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3 Feb Re: FW: Halifax Field Naturalists - Sewer Stroll ["Dave&Jane Schlosberg" ] 3 Feb Re: DOWList [] 3 Feb DOWList Black-backed Woodpecker [Rick Whitman ] 3 Feb RE: FW: bee ID ? [Fritz McEvoy ] 3 Feb Halifax birds ["Elizabeth Doull" ] 03 Feb Re: FW: bee ID ? [Angus MacLean ] 3 Feb FW: Halifax Field Naturalists - Sewer Stroll [Dennis Hippern ] 2 Feb great blue heron [John Nickerson ] 2 Feb Woodpeckers for the DOWL from Milton, Queens Cnty ["DPoole" ] 2 Feb RE: Winter NS List and DOWL ["John Kearney" ] 2 Feb DOWList Brown Creeper [Rick Whitman ] 2 Feb Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:44:39 -0400 ["James W. Wolford" ] 02 Feb Strait Area Birds [David Johnston ] 2 Feb Winter NS List and DOWL [Blake Maybank ] 02 Feb robins, cedar waxwings, Bohemian waxwings, Wolfville ["James W. Wolford" ] 1 Feb BNS Field trip: Winter on Snowshoes; Saturday, February 4 at 10 AM [Patrick Kelly ] 01 Feb Re: DOWL [Don MacNeill ] 1 Feb Re: DOWL [Bruce Stevens ] 01 Feb Re: Climate Change [Henk Kwindt ] 1 Feb RE: House Sparrows at Findlay Park/Banook Canoe Club? [Bev Crowell ] 1 Feb Re: DOWL [Paul MacDonald ] 01 Feb Re: Climate Change ["Paul S. Boyer" ] 1 Feb dovekies [John Nickerson ] 1 Feb House Sparrows at Findlay Park/Banook Canoe Club? ["Dave&Jane Schlosberg" ] 1 Feb kingfisher [] 1 Feb DOWL ["Jim Edsall" ] 1 Feb Depths of Winter List aka DOWList [Rick Whitman ] 1 Feb Horned Grebe, Dovekie, Barrow's Goldeneye ["Elizabeth Doull" ] 1 Feb Horned Grebe, Dovekie, Barrow's Goldeneye ["Elizabeth Doull" ] 1 Feb C. Gallinule, Coot, Yellow breasted chat in Dartmouth ["Elizabeth Doull" ] 1 Feb Re: Habitat conservation: was Re: ?! ["Tom & Terri" ] 1 Feb Re: Habitat conservation: was Re: ?! [Paul MacDonald ] 31 Jan Re: DNA Turning Human Story Into a Tell-All ["Darrell" ] 31 Jan Re: Habitat conservation: was Re: ?! ["Darrell" ] 31 Jan Re: Habitat conservation: was Re: ?! [Paul MacDonald ] 31 Jan Re: Habitat conservation: was Re: ?! ["Frederick W. Schueler" ] 31 Jan Habitat conservation: was Re: ?! [David & Alison Webster ] 31 Jan Re: Owl on a wire [Helene Van Doninck ] 31 Jan Re: FW: bee ID ? [Christopher Majka ] 31 Jan FW: bee ID ? [Fritz McEvoy ] 31 Jan Re: Bustard hunting in Pakistan [Christopher Majka ] 31 Jan RE: Bustard hunting in Pakistan [] 31 Jan Re: ?! [] 31 Jan Re: ?! [Annabelle Thiebaux ] 31 Jan RE: ?! [John and Nhung ] 31 Jan ?! [Annabelle Thiebaux ] 30 Jan Owl on a wire [Fritz McEvoy ] 30 Jan Orioles, Dickcissel, Cowbirds still in Halifax [Susann Myers ] 30 Jan Dartmouth Cove This Aft. ["Dave&Jane Schlosberg" ] 30 Jan Orioles, Dickcissel, Cowbirds still in Halifax [Susann Myers ] 30 Jan yard birds, incl. 100+ robins, Wolfville ["James W. Wolford" ] 30 Jan Monday Morning, Jan 30/12 [] 30 Aug Re: Climate Change ["Sharon/George" ] 30 Jan Re: Climate Change [Phil Schappert ] 30 Jan Re: Gallinule Update ["P&P Murray" ] 30 Jan Gallinule Update ["P&P Murray" ] 30 Jan Climate Change [Angus MacLean ] 30 Jan Re: Gallinule Update: Jan. 29 [Annabelle Thiebaux ] 29 Jan Re: a bit more on Eagle Watch Weekend I, Sat., report [Helene Van Doninck ] 29 Jan Jupiter and Moon right now this evening! also Venus [Sherman Williams ] 29 Jan A few new pictures [Richard Stern ] 29 Jan A few new pictures [Richard Stern ] 29 Jan Re: Gallinule Update: Jan. 29 ["Darrell" ] 29 Jan Gallinule Update: Jan. 29 [] 29 Jan Bohemian waxwings [Richard ] 29 Jan Re: a bit more on Eagle Watch Weekend I, Sat., report ["Heather Drope" ] 29 Jan Some birds today [James Hirtle ] 28 Jan a bit more on Eagle Watch Weekend I, Sat., report ["James W. Wolford" ] 28 Jan Eagle Watch Weekend I, Sat., report ["James W. Wolford" ] 28 Jan goldeneyes Port Williams sewer ponds [] 28 Jan Dovekie? [] 28 Jan Re: lovely crescent Moon etc.; and solar storm + aurora borealis on news [Patrick Kelly ] 27 Jan lovely crescent Moon etc.; and solar storm + aurora borealis on news ["James W. Wolford" ] 28 Jan Lunenburg Christmas Bird Count [James Hirtle ] 27 Jan RE: Greater White-fronted Goose ["John Kearney" ] 27 Jan Spruce Grouse and Snowy Owl [V Redden ] Subject: Re: FW: Halifax Field Naturalists - Sewer Stroll From: "Dave&Jane Schlosberg" <dschlosb-g AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 17:51:19 -0400 Is there any chance I could get a cell phone number for one of the participants? I wouldn’t be able to get to the starting point, or sustain your pace through so many hours, but I was wondering if I could join in for part of the “stroll”, later in the morning, perhaps at Sullivan’s pond or Dartmouth cove, for an hour or two. If I could phone someone at, say, 10:00 or 11:00, and find out if I could meet up with the group, that would be fantastic. Thanks. Jane From: Dennis Hippern Sent: Friday, February 03, 2012 2:10 AM To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca Subject: [NatureNS] FW: Halifax Field Naturalists - Sewer Stroll A reminder to all Halifax Fiels Naturalists Saturday Feb 04/2012, > This joint trip with the Nova Scotia Bird Society will visit all our > favourite winter birding sites > in and around Halifax Harbour looking for ducks, gulls, and alcids. > Sites include Hartlen Point, > Eastern Passage, Dartmouth Cove, Sullivan’s Pond, Tuft’s Cove, and the > Bedford Waterfront. > If the weather conditions are favourable and time permits, we will > also visit Point Pleasant Park > and possibly Herring Cove. > > Dress warmly and bring a lunch, binoculars, field guides, and > telescope (if you have one). > There will be no storm date. > > Dennis Hippern 435-5363> > Time/Place: 9:00 a.m. in the parking lot at McCormack’s Beach > Provincial Park, just past Boondocks Restaurant in Eastern Passage. > > Duration: Until mid- to late afternoon > > Difficulty: Easy > ============================== Subject: Re: DOWList From: bdigout AT seaside.ns.ca Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 16:34:24 -0400 (AST) > A female Sharp-shinned Hawk can be added if not already on the DOW list....this morning in Sampsonville, near St. Peter's C.B. Billy One male on West Davidson Street extension (i.e. a woods road), Black > River, Kings Co. > Two photos : > > http://rickwhitman.smugmug.com/Nature/Birds-January-March-2012/20950511_VD8zMC#!i=1697168111&k=VTPPqvf > > Also to tick on DOWList: Bald Eagle & Red-tailed Hawk > > Also enjoyed: 1 Ruffed Grouse, 1 Brown Creeper > > Rick Whitman > Subject: DOWList Black-backed Woodpecker From: Rick Whitman <dendroica.caerulescens AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 14:17:06 -0400 One male on West Davidson Street extension (i.e. a woods road), Black River, Kings Co. Two photos : http://rickwhitman.smugmug.com/Nature/Birds-January-March-2012/20950511_VD8zMC#!i=1697168111&k=VTPPqvf Also to tick on DOWList: Bald Eagle & Red-tailed Hawk Also enjoyed: 1 Ruffed Grouse, 1 Brown Creeper Rick Whitman Subject: RE: FW: bee ID ? From: Fritz McEvoy <fritzmcevoy AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 12:44:34 -0400 Hi Angus and All, It's actually a bit of both. My new camcorder (Panasonic TM700) takes really good still images and I often use it when rather than pulling still images from the video. Both options produce great stills and if I ever learn how my camera fully works they will be even better. I too want to thank Chris for his ID which, although surprising, led to a very interesting google search on this fascinating species. All the best. Fritz McEvoy Sunrise Valley, CB Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 11:12:22 -0400 To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca From: angusmcl AT ns.sympatico.ca Subject: Re: [NatureNS] FW: bee ID ? This is interesting to me since the only photo I have posted of this species was taken in Aspy Bay, not far from where Fritz lives. I was surprised to learn it was once in the genus Bombyliopsis which I associate with the distinctive Bee Flies. Thanks to Chris for this insight. Fritz ......was this photo a still from a camcorder video or did you break down & get a digital camera lol Nice photo in any case. Angus At 04:43 PM 1/31/2012, you wrote: Hi Fritz, This isn't a bee, but rather a tachinid fly called Hystrica abrupta (Wiedemann) (formerly placed in the genus Bombyliopsis). For some photos see: http://bugguide.net/node/view/33088/bgimage The larvae of this species are parasites on the caterpillars of arctiid moths. Cheers! Chris On 31-Jan-12, at 4:22 PM, Fritz McEvoy wrote: Hi All, I've been going though some photos from last summer and wondered if anyone could ID the bee in the linked photos. It was spotted on August 22nd, on a mixed forest trail near my home. it was doing a dance (?) on the pictured leaves similar to the one done by honey bees at a hive entrance showing other bees where a good source of nectar could be found - except there were no other bees around to see the dance. All the best. Fritz McEvoy Sunrise Valley, CB (near Dingwall) bee ID ? View photos Download all You are invited to view Fritz's album. This album has a file. Christopher Majka | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada * Research Associate: Nova Scotia Museum | http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mnh/research-asfr.htm * Review Editor: The Coleopterists Bulletin | http://www.coleopsoc.org/ * Subject Editor: ZooKeys | http://pensoftonline.net/zookeys/index.php/journal/index * Review Editor: Zootaxa | http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/taxa/Coleoptera.html * Associate Editor: Journal of the Acadian Entomological Society | http://www.acadianes.org/journal.html * Editor: Atlantic Canada Coleoptera | http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Environment/NHR/PDF/index.html * Editor: Bugguide, Coleoptera http://bugguide.net Whenever I hear of the capture of rare beetles, I feel like an old war-horse at the sound of a trumpet. - Charles Darwin Subject: Halifax birds From: "Elizabeth Doull" <edoull AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 11:53:32 -0400 Friday, Feb 3, 2011 Halifax I did some birding this morning and found some worth mentioning: 5? House finches - at a tubal feeder across from the Conrose Park tennis court 40+ Robins - Conrose Park 2 Brown-headed cowbirds - Vienna Street 1 Dickcissel - Vienna Street 5 Baltimore Orioles - Vienna Street 1 Robin - Vienna Street Many thanks, Susann Myers! Cheers, Liz Subject: Re: FW: bee ID ? From: Angus MacLean <angusmcl AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:12:22 -0400 Subject: FW: Halifax Field Naturalists - Sewer Stroll From: Dennis Hippern <dhippern AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 02:10:04 -0400 A reminder to all Halifax Fiels Naturalists Saturday Feb 04/2012, > This joint trip with the Nova Scotia Bird Society will visit all our > favourite winter birding sites > in and around Halifax Harbour looking for ducks, gulls, and alcids. > Sites include Hartlen Point, > Eastern Passage, Dartmouth Cove, Sullivan’s Pond, Tuft’s Cove, and the > Bedford Waterfront. > If the weather conditions are favourable and time permits, we will > also visit Point Pleasant Park > and possibly Herring Cove. > > Dress warmly and bring a lunch, binoculars, field guides, and > telescope (if you have one). > There will be no storm date. > > Dennis Hippern 435-5363> > Time/Place: 9:00 a.m. in the parking lot at McCormack’s Beach > Provincial Park, just past Boondocks Restaurant in Eastern Passage. > > Duration: Until mid- to late afternoon > > Difficulty: Easy > ============================== Subject: great blue heron From: John Nickerson <jonsannick AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 16:46:38 -0400 1 great blue heron at the guzzle the hawk also 300 brant at cape sable feb.2 johnny b sandra nickerson Subject: Woodpeckers for the DOWL from Milton, Queens Cnty From: "DPoole" <dpoolex AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 16:00:32 -0400 Here in Milton the female Red-bellied Woodpecker is a daily visitor to my yard and an hour or so ago a Pileated Woodpecker called and was seen on a tree across the street. Dorothy Poole Subject: RE: Winter NS List and DOWL From: "John Kearney" <john.kearney AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 15:39:52 -0400 Re: wimpy flicker which EVEN chickadees scare. I always figured that all those species travelling through the woods with chickadees were getting "protection". From: naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca] On Behalf Of Blake Maybank Sent: February 2, 2012 11:31 To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca Subject: [NatureNS] Winter NS List and DOWL Hi all; I've updated the NS winter list (though have not yet included the albatross - waiting on more details), and have started making note of the DOWL (Dead Of Winter List) birds. Lots of those still to come. My flicker made an appearance today, so was pleased to add it. That bird is such a wimp, even chickadees scare it. The winter list is at: http://tinyurl.com/nswinter Cheers, Blake -- Blake Maybank White's Lake, Nova Scotia My Blog: CSI: Life Subject: DOWList Brown Creeper From: Rick Whitman <dendroica.caerulescens AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 14:59:39 -0400 One on road into Little Lake, Greenfield, Kings Co. Rick Whitman Subject: Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:44:39 -0400 From: "James W. Wolford" <jimwolford AT eastlink.ca> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 13:54:10 -0400 FEB. 1, 2012 - Brenda & Bill & Bob Thexton took a drive today north and east of Port Williams plus Sheffield Mills etc. and saw a total of about 75 bald eagles. When asked about hot spots, they mentioned along east Church Street. I hear from Lisa Eye, who lives along east Church Street about a kilometre east of Hwy. 358, that the poultry producer just north and east of her puts out dead chickens for the scavengers and often has a lot of eagles there. FEB. 2, 2012 - This morning at our feeders there were 4 n. cardinals (1 male, 3 females), 7+ white-throated sparrows, etc. Cheers from Jim in Wolfville. Subject: Strait Area Birds From: David Johnston <dwj.jem AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:05:37 -0400 Today approximately 150 American Robins and 200 Bohemian Waxwings arrived to feed on local backyard berries. These flocks have been reported to be in the area for some time. Mixed in with the Bohemians were a number of Cedar Waxwings. Is this normal? Also at our feeders here in Port Hawkesbury we have our resident House Sparrows (about 30), 3 Song Sparrows, 4 American Tree Sparrows and 50+ American Goldfinch. A Downy Woodpecker feeds on suet each day. -- David W. Johnston Mary K. Johnston 207 Hiram St. Port Hawkesbury N.S. B9A 2C3 902 625 1534 dwj.jem AT ns.sympatico.ca Subject: Winter NS List and DOWL From: Blake Maybank <bmaybank AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 11:30:45 -0400 Hi all; I've updated the NS winter list (though have not yet included the albatross - waiting on more details), and have started making note of the DOWL (Dead Of Winter List) birds. Lots of those still to come. My flicker made an appearance today, so was pleased to add it. That bird is such a wimp, even chickadees scare it. The winter list is at: http://tinyurl.com/nswinter Cheers, Blake -- Blake Maybank White's Lake, Nova Scotia My Blog: *CSI: Life* Subject: robins, cedar waxwings, Bohemian waxwings, Wolfville From: "James W. Wolford" <jimwolford AT eastlink.ca> Date: Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:14:44 -0400 JAN. 31, 2012 - Bernard Forsythe reports 100+ robins, 100+ cedar waxwings, and at least a few Bohemian waxwings in with the cedars, in an orchard at the east end of Wolfville Ridge, where it meets the north end of Wolfville's Highland Ave. Cheers from Jim in Wolfville. Subject: BNS Field trip: Winter on Snowshoes; Saturday, February 4 at 10 AM From: Patrick Kelly <patrick.kelly AT dal.ca> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 23:03:04 -0400 Snow transforms the landscape into stories that unfold as we follow tracks of foxes, mice, and other mammals. A Snowshoe Hare hops along and is pounced on by a Great Horned Owl. Without snow to show us the tracks, wing marks, and perhaps a drop of blood, we would not have known the drama took place. Soren Bondrup-Nielsen (902) 582-3971 will lead this hike on snowshoes or skis, and we will explore the properties of snow (its insulative value, for example). By studying the characteristic imprints made by different organisms we will interpret the various stories that have unfolded. Meet at the Wolfville waterfront at 10 a.m. for a two- or three-hour, non- strenuous hike at a nearby location to be determined by weather and snow conditions. = = ======================================================================== Patrick Kelly Director of Computer Facilities = = ======================================================================== Faculty of Architecture and Planning Dalhousie University = = ======================================================================== MAIL COURIER PO Box 15000 5410 Spring Garden Road Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada Canada = = ======================================================================== Phone:(902) 494-3294 FAX:(902) 423-6672 E-mail:patrick.kelly AT dal.ca = = ======================================================================== Subject: Re: DOWL From: Don MacNeill <donmacneill AT eastlink.ca> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:17:45 -0400 Our Northern Mockingbird visited our feeders today. Don Don MacNeill donmacneill AT eastlink.ca ----- Original Message ----- From: Jim Edsall To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 2:55 PM Subject: [NatureNS] DOWL Today in my yard I had three American Robins, the first I have seen for some time, three White Throated sparrows, 6 Song Sparrows Jim Edsall Dartmouth, N.S. check out my personal website at http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/jim.edsall/ Subject: Re: DOWL From: Bruce Stevens <m.bruce.stevens AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 16:00:40 -0400 Ha! I was trying to figure out what DOWL was the banding code for. Best I came up with was Downy Wood-Lark :) Bruce On Wed, Feb 1, 2012 at 3:33 PM, Paul MacDonald wrote: > Yes Jim, there was maybe 6 - 8 in my yard. > They were going down to the brook - I suspect the warm weather > has some stoneflies hatching. It was too wet to go search for them. > About the same number of tree sparrows feeding on the rhodo seed. > No groundhog though! > Paul > > ------------------------------ > *From:* Jim Edsall > *To:* naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca > *Sent:* Wednesday, February 1, 2012 2:55:04 PM > *Subject:* [NatureNS] DOWL > > Today in my yard I had three American Robins, the first I have seen for > some time, three White Throated sparrows, 6 Song Sparrows > > Jim Edsall > Dartmouth, N.S. > check out my personal website at > http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/jim.edsall/ > > > -- Bruce Stevens Maryvale, NS Subject: Re: Climate Change From: Henk Kwindt <cbatl AT eastlink.ca> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:52:31 -0400 Thanks Paul for sharing this level headed approach! I was also wondering whether the seed eating birds, the ones not chasing the "insects on the move" , had moved northward too? Henk Kwindt, Cow Bay, NS. ----- Original Message ----- From: Paul S. Boyer To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 3:34 PM Subject: Re: [NatureNS] Climate Change Oh my! More global warming stuff. With its serious tone, it almost sounds humorous. I guess a researcher must keep a straight face when reporting results like this, if he wishes to keep the grant-money flowing. There is no evidence that birds have to evolve in order to change their geographic range. That is what the author implies. Does he think that birds actually evolve a map of their territory in their wee brains? One thinks of the European Starling, introduced once into New York City, and now (little more than a century later) covering much of the continent. That is not evolution, but just a population spreading into opportune habitat. The obvious reason the birds in this study have not moved north as fast as the researchers expected, is probably that the birds are finding enough food where they are. It is as simple as that. It is not computerized climate charts which influence bird behavior, so much as food supply. Birds found the feeders in our yard in hours or days. They did not need to evolve to adapt to the new food source: they are opportunistic, and always on the lookout. They also learn: that is why we noticed the birds lurking close to the house as the weather cooled this fall, looking for the feeders which we had not yet set up for the season. It is simply ridiculous to suggest that the insects are moving north faster than the birds because the insects are evolving faster. And, the author implies, the birds will not now be able to find those insects who have outpaced them in the race to move northward! No, the birds can find their food: they even learn new food supplies, as the chickadees have learned to eat the caterpillars of the Gypsy Moth. I have seen birds exploit new food sources merely by watching birds of other species. How long did that take? In some cases, but a few minutes! (Lund University, by the way, is normally regarded as one of the most renowned in Sweden.) Birds are fun to study, but any honest ornithologist must admit that they are not a good index of climatic change. As climatologists have known for over a century, plants are the best index of climate, because they cannot migrate and move about: they are stuck where they are growing. We know from pollen studies that shifting climates of the past are well documented by changes in plant distribution. Birds are very mobile, and most of them are really quite adaptable. They are about the poorest group of organisms to study for hints about climatic change. On 30 Jan 2012, at 7:23 AM, Angus MacLean wrote: This describes a study by Swedish researchers re birds & butterflies: http://www.world-science.net/othernews/120117_warming Have there been similar studies in this hemisphere? Angus No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.1913 / Virus Database: 2109/4779 - Release Date: 02/01/12 Subject: RE: House Sparrows at Findlay Park/Banook Canoe Club? From: Bev Crowell <bevcrowell AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:40:34 -0400 Yes. Between 40-50 House Sparrows everyday, in our backyard. At least that many birds will attract others - IF there are any around! Unfortunately, we only have Black-capped Chickadee. Oh well, I DO like Chickadees. Bev Crowell Glace Bay From: dschlosb-g AT ns.sympatico.ca To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca Subject: [NatureNS] House Sparrows at Findlay Park/Banook Canoe Club? Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:24:33 -0400 Yesterday (Tuesday) aft. at Sullivan’s Pond: The usual Wigeons and Mallards; but also 2 Am. Robins And, over at the bushes on the footbridge in Findlay Park and at the facing wall of the Banook Club, no House Sparrows whatsoever! None also lately in the bushes near the Fire Station on King St. Has anyone been seeing House Sparrows lately? Yours...Dave S.... Subject: Re: DOWL From: Paul MacDonald <paulrita2001 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 11:33:38 -0800 (PST) Yes Jim, there was maybe 6 - 8 in my yard. They were going down to the brook - I suspect the warm weather has some stoneflies hatching. It was too wet to go search for them. About the same number of tree sparrows feeding on the rhodo seed. No groundhog though! Paul ________________________________ From: Jim Edsall To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca Sent: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 2:55:04 PM Subject: [NatureNS] DOWL Today in my yard I had three American Robins, the first I have seen for some time, three White Throated sparrows, 6 Song Sparrows Jim Edsall Dartmouth, N.S. check out my personal website at http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/jim.edsall/ Subject: Re: Climate Change From: "Paul S. Boyer" <psboyer AT eastlink.ca> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:34:07 -0500 Oh my! More global warming stuff. With its serious tone, it almost sounds humorous. I guess a researcher must keep a straight face when reporting results like this, if he wishes to keep the grant-money flowing. There is no evidence that birds have to evolve in order to change their geographic range. That is what the author implies. Does he think that birds actually evolve a map of their territory in their wee brains? One thinks of the European Starling, introduced once into New York City, and now (little more than a century later) covering much of the continent. That is not evolution, but just a population spreading into opportune habitat. The obvious reason the birds in this study have not moved north as fast as the researchers expected, is probably that the birds are finding enough food where they are. It is as simple as that. It is not computerized climate charts which influence bird behavior, so much as food supply. Birds found the feeders in our yard in hours or days. They did not need to evolve to adapt to the new food source: they are opportunistic, and always on the lookout. They also learn: that is why we noticed the birds lurking close to the house as the weather cooled this fall, looking for the feeders which we had not yet set up for the season. It is simply ridiculous to suggest that the insects are moving north faster than the birds because the insects are evolving faster. And, the author implies, the birds will not now be able to find those insects who have outpaced them in the race to move northward! No, the birds can find their food: they even learn new food supplies, as the chickadees have learned to eat the caterpillars of the Gypsy Moth. I have seen birds exploit new food sources merely by watching birds of other species. How long did that take? In some cases, but a few minutes! (Lund University, by the way, is normally regarded as one of the most renowned in Sweden.) Birds are fun to study, but any honest ornithologist must admit that they are not a good index of climatic change. As climatologists have known for over a century, plants are the best index of climate, because they cannot migrate and move about: they are stuck where they are growing. We know from pollen studies that shifting climates of the past are well documented by changes in plant distribution. Birds are very mobile, and most of them are really quite adaptable. They are about the poorest group of organisms to study for hints about climatic change. On 30 Jan 2012, at 7:23 AM, Angus MacLean wrote: > This describes a study by Swedish researchers re birds & butterflies: > > http://www.world-science.net/othernews/120117_warming > > Have there been similar studies in this hemisphere? > Angus > Subject: dovekies From: John Nickerson <jonsannick AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:30:04 -0400 2 dovekies at daniels head wharf 2 p.m. today also 1 d.c.cormorant johnny sandra nickerson Subject: House Sparrows at Findlay Park/Banook Canoe Club? From: "Dave&Jane Schlosberg" <dschlosb-g AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:24:33 -0400 Yesterday (Tuesday) aft. at Sullivan’s Pond: The usual Wigeons and Mallards; but also 2 Am. Robins And, over at the bushes on the footbridge in Findlay Park and at the facing wall of the Banook Club, no House Sparrows whatsoever! None also lately in the bushes near the Fire Station on King St. Has anyone been seeing House Sparrows lately? Yours...Dave S.... Subject: kingfisher From: bdigout AT seaside.ns.ca Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:10:35 -0400 (AST) There was still a kingfisher hanging around Strachan's Cove in St. Peter's as of yesterday. not a DOW bird yet. Billy Subject: DOWL From: "Jim Edsall" <jim.edsall AT bellaliant.net> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 14:55:04 -0400 Today in my yard I had three American Robins, the first I have seen for some time, three White Throated sparrows, 6 Song Sparrows Jim Edsall Dartmouth, N.S. check out my personal website at http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/jim.edsall/ Subject: Depths of Winter List aka DOWList From: Rick Whitman <dendroica.caerulescens AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 14:40:09 -0400 I didn't hear the starting pistol but it's February 1st, my favorite month. A few boreal forest species from Corkum & Burns Road to the greater Sheffield Lake area, Kings Co.: Ruffed Grouse 1 Downy Woodpecker 1 Black-capped Chickadee ~25 Boreal Chickadee 3 Red-breasted Nuthatch 5 -- Rick Whitman Subject: Horned Grebe, Dovekie, Barrow's Goldeneye From: "Elizabeth Doull" <edoull AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 10:56:06 -0400 Monday, Jan 30 2012 Birds worth mentioning were: Grey Jay - Sandy Cove Horned Grebe - Purcell Cove - close to the shore Dovekie - Purcell Cove - close to the shore Barrow's Goldeneye - Purcell Cove Greater Scaup - Purcell Cove Lesser Scaup - Purcell Cove The female red bellied woodpecker continues to visit Ann Doull's South end Halifax feeders on a daily basis. The male one makes occassional visits, but prefers other feeders on Robie Street. Cheers, Liz Subject: Horned Grebe, Dovekie, Barrow's Goldeneye From: "Elizabeth Doull" <edoull AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 10:48:12 -0400 Monday, Jan 29 2012 Birds worth mentioning were: Grey Jay - Sandy Cove Horned Grebe - Purcell Cove - close to the shore Dovekie - Purcell Cove - close to the shore Barrow's Goldeneye - Purcell Cove Greater Scaup - Purcell Cove Lesser Scaup - Purcell Cove The female red bellied woodpecker continues to visit Ann Doull's South end Halifax feeders on a daily basis. The male one is at the other feeders on Robie Street. Cheers, Liz Subject: C. Gallinule, Coot, Yellow breasted chat in Dartmouth From: "Elizabeth Doull" <edoull AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 10:35:33 -0400 Monday January 29 2012 I spent some time with Jim Edsall checking out a few of the interesting birds in the Douglas area at the moment on Monday. There is a COMMON GALLINULE, formally called COMMON MOORHEN at the Red Bridge Pond area. This bird seems to be contentedly overwintering in the area adjacent a warm water outflow into a marshy area that is very easily observed now with the vegetation died back. Some folks are putting out food for it but it looks like it may do fine on its own by the way it swims about. We also found an overwintering AMERICAN COOT that sometimes is with the GALLINULE but on Monday was by the dam at Lake Banook and cooperated by coming up on the land underneath bridge we were on to see very clearly its unique tube-like projection on its digits, the red on the facial shield and the bright red eye. Several EURASIAN WIGEONS were feeding on the grass banks of Sullivan's Pond with AMERICAN WIGEONS, one we were able to pick out as a female. A YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT has been about the area near Sullivan's Pond as well but we were not able to coax it out into view if it was indeed there. These spots are all withing 5 minutes of each other and very worth checking out if in the Dartmouth area. Nelson Poirier Nature Moncton. Subject: Re: Habitat conservation: was Re: ?! From: "Tom & Terri" <terri.crane AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 10:29:37 -0400 Here Here I know most of my knowledge and best life experiences came while armed with traps, guns, fishing rods,.... while enjoying "The Harvest". Hunting, Fishing and Gathering was (and continue to be) the bases for discovery, invention, and most importantly identification of habitats and then ultimately to their protection. These activities are the true "canaries" because they travel further, deeper, wider, access more remote areas, and spend far greater time afield then the vast majority. Also some of the most knowledgeable active stewards of nature first put their feet to the ground, river, lake,and ocean as harvesters. How about when search parities are needed (in wilderness areas) who's knowledge of the area and skill set is sought out and depended on. One doesn't need to look any further than our First Nations. (oh perhaps they were miners). Now a days, I still enjoy the hunt relying on previously developed skill sets but now I mostly carry a camera and binoculars. And so the evolution continues. Tom K Canso ----- Original Message ----- From: David & Alison Webster To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 8:03 PM Subject: Habitat conservation: was Re: [NatureNS] ?! Hello All, Jan 31, 2012 Just to put some balance in this discussion, and I do not wish to defend the hunting of animals from vehicles, it has been my experience (and perhaps I am out of date) that hunters and sports fishermen tend to willingly support conservation of habitat with their own money whereas naturalist organizations tend to be generous with other people's (tax) money. I am amused by the insinuation that there is something unsavory about hunting and fishing. I hope Aldo Leopold, wherever he may be, is suitably ashamed of himself. In general, animals become less common as a result of habitat impairment, not from hunting or fishing activities. Drawing on memory, The Audubon Society was founded by an editor of a rod and game magazine with funds (I think) drawn from rod and game organizations. And the nucleus of Canada's National Park system was established at the urging big game hunters so that large areas of high quality habitat would be set aside in which hunting would be prohibited. Based on personal experience, most people involved in rod and game activities have a deep appreciation of the natural world. Yt, Dave Webster, Kentville ----- Original Message ----- From: ulli AT dunlin.ca To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 8:48 AM Subject: Re: [NatureNS] ?! Well, no don't need to look that far. On our own doorstep we have an active Sport Fishing crowd on fresh and salt water, shark fishing derbys off shore, plenty of Sunday morning hunting and fishing shows on TV with "Sport" in the title, and then there is Ducks Unlimited. Sure this organization created a lot of protected waterfowl habitat, and so do other organizations in this kind of recreational activities in other areas. Lots of good work is done, important work. But the taste of a self serving purpose often remains ........ Ulli > true! > > On 31/01/12 7:36 AM, John and Nhung wrote: > > "Sport" can be pretty obscene sometimes, can't it? > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca] > > On Behalf Of Annabelle Thiebaux > > Sent: January-31-12 7:16 AM > > To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca > > Subject: [NatureNS] ?! > > > >> The houbara bustard, a gentle desert bird native to Central Asia, has > >> been poached to near-extinction despite being protected under > >> Pakistani law. These birds need your help! > >> > >> The Sindh Wildlife Department has full authority to control sport > >> hunting. However, influential local personalities support this > >> tradition, and the law is not enforced. > > > >> These birds are crucial to maintaining the biodiversity of the Middle > >> East and Central Asia, but are expected to go extinct in as little as > >> 15 years if sport hunting is kept up. > >> > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1416 / Virus Database: 2109/4777 - Release Date: 01/30/12 Subject: Re: Habitat conservation: was Re: ?! From: Paul MacDonald <paulrita2001 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 03:54:23 -0800 (PST) Sounds good Darrell My kind of person Paul ________________________________ From: Darrell To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 11:08:41 PM Subject: Re: Habitat conservation: was Re: [NatureNS] ?! I hunt, trap, fish and love all the critters that call this earth home.   Go figure, Subject: Re: DNA Turning Human Story Into a Tell-All From: "Darrell" <doabolit AT northnovacable.ca> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:35:19 -0400 http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/31/science/gains-in-dna-are-speeding-research-into-human-origins.html?_r=1&emc=eta1 Neanderthal percentage be in all of us, maybe more in some than others :~) An interesting article concerning this in the above link. Subject: Re: Habitat conservation: was Re: ?! From: "Darrell" <doabolit AT northnovacable.ca> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:08:41 -0400 I hunt, trap, fish and love all the critters that call this earth home. Go figure, Subject: Re: Habitat conservation: was Re: ?! From: Paul MacDonald <paulrita2001 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:40:45 -0800 (PST) Hi Dave and All I just came back from the Pub where a group of anglers meet for 3 hours of talk. No planned agenda - tonight it was a general discussion of the Northumberland Strait Rivers. A few other example were brought up also, It would be hard to suggest those people didn't know and appreciate the rivers they fish. The geology of the area, how the rivers changed over the years, the insect life in them - your remarks reminded me just how muck knowledge was sitting around the beer. You would have appreciated the talk. and the beer was good - LOL Have a nice winter Paul ________________________________ From: David & Alison Webster To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 8:03:26 PM Subject: Habitat conservation: was Re: [NatureNS] ?! Hello All,                    Jan 31, 2012     Just to put some balance in this discussion, and I do not wish to defend the hunting of animals from vehicles, it has been my experience (and perhaps I am out of date) that hunters and sports fishermen tend to willingly support conservation of habitat with their own money whereas naturalist organizations tend to be generous with other people's (tax) money.       I am amused by the insinuation that there is something unsavory about hunting and fishing. I hope Aldo Leopold, wherever he may be, is suitably ashamed of himself.        In general, animals become less common as a result of habitat impairment, not from hunting or fishing activities.        Drawing on memory, The Audubon Society was founded by an editor of a rod and game magazine with funds (I think) drawn from rod and game organizations. And the nucleus of Canada's National Park system was established at the urging big game hunters so that large areas of high quality habitat would be set aside in which hunting would be prohibited.       Based on personal experience, most people involved in rod and game activities have a deep appreciation of the natural world.   Yt, Dave Webster, Kentville       ----- Original Message ----- >From: ulli AT dunlin.ca >To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca >Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 8:48 AM >Subject: Re: [NatureNS] ?! > > >Well, > > >no don't need to look that far. > > >On our own doorstep we have an active Sport Fishing crowd on fresh and salt water, shark fishing derbys off shore, plenty of Sunday morning hunting and fishing shows on TV with "Sport" in the title, and then there is Ducks Unlimited. >Sure this organization created a lot of protected waterfowl habitat, and so do other organizations in this kind of recreational activities in other areas. >Lots of good work is done, important work.  But the taste of a self serving purpose often remains ........ > > >Ulli > > >> true! >> >> On 31/01/12 7:36 AM, John and Nhung wrote: >> > "Sport" can be pretty obscene sometimes, can't it? >> > >> > -----Original Message----- >> > From: naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca] >> > On Behalf Of Annabelle Thiebaux >> > Sent: January-31-12 7:16 AM >> > To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca >> > Subject: [NatureNS] ?! >> > >> >> The houbara bustard, a gentle desert bird native to Central Asia, has >> >> been poached to near-extinction despite being protected under >> >> Pakistani law. These birds need your help! >> >> >> >> The Sindh Wildlife Department has full authority to control sport >> >> hunting. However, influential local personalities  support this >> >> tradition, and the law is not enforced. >> > >> >> These birds are crucial to maintaining the biodiversity of the Middle >> >> East and Central Asia, but are expected to go extinct in as little as >> >> 15 years if sport hunting is kept up. >> >> >> > >> > >> > > >   >________________________________ > >No virus found in this message. >Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >Version: 10.0.1416 / Virus Database: 2109/4777 - Release Date: 01/30/12 Subject: Re: Habitat conservation: was Re: ?! From: "Frederick W. Schueler" <bckcdb AT istar.ca> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:51:38 -0500 On 1/31/2012 7:03 PM, David & Alison Webster wrote: > Hello All, Jan 31, 2012 > Just to put some balance in this discussion, and I do not wish to defend > the hunting of animals from vehicles, it has been my experience (and > perhaps I am out of date) that hunters and sports fishermen tend to > willingly support conservation of habitat with their own money whereas > naturalist organizations tend to be generous with other people's (tax) > money. * of course, the attitude of North American hunters towards conservation is likely entirely different from that of Middle-eastern Bustard blasters. My experience is that while hunters and sport fishers are enthusiastic about conservation, they are often not very knowledgeable about species other than those they pursue, and might well generally benefit from shared membership with naturalists' groups. fred ------------------------------------------------------------ Frederick W. Schueler & Aleta Karstad Bishops Mills Natural History Centre - http://pinicola.ca/bmnhc.htm Mudpuppy Night in Oxford Mills - http://pinicola.ca/mudpup1.htm Daily Paintings - http://karstaddailypaintings.blogspot.com/ South Nation Basin Art & Science Book http://pinicola.ca/books/SNR_book.htm RR#2 Bishops Mills, Ontario, Canada K0G 1T0 on the Smiths Falls Limestone Plain 44* 52'N 75* 42'W (613)258-3107 http://pinicola.ca/ ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------ Subject: Habitat conservation: was Re: ?! From: David & Alison Webster <dwebster AT glinx.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:03:26 -0400 Hello All, Jan 31, 2012 Just to put some balance in this discussion, and I do not wish to defend the hunting of animals from vehicles, it has been my experience (and perhaps I am out of date) that hunters and sports fishermen tend to willingly support conservation of habitat with their own money whereas naturalist organizations tend to be generous with other people's (tax) money. I am amused by the insinuation that there is something unsavory about hunting and fishing. I hope Aldo Leopold, wherever he may be, is suitably ashamed of himself. In general, animals become less common as a result of habitat impairment, not from hunting or fishing activities. Drawing on memory, The Audubon Society was founded by an editor of a rod and game magazine with funds (I think) drawn from rod and game organizations. And the nucleus of Canada's National Park system was established at the urging big game hunters so that large areas of high quality habitat would be set aside in which hunting would be prohibited. Based on personal experience, most people involved in rod and game activities have a deep appreciation of the natural world. Yt, Dave Webster, Kentville ----- Original Message ----- From: ulli AT dunlin.ca To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 8:48 AM Subject: Re: [NatureNS] ?! Well, no don't need to look that far. On our own doorstep we have an active Sport Fishing crowd on fresh and salt water, shark fishing derbys off shore, plenty of Sunday morning hunting and fishing shows on TV with "Sport" in the title, and then there is Ducks Unlimited. Sure this organization created a lot of protected waterfowl habitat, and so do other organizations in this kind of recreational activities in other areas. Lots of good work is done, important work. But the taste of a self serving purpose often remains ........ Ulli > true! > > On 31/01/12 7:36 AM, John and Nhung wrote: > > "Sport" can be pretty obscene sometimes, can't it? > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca] > > On Behalf Of Annabelle Thiebaux > > Sent: January-31-12 7:16 AM > > To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca > > Subject: [NatureNS] ?! > > > >> The houbara bustard, a gentle desert bird native to Central Asia, has > >> been poached to near-extinction despite being protected under > >> Pakistani law. These birds need your help! > >> > >> The Sindh Wildlife Department has full authority to control sport > >> hunting. However, influential local personalities support this > >> tradition, and the law is not enforced. > > > >> These birds are crucial to maintaining the biodiversity of the Middle > >> East and Central Asia, but are expected to go extinct in as little as > >> 15 years if sport hunting is kept up. > >> > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1416 / Virus Database: 2109/4777 - Release Date: 01/30/12 Subject: Re: Owl on a wire From: Helene Van Doninck <helene.birdvet AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:58:38 -0400 Definitely a great horned, very sad :( We just admitted a barred that was caught in a leg hold trap, leg was pretty much torn off so we had to euthanize it. Trappers are supposed to cover their bait so that birds of prey aren't attracted down to try and steal it. This bird was in excellent shape otherwise, very sad that someone didn't take the time to set the trap according to the rules. Helene On Mon, Jan 30, 2012 at 11:29 PM, Fritz McEvoy wrote: > Hi All, > Last night we had a short (2 second) power outage. Today we saw what > caused the brief blackout. The unfortunate Great Horned (???) Owl in the > linked photos was discovered this morning hanging on a power line in > Cape North Village. > I'm not sure if the power company will remove it or just allow nature > to take care of the remains. All the best. > Fritz McEvoy > Sunrise Valley CB (near Dingwall) > Owl > on a wire > View photos > Download all > You are invited to view Fritz's album. This album has 3 files. > > > > -- Helene Van Doninck DVM Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre RR#1 Brookfield NS B0N1C0 902-893-0253 birdvet AT hotmail.com www.cwrc.net Our 2012 Wildlife Calendars are now available! Subject: Re: FW: bee ID ? From: Christopher Majka <c.majka AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:43:48 -0400 Hi Fritz, This isn't a bee, but rather a tachinid fly called Hystrica abrupta (Wiedemann) (formerly placed in the genus Bombyliopsis). For some photos see: http://bugguide.net/node/view/33088/bgimage The larvae of this species are parasites on the caterpillars of arctiid moths. Cheers! Chris On 31-Jan-12, at 4:22 PM, Fritz McEvoy wrote: > Hi All, > I've been going though some photos from last summer and wondered > if anyone could ID the bee in the linked photos. It was spotted on > August 22nd, on a mixed forest trail near my home. it was doing a > dance (?) on the pictured leaves similar to the one done by honey > bees at a hive entrance showing other bees where a good source of > nectar could be found - except there were no other bees around to > see the dance. All the best. > Fritz McEvoy > Sunrise Valley, CB (near Dingwall) > > bee ID ? > View photos Download all > You are invited to view Fritz's album. This album has a file. Christopher Majka | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada * Research Associate: Nova Scotia Museum | http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mnh/research-asfr.htm * Review Editor: The Coleopterists Bulletin | http://www.coleopsoc.org/ * Subject Editor: ZooKeys | http://pensoftonline.net/zookeys/index.php/journal/index * Review Editor: Zootaxa | http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/taxa/Coleoptera.html * Associate Editor: Journal of the Acadian Entomological Society | http://www.acadianes.org/journal.html * Editor: Atlantic Canada Coleoptera | http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Environment/NHR/PDF/index.html * Editor: Bugguide, Coleoptera http://bugguide.net Whenever I hear of the capture of rare beetles, I feel like an old war- horse at the sound of a trumpet. - Charles Darwin Subject: FW: bee ID ? From: Fritz McEvoy <fritzmcevoy AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:22:51 -0400 Hi All, I've been going though some photos from last summer and wondered if anyone could ID the bee in the linked photos. It was spotted on August 22nd, on a mixed forest trail near my home. it was doing a dance (?) on the pictured leaves similar to the one done by honey bees at a hive entrance showing other bees where a good source of nectar could be found - except there were no other bees around to see the dance. All the best. Fritz McEvoy Sunrise Valley, CB (near Dingwall) bee ID ? View photos Download all You are invited to view Fritz's album. This album has a file. Subject: Re: Bustard hunting in Pakistan From: Christopher Majka <c.majka AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:49:14 -0400 When I worked for the Department of Environmental Conservation in Iran, hunting houbara bustards was a popular activity on the part of the Persian elites (this was back in the era of Mohamed Reza Phalavi, the Shah of Iran). Hunting expeditions would go to the national parks and game reserves where - as Ian suggests - the local game guards simply turned a blind eye. When I was at Arjan National Park there was such a hunting expedition one weekend where upper-crust Persians chased houbara bustards around with land rovers. Who knows if such activities still go on in present-day Iran, but such beliefs are slow to change. Look at the wealthy hunters who still pay small fortunes to hunt polar bears in the Canadian arctic: http://www.polarbearhunting.net/ Cheers, Chris On 31-Jan-12, at 9:30 AM, iamclar AT DAL.CA wrote: > All: > > I believe that the "sport" involved in falconry carried out by idle- > rich sheiks from the Middle East and brings $ millions into local > economies, hence is overlooked by regional and national authorities. > Inter alia, there is evidently a belief that the bustard's flesh is > aphrodisiac. Thrill of the chase, money and sex - a powerful mix. > There was an exposé some years ago in the "New Yorker." > > Ian > Ian McLaren > > Quoting John and Nhung : > >> "Sport" can be pretty obscene sometimes, can't it? >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca >> ] >> On Behalf Of Annabelle Thiebaux >> Sent: January-31-12 7:16 AM >> To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca >> Subject: [NatureNS] ?! >> >>> The houbara bustard, a gentle desert bird native to Central Asia, >>> has >>> been poached to near-extinction despite being protected under >>> Pakistani law. These birds need your help! >>> >>> The Sindh Wildlife Department has full authority to control sport >>> hunting. However, influential local personalities support this >>> tradition, and the law is not enforced. >> >>> These birds are crucial to maintaining the biodiversity of the >>> Middle >>> East and Central Asia, but are expected to go extinct in as little >>> as >>> 15 years if sport hunting is kept up. >>> >> >> >> > > > Subject: RE: Bustard hunting in Pakistan From: iamclar AT DAL.CA Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:30:46 -0400 All: I believe that the "sport" involved in falconry carried out by idle-rich sheiks from the Middle East and brings $ millions into local economies, hence is overlooked by regional and national authorities. Inter alia, there is evidently a belief that the bustard's flesh is aphrodisiac. Thrill of the chase, money and sex - a powerful mix. There was an exposé some years ago in the "New Yorker." Ian Ian McLaren Quoting John and Nhung : > "Sport" can be pretty obscene sometimes, can't it? > > -----Original Message----- > From: naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca] > On Behalf Of Annabelle Thiebaux > Sent: January-31-12 7:16 AM > To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca > Subject: [NatureNS] ?! > >> The houbara bustard, a gentle desert bird native to Central Asia, has >> been poached to near-extinction despite being protected under >> Pakistani law. These birds need your help! >> >> The Sindh Wildlife Department has full authority to control sport >> hunting. However, influential local personalities support this >> tradition, and the law is not enforced. > >> These birds are crucial to maintaining the biodiversity of the Middle >> East and Central Asia, but are expected to go extinct in as little as >> 15 years if sport hunting is kept up. >> > > > Subject: Re: ?! From: ulli AT dunlin.ca Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:48:10 -0400 Well, no don't need to look that far. On our own doorstep we have an active Sport Fishing crowd on fresh and salt water, shark fishing derbys off shore, plenty of Sunday morning hunting and fishing shows on TV with "Sport" in the title, and then there is Ducks Unlimited. Sure this organization created a lot of protected waterfowl habitat, and so do other organizations in this kind of recreational activities in other areas. Lots of good work is done, important work. But the taste of a self serving purpose often remains ........ Ulli > true! > > On 31/01/12 7:36 AM, John and Nhung wrote: > > "Sport" can be pretty obscene sometimes, can't it? > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca] > > On Behalf Of Annabelle Thiebaux > > Sent: January-31-12 7:16 AM > > To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca > > Subject: [NatureNS] ?! > > > >> The houbara bustard, a gentle desert bird native to Central Asia, has > >> been poached to near-extinction despite being protected under > >> Pakistani law. These birds need your help! > >> > >> The Sindh Wildlife Department has full authority to control sport > >> hunting. However, influential local personalities support this > >> tradition, and the law is not enforced. > > > >> These birds are crucial to maintaining the biodiversity of the Middle > >> East and Central Asia, but are expected to go extinct in as little as > >> 15 years if sport hunting is kept up. > >> > > > > > Subject: Re: ?! From: Annabelle Thiebaux <hamst AT xplornet.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:56:07 -0400 true! On 31/01/12 7:36 AM, John and Nhung wrote: > "Sport" can be pretty obscene sometimes, can't it? > > -----Original Message----- > From: naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca] > On Behalf Of Annabelle Thiebaux > Sent: January-31-12 7:16 AM > To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca > Subject: [NatureNS] ?! > >> The houbara bustard, a gentle desert bird native to Central Asia, has >> been poached to near-extinction despite being protected under >> Pakistani law. These birds need your help! >> >> The Sindh Wildlife Department has full authority to control sport >> hunting. However, influential local personalities support this >> tradition, and the law is not enforced. > >> These birds are crucial to maintaining the biodiversity of the Middle >> East and Central Asia, but are expected to go extinct in as little as >> 15 years if sport hunting is kept up. >> > > Subject: RE: ?! From: John and Nhung <nhungjohn AT eastlink.ca> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:36:45 -0400 "Sport" can be pretty obscene sometimes, can't it? -----Original Message----- From: naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca] On Behalf Of Annabelle Thiebaux Sent: January-31-12 7:16 AM To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca Subject: [NatureNS] ?! > The houbara bustard, a gentle desert bird native to Central Asia, has > been poached to near-extinction despite being protected under > Pakistani law. These birds need your help! > > The Sindh Wildlife Department has full authority to control sport > hunting. However, influential local personalities support this > tradition, and the law is not enforced. > These birds are crucial to maintaining the biodiversity of the Middle > East and Central Asia, but are expected to go extinct in as little as > 15 years if sport hunting is kept up. > Subject: ?! From: Annabelle Thiebaux <hamst AT xplornet.com> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:15:53 -0400 > The houbara bustard, a gentle desert bird > native to Central Asia, has been poached to > near-extinction despite being protected under Pakistani > law. These birds need your help! > > The Sindh Wildlife Department has full > authority to control sport hunting. However, > influential local personalities support this > tradition, and the law is not enforced. > These birds are crucial to maintaining the > biodiversity of the Middle East and Central Asia, but > are expected to go extinct in as little as 15 years if > sport hunting is kept up. > Subject: Owl on a wire From: Fritz McEvoy <fritzmcevoy AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:29:41 -0400 Hi All, Last night we had a short (2 second) power outage. Today we saw what caused the brief blackout. The unfortunate Great Horned (???) Owl in the linked photos was discovered this morning hanging on a power line in Cape North Village. I'm not sure if the power company will remove it or just allow nature to take care of the remains. All the best. Fritz McEvoy Sunrise Valley CB (near Dingwall) Owl on a wire View photos Download all You are invited to view Fritz's album. This album has 3 files. Subject: Orioles, Dickcissel, Cowbirds still in Halifax From: Susann Myers <myerss AT eastlink.ca> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:56:48 -0400 The 6 Baltimore Orioles and 1 Dickcissel are still at my feeders in Halifax, all doing well. 2 Brown-headed Cowbirds are also coming regularly, though briefly each day (1 since Jan.14, the second since Jan. 17). Cheers, Susann Myers Subject: Dartmouth Cove This Aft. From: "Dave&Jane Schlosberg" <dschlosb-g AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:56:31 -0400 Swimming and diving in a mixed flock, there were approximately: 14 male Goldeneyes 7 or 8 female Goldeneyes 4 male Scaup 3 female Scaup There were no obvious Goldeneyes with white rings on their necks (more on this white ring matter later). Dave Schlosberg Subject: Orioles, Dickcissel, Cowbirds still in Halifax From: Susann Myers <myerss AT eastlink.ca> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:56:48 -0400 The 6 Baltimore Orioles and 1 Dickcissel are still at my feeders in Halifax, all doing well. 2 Brown-headed Cowbirds are also coming regularly, though briefly each day (1 since Jan.14, the second since Jan. 17). Cheers, Susann Myers Subject: yard birds, incl. 100+ robins, Wolfville From: "James W. Wolford" <jimwolford AT eastlink.ca> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:42:34 -0400 JAN. 29 (SUN.), 2012 - At our Wolfville feeders this morning, male and female cardinals, a male & a female flickers together, 4+ chickadees, white-throated sparrows, juncos, song sparrow, goldfinches, mourning doves.... and our regular and dominant red squirrel. JAN. 30, 2012 - Yesterday at home Pat & I spotted a flying flock of 20 + possible waxwings (unidentified), and this morning, no doubt related to the presence of waxwings in the neighborhood, I saw a big flying flock of 100+ robins, all flying past our yard and headed north-northwest. Cheers from Jim in Wolfville. Subject: Monday Morning, Jan 30/12 From: <duartess AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:08:36 -0400 Hello All, Another beautiful day (so far) here in Dartmouth. Great views of both the Gallinule and the Banook Coot. There was food at both locations so will check on my way home from my short shift today. Did have a surprise though, while walking on the boardwalk by Lake Banook. There out on the ice beside the area where the gulls are usually seen, was something large and black. My brain was in 'bird mode' & I thought a rare goose? But did have my binoculars and saw it was an otter! It was rolling around, sliding on its chin, just having a grand time before it slipped back into the water and out of sight. Sincerely, Gayle MacLean Subject: Re: Climate Change From: "Sharon/George" <george.digout AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2012 11:07:23 -0300 Where is you .Can you call me or me call you.It is not saving changes. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Phil Schappert" To: Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 11:29 AM Subject: Re: [NatureNS] Climate Change > >This describes a study by Swedish researchers re birds & butterflies: >> >>http://www.world-science.net/othernews/120117_warming >> >>Have there been similar studies in this hemisphere? > > The studies actually started way back in the mid-90's, on this side > of the pond, with Camille Parmesan's paper, Climate and Species' > Range, Nature 382, 765-766 (29 August 1996). > > Phil > > -- > > Phil Schappert, PhD > > 27 Clovis Ave. > Halifax, NS, B3P 1J3 > 902-404-5679 (home) > 902-460-8343 (cell) > > www.philschappert.com > > "Just let imagination lead, reality will follow through..." > (Michael Hedges) > > > ----- > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 2012.0.1901 / Virus Database: 2109/4776 - Release Date: 01/30/12 > Subject: Re: Climate Change From: Phil Schappert <philjs AT eastlink.ca> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:29:48 -0400 >This describes a study by Swedish researchers re birds & butterflies: > >http://www.world-science.net/othernews/120117_warming > >Have there been similar studies in this hemisphere? The studies actually started way back in the mid-90's, on this side of the pond, with Camille Parmesan's paper, Climate and Species' Range, Nature 382, 765-766 (29 August 1996). Phil -- Phil Schappert, PhD 27 Clovis Ave. Halifax, NS, B3P 1J3 902-404-5679 (home) 902-460-8343 (cell) www.philschappert.com "Just let imagination lead, reality will follow through..." (Michael Hedges) Subject: Re: Gallinule Update From: "P&P Murray" <murraypaul AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:27:59 -0400 Oops – I forgot to put the link in my Gallinule Update email for the pictures I posted. It’s here at: http://scranlocker.smugmug.com/Nature/Nature-2012/20920971_TjK84m Paul Murray Dartmouth Subject: Gallinule Update From: "P&P Murray" <murraypaul AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:24:59 -0400 January 30, 2012 I too was over to see the Gallinule yesterday (Jan 29) at Red Bridge Pond. He posed for a few more pictures which I posted to my gallery. I also passed by Dartmouth Cove where there were a good number (50 – 100) of Scaup and Goldeneyes swimming in a tight group. The Barrow’s Goldeneye was there as well. From there I travelled to Fisherman’s Cove at Eastern Passage. It was a nice day but the wind was strong and cold and there was not much bird activity. However, there was a beautiful male Long-tailed Duck, 7 Red-breasted Mergansers and several Black Guillemots. The usual gulls were flying and floating in the cove and there were 2 Glaucus Gulls in the group. Paul Murray Dartmouth Subject: Climate Change From: Angus MacLean <angusmcl AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:23:04 -0400 This describes a study by Swedish researchers re birds & butterflies: http://www.world-science.net/othernews/120117_warming Have there been similar studies in this hemisphere? Angus Subject: Re: Gallinule Update: Jan. 29 From: Annabelle Thiebaux <hamst AT xplornet.com> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:34:54 -0400 That's so true! I have been following this story but can't get there, I am glad you are Gayle. On 29/01/12 5:09 PM, Darrell wrote: > You're sure doing your part in keeping the Gallinule healthy, kudo's to you for that Gayle. I hope to get in to see it Tuesday before dinner. > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: duartess AT ns.sympatico.ca > To: Naturelist > Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2012 3:45 PM > Subject: [NatureNS] Gallinule Update: Jan. 29 > > > Dropped off the mixture of canned salmon/canned seafood cat food/crushed suet block bits/chopped salad greens which I tossed far into (& away from the shoreline) the area of the reeds& reed edges, where Vogel seems to spend much of the time these past few days. Also put mixed seed down for the ducks as a diversion. The Gallinule was finding the food and eating away when I left. > The Banook Coot was foraging along with the Mallards on the grassy bank next to the canoe club. > Both birds seem to be doing well. > > Gayle MacLean > Dartmouth Subject: Re: a bit more on Eagle Watch Weekend I, Sat., report From: Helene Van Doninck <helene.birdvet AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:54:08 -0400 Hi All, At an oiled wildlife conference in the USA so I missed this but very happy Jim and Tuma spoke about this ( lead poisoning). I was going to have a handout available at eagle watch saying the same thing ( supported by the Bird Society), but simply ran out of time before I had to leave for my conference. Hope to have this out for next weekend so if anyone wants a copy when it is finished I can make it available. I have already received 2 requests from groups of hunters to come and talk about this issue and I am very happy about this. I am available to be a guest speaker on this issue for anyone who wants to listen. Just a matter of scheduling it. Helene ( still in New Orleans but home tomorrow ) On Sun, Jan 29, 2012 at 7:43 AM, Heather Drope < heather.drope AT ns.sympatico.ca> wrote: > ** > I saw Jim Wolford on Global evening news at 11 pm and he spoke with great > conviction about hunters not using lead as it poisons the eagles when they > eat a dead animal with lead in them. Tuma Young mentioned the same thing > but Jim got more air time. Good interview. > > > ------------------------------ > I forgot to mention that *Global TV News* had a reporter, Mayya, and > videographer at the Eagle Watch, and* I was interviewed as well as Tuma > Young*. But then I forgot to watch the Global suppertime TV News. I did > catch a short newscast of Tuma & myself & eagle photographers and gawkers > on the 11 p.m. Global TV News. Jim > > Begin forwarded message: > > *From: *"James W. Wolford" <*jimwolford AT eastlink.ca* > > > *Date: *January 28, 2012 8:41:02 PM AST > *To: *NatureNS <*naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca* > > *Cc: *Richard Hennigar <*hennigar AT xcountry.tv* >, > Bob & Doreen Cote & > -- Helene Van Doninck DVM Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre RR#1 Brookfield NS B0N1C0 902-893-0253 birdvet AT hotmail.com www.cwrc.net Our 2012 Wildlife Calendars are now available! Subject: Jupiter and Moon right now this evening! also Venus From: Sherman Williams <shermwms AT eastlink.ca> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:17:47 -0400 If you have a clear sky tonight, have a look at the crescent Moon with Jupiter. Venus lower in the SW makes a nice addition. Also check out my heads-up feature in the days to come, posted on my website. Sherman shermwms AT eastlink.ca Phone: (902) 542-5104 79 Lighthouse Rd., RR#1 Avonport, N.S., B0P 1B0 website: http://web.mac.com/sherm39/Site_2/Home_Site.html Subject: A few new pictures From: Richard Stern <sternrichard AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:13:28 -0400 I have put a few new bird pictures on line, including last w/e on Cape Sable, some Pine Grosbeaks, both Waxwings together, a couple of Eagles from Sheffield Mills today, etc. http://richard-s.smugmug.com/Nature/Winter-2011-12-Birds-and/20880608_RpTxfb#!i=1690967196&k=Mmh57Jc They run on to the next page. Richard -- ################# Richard Stern, Port Williams, NS, Canada sternrichard AT gmail.com ################### Subject: A few new pictures From: Richard Stern <sternrichard AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:13:28 -0400 I have put a few new bird pictures on line, including last w/e on Cape Sable, some Pine Grosbeaks, both Waxwings together, a couple of Eagles from Sheffield Mills today, etc. http://richard-s.smugmug.com/Nature/Winter-2011-12-Birds-and/20880608_RpTxfb#!i=1690967196&k=Mmh57Jc They run on to the next page. Richard -- ################# Richard Stern, Port Williams, NS, Canada sternrichard AT gmail.com ################### Subject: Re: Gallinule Update: Jan. 29 From: "Darrell" <doabolit AT northnovacable.ca> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:09:33 -0400 You're sure doing your part in keeping the Gallinule healthy, kudo's to you for that Gayle. I hope to get in to see it Tuesday before dinner. ----- Original Message ----- From: duartess AT ns.sympatico.ca To: Naturelist Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2012 3:45 PM Subject: [NatureNS] Gallinule Update: Jan. 29 Dropped off the mixture of canned salmon/canned seafood cat food/crushed suet block bits/chopped salad greens which I tossed far into (& away from the shoreline) the area of the reeds & reed edges, where Vogel seems to spend much of the time these past few days. Also put mixed seed down for the ducks as a diversion. The Gallinule was finding the food and eating away when I left. The Banook Coot was foraging along with the Mallards on the grassy bank next to the canoe club. Both birds seem to be doing well. Gayle MacLean Dartmouth Subject: Gallinule Update: Jan. 29 From: <duartess AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:45:19 -0400 Dropped off the mixture of canned salmon/canned seafood cat food/crushed suet block bits/chopped salad greens which I tossed far into (& away from the shoreline) the area of the reeds & reed edges, where Vogel seems to spend much of the time these past few days. Also put mixed seed down for the ducks as a diversion. The Gallinule was finding the food and eating away when I left. The Banook Coot was foraging along with the Mallards on the grassy bank next to the canoe club. Both birds seem to be doing well. Gayle MacLean Dartmouth Subject: Bohemian waxwings From: Richard <sternrichard AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 08:36:28 -0400 Hi, There has been a mixed flock of Robins and Cedar waxwings interested in some old berries on trees in our yard for the last few days. This morning there were 6 Bohemian waxwings as well. Richard Stern Sent from my iPad Subject: Re: a bit more on Eagle Watch Weekend I, Sat., report From: "Heather Drope" <heather.drope AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 07:43:41 -0400 I saw Jim Wolford on Global evening news at 11 pm and he spoke with great conviction about hunters not using lead as it poisons the eagles when they eat a dead animal with lead in them. Tuma Young mentioned the same thing but Jim got more air time. Good interview. I forgot to mention that Global TV News had a reporter, Mayya, and videographer at the Eagle Watch, and I was interviewed as well as Tuma Young. But then I forgot to watch the Global suppertime TV News. I did catch a short newscast of Tuma & myself & eagle photographers and gawkers on the 11 p.m. Global TV News. Jim Begin forwarded message: From: "James W. Wolford" Date: January 28, 2012 8:41:02 PM AST To: NatureNS Cc: Richard Hennigar , Bob & Doreen Cote & Subject: Some birds today From: James Hirtle <jrhbirder AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 04:16:53 +0000 Bayport, Lunenburg, CA-NS Jan 28, 2012 3:05 PM - 3:10 PM Protocol: Traveling 0.1 kilometer(s) 1 species Common Goldeneye 200 Feltzen South, Lunenburg, CA-NS Jan 28, 2012 12:50 PM - 1:30 PM Protocol: Traveling 8.0 kilometer(s) 16 species American Black Duck 7 Greater Scaup 120 Long-tailed Duck 7 Common Goldeneye 3 Red-breasted Merganser 2 Common Loon 3 Bald Eagle 1 Ring-billed Gull 1 Herring Gull 61 Great Black-backed Gull 1 Blue Jay 4 American Crow 11 Common Raven 1 Black-capped Chickadee 7 European Starling 73 Orange-crowned Warbler 1 (A bright yellow bird, at house number 1127 feeding on suet) Pleasant River/South Brookfield, Queens, CA-NS Jan 28, 2012 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Protocol: Traveling 5.0 kilometer(s) 4 species Red-headed Woodpecker 1 ( I unfortunately cannot give the location due to the wishes of the house owner) Common Raven 3 Black-capped Chickadee 1 Dark-eyed Junco 1 $B!!(B $B!!(B Subject: a bit more on Eagle Watch Weekend I, Sat., report From: "James W. Wolford" <jimwolford AT eastlink.ca> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 23:57:54 -0400 I forgot to mention that Global TV News had a reporter, Mayya, and videographer at the Eagle Watch, and I was interviewed as well as Tuma Young. But then I forgot to watch the Global suppertime TV News. I did catch a short newscast of Tuma & myself & eagle photographers and gawkers on the 11 p.m. Global TV News. Jim Begin forwarded message: > From: "James W. Wolford" > Date: January 28, 2012 8:41:02 PM AST > To: NatureNS > Cc: Richard Hennigar , Bob & Doreen Cote > , Vicki Cameron , Vince > Brown , Mark F Elderkin > Subject: [NatureNS] Eagle Watch Weekend I, Sat., report > Reply-To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca > > JAN. 28 (SAT.), 2012 - Day One of the 2oth Anniversary Eagle Watch > Weekend I at Sheffield Mills. Temperature all day stayed at about > 0 C. with a stiff, cold wind from the west? northwest? And a thin > skiff of new icy snow on the ground made for wintry conditions. > > However, the feedings from two of the poultry producers for the > eagles etc. were unfortunately uncoordinated today: Bob Cote was on > his way to the Community Hall when, at the corner of Middle Dyke > Road and Canard Road (Hwy. 341), someone was feeding numbers of > eagles with chicken carcasses at 7:30 a.m. This is a couple of > kilometres south from the first place that the eagle gawkers check > out, namely the north end of Middle Dyke Road. > > It is there that the Swetnams put our their dead chickens after 8 > a.m. at the north end of Middle Dyke Road, which is the first place > that gawkers and photographers expect to see large numbers of > hungry eagles and ravens and gulls. Not today. There were NO > EAGLES at that prime site until about 2 p.m. or later. One patient > photographer at the Swetnam field got decent photos during a very > brief, 5-minute spurt of activity when 20+ accumulated bald eagles > swooped over and down and onto the chickens and fed there or > carried food into the trees. When I got there a bit afterward, at > about 3:20 p.m., there were only 3 adult eagles left in the trees > and no activity, 3 great black-backed gulls on the ground but not > near the chickens. Quite a few carcasses were still there and > apparently untouched. > > The morning inside the Sheffield Mills Community Hall was hectic > for breakfasts, perhaps because the outside gawkers were > frustrated. Apparently there were about 250+ breakfasts sold. And > there was steady traffic and sometimes crowded conditions in the > Hall's upstairs where the displays were, > > Most people were gone from the hall by about 2 p.m. At 3:30 p.m. a > few of us took in a very interesting illustrated lecture from > wildlife photographer Scott Linstead of Montreal on using high-tech > gizmos for high-speed wildlife photos and trap-photos (latter are > where critters photograph themselves by triggering camera & > lights). Scott is giving that talk again tomorrow -- check out > www.eaglens.ca and click on attractions for the details on when and > where (7 p.m. on ground floor of community hall, wheelchair- > accessible, $15 for admission). Scott also has a 2010 book of his > photos for sale. Scott has a degree in engineering, which is a > huge help in his various high-tech and high-speed techniques. > > Regarding what will happen tomorrow with the eagles etc., who > knows? Weather is one determinant, as is the "eagle grapevine" in > their night-time communal roosts. I wish I had some information > about other areas for looking for eagles -- check out the list of > areas sent yesterday -- no info' came in to me today on this. I > did check out the area of Woodside north of Canning after 1 p.m., > but no eagles were encountered. > > Come on out and support the Sheffield Mills Community -- breakfast > is one option, coffee and cinnamon buns are others, upstairs > displays cost you a looney for admittance (and more if you buy > stuff), but be sure to look for the eagles on your way to the hall, > since generally (but not always) most feeding activity occurs > around early to mid morning, rather than the afternoon. > > Cheers from Jim in Wolfville. Subject: Eagle Watch Weekend I, Sat., report From: "James W. Wolford" <jimwolford AT eastlink.ca> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:41:02 -0400 JAN. 28 (SAT.), 2012 - Day One of the 2oth Anniversary Eagle Watch Weekend I at Sheffield Mills. Temperature all day stayed at about 0 C. with a stiff, cold wind from the west? northwest? And a thin skiff of new icy snow on the ground made for wintry conditions. However, the feedings from two of the poultry producers for the eagles etc. were unfortunately uncoordinated today: Bob Cote was on his way to the Community Hall when, at the corner of Middle Dyke Road and Canard Road (Hwy. 341), someone was feeding numbers of eagles with chicken carcasses at 7:30 a.m. This is a couple of kilometres south from the first place that the eagle gawkers check out, namely the north end of Middle Dyke Road. It is there that the Swetnams put our their dead chickens after 8 a.m. at the north end of Middle Dyke Road, which is the first place that gawkers and photographers expect to see large numbers of hungry eagles and ravens and gulls. Not today. There were NO EAGLES at that prime site until about 2 p.m. or later. One patient photographer at the Swetnam field got decent photos during a very brief, 5-minute spurt of activity when 20+ accumulated bald eagles swooped over and down and onto the chickens and fed there or carried food into the trees. When I got there a bit afterward, at about 3:20 p.m., there were only 3 adult eagles left in the trees and no activity, 3 great black-backed gulls on the ground but not near the chickens. Quite a few carcasses were still there and apparently untouched. The morning inside the Sheffield Mills Community Hall was hectic for breakfasts, perhaps because the outside gawkers were frustrated. Apparently there were about 250+ breakfasts sold. And there was steady traffic and sometimes crowded conditions in the Hall's upstairs where the displays were, Most people were gone from the hall by about 2 p.m. At 3:30 p.m. a few of us took in a very interesting illustrated lecture from wildlife photographer Scott Linstead of Montreal on using high-tech gizmos for high-speed wildlife photos and trap-photos (latter are where critters photograph themselves by triggering camera & lights). Scott is giving that talk again tomorrow -- check out www.eaglens.ca and click on attractions for the details on when and where (7 p.m. on ground floor of community hall, wheelchair-accessible, $15 for admission). Scott also has a 2010 book of his photos for sale. Scott has a degree in engineering, which is a huge help in his various high-tech and high-speed techniques. Regarding what will happen tomorrow with the eagles etc., who knows? Weather is one determinant, as is the "eagle grapevine" in their night-time communal roosts. I wish I had some information about other areas for looking for eagles -- check out the list of areas sent yesterday -- no info' came in to me today on this. I did check out the area of Woodside north of Canning after 1 p.m., but no eagles were encountered. Come on out and support the Sheffield Mills Community -- breakfast is one option, coffee and cinnamon buns are others, upstairs displays cost you a looney for admittance (and more if you buy stuff), but be sure to look for the eagles on your way to the hall, since generally (but not always) most feeding activity occurs around early to mid morning, rather than the afternoon. Cheers from Jim in Wolfville. Subject: goldeneyes Port Williams sewer ponds From: g4syth AT staff.ednet.ns.ca Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:31:13 -0400 Hi all, Today there were eight drake and four hen common goldeneyes, the drakes all had extensive white backs and none of the hens had yellow bills. The mallard ducks numbered about thirty. There was one white winged gull flying about but I took it to be an immature iceland gull, black bill, and fine rounded head. Walking was tricky with the layer of thin ice on the road, walking on the dyke was easier as the grass was poking through and gave some traction. George Forsyth Subject: Dovekie? From: <jeannies AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:13:44 -0400 Here are a couple of photo's of a dovekie(I think it's a dovekie) in St.Peter's canal.Taken on January 27th, 2012 Jeannie Shermerhorn http://www.panoramio.com/photo/65736043 Subject: Re: lovely crescent Moon etc.; and solar storm + aurora borealis on news From: Patrick Kelly <patrick.kelly AT dal.ca> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 11:09:33 -0400 That was a lovely sight. I saw it as I was leaving work to go to the NSBS meeting. The bright "star" near the Moon was Venus, and the one that was higher up was Jupiter. Mars and Saturn are both in the eastern sky now and aren't at all as bright as Jupiter and Saturn, although Mars will brighten a lot over February as it reaches opposition on March 3. Pat On Jan 27, 2012, at 11:35 PM, James W. Wolford wrote: > JAN. 27, 2012 - Yesterday evening at suppertime there was a very > pretty sight in the clear sky: a quite young waxing crescent Moon > not far from a very bright planet I guessed had to be Jupiter in the > west-southwest. Directly south was another bright planet, Saturn? > > Also last night on CBC's "The National" TV News, an item at the end > of the hour showed a spectacular show of a very active and colourful > "AURORA BOREALIS" filmed in Norway. This show was apparently a > result of a huge SOLAR STORM which was written up in the Globe & > Mail on Tues., Jan. 24/12. Here is a link to that story from Google: > > Strongest solar storm since 2005 hitting Earth > Jan 23, 2012 – The sun is bombarding Earth with radiation from the > biggest solar storm in more than six years with more to come from > the fast-moving eruption. > http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/science/strongest-solar-storm-since-2005-hitting-earth/article2312451/ > > Cheers from Jim in Wolfville. > = = ======================================================================== Patrick Kelly Director of Computer Facilities = = ======================================================================== Faculty of Architecture and Planning Dalhousie University = = ======================================================================== MAIL COURIER PO Box 15000 5410 Spring Garden Road Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada Canada = = ======================================================================== Phone:(902) 494-3294 FAX:(902) 423-6672 E-mail:patrick.kelly AT dal.ca = = ======================================================================== Subject: lovely crescent Moon etc.; and solar storm + aurora borealis on news From: "James W. Wolford" <jimwolford AT eastlink.ca> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:35:12 -0400 JAN. 27, 2012 - Yesterday evening at suppertime there was a very pretty sight in the clear sky: a quite young waxing crescent Moon not far from a very bright planet I guessed had to be Jupiter in the west- southwest. Directly south was another bright planet, Saturn? Also last night on CBC's "The National" TV News, an item at the end of the hour showed a spectacular show of a very active and colourful "AURORA BOREALIS" filmed in Norway. This show was apparently a result of a huge SOLAR STORM which was written up in the Globe & Mail on Tues., Jan. 24/12. Here is a link to that story from Google: Strongest solar storm since 2005 hitting Earth Jan 23, 2012 – The sun is bombarding Earth with radiation from the biggest solar storm in more than six years with more to come from the fast-moving eruption. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/science/strongest- solar-storm-since-2005-hitting-earth/article2312451/ Cheers from Jim in Wolfville. Subject: Lunenburg Christmas Bird Count From: James Hirtle <jrhbirder AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 03:35:58 +0000 I just finished entering my data online for the Lunenburg Christmas Bird Count from this year, which was run on Jan. 2. Some things of note. In the 11 years that we have been sending data through, new birds were wood duck, and hermit thrush. There were a number of species that had the highest count this year. They were common grackle, red-winged blackbird, brown-headed cowbird, and barred owl. There were a number of birds also that had the lowest count this year. They were ring-necked pheasant, ruffed grouse, blue jay, white-breasted nuthatch, American tree sparrow, and pine siskin. A lot of species seen in prior years were missing. James R. Hirtle Bridgewater Subject: RE: Greater White-fronted Goose From: "John Kearney" <john.kearney AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:07:54 -0400 If it is not an escape, I was thinking it seemed more like the Greenland population because of the orange-bill. From: naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca] On Behalf Of Paul MacDonald Sent: January 27, 2012 15:46 To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca Subject: Re: [NatureNS] Greater White-fronted Goose Great pictures John from a lovely part of the province. I enjoyed them. The greater-coverts look blue-grey in the photo and the bird has a prominent white wing-bar suggesting a European or Russian White-fronted Geese, of the race albifrons. Does anyone know for sure? I'm not sure how hard it is to obtain birds of this species as eggs or goslings but probably not difficult. Escapes are not unknown. Enjoy the winter storm. Paul _____ From: John Kearney To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 2:43:54 PM Subject: [NatureNS] Greater White-fronted Goose There is what I believe to be a juvenile Greater White-fronted Goose with 28 Canada Geese in Knoydart, Antigonish County. This is the same field in which a Pink-footed Goose was seen on 27 December 2010. For photos follow this link: https://picasaweb.google.com/j.f.kearney/GreaterWhiteFrontedGoose Subject: Spruce Grouse and Snowy Owl From: V Redden <reddenville AT nncweb.ca> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:50:21 -0400 That subject sounds much more interesting than this post really is. Today I started a Spruce Grouse in our woods. It reminded me of a sighting last summer. As I was coming in our driveway a hen Spruce Grouse came slowly out of the bush on one side. With her was a chick. The chick hurried across the drive but the hen very slowly and sedately walked across. As the first chick disappeared, another chick appeared and hurried across the drive. The mother hen kept her slow pace as her chicks one by one crossed the drive in front of me. Just as she disappeared into the bush her last chick rushed past and disappeared also. I counted 12 chicks; I was impressed by her timing. A few days ago a murder of crows was murderously trying to murder a Snowy Owl. No luck, the owl found a thick Spruce tree and retreated. Haven't seen it since. Feeder birds this winter have been ordinary. Blackcapped Chickadees, one Downy Woodpecker, a small flock of Mourning Doves, Bluejays, one Brown Creeper, one Red Breasted Nuthatch and crows. A single visit by a small flock of Evening Grosbeaks. Virginia Redden Port Howe Cumb Co. NS