meeting: Shorebird Staging in Suriname NSMNH, 1747 Summer Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 7:30 p.m. Join Canadian Wildlife Service's Julie Paquet as she speaks about her 2013 studies of Semi-palmated Sandpipers on their wintering grounds in Suriname. Being freshly back, she has wonderful photos and current information on the on-going studies of these birds so is sure to be of interest. More information to follow. Refreshments will to follow. The annual Out-of-town meeting will be June 8-9 in Yarmouth, with an evening meeting on the 8th and a number of field trips on both the 8th and the 9th -plus a few other goodies. June 8 & 9, 2013 – Annual Out-of-Area Meeting, Yarmouth June 8 7:30pm Yarmouth County Museum, 22 Collins Street Nova Scotia Bird Society's Out of Town meeting – Yarmouth, NS There will be field trip outings on both Saturday and Sunday. Our meeting will be held at the Yarmouth County Museum, 22 Collins Street at 7:30PM. Jim Wilson, one of New Brunswick's most well-known naturalists will talk about Turkey Vultures, entitled Vultures, Living on the Edge. Yarmouth County probably has the largest population of Vultures in the Maritimes and we know very little about their life here. Join Jim as he describes their life on the edge. More information to follow ------------------------------------ Subject: Temperance St Swifts (371) + a few spring migrants From: Ken McKenna <kenmcken AT eastlink.ca> Date: Sun, 19 May 2013 21:34:58 -0300 Ken McKenna Box 218 Stellarton NS B0K 1S0 902 752-7644 Hi all Another great show of Chimney Swifts at Temperance St. school tonight. Birds were entering the chimney as I arrived at 8:36 and the sky was filled with twittering. Most birds (322) entered at 8:50 with the final bird at 8:51. My total for the night, I think a bit conservative, was 371. There were 6 people there to observe tonight. It was clear, calm and 9C. Rick Ferguson was there and at the old Drummond Mine site today he had Chestnut-sided, Yellow and Common Yellowthroat as new spring Warblers for him as well as an Eastern Kingbird. I had a couple of Cliff Swallows at Churchville- new for me for the spring. cheers Ken Subject: blackburnian warbler From: clyde stoddart <clydebstoddart AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 19 May 2013 14:35:06 +0000 at 10am at blanche 19 may 1 blackburnian warbler 2 grey jays clyde Subject: Wood Ducks, Brier Island From: Eric Mills <E.Mills AT Dal.Ca> Date: Sun, 19 May 2013 01:03:08 Subject: FWD: Eastern Bluebird at Hatchet Lake, HRM From: "accentor50" <bmaybank AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 16:02:19 -0000 Eastern Bluebird at Sunrise cemetary this morning (near road through cemetary), Hatchet Lake. Richard Hamilton Forwarded by Blake Maybank Subject: FWD: Orchard Oriole in Woods Harbour From: "accentor50" <bmaybank AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 16:00:16 -0000 There was just a female Orchard oriole on my neighbour's oranges. Everything that shows up here goes back and forth between our houses so I presume I will have it on my oranges before much longer. My nephew let me know that he had a Male Scarlet Tanager for a couple of days, he showed my hubby photos of it, but not sure if it's still around. He only lives about a 2 minute drive from here. Dorothy Cameron Woods Harbour Forwarded by Blake Maybank Subject: FWD: Red-bellied Woodpecker inTupperville From: "accentor50" <bmaybank AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 15:58:11 -0000 Short story version: We have a male Red-bellied woodpecker coming for suet in Tupperville. He's been here since Tuesday. Longer story: On both Tuesday and Thursday this week, I heard a harsh "chrrr" while running out the door for my work commute. I looked in the direction of the call, but saw only starlings, who are nesting once again in the front yard electric pole. I knew the sound was that of a Red-bellied woodpecker (I've been reviewing Stokes bird call CDs during my drive to Keji every morning to prepare for the song bird monitoring season), but blamed the starlings and their talent for imitating others. (If I believed their mimicry, I would think there was a Red-tailed hawk in the yard on a regular basis!) This morning I heard the same loud and distinctive "churr"... A stunning male Red-bellied woodpecker visited our suet feeder. He looks even more dashing, what with the cherry tree in full blossom (where the suet feeder hangs). A male cardinal and gorgeous purple finches also decorate this tree. Photographers welcome! Donna Crossland dcrossland AT eastlink.ca Forwarded by Blake Maybank Subject: brant From: clyde stoddart <clydebstoddart AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 17 May 2013 11:07:22 +0000 thurs at daniels head bank swallow 25 barn swallow at the hawk friday 36 brant, 80 black belly plover, dunlin and about 200 shorebirds 1 american oystercatcher least flycatcher, eastern kingbird, black and white warbler clyde Subject: Melbourne From: Stuart & Rachel Smith <rsmelbourne AT eastlink.ca> Date: Thu, 16 May 2013 22:00:19 -0300 Yes, Melbourne is in Yarmouth Co.. It is a small community located before Pickney's Point. # 1697 Melbourne is located almost immediatedly before the big marsh which leads to Pickney's Point. These two areas are close to one another. I live in Melbourne across the bird sanctuary, about 6 km from Pickney's Point. The marsh and the ocean(winter) are great birding spots. Hope this is helpful. Rachel Subject: White-crowned Sparrow From: Joyce Allen <joyce.allen AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Thu, 16 May 2013 19:38:57 -0300 Two arrivals here at Port Joli today. A White-crowned Sparrow (male) has fed here all day and a male Ruby-throat appeared first of the spring. For the record keepers my Rose-breasted Grosbeak which appeared on count day left yesterday. Nice group of Purple Finch in the yard this year 15 plus. Joyce Allen ------------------------------------ Subject: Blue grosbeak From: Stuart & Rachel Smith <rsmelbourne AT eastlink.ca> Date: Wed, 15 May 2013 21:37:54 -0300 Blue Grosbeak at # 1697 Melbourne. Birders are welcome. Park at the first driveway which is across an abandon two story house. Pickney's Point marsh has a great egret, willets, greater yellow legs and black bellied plovers. Great birding, Rachel Subject: Colchester NAMC From: "Ross & Linda Hall" <ross.hall AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Tue, 14 May 2013 21:51:55 -0300 Several people have commented on their NAMC and I will add a few highlights here. Linda and I only birded in the morning. The Ducks Unlimited marsh at Little Dyke had a good mixture of waterfowl including two male Eurasian Widgeon. The Cobequid Bay continues to have high counts of Bald Eagle. We had a total of 76 eagles for the morning. Also in the bay were large numbers of Great Black Backed and Herring Gulls so I expect some species of abundant fish. Ross Subject: Caspian Terns- Camp Geddie, Big I. From: Ken McKenna <kenmcken AT eastlink.ca> Date: Tue, 14 May 2013 11:23:42 -0300 Ken McKenna Box 218 Stellarton NS B0K 1S0 902 752-7644 Hi all A group of 3 of us ( with Charlie Kendell & Rick Ferguson) went to Arisaig yesterday afternoon (May 13) looking for the Laughing Gull as reported by Bruce S. on count day. We did not come up with the bird there, nor at Lismore. With the lobster fishery closed , most gulls had dispersed. There was still an Iceland Gull at Lismore. At Camp Geddie 2 adult Caspian Terns were noted on the shore of Galt Pond ~ 4 pm. An hour or so later, 2 Caspian Terns were seen at Big I on the bar at the east end of the big saltmarsh. It is possible they might have been the same birds seen an hour earlier at Galt Pond, but they could also be different birds. One of the pair was quite vocal. cheers Ken Subject: Caspian Terns- Camp Geddie, Big I. From: Ken McKenna <kenmcken AT eastlink.ca> Date: Tue, 14 May 2013 11:23:42 -0300 Ken McKenna Box 218 Stellarton NS B0K 1S0 902 752-7644 Hi all A group of 3 of us ( with Charlie Kendell & Rick Ferguson) went to Arisaig yesterday afternoon (May 13) looking for the Laughing Gull as reported by Bruce S. on count day. We did not come up with the bird there, nor at Lismore. With the lobster fishery closed , most gulls had dispersed. There was still an Iceland Gull at Lismore. At Camp Geddie 2 adult Caspian Terns were noted on the shore of Galt Pond ~ 4 pm. An hour or so later, 2 Caspian Terns were seen at Big I on the bar at the east end of the big saltmarsh. It is possible they might have been the same birds seen an hour earlier at Galt Pond, but they could also be different birds. One of the pair was quite vocal. cheers Ken Subject: FWD: Am. Oystercatchers & Gull-billed Tern on CSI From: "accentor50" <bmaybank AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 13 May 2013 20:33:44 -0000 13 May 2013 - Cape Sable Island 6 am. oystercatchers at the hawk flats 3.30 today 1 gull billed tern at daniels head 4.00 today Johhny Nickerson Forwarded by Blake Maybank Subject: Hartlen Point Bluebird From: "davidns6" <darcp274 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 13 May 2013 16:39:48 -0000 Hi There was a male Eastern Bluebird at Hartlen Point this morning (13th May 2013) on wires just along from the Osprey nest by the track at 10am. Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/daves_nova_scotia/8735966356/in/photostream Regards David Waterfield Fall River, NS 576-5378 ------------------------------------ Subject: NSMC From: "Sylvia Fullerton" <sfullert AT dal.ca> Date: Sun, 12 May 2013 17:58:33 -0400 In spite of thick fog and drizzel I was able to find 51 species from Broad Cove through to Middlewood and Lapland, ending late in the day at Cherry Hill Beach. Highlights were: 1 lingering Bufflehead, 1 American Bittern, 1 Piping Plover, 2 Common Tern, 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 6 Least Flyctcher, 7 Blue-headed Vireo, 11 Tree Swallow, 2 Barn Swallow, 2 Winter Wren, 10 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 4 Hermit Thrush, and seven species of warblers. Finding my way back along Cherry Hill Beach was a challenge! Sylvia Fullerton Broad Cove, Lun. Co. Subject: Re:NAMC at Sullivan's /Red Bridge Ponds,Dartmouth, N.S. From: <joancz AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Sun, 12 May 2013 17:44:43 -0300 Family of 14 here this weekend, but I took Elyse and Nicholas Czapalay and friend Chelsey on the count for two hours May 11th. Noon to 1:30pm 12degrees Celsius. Fog turning to light drizzle. There was a race event at Shubie Park, so we went to Sullivan's Pond: Song Sparrows 10 No. Cardinals 2 Black capped Chickadees 2 Mallards 16 Herring Gull 1 Starlings 6 Also 9 domestic Geese Red Bridge Pond : Mallard 1 Common Tern ( my first this spring) 1 (Adult /breeding) Red Winged Blackbirds -2 Superstore: House Sparrow 6 60 Gourok Avenue 5-5:30pm Blue Jays 4 Black capped Chickadees 2 N. Cardinals 2 Am. Crow 1 Kingfisher 1 Osprey 1 Starlings 4 Mourning Doves 4 ------------------------------------ Subject: Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Lower Argyle From: "Alix" <alixdentremont AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 12 May 2013 19:53:47 -0000 A Yellow-billed Cuckoo was photographed in Lower Argyle, Yarmouth County by Richard Donaldson this afternoon (May 12, 2013). Alix d'Entremont alixdentremont AT hotmail.com ------------------------------------ Subject: great egret From: clyde stoddart <clydebstoddart AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 12 May 2013 17:42:12 +0000 at hawk guzzle at 130 pm great egret clyde Subject: Re: NAMC Yesterday From: "Bob McDonald" <bobathome83 AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 12 May 2013 11:20:11 -0300 Interesting report, Don. Wendy and I cover the Eastern Shore further in towards Halifax - from Martinique to West Lawrencetown Marsh. Although we had no rain, I wouldn't call the weather we had good. It was cool, quite windy and the never-ending fog made our sea-watches a real challenge! The only shorebirds we had were Willets so your observations of Whimbrels were great - you must have caught a big movement! The only note-worthy sightings we had were several Red-necked Grebes and one lone Red-throated Loon, both at Martinique. Tide was very high there and the waves were terrific so I couldn't even ID the scoters even further out. No Piping Plovers were seen or heard for the third year in a row. Our 37 species was the lowest number yet in the >10 years we've been doing this route for the NSMC - we usually tally between 45 and 55 species! Cheers, Bob McDonald ----- Original Message ----- From: Don MacNeill To: NaturenNS ; NS-RBA Sent: Sunday, May 12, 2013 10:40 AM Subject: [NS-RBA] NAMC Yesterday It was good weather for doing our NAMC yesterday. Wind was light and there was no precipitation (although there was quite a bit of fog near the ocean). Highlights were 16 purple sandpipers on a rock off Taylors Head and flights of 59 Whimbrel passing overhead. We had one flock of 30 milling around and then flying off in a close line at Debaies Cove. Further flocks of 5, 21 and 3 were in the area. Don -- Don MacNeill donmacneill AT bellaliant.net Subject: Western Willet, Brier Island From: Eric Mills <e.mills AT dal.ca> Date: Sun, 12 May 2013 01:04:52 Subject: Western Willet, Brier Island From: Eric Mills <E.Mills AT Dal.Ca> Date: Sun, 12 May 2013 01:04:52 Subject: Laughing Gull, Arisaig Wharf, Antigonish Co. From: Bruce Stevens <bstevens AT stfx.ca> Date: Sat, 11 May 2013 20:36:27 -0300 Hi all, While participating in the NSMC today for Antigonish County, Allison and I had an adult Laughing Gull at the wharf in Arisaig in breeding plumage. A great day for birding at this end of the province! Bruce ------------------------------------ Subject: Request - Joshua Barss-Donham From: iamclar AT dal.ca Date: Thu, 09 May 2013 12:21:40 -0300 Sorry to use the list thus, but I'd like to contact Josh on a matter of using one of his images in "NS Birds". Cheers, Ian Ian McLaren (as photo editor "NS Birds") ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Pomarine Jaeger From: Paul Evans <pauldanielevans AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 6 May 2013 20:26:45 -0300 I just watched and photographed it over a period of about 30 minutes (thanks Kate and Chris!). Liz Doull stopped by as well. During that time it flew three times (short distances circling a couple of times) so it doesn't appear to be injured. It was preening and walking around a bit ... but does seem tuckered. Still there at 8:25 pm (on the water when I left). Paul Sent from my iPhone On 2013-05-06, at 7:21 PM, Kate Steele wrote: > Hi everyone, > > There was a Pomarine Jaeger in the Lawrencetown Lake marsh across from > Lawrencetown Beach this evening, close to where the deer carcass and > caracara were. It was resting in the marsh, not sure if it was injured > or taking a break from migration. Chris Pepper came and got some > photos. It was still there when I left. > > Kate Steele > Subject: Gull-billed Tern at Daniel's Head, Cape Sable Island From: "Alix" <alixdentremont AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 06 May 2013 23:22:14 -0000 I photographed a Gull-billed Tern at Daniel's Head on Cape Sable Island, Shelburne County. It was going back and forth along the beach. May 6, 2013. Alix d'Entremont alixdentremont AT hotmail.com ------------------------------------ Subject: Pomarine Jaeger From: Kate Steele <katefsteele AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 6 May 2013 19:21:41 -0300 Hi everyone, There was a Pomarine Jaeger in the Lawrencetown Lake marsh across from Lawrencetown Beach this evening, close to where the deer carcass and caracara were. It was resting in the marsh, not sure if it was injured or taking a break from migration. Chris Pepper came and got some photos. It was still there when I left. Kate Steele ------------------------------------ Subject: Canada Warbler and Other Recent Birds From: Hans Toom <htoom AT hfx.eastlink.ca> Date: Mon, 06 May 2013 13:21:27 -0300 I walked the St. Margaret's Bay Trail from its head to Round Lake. Most of this route borders Jerry Lawrence Provincial Park. Migration is at least two weeks later than last year with few arrivals to report. The Brown Creeper, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Palm Warbler have been on territory for about three weeks and have been joined recently by a major influx of Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Black-and-White Warblers. The Canada Warbler is very early but alas I did not see the bird although I am very familiar with its song. Broad-winged Hawks and Osprey overfly Lewis and Round Lakes, as they do every year. The Common Loon has also been on the lakes for about three weeks. Ray Stazsko had a Blue-headed Vireo last week and an Eastern Kingbird yesterday along Roach's Pond, Spryfield. The flood gates will open soon as migration "catch up" begins. Hans _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Hans Toom Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada http://www.hanstoom.com/ Subject: sandwich tern From: clyde stoddart <clydebstoddart AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 6 May 2013 14:21:01 +0000 at 10am at daniels head' sandwich tern clyde Subject: Crested Caracara sighted in Middle West Pubnico From: Frank Gummett <frankgummett AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 4 May 2013 14:10:10 -0300 Hi just posting this for those in the area as Alix is still out looking for it ;-) Alix Arthur D'Entremont has posted photos to the NSBS Facebook page, taken this afternoon, of the Crested Caracara in Middle West Pubnico. It flew over the Miniques Hill Road heading NE Cheers Frank Gummett Sent from Frank's iPhone ------------------------------------ Subject: Fwd: Rufous hummingbird sighting From: Richard Stern <sternrichard AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 4 May 2013 11:50:58 -0300 Richard Stern Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: *From:* lothlorien *Date:* May 4, 2013, 11:35:09 AM ADT *To:* *Subject:* *Rufous hummingbird sighting* Hello, We found your e-mail address on the internet. After checking websites and "Birds of Atlantic Canada" it seems that the sighting was rare so we thought your society might like to know. The rufous hummingbird made a brief stop at our hummingbird feeder yesterday morning around 10:30. Our lat and long are: 45 09 34.05N & 64 33 04.42W. Sincerely, Merrily Aubrey and Ken Kaiser Subject: Fwd: Rufous hummingbird sighting From: Richard Stern <sternrichard AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 4 May 2013 11:50:58 -0300 Richard Stern Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: *From:* lothlorien *Date:* May 4, 2013, 11:35:09 AM ADT *To:* *Subject:* *Rufous hummingbird sighting* Hello, We found your e-mail address on the internet. After checking websites and "Birds of Atlantic Canada" it seems that the sighting was rare so we thought your society might like to know. The rufous hummingbird made a brief stop at our hummingbird feeder yesterday morning around 10:30. Our lat and long are: 45 09 34.05N & 64 33 04.42W. Sincerely, Merrily Aubrey and Ken Kaiser Subject: Hermit Thrush in Camp Hill Cemetery, Robie St., Halifax From: <gdentremont AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Wed, 1 May 2013 19:42:45 -0300 Judy O'Brien and I saw Hermit Thrush around 2pm today in Camp Hill Cemetery, Robie St. Gisele d'Entremont ------------------------------------ Subject: RE Photos uploaded on the NS RBA website From: "ullihoeger" <uhoeger AT dal.ca> Date: Wed, 01 May 2013 14:53:24 -0000 Hi Folks, Please keep in mind that if you upload photos on the NSRBA website (and the same applies for other "archives") to add critical information such as when and where the photo was taken in the description. Without this kind of information it's just a pretty snapshot with limited to no value. Ulli ------------------------------------ Subject: Sandhill Crane in Falmouth From: "Ryan" <pigeonrh AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 01 May 2013 14:06:09 -0000 Sandhill crane flew low over my place on the Dyke Rd in Falmouth at supper time last night and was flying low over the dykes again this morning(10:30am). Same area as the yellow-headed blackbird this winter, just up the road (over the bridge) from where the Pink footed goose was. I will keep looking over the dykes from the bridge to the winery(on the left side of the road). Ryan Falmouth ------------------------------------ Subject: Parasitic Jaeger in Eastern Passage From: "docorragain" <docorragain AT yahoo.ca> Date: Wed, 01 May 2013 01:42:46 -0000 Was out looking for the Little Egret and saw what I think was a Parasitic Jaeger at McCormack's Beach in Eastern Passage. It was around noon time today. Will post a photo and maybe someone could confirm it. ------------------------------------ Subject: Photos of Little Egret and Northern Shoveler From: Hans Toom <htoom AT hfx.eastlink.ca> Date: Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:11:08 -0300 Here are six photos of the Little Egret from Shore Road, Dartmouth: http://hanstoom.com/StockPhotos/Birds/Waders/0139.html and four photos of the Northern Shoveler from Seaforth. http://hanstoom.com/StockPhotos/Birds/Swimmers2/0100.html Hans _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Hans Toom Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada http://www.hanstoom.com/ Subject: ? Parasitic Jaeger at Lawrencetown beach on Monday, April 28th From: <gdentremont AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:10:36 -0300 Around 6pm on Monday, April 28th; Bruce Doucette and I were birding the gravel pit, opposite MacDonald House in the Lawrencetown Beach area, when we saw a jaeger chasing a Herring Gull. It was definitely a Jaeger, and it is my impression that it was probably a Parasitic Jaeger. We walked the trail along the water for an hour or so afterwards but did not spot it again. Gisele d'Entremont ------------------------------------ Subject: Eastern Phoebes From: "Ryan" <pigeonrh AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:24:44 -0000 This morning I found a pair nesting under the first one-way bridge back the Mines Rd, Upper Falmouth, Hants co. Pretty rough road back there right now but it will be graded soon. Ryan Falmouth ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Fall Birds? From: Richard Stern <sternrichard AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:06:26 -0300 Hi, Mid-Oct. is an excellent time to visit NS, as mid to late migrants are heading through the hot spots, some early winter visitors may have arrived, there are still some shorebirds around, and almost anything can turn up. The best bet would probably to go to Brier Island, especially if there is a northerly wind or there has been a cold front, as in addition to the above, there is an excellent raptor migration then. The whale and seabird cruises might still be in operation then too. Cape Sable Island, Hartlen Point,and Canso would also likely be good choices. For complete details on these spots with detailed directions I recommend you get the book Birding Sites of Nova Scotia by Blake Maybank, and/ or keep an eye on this NS-RBA website and the NS Bird Society website for possible field trips and tips as to what's around. I'm on Birding Pal, and there may be others, if that's any help, too. Hope this helps, Richard On Mon, Apr 29, 2013 at 2:09 PM, Tom wrote: > ** > > > i will be visiting Nova Scotia in mid october and hoping to get some > birding in,can anyone give me some idea on what may be available at that > time of year, thanks > > > -- ################# Dr.R.B.Stern, P.O. Box 300, Port Williams, N.S., Canada, B0P 1T0 Richard Stern, Port Williams, NS, Canada sternrichard AT gmail.com ################### Subject: R-B Woodpecker /arrivals From: Joyce Allen <joyce.allen AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:37:44 -0300 I have had a female Red-bellied Woodpecker at my feeders at Port Joli for a week now. It arrived on April 21st. Other new arrivals Common Tern April 25th , Hermit thrush April 25th. The Horned Grebes are in elegant plummage right now. Still lots of Scoters (all 3 species) and Long-tailed ducks and Common Eider around. Nice Broad-winged Hawk near Port Mouton. I have seen only one Willet so far and 5 Yellowlegs. Actually appear to greater in comparison with the Willet. Lots of YR warblers, one Palm and one Black and White. Joyce Allen Port Joli ------------------------------------ Subject: Fall Birds? From: "Tom" <tom_cattell2 AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:09:27 -0000 i will be visiting Nova Scotia in mid october and hoping to get some birding in,can anyone give me some idea on what may be available at that time of year, thanks ------------------------------------ Subject: palm, thrasher From: clyde stoddart <clydebstoddart AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 28 Apr 2013 19:12:06 +0000 at hawk this afternoon, april 28 brown thrasher palm warbler clyde stoddart Subject: Mud Island Birds From: "Alix" <alixdentremont AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 28 Apr 2013 18:13:45 -0000 Today (April 28, 2013), Ronnie d'Entremont, Bertin d'Eon, Henry d'Entremont, Andrew d'Eon and Ted d'Eon went to Mud Island, Yarmouth County for the morning. We also boated around Noddy and Round Islands. It was a perfect day. Here is a list of sightings as I remember them: ~10 Razorbills ~20 Northern Gannets Many Black Guillemots (Round and Noddy Islands) A dozen or more Atlantic Puffins (these were near Round and Noddy Islands) 3 Bald Eagles (Also found a nest on Mud Island) 4 Common Loons Double-crested Cormorants 1 Greater Yellowlegs Many Savannah Sparrows Song Sparrows 1 Swamp Sparrow ~5 Palm Warblers 4 Fox Sparrows 3 Red-breasted Nuthatches A few Black-capped Chickadees 1 Winter Wren Many Yellow-rumped Warblers 2 Gray Catbirds 1 Northern Cardinal Ravens Crows 1 Common Grackle Common Eiders Herring Gulls Great Black-backed Gulls 20 Harlequins (Round Island) 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet A few Tree Swallows ------------------------------------ Subject: My Little Egret Photos From: Richard Stern <sternrichard AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 27 Apr 2013 19:01:49 -0300 3 of a large number I snapped yesterday afternoon in the pouring rain. Others seem to think it looked healthy - perhaps yesterday afternoon it just felt the same way I did about the weather. http://richard-s.smugmug.com/Birds/Current-Birds/25502279_M2Wpzm#!i=2480127926&k=Vj38cW9 and next 2 pictures. Richard -- ################# Richard Stern, Port Williams, NS, Canada sternrichard AT gmail.com ################### Subject: My Little Egret Photos From: Richard Stern <sternrichard AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 27 Apr 2013 19:01:49 -0300 3 of a large number I snapped yesterday afternoon in the pouring rain. Others seem to think it looked healthy - perhaps yesterday afternoon it just felt the same way I did about the weather. http://richard-s.smugmug.com/Birds/Current-Birds/25502279_M2Wpzm#!i=2480127926&k=Vj38cW9 and next 2 pictures. Richard -- ################# Richard Stern, Port Williams, NS, Canada sternrichard AT gmail.com ################### Subject: Baltimore Oriole From: Qqjas1028 AT aol.com Date: Sat, 27 Apr 2013 11:06:20 -0400 (EDT) Male oriole feeding on insects on cobble beach East Green Harbour/West Head, Shelburne County this morning at 10:30 am. Jane Alexander Subject: Little Egret, Northern Shoveller, Ipswich Sparrows and Lesser Yellowlegs From: Hans Toom <htoom AT hfx.eastlink.ca> Date: Sat, 27 Apr 2013 11:44:26 -0300 It was a good morning for a photoshoot. I found the Little Egret immediately at 7:45AM upon arrival at the Shore Road pond. It was unruffled, fully plumaged, erect, alert and flew with purpose. In my judgement this is a healthy bird. You can judge from my photos when I put them up. After the egret I undertook a run up the eastern shore. A delightful surprise was a male Northern Shoveller on the roadside pond opposite side of the road to the entrance, Hope for Wildlife. Beside the entrance road to Fisherman's Reserve I found three Ipswich Sparrows. These guys are likely working their way up to the staging area at Martinique Beach. They fuel up here on kelp flies(maggots) before heading over sea to Sable Island. Another surprise on the beach, near the bridge, Three Fathom Harbour, were three Lesser Yellowlegs quite early and indeed almost rare for this time of year. Hans _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Hans Toom Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada http://www.hanstoom.com/ Subject: Shorebirds at the Hawk From: Dominic Cormier <dominic.cormier AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 27 Apr 2013 01:45:44 -0300 Birders, I took a jaunt down to Cape Sable Island for the day. Shorebirds at the Hawk Included 50 - Dunlin 48 - Black-bellied Plover 1- American Golden-Plover 2 - Red Knot 2 - American Oystercatcher No southern overshoots could be found though I swear I did try! Cheers, Dominic Cormier Subject: Blue Gray Gnatcatcher/Northern Parula From: "Ronnie D'Entremont" <rondentremont AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:20:34 -0300 Hi all. Tonight at Pubnico Point; a lifer for Sharron and I ; one Blue Gray Gnatcatcher. Also with it was one Northern Parula. Subject: Re: Little Egret From: <joancz AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:51:35 -0300 Thanks to the on the spot message from Richard Stern, I was able to make a quick trip to Eastern Passage to see the Little Egret at 3pm. Such a treat to see it after two futile tries. (I had a first name relationship with the LIEG on Bon Portage in the early 90's.) The Shore Road Pond Little Egret appeared to be feeding at the eastern edge, and during a break in the showers it flew to the reeds behind the grey house with white trim, which is for sale. I thought it flew quite feebly, but that may have been my empathy for a creature so far off course in a cold April rain. ------------------------------------ Subject: Little Egret still present ...... From: Richard Stern <sternrichard AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:59:12 -0300 ...... At Eastern Passage in the pond on the way to Hartlen Point. It's actively feeding, but somehow doesn't look all that healthy- however it is raining hard at the moment. Photos taken. Richard Stern Sent from my iPhone Subject: Little Egret still present ...... From: Richard Stern <sternrichard AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:59:12 -0300 ...... At Eastern Passage in the pond on the way to Hartlen Point. It's actively feeding, but somehow doesn't look all that healthy- however it is raining hard at the moment. Photos taken. Richard Stern Sent from my iPhone ------------------------------------ Subject: A different Yellow-headefd Blackbird last winter? From: iamclar AT dal.ca Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:42:54 -0300 All: I received (or downloaded) a photo of a (female?) Yellow-headed Blackbird, labelled as "different bird" (from the wintering Falmouth bird?), but from an unknown photographer and locality. Does anyone know anything about this photo? I'm in the throes of writing up my section of the winter season of "NS Birds" - any help appreciated. Cheers, Ian Ian McLaren (as photo editor "NS Birds") Subject: A different Yellow-headefd Blackbird last winter? From: iamclar AT dal.ca Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:42:54 -0300 All: I received (or downloaded) a photo of a (female?) Yellow-headed Blackbird, labelled as "different bird" (from the wintering Falmouth bird?), but from an unknown photographer and locality. Does anyone know anything about this photo? I'm in the throes of writing up my section of the winter season of "NS Birds" - any help appreciated. Cheers, Ian Ian McLaren (as photo editor "NS Birds") ------------------------------------ Subject: FWD: Indigo Bunting in Cape Breton RM From: "accentor50" <bmaybank AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:44:16 -0000 25 April 2013 Today (25 Apr), Carter Stevens, Big Lorraine, spotted an Indigo Bunting near the "Old Dump Road" along the Louisbourg-Lorraine Road. Bill Bussey Forwarded by Blake Maybank, NS-RBA Moderator Subject: How do I change my e-mail to a seperate one for these messages From: "J. D. MacDonald" <act1 AT eastlink.ca> Date: Thu, 25 Apr 2013 08:15:58 -0300 Thanks. My present address is getting overloaded. Subject: Little Egret From: david_currie AT ns.sympatico.ca Date: Thu, 25 Apr 2013 07:51:37 -0300 The egret is still at the pond at the corner of Chater St and Shore Rd., Eastern Passge at 7:30am this morning. Dave Sent by iPhone ------------------------------------