Someone cancelled the migration!
The ground was alive prior to the weather shift on Tuesday. Then we received about 2 hours of snow (no accumulation) late in the afternoon.
The ground was alive prior to the weather shift on Tuesday. Then we received about 2 hours of snow (no accumulation) late in the afternoon.
Since then it's been dead. Almost everything other than presumed resident SAVANNAH SPARROWS .... gone.
In a walk about yesterday (except for the Savannahs) I saw only 3 SWAMP SPARROWS, 2 SONG SPARROWS, 4 WHITE THROATED SPARROWS, 1 YELLOW RUMPED WARBLER, 3 FLICKERS, 1 BROWN CREEPER, 2 HERMIT THRUSHES and 1 LITTLE BROWN BIRD.
The same Little Brown Bird was first observed on Tuesday, along with a VEERY and a probable SWAINSON'S THRUSH.
First glance hinted at Lark Sparrow but it was "off". However, it's been a well behaved bird and content to sit and feed when it's not being harassed by Savannahs. So, FINALLY, I got a nice flash of Rufous on its shoulder (lesser coverts) that I wanted to lock it down as a VESPER SPARROW.
Contrasting with the land birds, the ALCIDS returned in force on Wednesday, with a lot on the island all day and a lot of coming and going.
In a walk about yesterday (except for the Savannahs) I saw only 3 SWAMP SPARROWS, 2 SONG SPARROWS, 4 WHITE THROATED SPARROWS, 1 YELLOW RUMPED WARBLER, 3 FLICKERS, 1 BROWN CREEPER, 2 HERMIT THRUSHES and 1 LITTLE BROWN BIRD.
The same Little Brown Bird was first observed on Tuesday, along with a VEERY and a probable SWAINSON'S THRUSH.
First glance hinted at Lark Sparrow but it was "off". However, it's been a well behaved bird and content to sit and feed when it's not being harassed by Savannahs. So, FINALLY, I got a nice flash of Rufous on its shoulder (lesser coverts) that I wanted to lock it down as a VESPER SPARROW.
Contrasting with the land birds, the ALCIDS returned in force on Wednesday, with a lot on the island all day and a lot of coming and going.
The island was loaded last night.
COMMON EIDERS are settling down for their summer stay while HARLEQUINS seem somewhat down in number.
COMMON EIDERS are settling down for their summer stay while HARLEQUINS seem somewhat down in number.
Presumably the LORDS & LADIES are departing for their nesting areas.
I haven't noticed a PURPLE SANDPIPER for perhaps a week. It's unnusual for them to all leave so soon but perhaps it's just that there were so few this winter. SPOTTIES should be arriving soon.
DOUBLE CREASTED CORMORANTS have been moving, mostly in flocks of less than 20.
I haven't noticed a PURPLE SANDPIPER for perhaps a week. It's unnusual for them to all leave so soon but perhaps it's just that there were so few this winter. SPOTTIES should be arriving soon.
DOUBLE CREASTED CORMORANTS have been moving, mostly in flocks of less than 20.
They are presumed to be migrating but around here they can make a body dizzy.
They have a tendency to approach the island, perhaps fly a kilometer or two past and them reverse direction, more or less circle the island once or twice, and eventually resume their original course.
They remind me of highway travellers checking out motels for a stop-over.
Yesterday did bring the return of GANNETS.
Many of you may remember that Gannets have been coming ashore here for the past few years and there was an unsuccessful nest a couple years back.
Last year, 2 and sometimes 3 Gannets spent a lot of time exploring the rocks at the SW corner of the island, not too far from one boardwalk and blind.
They have a tendency to approach the island, perhaps fly a kilometer or two past and them reverse direction, more or less circle the island once or twice, and eventually resume their original course.
They remind me of highway travellers checking out motels for a stop-over.
Yesterday did bring the return of GANNETS.
Many of you may remember that Gannets have been coming ashore here for the past few years and there was an unsuccessful nest a couple years back.
Last year, 2 and sometimes 3 Gannets spent a lot of time exploring the rocks at the SW corner of the island, not too far from one boardwalk and blind.
They seemed to favour one area and one bird was seen with nesting material.
However, it was rather late in the season and nothing developed. A lot of tourists did get good Gannet views.
Yesterday afternoon, on the fresh winds where Gannets excel, several adults and at least one sub-adult began over-flying the island, leaving and returning repeatedly.
Eventually, one sat down on their favoured rock and another did a "touch-and-go". This continued for over an hour.
This morning I see Gannets on the water just off their favoured spot.
Sooooooo ....... a Gannet summer??????
GRAY SEALS, easily numbering a couple hundred, are hauling out on Gull Rock each day, with a few (mainly young) seen here on MSI.
HARBOUR SEALS are more apparent now and their pups will soon be appearing.
However, it was rather late in the season and nothing developed. A lot of tourists did get good Gannet views.
Yesterday afternoon, on the fresh winds where Gannets excel, several adults and at least one sub-adult began over-flying the island, leaving and returning repeatedly.
Eventually, one sat down on their favoured rock and another did a "touch-and-go". This continued for over an hour.
This morning I see Gannets on the water just off their favoured spot.
Sooooooo ....... a Gannet summer??????
GRAY SEALS, easily numbering a couple hundred, are hauling out on Gull Rock each day, with a few (mainly young) seen here on MSI.
HARBOUR SEALS are more apparent now and their pups will soon be appearing.
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