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Updated on Saturday, March 13 at 04:34 PM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.


Cape May Warbler,©Barry Kent Mackay

13 Mar Pine Warbler ["bernard burke" ]
12 Mar Golden eagle [Carl Haycock ]
11 Mar Glaucous X Great Black-backed Gull and Barred Owl [Hans Toom ]
10 Mar Possible Glaucous-winged Gull [Hans Toom ]
09 Mar Northern Pintail ["ebo2112" ]
06 Mar Eur. Wigeons, Sullivans Pond, Dartmouth []
6 Mar Redhead, First South, Lun. Co. ["Eric Mills" ]
6 Mar Redhead, First South, Lun. Co. ["Eric Mills" ]
03 Mar Glaucous Gull [Hans Toom ]
1 Mar Carolina wren [Chris Field ]
28 Feb Cedar Waxwings ["David Currie" ]
27 Feb Belted Kingfisher, Sambro ["P.L. Chalmers" ]
27 Feb Glaucous Gull, Sambro Harbour ["P.L. Chalmers" ]
27 Feb Oriole Update, Halifax [Susann Myers ]
27 Feb Oriole Update, Halifax [Susann Myers ]
25 Feb Bonapartes Gull ["bernard burke" ]
24 Feb Purple Sandpipers and Director's Cut [Hans Toom ]
21 Feb Nelson's Gull, Canard, King's Co. ["Eric L. Mills" ]
21 Feb Nelson's Gull, Canard, King's Co. ["Eric L. Mills" ]
21 Feb Bohemian, Cedar Waxwings, Robins ["David Currie" ]
20 Feb Harlequin Ducks ["viaurita" ]
18 Feb Crossbills sightings for the MBBA ["daviddnrharris" ]
16 Feb Bluebirds at Chebogue, Yarmouth []
16 Feb winter wren, [Clyde Stoddart ]
16 Feb am bittern [John Nickerson ]
15 Feb Fwd: Bird Report - Frigatebird [Patrick Kelly ]
12 Feb snowy owl [John Nickerson ]
09 Feb Fwd: [NatureNS] Varied Thrush []
07 Feb A dark-backed Herring Gull type at Eastern Passage, HRM []
06 Feb Pine Warbler, Point Pleasant Park ["P.L. Chalmers" ]
04 Feb Re: Tagged Gull - SOLVED ["ebo2112" ]
4 Feb am. woodcock [John Nickerson ]
03 Feb Tagged Gull ["ebo2112" ]
03 Feb new lifer ["tumayoung" ]
02 Feb Fwd: Winter Wren, Windsor area! []
1 Feb song sparrow [Lynn Karchewski ]
30 Jan Pictou Co. bird update [Ken McKenna ]
30 Jan Pictou Co. bird update [Ken McKenna ]
30 Jan lost binoculars ["tumayoung" ]
30 Jan Update: OC Warbler- Dartmouth [Gayle MacLean ]
30 Jan Update: OC Warbler- Dartmouth [Gayle MacLean ]
28 Jan little gull (Eastern Passage) ["Mike" ]
28 Jan American Pipit and Dovekies [Hans Toom ]
28 Jan lapland longspur [Clyde Stoddart ]
27 Jan More on the Antigonish Co., buteo []
27 Jan More on the Antigonish Co., buteo []
25 Jan More on the Broadwinged Hawk []
24 Jan Ring-necked Ducks, Hd of St Marg's Bay ["Eric L. Mills" ]
21 Jan bittern [John Nickerson ]
19 Jan Pt. Pleasant Park Pine Warbler ["bernard burke" ]
19 Jan Pt. Pleasant Park Pine Warbler ["bernard burke" ]
19 Jan Carolina Wren Update [Hans Toom ]
17 Jan g.b. herons [John Nickerson ]
17 Jan Turkey Vulture Cow Bay ["bernard burke" ]
17 Jan Turkey Vulture Cow Bay ["bernard burke" ]
17 Jan N. Shrike, Dovekie, Barrow's Goldeneye, Blue-winged Teal ["David Currie" ]
17 Jan Possible golden eagle [Chris Field ]
16 Jan Black-headed Gull at Sullivan's Pond [Pat McKay ]
16 Jan Orioles, Chat in Halifax [Susann Myers ]
16 Jan Orioles, Chat in Halifax [Susann Myers ]
15 Jan Sambro to the NWArm [Chris Field ]
15 Jan Species [David Young ]
12 Jan VARIED THRUSH [John Nickerson ]
11 Jan FWD: Varied Thrush in Lower West Pubnico ["Blake Maybank" ]
10 Jan harlequin and great cormorant [Stuart & Rachel Smith ]
11 Jan spotted towhee ["shirleylovesbirds" ]
10 Jan PAartially aneumelanistic Blue Jay, Hammonds Plains, HRM []
10 Jan Short Eared Owl ["jtrubinca" ]
10 Jan D.-c. Cormorant, Halifax waterfront ["Eric L. Mills" ]
10 Jan Feather pigments ["Eric L. Mills" ]
10 Jan Feather pigments ["Eric L. Mills" ]
10 Jan Odd gull at prospect []
09 Jan Odd gull, head of Prospect Bay []
08 Jan An aneumelanistic House Sparrow []
8 Jan Mergansers NW Arm [Lynn ]
6 Jan OC Warbler - Photos Posted To Photo File Section [Gayle MacLean ]

Subject: Pine Warbler
From: "bernard burke" <blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:34:29 -0400
My cousin Justin sent me this photo of a Pine Warbler from Pt. Pleasant Park 
Halifax on Friday: 



http://bernieb.smugmug.com/Other/recent-pics/916397_ynXPk/22/809284301_3rsFs/Medium 


This individual is very subdued of yellow compared to another individual that 
has been seen at the Park this winter 


Bernard Burke
blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca
Dartmouth
Subject: Golden eagle
From: Carl Haycock <carl_haycock AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:36:15 -0800 (PST)
I had excellent views of an imm. Golden Eagle today in Westport on Brier 
island,N.S. It was just after noon and I noticed it being harassed by 2 Ravens 
just overhead. It appeared very dark, almost black and the white patches were 
very conspicuous both below and on top of the primaries. Very large bird. It 
was unmistakable. I called June Swift right away to come have a look but by 
then it had soared higher and eventually flew off towards Northern Point and 
out over the Bay of Fundy. I'll keep an eye out the next few days in case it 
decides to return. 

 
Carl Haycock


      
Subject: Glaucous X Great Black-backed Gull and Barred Owl
From: Hans Toom <htoom AT hfx.eastlink.ca>
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:51:16 -0400
At this point the consensus is that the mystery gull at Sambro Harbour is a 
hybrid, Glaucous X Great Black-backed Gull. I've posted four more photos 
including a close-up study of the primaries. The gull though not shy just sat 
on a post and didn't move around much when I photographed it. I confess to not 
noticing the dark spots under the tail. I should use a checklist when I study a 
bird so I don't miss any clues and parts. 


I've also posted some photos of the Barred Owl from Oakfield Provincial Park 
from this morning. All the photos are taken hand held which is another lesson 
learned. I should have brought my tripod since I knew that I was going to be 
photographing owls in the deep and shady forest. 


Hans

http://www.hanstoom.com/Highlights/March2010/0121.html
_________________________________
Hans Toom
Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
Website: http://hanstoom.com 
_________________________________
Subject: Possible Glaucous-winged Gull
From: Hans Toom <htoom AT hfx.eastlink.ca>
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:11:02 -0400
I spotted an unusual gull at Sambro Harbour this afternoon. The large all black 
bill should eliminate Glaucous Gull as a candidate, which was my first 
impression. The closest match I can find in my literature is Glaucous-winged 
Gull but due to the rarity of this species I leave it to the gull experts in 
our group to sort it out. I do have more photos which I can post tomorrow, if 
necessary. 


I'll post this on NatureNS after I get an identification.

Hans

http://www.hanstoom.com/Highlights/March2010/0115.html
_________________________________
Hans Toom
Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
Website: http://hanstoom.com 
_________________________________
Subject: Northern Pintail
From: "ebo2112" <foxhollow AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:21:10 -0000
This morning at the outflow of stillwater lake (between Hammonds Plains Rd. and 
Flat Lake Dr.) 


1 pair (m/f) Norhtern Pintail among a large group of Black Ducks.
I spotted the drake's white breast as we drove by so I circled back to 
investigate and took a couple of photos. 


Also saw what I think was a black vulture flapping and circling overhead. 

Cheers
Ian in Hammonds Plains.

Subject: Eur. Wigeons, Sullivans Pond, Dartmouth
From: iamclar AT dal.ca
Date: Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:25:42 -0400
All:

There were two drake Eurasian Wigeons with the mixed breeds on Sullivas Pond,
this morning, 6 March.

More spectacular was an adult tiercel Perregrine about 11:15 that hit a pigeon
in a shallow stoop over the pond - feathers flew, but the pigeon flew off
strongly, not pursued by the falcon.

Cheers, Ian

Ian McLaren
Subject: Redhead, First South, Lun. Co.
From: "Eric Mills" <e.mills AT dal.ca>
Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 15:39:27 +0000
There is a drake Redhead among about 500 Scaup (5 per cent Lessers) and 
Goldeneye in Upper South Cove, First South, Lun. Co. Among them also is a 
largely amelanistic ("pigmentally-challenged") C. Goldeneye - a very strange 
looking bird. Nearby, at the end of the Felzen South road, among 175 C. 
Goldeneye is a single drake Barrow's. 

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device
Eric L. Mills
286 Kingsburg Road
RR#1, Rose Bay, NS B0J 2X0, Canada
Subject: Redhead, First South, Lun. Co.
From: "Eric Mills" <E.Mills AT Dal.Ca>
Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 15:39:27 +0000
There is a drake Redhead among about 500 Scaup (5 per cent Lessers) and 
Goldeneye in Upper South Cove, First South, Lun. Co. Among them also is a 
largely amelanistic ("pigmentally-challenged") C. Goldeneye - a very strange 
looking bird. Nearby, at the end of the Felzen South road, among 175 C. 
Goldeneye is a single drake Barrow's. 

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device
Eric L. Mills
286 Kingsburg Road
RR#1, Rose Bay, NS B0J 2X0, Canada


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Subject: Glaucous Gull
From: Hans Toom <htoom AT hfx.eastlink.ca>
Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:36:43 -0400
There is an adult, at least fourth winter, Glaucous Gull at Duncan Reef this 
afternoon. It's always a delight to see the white and light grey adult bird. It 
flew and sat for photographs at a discrete distance. I saw one here late last 
fall winging westward, possibly the same bird as they do tend to stay in an 
area they like. 


Hans

_________________________________
Hans Toom
Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
Website: http://hanstoom.com 
_________________________________
Subject: Carolina wren
From: Chris Field <field AT mathstat.dal.ca>
Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 11:55:46 -0400 (AST)
Anne Lambert had a carolina wren singing in Chester (near corner of 
Pleasant and Central Street) this past weekend. She'd had a carolina wren 
in the same location last summer so it may have over-wintered. This bird 
is a skulker and hard to see.

-- 
Chris Field
Math and Statistics
Dalhousie University,
Halifax, N.S., Canada, B3H 3J5
email : field AT mathstat.dal.ca
Phone : 902-494-3339 or 902-494-2572
Fax : 902-494-5130
Subject: Cedar Waxwings
From: "David Currie" <david_currie AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 10:10:07 -0400
Hi all

Not rare but certainly 80+ Cedar Waxwings are high enough in number to report. 
They were on Prentice Lane in Dartmouth this morning. Take Portland Street East 
from Downtown Dartmouth, turn right on Chestnut Lane and then left on Prentice 
Lane. There is a great area near the end of Prentice that has Cardinals, 
White-throats and always worth a look. 


I could only find a single Bohemian amongst them as well as several Robins.


Dave Currie

Subject: Belted Kingfisher, Sambro
From: "P.L. Chalmers" <plchalmers AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 22:48:43 -0400
This afternoon I was told by a local resident that he had seen a 
Belted Kingfisher on the outskirts of Sambro a few days ago, across 
from the former Dock and Dory Restaurant (i.e. near the wetland just 
before the big bridge into Sambro).

Patricia L. Chalmers
Halifax
Subject: Glaucous Gull, Sambro Harbour
From: "P.L. Chalmers" <plchalmers AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 22:45:34 -0400
This afternoon there was an immature (first winter?) Glaucous Gull on 
the wharf at Sambro Harbour, along with a small flock of Iceland Gulls.

Patricia L. Chalmers
Halifax
Subject: Oriole Update, Halifax
From: Susann Myers <myerss AT eastlink.ca>
Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 10:45:46 -0400
The 8 Baltimore Orioles in my yard in Halifax are still doing well. All made it 
through yesterday's storm and were desperate for mealworms this morning. They 
have begun to sing a few notes, and to show small patches of black feathers on 
their heads and necks. As of a week ago, the one recovering from an injury at 
Helene Van Doninck's was also doing well. So of the 10 that were here in early 
January, 9 have survived to this point, thanks to this mild winter. 


Cheers,
Susann Myers
Subject: Oriole Update, Halifax
From: Susann Myers <myerss AT eastlink.ca>
Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 10:45:46 -0400
The 8 Baltimore Orioles in my yard in Halifax are still doing well. All made it 
through yesterday's storm and were desperate for mealworms this morning. They 
have begun to sing a few notes, and to show small patches of black feathers on 
their heads and necks. As of a week ago, the one recovering from an injury at 
Helene Van Doninck's was also doing well. So of the 10 that were here in early 
January, 9 have survived to this point, thanks to this mild winter. 


Cheers,
Susann Myers
Subject: Bonapartes Gull
From: "bernard burke" <blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:08:40 -0400
The last few days have seen an increase of smaller gull species congregating at 
Sullivans Pond, at least in the late afternoon. I was able to find at least one 
Bonapartes Gull in amongst 35 plus Black-headed Gulls there today: 


http://bernieb.smugmug.com/Other/recent-pics/916397_ynXPk/22/797126546_5A2zr/Large 


I have yet to find a Mew or Common Gull this winter but perhaps now that there 
are much more Ring-billed Gulls showing up it may increase the odds of seeing 
one. Todays conditions were rather unfavourable, with the strong biting winds 
making quite a few hunker down with their heads tightly tucked in. 


At work today, a Rock Dove left its image of outstretched wings all too vividly 
on the large window that sealed its fate. Our initial reaction was perhaps the 
skyline had been reflected in the window. But about 5 minutes later the main 
cause of the incident became much more obvious, when several of us viewed a 
Peregrine Falcon flying overhead after leaving its perch atop one of the 
nearest parking lot light poles to us, as it now was being harassed by a gull. 
Perhaps it was fortunate that there was only one casualty. 


Bernard Burke
blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca
Dartmouth
Subject: Purple Sandpipers and Director's Cut
From: Hans Toom <htoom AT hfx.eastlink.ca>
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:34:08 -0400
Hi all,

After the weather people had predicted sunshine for today on almost every 
single day since the middle of last week I'd thought I'd try for the Purple 
Sandpipers at Point Pleasant Park. The prediction was wrong as usual. 
Nevertheless, I wandered forth and immediately found a group at the first 
cornice before the Anchor Monument. I went back to my car to get my telephoto 
lens and carted it out to this location. This is no simple thing since the lens 
and tripod weight 22 pounds. Of course the sandpipers had moved on. After a 
brief search I spotted a group of 12 flying towards Northwest Arm but I wasn't 
going to chase them with the outfit I was toting. As it happens there was even 
a larger group, perhaps 18 or more, at the tip of Bald Rock, Bald Rock Beach. 
Somehow I managed to walk right past this bunch or maybe it was the ones I 
spotted earlier near the anchor. I took some distant photos under poor lighting 
but am satisfied nonetheless with the numbers I was able to see and observe as 
they wave hopped on the rock. 


A male Red-breasted Merganser came into the cove and although an extremely shy 
bird it did pause on the rock for a brief time which allowed me to enjoy its 
beauty, as well. 


I've also posted a bunch of photos after filtering through my files for the 
last couple of months of photos, my director's cut of images. They are all 
birds you have seen already but the poses and crops are slightly different from 
the earlier versions. 


Hans

http://www.hanstoom.com/Highlights/February2010/0142.html

_________________________________
Hans Toom
Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
Website: http://hanstoom.com 
_________________________________
Subject: Nelson's Gull, Canard, King's Co.
From: "Eric L. Mills" <E.Mills AT Dal.Ca>
Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:02:34 -0400
Yesterday afternoon, Derek & Jeanette Lovitch, visiting birders from Maine, 
found a first- 

winter "Nelson's" Gull (HerringXGlaucous hybrid) in the flock along Fred Thomas 
Road, 

Canning, King's Co. 
Subject: Nelson's Gull, Canard, King's Co.
From: "Eric L. Mills" <e.mills AT dal.ca>
Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:02:34 -0400
Yesterday afternoon, Derek & Jeanette Lovitch, visiting birders from Maine, 
found a first- 

winter "Nelson's" Gull (HerringXGlaucous hybrid) in the flock along Fred Thomas 
Road, 

Canning, King's Co. 
Subject: Bohemian, Cedar Waxwings, Robins
From: "David Currie" <david_currie AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 11:59:52 -0400
Hi all

Mike King and I spent a few hours at Hartlen Point and Eastern Passage this 
morning. Highlights included 6 American Pipits, Northern Harrier and Snow 
Buntings at Hartlen Point. 


In the open water behind the berm at Silver Sands (Cow Bay) were 3 Gadwall 
among the other ducks and mergansers there. 


What was most interesting were 21 Bohemian Waxwings, 4 Cedar Waxwings and at 
least 100 Robins behind St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church at Eastern Passage. 
(This is the church just across from McCormick's Beach boardwalk area on Shore 
Rd). 

   
I'm sure Mike would say - GO BIRDING.


Dave Currie
Dartmouth
Subject: Harlequin Ducks
From: "viaurita" <viaurita AT yahoo.ca>
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 2010 23:36:16 -0000
HI

I saw 3 female Harlequin Ducks today (Feb 20, 2010) at Peggy's Cove. 


Rita Viau
Subject: Crossbills sightings for the MBBA
From: "daviddnrharris" <harrisda AT gov.ns.ca>
Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:06:01 -0000
FYI...I don't think the attached map will show here. Dave
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Have you seen a White-winged Crossbill?  If you have, we want to know about it.

I'm posting this note as a plea from the Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas to help 
us "cross those crossbills" off our bird lists. As many of you are already 
aware we are in the Atlas' final year of data collection and thus our last 
chance to record all of the birds breeding in the Maritimes. It seems that this 
year is a "crossbill year" for many regions. White-winged Crossbills in 
particular have been seen and heard singing and displaying throughout the 
province. However, there are still many Atlas squares without White-winged 
Crossbills recorded on their lists (see attached map). 


THE ATLAS WANTS (AND APPRECIATES) YOUR CROSSBILL OBSERVATIONS!!

If you aren't an atlasser but still want to submit a crossbill observation 
please submit it to me via email bstewart AT birdscanada.org. Let me know the 
location (UTM coordinates are great but a street or park will do as well) and 
the sighting details (singing; displaying; in appropriate breeding habitat, 
i.e., conifers with cones). 


Thanks very much

Becky Stewart
Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas Coordinator www.mba-aom.ca
Subject: Bluebirds at Chebogue, Yarmouth
From: iamclar AT dal.ca
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:30:05 -0400
All:

I have placed on NS-RBA photos a much enlarged crop of the image of E. 
Bluebirds 

(up to 6 males and one female present) reported earlier by John Sollows, and
photo'd for the record by Nguyen Thi Nhung.

We've had winter records from time to time, but this is an unusually large
group. A group may give advantages, as bluebirds are known to tough out cold
nights by cuddling en mass in cavities or nest boxes.

Cheers, Ian
Subject: winter wren,
From: Clyde Stoddart <sawwhetowl AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:23:39 -0400
16 feb, 2010, at bear point at 9am

1 winter wren seen by clyde stoddart

i don't know who does the bear point area for the breeding atlas, but i am
sure they breed there

-- 
clyde stoddart
1049 centreville south side road,
rr # 1, clarks harbour
shelburne county, nova scotia
B0W 1P0
(902) 7455 2105
Subject: am bittern
From: John Nickerson <jonsannick AT hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:12:02 -0400
 

 

 1 am. bittern at daniels head this morning at 9;45 a.m. across from the fish 
plant 


 

 450 brant at the hawk this morning  1 snowy owl on cape sable

 

 

 

   johnny&sandra  nickerson
 		 	   		  
_________________________________________________________________
Introducing Windows® phone.
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9708122
Subject: Fwd: Bird Report - Frigatebird
From: Patrick Kelly <patrick.kelly AT dal.ca>
Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 10:28:07 -0400

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Ted D'Eon" 
> Date: February 14, 2010 4:39:27 PM AST
> To: nsbs AT chebucto.ca
> Subject: Bird Report - Frigatebird
>
> NSBS Bird Reports:
>
> Species: Frigatebird ( from location and description, I assume  
> Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) - T. D'Eon)
>
> Number: one
>
> Gender: female
>
> Observer: Roderick d'Entremont, a lobster fisherman from West  
> Pubnico, Nova Scotia, B0W 3S0 (902-762-2060).
>
> Date of sighting: December 7, 2009
>
> Location:  About 25km west of Seal Island, NS, near the German Bank  
> in the Gulf of Maine.
> ----------------------
>
> Notes:  Roderick d'Entremont telephoned me of the sighting 5 or 6  
> days after the event.  He described it as a Frigatebird but he was  
> not aware of any having been seen before in Nova Scotia.  He is a  
> credible bird observer with excellent bird knowledge and has even  
> done some bird carvings in the past.
>
> He said the bird was big and black with a very long forked tail.  He  
> said it must have been a female due to the white patch on the  
> belly.  The rest of the bird was black.  All he could think it might  
> be was a Frigatebird.
>
> I questioned him about the size.  I asked him if it was as big as a  
> large gull to get a ball park estimate of size and to eliminate  
> small black birds with forked tails.  He said, oh yes, at least.  I  
> realize size estimation on a single bird at sea is difficult at  
> best. I also realize the Magnificent Frigatebird is quite a bit  
> larger than even our largest gulls.
> -----------------------
>
> I am confident what Roderick d'Entremont saw on Dec. 7, 2009 was a  
> female Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)
>
> Ted
> Ted C. D'Eon
> P.O. Box 14,
> Middle West Pubnico,
> Nova Scotia  B0W 2M0   Canada
> Phone 1-902-762-2097 at home    1-902-749-6883 Cellular
>    FAX 1-902-762-2885          E-Mail  ted AT ns.sympatico.ca
>    Internet address www.ted.ca
> -----------------------------
>


= 
= 
========================================================================
Patrick Kelly
Director of Computer Facilities
= 
= 
========================================================================
Faculty of Architecture and Planning
Dalhousie University
= 
= 
========================================================================
PO Box 1000 Stn Central                5410 Spring Garden Road
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2X4           Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2X4
Canada                                 Canada
= 
= 
========================================================================
Phone:(902) 494-3294    FAX:(902) 423-6672   E-mail:patrick.kelly AT dal.ca
= 
= 
========================================================================
Subject: snowy owl
From: John Nickerson <jonsannick AT hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:04:46 -0400
 

 

 i had a report of a snowy owl on seal island also 20 harlequin ducks 1 
imm.bald eagle 


 

 at daniels head this morning 1 am. bittern  1 am woodcock  1 blackheaded gull

 

 

                                 johnny  sandra   nickerson
 		 	   		  
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: Fwd: [NatureNS] Varied Thrush
From: iamclar AT dal.ca
Date: Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:28:40 -0400
All:

Note the add on from previous mailings.

Ian McLaren

----- Forwarded message from Reddenville AT nncweb.ca -----
    Date: Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:29:20 -0400
    From: "V. Redden" 
Reply-To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca
 Subject: [NatureNS] Varied Thrush
      To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca

The Varied Thrush is doing just fine in Avonport as of Sunday Feb 7.

Virginia, Port Howe


----- End forwarded message -----

Keep in mind previous mailings on this bird, to wit:

I'm sorry to say that the person who has the Varied Thrush in their yard
does not want any visitors. I may travel around the Avonport  area and
perhaps could be seen somewhere close by along the Avonport Road.
Virginia Redden
Port Howe
Cumb Co



V. Redden wrote:
> A friend of mine has had a Varied Thrush at her bird feeder for two
> days now. She lives at Avonport Beach in Hants Co.
> Virginia Redden
> Port Howe
> Cumb co
Subject: A dark-backed Herring Gull type at Eastern Passage, HRM
From: iamclar AT dal.ca
Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:24:10 -0400
Today Eric spotted, and then we tried to study, a notably dark-backed gull, but
otherwise Herring Gull, at near low-tide on the flats at E. Passage. It was not
tame and I got one poor photo (sent to NS-RBA Photos) when my batteries cooled
beyond charging and it soon flew on into the harbout.

There are possible candidates, but neither Eric nor I think it is a hybrid. It
might be a 4th winter bird, as there is an extensive black spot on the
dull-yellow bill, although no obvious black fethering on mantle-coverts. Its
legs appeared dull-flesh coloured. Try to get better photos and especially of
the bird in flight showing details of wingtips.

Cheers, Ian

Ian McLaren

Subject: Pine Warbler, Point Pleasant Park
From: "P.L. Chalmers" <plchalmers AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:13:21 -0400
	I went for a walk in Point Pleasant Park today, after going to the 
Farmer's Market.  Bright sun and a cold wind kept some birds down, 
but the highlight was a brightly coloured Pine Warbler, coming to the 
feeder on Heather Road.  It has been regular here for some time; 
Chris Field reported it on 31 December.

	The tide was high and the rocky ledges where the Purple Sandpipers 
sometimes feed were covered.  Where do they go to roost at such 
times, I wonder?

	Patricia L. Chalmers
	Halifax
Subject: Re: Tagged Gull - SOLVED
From: "ebo2112" <foxhollow AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:29:46 -0000
Got a nice reply from the group who tagged this gull. 
Anyone know what kind of gull it actually is? (photo on NS-RBA -> photos -> 
Gulls and Terns -> Tagged Gull (last page/last photo) ) 


See below:

==========
Ian,

Thanks for reporting the sighting. It is indeed one of our gulls. It's great 
that you were able to get a photo of the gull. When we caught the gull we were 
unsure if it was a sub-adult Black-back, a lesser black-back or a herring gull. 
The weights and measurements were confusing. It was only caught only once. We 
put the leg bands on so that if the wing-tags get pulled off, we can still 
identify the bird. 


Here is some specific information on J11:

Captured 03/03/08 at Fitchburg/Westminister Landfill, MA

Capture location (GPS): 42.53197, - 71.84389

Captured using a rocket net baited with bread and suet

Sub-adult herring gull

Red wing-tags: J11

Red leg band: OV

Federal leg band: 1847-90006

Released on site

 

Sightings: 

This is the first sighting of this gull.  Thank you!

 

Thanks again for the sighting and photo, and please let me know if you see it 
(or others) again. 


 

Ken
Ken MacKenzie 

Senior Wildlife Biologist

DCR- Division of Water Supply Protection

180 Beaman Street

West Boylston, MA 01583

508-792-7423   x313

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 


From: Ian [mailto:foxhollow AT ns.sympatico.ca] 
Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 8:21 PM
To: Mackenzie, Ken (DCR)
Cc: Clark, Dan (DCR)
Subject: Tagged Gull J11

I don't know if it's one of yours but...
 

3 Feb 2010

The gull with tag J11 was seen at the Sackville River outflow into Bedford 
Basin (Halifax, NS) 


 44°43'43.80"N

 63°39'44.64"W

It almost looks like the bird has been caught twice - a band on each leg plus 
the wing tag has been overwritten in white paint (original black is still 
visible) I only saw a wing tag on the left wing. 


The legend on your website says J series is a Black-Backed gull....I guessed 
that this is a Second Winter Ring-Billed Gull. 


Any reply appreciated.

Ian M.

Halifax
=================

Subject: am. woodcock
From: John Nickerson <jonsannick AT hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 18:13:13 -0400
 

 at south side c.s.i. today at 4.00 p.m .we saw a am woodcock in the ditch pass 
daniels head road 


 

 

 terry& edna crowell clyde stoddart murray cindy newell 

 		 	   		  
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: Tagged Gull
From: "ebo2112" <foxhollow AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:27:21 -0000
3 Feb 2010

Saw a tagged gull at the Sackville River outflow. The tag is red with "J11" 
printed in white (note J11 in black under the white). Left leg has a red band 
and right leg has a pale green band. Photo added to RBA Gulls and Terns Folder. 
I wasn't sure if a recording of the sighting was of interest to anyone, so I'm 
posting it here. I won't embarrass myself by guessing which type of young gull 
it is. (oh, what the heck, I'll go with 2nd winter ring-billed...?) 


A pair of male Common Mergansers in Bedford at the Sackville River outflow.

A large fleet of Common Goldeneye were sailing about at that location.


Also A lone female Red Breasted Merganser near Boutiliers Pt. (at Island View 
Dr.) 


A lone male Common Merganser at the Powerhouse at Head of St. Margarets Bay.

Cheers
I. Marshall
Subject: new lifer
From: "tumayoung" <tumayoung AT yahoo.ca>
Date: Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:40:57 -0000
Hi Folks:

Today, Nick and I seen a new "Lifer" for us: a White-winged Crossbill at Square 
Lake. I have several pictures which are ID shots only but still I shall post to 
my webgallery: http://gallery.me.com/tumayoung 


Tuma
Subject: Fwd: Winter Wren, Windsor area!
From: iamclar AT dal.ca
Date: Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:37:14 -0400
----- Forwarded message from patrick.kelly AT dal.ca -----
    Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 15:55:32 -0400
 Reply-To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca
 Subject: [NatureNS] New yard bird!


Hi everyone:

I was on my way out to run errands this afternoon, and walked around
my car and startled a small brown bird that flew into a small pile of
logs. It didn't look quite like a sparrow so I slowly walked over to
investigate. It ran across the ground and then started moving along
the snow-free area next to the foundation. It was my first really
close look at a winter wren, even if it was only for about 30 seconds
before it went under the verandah and i had to leave for an appointment.

Pat

=
=
========================================================================
Patrick Kelly
Director of Computer Facilities
=
=
========================================================================
Faculty of Architecture and Planning
Dalhousie University
=
=
========================================================================
PO Box 1000 Stn Central                5410 Spring Garden Road
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2X4           Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2X4
Canada                                 Canada
=
=
========================================================================
Phone:(902) 494-3294    FAX:(902) 423-6672   E-mail:patrick.kelly AT dal.ca
=
=
========================================================================



----- End forwarded message -----
Subject: song sparrow
From: Lynn Karchewski <dlkarchewski AT live.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 18:01:22 -0300
Hi:

Song Sparrow in full song this morning at Halifax Shopping Centre........

Thanks.

Lynn 
 		 	   		  
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: Pictou Co. bird update
From: Ken McKenna <kenmcken AT eastlink.ca>
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 13:56:01 -0400
Ken McKenna
Box 218 Stellarton NS
B0K 1S0
902 752-7644

Jan. 30, 2010

Hi all
Just came back for a little noon drive (~ 1 hour) through Trenton- New Glasgow. 
There is an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL on the ice in the East River of 
Pictou as seen from Bridegview square area. It is the same location where I had 
on Jan.1 on the Pictou Hbr. CBC although that bird seemed to have a little 
black on the bill. This one had a a red spot on bill and still had dark head 
streaking and a smudgy dark area around the eye. Took a distant photo. 


The male TUFTED DUCK was seen with Scaup from the Greens Pt. Rd. in Hillside.  

Between the Big Gut bridge and the Trenton Power plant, I observed 13 species 
of waterfowl incl. the Tufted plus 5 Gadwall, 3 GW Teal, 17 Hooded Mergansers 
and 3 American Wigeon. 


I also noted a Yellow-rumped Warbler off Park St. in Trenton. A stop at a 
feeder on North Albert St. and a chat with the owner indicated he had a fem. 
Cardinal present for 5 days. I did not see in in the time I was there but there 
were a number of Robins and I heard a waxwing sp?- a little hard to tell in the 
wind. The owner has been seeing Cedars from time to time. A Red-tailed hawk 
flew over his yard. 


Last Sunday, Jan. 24, there were at least 2 Pine Warblers at Park St. Trenton 
and the Brown Thrasher was briefly seen in Pictou near the McCulloch Museum. At 
least 8 Barrows Goldeneye were at the Pictou Causeway and 3 Kingfishers were 
noted from the Pictou- Trenton area. Singing WW Crossbills were noted in 
Bayview and from the Caribou PP. 


cheers
Ken
Subject: Pictou Co. bird update
From: Ken McKenna <kenmcken AT eastlink.ca>
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 13:56:01 -0400
Ken McKenna
Box 218 Stellarton NS
B0K 1S0
902 752-7644

Jan. 30, 2010

Hi all
Just came back for a little noon drive (~ 1 hour) through Trenton- New Glasgow. 
There is an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL on the ice in the East River of 
Pictou as seen from Bridegview square area. It is the same location where I had 
on Jan.1 on the Pictou Hbr. CBC although that bird seemed to have a little 
black on the bill. This one had a a red spot on bill and still had dark head 
streaking and a smudgy dark area around the eye. Took a distant photo. 


The male TUFTED DUCK was seen with Scaup from the Greens Pt. Rd. in Hillside.  

Between the Big Gut bridge and the Trenton Power plant, I observed 13 species 
of waterfowl incl. the Tufted plus 5 Gadwall, 3 GW Teal, 17 Hooded Mergansers 
and 3 American Wigeon. 


I also noted a Yellow-rumped Warbler off Park St. in Trenton. A stop at a 
feeder on North Albert St. and a chat with the owner indicated he had a fem. 
Cardinal present for 5 days. I did not see in in the time I was there but there 
were a number of Robins and I heard a waxwing sp?- a little hard to tell in the 
wind. The owner has been seeing Cedars from time to time. A Red-tailed hawk 
flew over his yard. 


Last Sunday, Jan. 24, there were at least 2 Pine Warblers at Park St. Trenton 
and the Brown Thrasher was briefly seen in Pictou near the McCulloch Museum. At 
least 8 Barrows Goldeneye were at the Pictou Causeway and 3 Kingfishers were 
noted from the Pictou- Trenton area. Singing WW Crossbills were noted in 
Bayview and from the Caribou PP. 


cheers
Ken
Subject: lost binoculars
From: "tumayoung" <tumayoung AT yahoo.ca>
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:21:31 -0000
Hi Everyone:

Nick and I lost a pair of Swarovski binoculars sometime last week. We believe 
that we lost them somewhere in Eastern Passage at one of the usual birding 
spots. Can folks keep an eye out for them and there is a reward offered if 
anyone finds them. 


Thank You

Tuma Young
Nick Honig
902-999-1938 call/text
Subject: Update: OC Warbler- Dartmouth
From: Gayle MacLean <duartess2003 AT yahoo.ca>
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 06:22:30 -0800 (PST)
 Hi All,

Just a quick update on the Orange-crowned Warbler that has been a regular at my 
suet feeders for at least 2 months now. It seems to be doing well, appearing 
most days, but not every. Think there are some other spots it is visiting also 
here in the neighborhood. Seems to really like Christmas fruitcake! Have run 
out of that, found a plum pudding in the freezer & have put that out. hmmm. Was 
worried with the bitter winds and temps these last 2 days but it's 'hanging in 
there', & was at the feeders just shortly ago. Seems to have no problem 
competing for the suet/fruitcake even with all the starlings! 


Gayle MacLean
Dartmouth
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> 
>   
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 


      __________________________________________________________________
Ask a question on any topic and get answers from real people. Go to Yahoo! 
Answers and share what you know at http://ca.answers.yahoo.com 

Subject: Update: OC Warbler- Dartmouth
From: Gayle MacLean <duartess2003 AT yahoo.ca>
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 06:22:30 -0800 (PST)
 Hi All,

Just a quick update on the Orange-crowned Warbler that has been a regular at my 
suet feeders for at least 2 months now. It seems to be doing well, appearing 
most days, but not every. Think there are some other spots it is visiting also 
here in the neighborhood. Seems to really like Christmas fruitcake! Have run 
out of that, found a plum pudding in the freezer & have put that out. hmmm. Was 
worried with the bitter winds and temps these last 2 days but it's 'hanging in 
there', & was at the feeders just shortly ago. Seems to have no problem 
competing for the suet/fruitcake even with all the starlings! 


Gayle MacLean
Dartmouth
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> 
>   
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 


      __________________________________________________________________
Ask a question on any topic and get answers from real people. Go to Yahoo! 
Answers and share what you know at http://ca.answers.yahoo.com 
Subject: little gull (Eastern Passage)
From: "Mike" <warblerking AT yahoo.ca>
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:31:12 -0000
January 27,10 (5:15-5:30pm)
1 LITTLE GULL feeding with 1 bonaparte's gull and 40+black headed gulls across 
the road from where Caldwell Rd. meets Shore Rd.in Eastern Passage.will send 
write up to Ian when I get my computer back.looked for it today at noon with no 
luck,but the tide was low and there were not many gulls of any kind around.will 
check again on my way home from work. 

GO BIRDING,
Mike
Subject: American Pipit and Dovekies
From: Hans Toom <htoom AT hfx.eastlink.ca>
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:51:45 -0400
I took a stroll this morning to Crystal Crescent Beach and found two Dovekies 
fishing between the first and second beaches, fairly close to shore. These are 
the first I've seen out here this winter. The real surprise was an American 
Pipit. They have successfully overwintered here in the past but have been 
absent in recent years during January. Other attendees were Long-tailed Ducks, 
Red-breasted Mergansers, Common Goldeneyes and at least one Hooded Merganser in 
Indian Harbour. 


Sambro Harbour was also active with three more Dovekies, four Common Loons, a 
dozen Red-breasted Mergansers and at least 12 Black Guillemots. No doubt, there 
were more of these species around the basin but I didn't scan the area 
preferring to photograph these guys as they passed by the pier on their fishing 
sorties. 


Hans

_________________________________
Hans Toom
Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
Website: http://hanstoom.com 
_________________________________
Subject: lapland longspur
From: Clyde Stoddart <sawwhetowl AT gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:30:13 -0400
28 jan, 2010 at the hawk beach,

1 lapland longspur, i great comorant

seen by john nickerson, clyde stoddart, anita hopkins

-- 
clyde stoddart
1049 centreville south side road,
rr # 1, clarks harbour
shelburne county, nova scotia
B0W 1P0
(902) 7455 2105
Subject: More on the Antigonish Co., buteo
From: iamclar AT Dal.Ca
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:33:23 -0400
All:

I have received another thoughtful diagnosis the hawk at Lanark, Antigonish 
Co., 

in an e-mail from Tom Carolan (who has an informative and amusing website).

                     

He gives more good reasons to accept it as a young Red-tailed.

I receive all sorts of images for diagnosis and as photo editor of "Nova Scotia
Birds" prepare captions for better ones for gray-scale publication. However,
I will have to curb the hubris of diagnosing and identifying blurry,
underexposed, ill-posed or fragmentary images, and I hereby eat crow (or
Broad-winged Hawk) on naturens/ns-rba. Sometimes, though, birds on excellent
photos can be mis-identified. A case in point is a young hawk photo'd at
Brooklyn during the great Redwing twitch in December 06, and which appeared
labelled as a young Broad-winged in the spring  07 issue of "NS Birds." Take
another look at that issue see what you think!

Cheers, Ian

Ian McLaren
Subject: More on the Antigonish Co., buteo
From: iamclar AT dal.ca
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:33:23 -0400
All:

I have received another thoughtful diagnosis the hawk at Lanark, Antigonish 
Co., 

in an e-mail from Tom Carolan (who has an informative and amusing website).

                     

He gives more good reasons to accept it as a young Red-tailed.

I receive all sorts of images for diagnosis and as photo editor of "Nova Scotia
Birds" prepare captions for better ones for gray-scale publication. However,
I will have to curb the hubris of diagnosing and identifying blurry,
underexposed, ill-posed or fragmentary images, and I hereby eat crow (or
Broad-winged Hawk) on naturens/ns-rba. Sometimes, though, birds on excellent
photos can be mis-identified. A case in point is a young hawk photo'd at
Brooklyn during the great Redwing twitch in December 06, and which appeared
labelled as a young Broad-winged in the spring  07 issue of "NS Birds." Take
another look at that issue see what you think!

Cheers, Ian

Ian McLaren
Subject: More on the Broadwinged Hawk
From: iamclar AT dal.ca
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:41:47 -0400
All:

This message was received from Marilyn O'Brien, who sent the hawk images to
Randy Lauff - for the record and perhaps for seekers.

"The photos were taken through a window around 11:30 a.m. yesterday, Jan. 
24/10. 

The bird was scouting adjoining fields it would seem. The farm property is
located in Harbour Centre, Antigonish near Lanark."

Cheers, Ian McLaren
Subject: Ring-necked Ducks, Hd of St Marg's Bay
From: "Eric L. Mills" <E.Mills AT Dal.Ca>
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 12:27:02 -0400
I covered a lot of shoreline this morning en route from Lower Rose Bay to 
Halifax, mainly 

around the Aspotogan Peninsula and St Margaret's Bay. The only surprise was a 
flock of 11 

Ring-necked Ducks in an unfrozen cove just before #129 Mason's Point Road, Head 
of St 

Margaret's Bay. 
Subject: bittern
From: John Nickerson <jonsannick AT hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:09:20 -0400
 

 

  at daniels head this morning across from the fish plant

 

  1 am. bittern

 

 

 at the guzzel at the hawk 1 great blue heron

 

 

 

 

                                         johnny   sandra   nickerson
 		 	   		  
_________________________________________________________________
Reinvent how you stay in touch with the new Windows Live Messenger.
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9706116
Subject: Pt. Pleasant Park Pine Warbler
From: "bernard burke" <blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:18:23 -0400
It appears someone by the name of Sandi MacDonald had posted a photo of what I 
am presuming to be as the Pine Warbler from Pt. Pleasant Park yesterday, on the 
Halifax photo section of the Community Herald site. Here is the link for anyone 
who would like to look at this fine photo: 


http://communityherald.ca/read/39/40273

Bernard
Subject: Pt. Pleasant Park Pine Warbler
From: "bernard burke" <blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:18:23 -0400
It appears someone by the name of Sandi MacDonald had posted a photo of what I 
am presuming to be as the Pine Warbler from Pt. Pleasant Park yesterday, on the 
Halifax photo section of the Community Herald site. Here is the link for anyone 
who would like to look at this fine photo: 


http://communityherald.ca/read/39/40273

Bernard
Subject: Carolina Wren Update
From: Hans Toom <htoom AT hfx.eastlink.ca>
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:48:21 -0400
I visited the property of Peter and Heather Tunnah this morning to photograph 
the Carolina Wren. The couple was very accommodating and friendly and Peter 
described the bird's habits to me. Although previously written about by James 
Hirtle the environment here for the bird is worth describing in detail again 
which easily explains its six month stay. I doubt it will leave until the 
leaves open out in the spring. 


The larder for the wren is the woodshed which is open at both ends. As those of 
us who burn wood know, woodpiles are often habitat for various insects. This 
explains why the wren stays in the woodshed most of the day. Even during storm 
days like tomorrow it can forage there in comfort. There is also a backup 
source of food supplied by the nearby feeders. 


The most amazing set-up this wren has developed is its sleeping arrangements. 
It has a nesting cavity burrowed into a thick slab of fibreglass insulation 
inside a shed attachment to the main house, so it is not only protected from 
the weather by the shed but is surrounded by insulation when it sleeps. Peter 
checked it out with a flashlight and the wren is about 6-8" into the 
fibreglass. This is one smart bird! 


Hans

http://www.hanstoom.com/Highlights/January10/0146.html
_________________________________
Hans Toom
Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
Website: http://hanstoom.com 
_________________________________
Subject: g.b. herons
From: John Nickerson <jonsannick AT hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 15:18:19 -0400
 

 

  at the hawk this morning

 

  1 great blue heron

 200 brant

 1  rough legged hawk

 

 at daniels head this morning

 

 1 great blue heron

 35 long tail ducks

 2 d.c. cormorant

 4 lesser scaup

 

                                     johnny & sandra  nickerson

7

 
 		 	   		  
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: Turkey Vulture Cow Bay
From: "bernard burke" <blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 14:19:11 -0400
There was a Turkey Vulture in the vicinity of Cow Bay / Dyke Roads this 
afternoon heading towards I believe Cole Harbor. I briefly attempted to 
relocate it for decent photos but was unsuccessful. 

Bernard Burke
blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca
Dartmouth
Subject: Turkey Vulture Cow Bay
From: "bernard burke" <blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 14:19:11 -0400
There was a Turkey Vulture in the vicinity of Cow Bay / Dyke Roads this 
afternoon heading towards I believe Cole Harbor. I briefly attempted to 
relocate it for decent photos but was unsuccessful. 

Bernard Burke
blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca
Dartmouth
Subject: N. Shrike, Dovekie, Barrow's Goldeneye, Blue-winged Teal
From: "David Currie" <david_currie AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 13:01:47 -0400
Hi all

Azor Vienneau, Mike King and I put in an effort from Sambro Harbour back into 
Halifax which gave us a few highlights. 


At Sambro we had one Dovekie off Bull Point Rd and could not find any more 
anywhere along the coast but there were many Black Guillemots. 


There was a Northern Shrike at the end of Sandy Cove Rd. It was perched on 
wires very near the National Research Council's facility. 


We had robins in a few separate areas including Sambro, Chebucto and Jollimore 
but only small groups of 2-15. 


There was a male Barrow's Goldeneye in close at Tuft's Cove at about 12:00 
noon. 


Mike wanted to add that he saw the Blue-winged Teal at Hartlen Point's back 
cove area yesterday, Jan 16th which is a great winter bird. 



David Currie
31 Old Birch Rd
Dartmouth, NS
Subject: Possible golden eagle
From: Chris Field <field AT mathstat.dal.ca>
Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 10:47:35 -0400 (AST)
Saw an eagle this morning in Blandford flying along the shore which I 
think may be a golden eagle. Have had reports of a possible golden eagle 
in this area over the past two years but this is the first time I've seen 
the bird. To me it looked very much like the second year bird shown in 
Sibley. Slightly mottled appearance underneath but not the mottled white I 
usually see with bald eagles. As it turned in the early morning sun, the 
head and nape shone bright golden and it's flight showed a slight 
dihedral. Didn't pay quite enough attention to the  head and tail length 
comparison but have the impression of a longish tail.

According to Ann Moffat who has been seeing this eagle, it tends to scout 
the shore shortly after sunrise and appears to be coming from the Deep 
Mountain area or the Upper Blandford road. This morning it disappeared in 
the direction of Tancook or East Ironbound. Her sister who lives between 
Mill Cove and Northwest Cove has also seen what may be the same bird later 
in the day.

-- 
Chris Field
Math and Statistics
Dalhousie University,
Halifax, N.S., Canada, B3H 3J5
email : field AT mathstat.dal.ca
Phone : 902-494-3339 or 902-494-2572
Fax : 902-494-5130
Subject: Black-headed Gull at Sullivan's Pond
From: Pat McKay <pat.mckay AT gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 16 Jan 2010 16:00:48 -0400
Hello All,

The lovely sunshine this morning tempted me out with my new camera. At
Sullivan's Pond I found one Black-headed Gull on the ice with multitudinous
Herring Gulls and Ring-billed Gulls and a fair number of Iceland Gulls.

Pat McKay
Subject: Orioles, Chat in Halifax
From: Susann Myers <myerss AT eastlink.ca>
Date: Sat, 16 Jan 2010 11:52:11 -0400
The 10 Baltimore Orioles continue to tend my feeders in Halifax daily.

Late this morning, I saw a Yellow-breasted Chat in one of the small feeding 
cages. I suspect that it arrived yesterday, as the grapes in the cage were 
fully eaten for the first time yesterday, not just poked into as the orioles 
leave them. 


Cheers,
Susann Myers
Subject: Orioles, Chat in Halifax
From: Susann Myers <myerss AT eastlink.ca>
Date: Sat, 16 Jan 2010 11:52:11 -0400
The 10 Baltimore Orioles continue to tend my feeders in Halifax daily.

Late this morning, I saw a Yellow-breasted Chat in one of the small feeding 
cages. I suspect that it arrived yesterday, as the grapes in the cage were 
fully eaten for the first time yesterday, not just poked into as the orioles 
leave them. 


Cheers,
Susann Myers
Subject: Sambro to the NWArm
From: Chris Field <field AT mathstat.dal.ca>
Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:59:13 -0400 (AST)
Spent several hours with Fulton Friday afternoon checking out the ocean. 
In Sambro inner harbour, had a pied-billed grebe. At Chebucto Head, there 
were 6 common murres and 3 black-legged kittiwakes. From Fergusons Cove, 
saw 6 dovekies. Black guillemots were plentiful (20+). Curiously we had no 
thick-billed murres or razorbills.

In Sambro, saw 2 bald eagles and a red-tailed hawk.

Checked out the eider flocks looking for king eiders. From Ferguson's Cove 
at about 4:20, Fulton had a probable female king eider in a flock in the 
harbour off Point Pleasant. The bird had a square head and short bill 
which was all he could distinguish at the distance of about 2km in the 
fading light.

-- 
Chris Field
Math and Statistics
Dalhousie University,
Halifax, N.S., Canada, B3H 3J5
email : field AT mathstat.dal.ca
Phone : 902-494-3339 or 902-494-2572
Fax : 902-494-5130
Subject: Species
From: David Young <youngdavid02 AT gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:25:31 -0400
Two birds of some interest in my yard at Little Harbour, Shelburne County.
 An American Woodcock two days ago and a Fox Sparrow yesterday.  The
Woodcock was probing hard in the only bare ground around and not a very
large spot.

-- 
Dave Young
2937 West Sable Rd.
RR#1
Sable River,Nova Scotia
Canada B0T 1V0
youngdavid02 AT gmail.com
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Subject: VARIED THRUSH
From: John Nickerson <jonsannick AT hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:10:38 -0400
 

 

WE SAW THE VARIED THRUSH AT 104 ROCK ROAD IN WEST PUBNICO AT 2;10 P.M.TODAY

 

 

 IN YARMOUTH 1 SNOW GOOSE

 

 

 AT DANIELS HEAD THERE WAS 24 DUNLIN

 

 

                        JOHNNY  SANDRA  NICKERSON     TERRY  EDNA  CROWELL

 

 

                               ETHELDA  MURPHY     DOROTHY  POOLE
 		 	   		  
_________________________________________________________________
Subject: FWD: Varied Thrush in Lower West Pubnico
From: "Blake Maybank" <accentor AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:33:59 -0400
"Varied Thrush",
"Jan. 10, 1010",
"1 Male",
"Lower West Pubnico",
"Ted C. D'Eon, Anthony D'Eon",
"Seen and photographed at Christine and Anthony D'Eon's feeder"



Forwarded by:
Blake Maybank
White's Lake, Nova Scotia
maybank AT ns.sympatico.ca
"Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" 
author, "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia"
http://tinyurl.com/birdingns
Downloadable Nova Scotia Maps for inside front and back covers:
http://tinyurl.com/mr627d 
Subject: harlequin and great cormorant
From: Stuart & Rachel Smith <rsmelbourne AT eastlink.ca>
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:38:37 -0400
One harlequin and one great cormorant were among the birds seen at Cape Ste. 
Mary's on Saturday. The harlequin was close to the boats in the harbour. 

Rachel
Subject: spotted towhee
From: "shirleylovesbirds" <shirley.t.hughes AT gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:28:24 -0000
We saw the spotted towhee just one street up from Graham Hawkins place on 
Northcliffe drive. I think its called Lakeside Drive. 

Mike and Fulton called us yesterday afternoon and waited for us to arrive. We 
had tried 8 times at Grahams place. We also got to see the odd gull.This was on 
Saturday Jan 9th. 

I know some people have been there and were not aware that there was a platform 
feeder near the left hand trees. Its hard to see because there is a standing 
pallet in front of it. Good luck 

Shirley
Subject: PAartially aneumelanistic Blue Jay, Hammonds Plains, HRM
From: iamclar AT dal.ca
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:27:03 -0400
All:

I'm responnding  to good friend  Eric Mills' mild rebuke of my use of arcane
terminology by putting a PARTIALLY ANEUMELANISTIC Blue Jay on the NS-RBA photo
site (at the end of "other passerines"). The bird was photo'd by Fern McCuish
and the photo forwarded to me by by Ken McKenna. Again, this is a rare sight on
a common bird, so perhaps is o.k. here.

I go into a lengthy description on NatureNS, for those who wish to wade through
it, of why this bird is so pretty yet peculiarly messy, using all sorts of
nasty terminology. For other sensible people, briefly, it lacks black pigment
in the back, flanks, and head, and the feathers are accordingly rendered weak
and messy, especially the blue feathers of the back, which are full of little
air holes that produce the blue colour by refraction and reflection.

All best, Ian

Ian McLaren
Subject: Short Eared Owl
From: "jtrubinca" <jtrubinca AT yahoo.ca>
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 21:13:28 -0000
A mature Short Eared Owl at Cutter Crt. in Brule Point. It was sitting on a 
garden fence post in my back yard today Sunday January 10, 2010. Also there 
were 200 Common Golden Eyes and 250 Snow Buntings. 


John
Subject: D.-c. Cormorant, Halifax waterfront
From: "Eric L. Mills" <E.Mills AT Dal.Ca>
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 16:48:13 -0400
Not rare, but scarce: a near-adult Double-crested Cormorant roosting inside the 
enclosure 

just N of Bishop's Landing on the downtown Halifax waterfront late this 
afternoon. 
Subject: Feather pigments
From: "Eric L. Mills" <e.mills AT dal.ca>
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 11:27:36 -0400
Ian has given us an account of pigment anomalies in birds. The nomenclature is 
a bit 

overwhelming, although one can always fall back on the original article in 
Birding that 

established the terminology he mentioned. 

To save a lot of memory work, I suggest "pigmentally-challenged" 
(politically-correct, and 

maybe attention-getting too) for anomalously coloured birds, followed by a 
short description 

of what they look like. 
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Eric L. Mills
286 Kingsburg Road
RR#1, Rose Bay, Nova Scotia B0J 2X0, Canada
e.mills AT dal.ca
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Subject: Feather pigments
From: "Eric L. Mills" <E.Mills AT Dal.Ca>
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 11:27:36 -0400
Ian has given us an account of pigment anomalies in birds. The nomenclature is 
a bit 

overwhelming, although one can always fall back on the original article in 
Birding that 

established the terminology he mentioned. 

To save a lot of memory work, I suggest "pigmentally-challenged" 
(politically-correct, and 

maybe attention-getting too) for anomalously coloured birds, followed by a 
short description 

of what they look like. 
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Eric L. Mills
286 Kingsburg Road
RR#1, Rose Bay, Nova Scotia B0J 2X0, Canada
e.mills AT dal.ca
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Subject: Odd gull at prospect
From: iamclar AT dal.ca
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 08:53:35 -0400
All:

Mike King and Fulton Lavender stopped by with photos of the odd gull reported
yesterday at Propect.

The bird does not answer to Yellow-legged, comparisons of photos suggest it may
be the same bird photo'd at Prospect Hbr. by Blake Maybank last Feb. and March
. He and others concluded that it was a Lesser Black-backed, but Blake thought
at the time that it was odd and not kil\ke a usual graelsii LLBG.

It does seem, as had been reported by Fulton and Mike, to seem rather stocky,
short primaried, and long legged for LBBG. It does put one in mind of
illustrations of the W. Siberian species (or subspecies of LBBG) Heuglen's
Gull, Larus heugleni.

Anyway, still worth more study, but Yellow-legged Gull is not indicated.

Cheers, Ian McLaren
Subject: Odd gull, head of Prospect Bay
From: iamclar AT dal.ca
Date: Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:06:17 -0400
All:

Mike King and Fulton Lavender phoned to report an odd gull nnear the head of
Prospect Bay. You drive on the Prospect Rd until the turnoff to Lower Prospect
and search the ice for gulls on the left (East) of that road. This is where a
bormal Lesser Black-backed Gull (LBBG) has been seen in the past.

Mike took photos, but here is a description as I remember it relayed by phone
from Fulton.

It is yellow-legged, but appears paler-backed than a graellsii LBBG, and
structurally seems wrong for LBBG - shorter primary extension and stockier,
more like Herring Gull, but with relatively long legs. It has some smudging
around eye and a bit on the nape.

The description suggests that it _could_ be an adult or third winter
Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michehellis) but Fulton is correctly and cautiously
not ruling out a Herring X LBBG hybrid.

This is a bird well worth seing and studying, but I'm stuck without a car at
present.

Cheers, Ian

Ian McLaren
Subject: An aneumelanistic House Sparrow
From: iamclar AT dal.ca
Date: Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:40:29 -0400
All:

Not a rare species, but a rare bird nonetheless, is an "aneumelanistic" House
Sparrow that I photographed at Gareth Harding's feeders on Bauer St., Halifax,
late this afternoon. It is a lovely buff overall, with no black pigments, but
retains the underlying brown pigments (phaeomelanin). I have put a lengthy
explanation of terminology for plumage abnormalities on naturens (which for
those who don't belong to that group, can be monitored by searching for that
name).

I will put the photo of this on the NS-RBA photo site.

Cheers, Ian

Ian McLaren
Subject: Mergansers NW Arm
From: Lynn <dlkarchewski AT live.com>
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 2010 14:05:41 -0400
Friday, January 8, 2010

At 8:15 am, on the NW Arm from the roundabout, Five  ?  Mergansers -  
too far away for positive ID. Two were smaller so may have been  
something else but they looked to be a fishing as a flock.

Happy New Year & good birds to all!

Lynn :0)
Subject: OC Warbler - Photos Posted To Photo File Section
From: Gayle MacLean <duartess2003 AT yahoo.ca>
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 2010 04:30:09 -0800 (PST)
Hi All,
 
For folks who might be interested, I have posted 2 photos taken yesterday of 
the Orange-crowned Warbler that has been visiting my suet feeders this winter. 
Best viewed in the 'Large' image format offered. 

 
Gayle MacLean
Dartmouth


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