I arrived on the island mid-afternoon Saturday, April 2nd.
As anticipated, the vanguard of Sparrows, Robins and other early migrants was well in place, as was the predictable influx of gulls as they pair up and await the arrival of the Alcids.
Also anticipated but not in evidence were the ALCIDS but that changed before dark with some rafting; perhaps 100 to 300 RAZORBILLS & MURRES at each of the 4 main assembly areas.
No birds came onto the island that night (Saturday) nor made any over-flights.
Sunday was different, though, with upwards of 4,000 Razorbills & Murres assembling by 16:00 hrs. The western rafts started lifting off about 2 hours later and about 3,000 mixed Razorbills & Murres were ashore by 18:00.
Birds from the other small rafts, those destined for the northern and eastern 2/3 of the island, declined to move.
Predictably, the birds were completely gone (*****) by this morning, with scattered rafts just offshore and continuous small flocks zipping around the island in all directions. ***** I spotted one lone Razorbill among the rocks around mid-morning, amid heavy snow. It didn't stay long and I don't know if it had stayed all night or was just an outlier that dropped in entirely on its own. It was unusual enough to note, though.
Tonight, with clear sky, light wind and calm sea, there is limited Alcid rafting (perhaps 500) and only west of the island. The sun was completely down some time ago but no Alcids seem inclined to come ashore. This hit and miss at the outset of the season is quite common and there seems to be some weather influence. Early on (and even throughout the season) the birds come in stronger with inclement weather and stay away from land more in the best weather.
As I've mentioned on other occasions, the island's seabird population is not a single entity, but rather there are several overlapping but discrete colonies with each colony following its own rhythms. Birds on the eastern shore, for example, and especially those in the NE area typically come ashore several days after the SW birds and it can be nearly 2 weeks later. Alcids on the SW and W portion of the island comprise the greatest concentration of the island population and always arrive earliest.
Also as mentioned before: Razorbills colonized the island much later than the PUFFINS and they just mixed in and followed the Puffin's cycle for arrival. However, the Razorbill colony eventually grew to the point where they became their own master and for about a decade now they have arrived according to their own timetable, usually 2-4 weeks ahead of the Puffins. They arrive well before the first puffin; they leave completely after a few days; they all stay away for up to 3 weeks; and then they return en mass with the Puffins.
Murres are still the least numerous Alcid and they seem content to follow the Razorbill's lead, just like the Razorbills followed the Puffin's lead in the early days..
It will be interesting to see whether the Murres will eventually hit a population point where they, too, slip into a cycle of their own, distinct from the both the Puffins and Razorbills.
Elsewhere on the water: HARLEQUINS are still evident at about winter-resident level of 35 to 50. The single RED BREASTED MERGANSER that's been around for at least 3 winters continues to feed and associate with the Harlequins although 3 other Red Breast males are hanging around now but ignoring the other species.
Also loosely associating with the Harlequins are a handful of SURF SCOTERS and a couple COMMON EIDERS.
Other Eiders (< 20) are foraging around the island, also mostly separate from the Harlequins.
A sub-adult BALD EAGLE harassed the Harlequins in front of the house for a half hour but there wasn't much danger of a kill, what with diving ducks and a near 30 knot wind.
Gulls, on the other hand, knew they were at risk on the ground (and water) and quickly took to the air. A handful tried to harry the eagle and I suspect they might have been some of those which try to establish nests on MSI and adjacent Gull Rock.
Terrestrial birds are pretty much as expected, although I haven't explored the island yet: SONG, CHIPPING, WHITE THROATED, LINCOLN'S & SAVANNAH SPARROWS, JUNCO; MOURNING DOVE; RED WINGED BLACKBIRD; ROBIN; STARLING & WOODCOCK are around.
GRAY SEALS are back with a hundred-odd hauling out on Gull Rock. I've only seen one pup but more should arrive soon. Most of those seen here are born down-coast in New England but I do see an occasional pup born here or nearby.
Most locally born are Harbour Seals but that won't until about June.
As anticipated, the vanguard of Sparrows, Robins and other early migrants was well in place, as was the predictable influx of gulls as they pair up and await the arrival of the Alcids.
Also anticipated but not in evidence were the ALCIDS but that changed before dark with some rafting; perhaps 100 to 300 RAZORBILLS & MURRES at each of the 4 main assembly areas.
No birds came onto the island that night (Saturday) nor made any over-flights.
Sunday was different, though, with upwards of 4,000 Razorbills & Murres assembling by 16:00 hrs. The western rafts started lifting off about 2 hours later and about 3,000 mixed Razorbills & Murres were ashore by 18:00.
Birds from the other small rafts, those destined for the northern and eastern 2/3 of the island, declined to move.
Predictably, the birds were completely gone (*****) by this morning, with scattered rafts just offshore and continuous small flocks zipping around the island in all directions. ***** I spotted one lone Razorbill among the rocks around mid-morning, amid heavy snow. It didn't stay long and I don't know if it had stayed all night or was just an outlier that dropped in entirely on its own. It was unusual enough to note, though.
Tonight, with clear sky, light wind and calm sea, there is limited Alcid rafting (perhaps 500) and only west of the island. The sun was completely down some time ago but no Alcids seem inclined to come ashore. This hit and miss at the outset of the season is quite common and there seems to be some weather influence. Early on (and even throughout the season) the birds come in stronger with inclement weather and stay away from land more in the best weather.
As I've mentioned on other occasions, the island's seabird population is not a single entity, but rather there are several overlapping but discrete colonies with each colony following its own rhythms. Birds on the eastern shore, for example, and especially those in the NE area typically come ashore several days after the SW birds and it can be nearly 2 weeks later. Alcids on the SW and W portion of the island comprise the greatest concentration of the island population and always arrive earliest.
Also as mentioned before: Razorbills colonized the island much later than the PUFFINS and they just mixed in and followed the Puffin's cycle for arrival. However, the Razorbill colony eventually grew to the point where they became their own master and for about a decade now they have arrived according to their own timetable, usually 2-4 weeks ahead of the Puffins. They arrive well before the first puffin; they leave completely after a few days; they all stay away for up to 3 weeks; and then they return en mass with the Puffins.
Murres are still the least numerous Alcid and they seem content to follow the Razorbill's lead, just like the Razorbills followed the Puffin's lead in the early days..
It will be interesting to see whether the Murres will eventually hit a population point where they, too, slip into a cycle of their own, distinct from the both the Puffins and Razorbills.
Elsewhere on the water: HARLEQUINS are still evident at about winter-resident level of 35 to 50. The single RED BREASTED MERGANSER that's been around for at least 3 winters continues to feed and associate with the Harlequins although 3 other Red Breast males are hanging around now but ignoring the other species.
Also loosely associating with the Harlequins are a handful of SURF SCOTERS and a couple COMMON EIDERS.
Other Eiders (< 20) are foraging around the island, also mostly separate from the Harlequins.
A sub-adult BALD EAGLE harassed the Harlequins in front of the house for a half hour but there wasn't much danger of a kill, what with diving ducks and a near 30 knot wind.
Gulls, on the other hand, knew they were at risk on the ground (and water) and quickly took to the air. A handful tried to harry the eagle and I suspect they might have been some of those which try to establish nests on MSI and adjacent Gull Rock.
Terrestrial birds are pretty much as expected, although I haven't explored the island yet: SONG, CHIPPING, WHITE THROATED, LINCOLN'S & SAVANNAH SPARROWS, JUNCO; MOURNING DOVE; RED WINGED BLACKBIRD; ROBIN; STARLING & WOODCOCK are around.
GRAY SEALS are back with a hundred-odd hauling out on Gull Rock. I've only seen one pup but more should arrive soon. Most of those seen here are born down-coast in New England but I do see an occasional pup born here or nearby.
Most locally born are Harbour Seals but that won't until about June.
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