The selection of species and total number of individual birds is falling off towards winter normal although there are still a few lingering birds and occasional, short stayed drop-ins.
Yesterday is a case in point where 10 STARLINGS appeared, flew around a bit and settled on a roof edge overlooking the patio. Then, unbelievably, they sat and watched several other birds feeding on the ground but they never offered to feed themselves. Eventually they simply lifted off and apparently left the island. Starlings not feeding! Wonders never cease.
Yesterday morning (Saturday) was also departure time for the SNOWY OWL which had haunted the island for near a week.
A NORTHERN SHRIKE dropped by for Friday and Saturday. Although I didn't see it with prey, I did see it wiping its beak several times, as if it had been feeding.
I had some old meat from the freezer that was thawed so I put it where I thought it might catch the Shrike's notice. It never took the offering ..... didn't see it (unlikely); wasn't to its liking (probably) ....... who knows?
I tried very hard to make this bird into a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE but in the end it just couldn't be done. Some of the details pointed in the right direction but didn't quite satisfy the criteria.
I'm not surprised that winter Loggerheads are reported and, personally, I believe that we have them, albeit only rarely.
I'm wondering if there is an unusual number of Shrikes this year. From recent reports I'm wondering if there are more of them showing up earlier than usual because of the big, early irruption of finches.
Definitely a bird worth giving a long, slow, close look.
Today we are into a wet weather system carrying wind that's steadily increased into a full Southeast gale. Temperature is around 5C/41F but that's little comfort.
ROBINS dropped from a half dozen or more always being in sight at mid-week down to a single juvenile this morning.
GRACKLES & RED WINGED BLACKBIRDS all seem to be gone, save one lone Grackle.
PINE SISKINS seem to be gone and only 6 or so GOLDFINCHES remain.
One STARLING appears as the only representative of his species.
A lone male PURPLE FINCH was seen late yesterday. A single female braved the wind and rain today, competing with Goldfinches on a feeder, for a few sunflower seeds.
JUNCOS persist as the most abundant species on the island although much reduced in number. The Juncos are followed closely by SONG SPARROWS, with a scattering of WHITE THROATED SPARROWS, a couple CHIPPING SPARROWS, a handful of SWAMP SPARROWS and a juvenile WHITE CROWNED SPARROW.
At least 3 FOX SPARROWS are hanging on with one of them presenting very like a Hermit Thrush. It's fooled me at first glance on a half dozen occasions.
A PEREGRINE FALCON stops by every day or two and I believe it's a local, resident bird originating nearby.
Grand Manan and near coastal Maine both host breeding populations.
EAGLES have been notably scarce. By now I expect to see 1 or 2 pretty much daily.
Perhaps they still have decent hunting on the mainland coast.
On the aquatic side:
HARLEQUINS continue at the seasonal normal of around 50 birds while PURPLE SANDPIPERS are still low with no more than a couple dozen on any day.
KITTIWAKES, GREAT BLACK BACKED GULLS & HERRING GULLS fluctuate with weather and local food but there's always some around.
ICELAND GULLS are now daily although no numerous.
GLAUCOUS GULLS are less frequent but I can find one most days that there's decent visibility. .
GREAT CORMORANTS are spotty as they move around foraging.
DOUBLE CREASTED CORMORANTS are occasional with the Greats.
COMMON EIDERS are around but no significant number; just scattered singles, pairs and other small groups foraging where weather, tides and inclination takes them.
ALCIDS are running about normal with the lion's share being flights of RAZORBILLS, presumably moving between winter feeding areas. Intermingled are random THIN BILLED (COMMON) MURRES & PUFFINS.
THICK BILLED MURRES & BLACK GUILLEMOTS are also occasional offshore in the tide rips. The Guillemots are never very numerous here, infrequent actually, out here away from the large islands and mainland.
Loons have been scarce on the water near the island but both COMMON & RED NECKED LOONS are spotted regularly as they pass.
Small groups of CANADA GEESE are still passing although generally spaced days apart.
Often, although not every winter, we host a single, late-season goose for an extended period. They seem attracted to our normally snowless and often unfrozen ground.
Seals, primarily GREY SEALS, are still here in fair number. I counted 160 on Gull Rock on Friday.
A month or so from now most of them should be down in New England and producing the next generation.
Yesterday is a case in point where 10 STARLINGS appeared, flew around a bit and settled on a roof edge overlooking the patio. Then, unbelievably, they sat and watched several other birds feeding on the ground but they never offered to feed themselves. Eventually they simply lifted off and apparently left the island. Starlings not feeding! Wonders never cease.
Yesterday morning (Saturday) was also departure time for the SNOWY OWL which had haunted the island for near a week.
A NORTHERN SHRIKE dropped by for Friday and Saturday. Although I didn't see it with prey, I did see it wiping its beak several times, as if it had been feeding.
I had some old meat from the freezer that was thawed so I put it where I thought it might catch the Shrike's notice. It never took the offering ..... didn't see it (unlikely); wasn't to its liking (probably) ....... who knows?
I tried very hard to make this bird into a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE but in the end it just couldn't be done. Some of the details pointed in the right direction but didn't quite satisfy the criteria.
I'm not surprised that winter Loggerheads are reported and, personally, I believe that we have them, albeit only rarely.
I'm wondering if there is an unusual number of Shrikes this year. From recent reports I'm wondering if there are more of them showing up earlier than usual because of the big, early irruption of finches.
Definitely a bird worth giving a long, slow, close look.
Today we are into a wet weather system carrying wind that's steadily increased into a full Southeast gale. Temperature is around 5C/41F but that's little comfort.
ROBINS dropped from a half dozen or more always being in sight at mid-week down to a single juvenile this morning.
GRACKLES & RED WINGED BLACKBIRDS all seem to be gone, save one lone Grackle.
PINE SISKINS seem to be gone and only 6 or so GOLDFINCHES remain.
One STARLING appears as the only representative of his species.
A lone male PURPLE FINCH was seen late yesterday. A single female braved the wind and rain today, competing with Goldfinches on a feeder, for a few sunflower seeds.
JUNCOS persist as the most abundant species on the island although much reduced in number. The Juncos are followed closely by SONG SPARROWS, with a scattering of WHITE THROATED SPARROWS, a couple CHIPPING SPARROWS, a handful of SWAMP SPARROWS and a juvenile WHITE CROWNED SPARROW.
At least 3 FOX SPARROWS are hanging on with one of them presenting very like a Hermit Thrush. It's fooled me at first glance on a half dozen occasions.
A PEREGRINE FALCON stops by every day or two and I believe it's a local, resident bird originating nearby.
Grand Manan and near coastal Maine both host breeding populations.
EAGLES have been notably scarce. By now I expect to see 1 or 2 pretty much daily.
Perhaps they still have decent hunting on the mainland coast.
On the aquatic side:
HARLEQUINS continue at the seasonal normal of around 50 birds while PURPLE SANDPIPERS are still low with no more than a couple dozen on any day.
KITTIWAKES, GREAT BLACK BACKED GULLS & HERRING GULLS fluctuate with weather and local food but there's always some around.
ICELAND GULLS are now daily although no numerous.
GLAUCOUS GULLS are less frequent but I can find one most days that there's decent visibility. .
GREAT CORMORANTS are spotty as they move around foraging.
DOUBLE CREASTED CORMORANTS are occasional with the Greats.
COMMON EIDERS are around but no significant number; just scattered singles, pairs and other small groups foraging where weather, tides and inclination takes them.
ALCIDS are running about normal with the lion's share being flights of RAZORBILLS, presumably moving between winter feeding areas. Intermingled are random THIN BILLED (COMMON) MURRES & PUFFINS.
THICK BILLED MURRES & BLACK GUILLEMOTS are also occasional offshore in the tide rips. The Guillemots are never very numerous here, infrequent actually, out here away from the large islands and mainland.
Loons have been scarce on the water near the island but both COMMON & RED NECKED LOONS are spotted regularly as they pass.
Small groups of CANADA GEESE are still passing although generally spaced days apart.
Often, although not every winter, we host a single, late-season goose for an extended period. They seem attracted to our normally snowless and often unfrozen ground.
Seals, primarily GREY SEALS, are still here in fair number. I counted 160 on Gull Rock on Friday.
A month or so from now most of them should be down in New England and producing the next generation.
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