I returned to the island Thursday, last.
The ALCIDS are well into their breeding season and our one GANNET is back.
I'm told that one or two other Gannets paused briefly.
Although our Gannet, a (presumed) male, has again built a nice nest in its regular spot, none of the passing Gannets showed any inclination towards setting up housekeeping.
That's been the story for the past few years. It seems that this bird is destined to the single life, much like another lone Gannet, at a Cormorant colony in Nova Scotia, several years ago.
COMMON EIDERS are back with somewhere around 100 in evidence.
HARLEQUIN DUCKS are still here but many have departed. I counted about 40 yesterday (Sunday).
A few SURF SCOTERS stopped for an hour or so near the island on Friday & Saturday. I saw 4 flocks with 6 to 14 individuals in each.
There are still at least a handful of PURPLE SANDPIPERS here, but I haven't seen much else in the way of shorebirds since WOODCOCK passed through a month ago.
Gulls are ubiquitous and constantly patrolling the seabird colony. HERRING, BLACK BACKED, a few ICELAND & a couple GLAUCOUS GULLS are seen with pretty much all year classes represented but it's the Herring Gulls that are mostly in the colony. The others are mainly non-breeders just scavenging around the island.
Quite a few obvious pairs of Herring Gulls and perhaps a pair of Black Backs, are house hunting here on the island.
A few raptors, other than EAGLES, have been filtering through. Over the past 3 days: 2 PEREGRINES; 3 HARRIERS; 1 MERLIN & 3 SHARP SHINNED HAWKS.
There have been up to 3 Eagles here at one time, both actively hunting and squabbling with each other. All appear to be 4th year birds.
Our semi-resident RAVENS are around daily, acting like raptors and terrorizing the alcids, especially the Puffins.
Mainly they scavenge but no exposed egg is safe, and they will attack an adult Alcid if they see a weakness.
The migrating small birds have been well represented, at least in numbers if not so much in variety.
WHITE THROATED SPARROWS dominate by number, and with their perchance for aggressive scratching, any bare ground is well tilled.
SAVANNAH SPARROWS are back in strength, and as our resident breeders, should remain stable. Some of them are obliviously on territory.
SONG SPARROWS have diminished. JUNCOS are plentiful.
There was an abrupt drop in sparrow numbers prior to the inclement currently passing through. Until Sunday there were thousands feeding and squabbling everywhere that one looked.
100-150 could be seen just on our patio. Now, there are only handfuls.
I'm expecting colourful arrivals soon. (Update) Before I had this finished for posting, a nice male ROSE BREASTED GROSBEAK appeared on the patio and is chowing down on sunflower seeds. Next? A TOWEE, maybe?
A female CARDINAL has been frequently visiting our patio, as well as a DOWNY WOODPECKER.
Interestingly, the Downy hasn't touched suet but is ground-feeding on oil seed.
Both of these species are rare out here (often 2 or 3 years between sightings). But, having said that, there were 3 DOWNY, 1 HAIRY & a RED BELLIED WOODPECKER here at one time last fall.
A few FLICKERS have been tempting the raptors by foraging mainly in the open.
There has been a sprinkling of GRACKLES, RED WINGED BLACKBIRDS & COWBIRDS but no more than 10, in total. None of those are around today, Monday, post-rainstorm.
It was still windy and dense fog replaced the heavy, overnight rain. With a slightly brighter sky, a couple BARN SWALLOWS arrived. Finding a scrap of food has got to be near impossible out here, with this weather. Finding flying insects out here is problematic under the best conditions. Thick fog, 25 knot winds and only 9 degrees C (48F) definitely is challenging.
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