Now, that's hardly notable by mainland standards, but out here, bare ground is the norm.
Fortunately, these past few days have been above freezing and the accumulated snow is shrinking quickly. The lawns and most open ground are bare. Only the areas of deepest drifting retain snow.
As expected, songbirds remain scarce. My best count is five SONG SPARROWS and one JUNCO, which is pretty much what was here a month ago. That's better than average winter survival.
PURPLE SANDPIPERS (our only winter shorebirds) seem to be a bit below average with an estimated 70 to 80 hanging around MSI and adjacent Gull Rock.
Anywhere from a handful to upwards of 2 dozen Purples are foraging around the houses every day. They often don't bother to fly, or even stop foraging, when we walk by them within a couple meters.
It's hard to avoid a little chuckle, knowing how hard it is for many birders to find the little buggers and we have them running around underfoot.
The real question, though, is, "What the hell are they finding to eat on the semi-frozen lawn that's better than offered at the shoreline?" I see them eating so even the winter sod has its denizens.
HARLEQUIN DUCKS are up somewhat, from the 50-odd "resident" winter birds, to about 100.
A sizeable bump in number is expected in the weeks leading up to their migration departure. I suspect that is what is happening now, although it's just a tad early. Late March is more typical.
As I've previously reported, there is often a single male RED BREASTED MERGANSER hanging about with the Harlequins. Always a male and always just the one.
It's hard to believe that it's the same bird but it's just barely possible, given their life span of about 9 years. It would also have to beat the Merganser's annual mortality rate of about 50%.
HERRING GULLS & GREAT BLACK BACKED GULLS oscillate from near zero to perhaps a hundred, depending to some degree on the presence of Eagles.
KITTIWAKES rarely land on the island but their numbers in the adjacent waters swing wildly, with the apparent appearance of food near the island.
Our semi-resident RAVENS have been hanging around pretty much every day. They likely know that the ALCIDS will soon return, creating feeding opportunities.
One EAGLE, an apparent 5-year-old, is here every day. Occasionally there is a second or third, although those ones seem quite a bit younger, perhaps 2-3 years.
A second individual was here about noon. It appeared to be a second-year bird.
The number of GRAY SEALS is growing as they return from their wintering and pupping grounds in New England. I was able to identify two pups this morning, among the 50-odd herd on Gull Rock.
Eagles, such as the one this morning, often perch close to the seals, I've often observed over the years. They seem to be particularly attentive at this time of year, apparently looking for opportunities with vulnerable pups and placentas.
Today, March 11th, there is one ROBIN and one STARLING foraging around the buildings.
Yesterday, the first small groups of Alcids began gathering southwest of the island. Nearly all are assumed to be RAZORBILLS, with some COMMON MURRES. Those groups will fluctuate and grow, possibly for weeks, until the rafts decide to come ashore.
Unusual for this early, I spotted 2 PUFFINS, both in full breeding dress, keeping to themselves in a regular feeding location just SE of the island.
Also yesterday, we saw our first flock of 18 CANADA GEESE headed towards the White Head (Grand Manan) area.
Off and on, through the winter, we see Common Loons. Today there are a couple Commons and two RED THROATED LOONS.
There are usually a handful of Cormorants present on MSI and Gull Rock. They are about 1/2 and 1/2 GREAT CORMORANTS & DOUBLE CHRESTED CORMORANTS. That is winter normal.
Offshore, traffic has been light, with widely scattered KITTIWAKES, LONG TAILED DUCKS et cetera.
-- The number of GRAY SEALS is growing as they return from their wintering and pupping grounds in New England. I was able to identify two pups this morning, among the 50-odd herd on Gull Rock.
Eagles, such as the one this morning, often perch close to the seals, I've often observed over the years. They seem to be particularly attentive at this time of year, apparently looking for opportunities with vulnerable pups and placentas.
Today, March 11th, there is one ROBIN and one STARLING foraging around the buildings.
Yesterday, the first small groups of Alcids began gathering southwest of the island. Nearly all are assumed to be RAZORBILLS, with some COMMON MURRES. Those groups will fluctuate and grow, possibly for weeks, until the rafts decide to come ashore.
Unusual for this early, I spotted 2 PUFFINS, both in full breeding dress, keeping to themselves in a regular feeding location just SE of the island.
Also yesterday, we saw our first flock of 18 CANADA GEESE headed towards the White Head (Grand Manan) area.
Off and on, through the winter, we see Common Loons. Today there are a couple Commons and two RED THROATED LOONS.
There are usually a handful of Cormorants present on MSI and Gull Rock. They are about 1/2 and 1/2 GREAT CORMORANTS & DOUBLE CHRESTED CORMORANTS. That is winter normal.
Offshore, traffic has been light, with widely scattered KITTIWAKES, LONG TAILED DUCKS et cetera.
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