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07 Nov Dickcissel at Broad Cove, Lun. Co. [] 07 Nov Dickcissel at Broad Cove, Lun. Co. [] 7 Nov Re: Re: Owl #100 [Randy Lauff ] 07 Nov RE: Re: Owl #100 [Helene Van Doninck ] 7 Nov Sullivan's Pond [Gayle MacLean ] 7 Nov Re: Owl #100 [Randy Lauff ] 06 Nov Halifax West End Pheasant [Brian Bartlett ] 6 Nov Owl #100 [Randy Lauff ] 6 Nov gryfalcon [John Nickerson ] 6 Nov hudsonian godwit [John Nickerson ] 05 Nov Northern Mockingbird, Bedford ["P.L. Chalmers" ] 05 Nov dancing winter crane flies -- identification in Oct. 2000 ["James W. Wolford" ] 5 Nov Rough-leg [Richard Stern ] 05 Nov re Blue Moon New Year's Eve ... ["James W. Wolford" ] 4 Nov BNS 2010 Calendar ["Harold Forsyth" ] 04 Nov RE: wilson's storm petrel -long..sorry :) [Helene Van Doninck ] 04 Nov RE: wilson's storm petrel -long..sorry :) [Helene Van Doninck ] 04 Nov RE: wilson's storm petrel -long..sorry :) [Helene Van Doninck ] 04 Nov Geese in Truro area [] 4 Nov RE: wilson's storm petrel -long..sorry :) [] 4 Nov Re: wilson's storm petrel -long..sorry :) ["Laurie Murison" ] 04 Nov Re: spatuletail hummingbird video [Hans Toom ] 4 Nov RE: spatuletail hummingbird video [Lynne Perry ] 04 Nov RE: wilson's storm petrel -long..sorry :) [Helene Van Doninck ] 4 Nov spatuletail hummingbird video [Suzanne Townsend ] 04 Nov RE: The ocean will take it away [Helene Van Doninck ] 03 Nov Winter birds in HRM [Bob McDonald ] 3 Nov Re: 3 insect reports + ad' for Quirks & Quarks [Rick Ballard ] 03 Nov 3 insect reports + ad' for Quirks & Quarks ["James W. Wolford" ] 03 Nov Snow Buntings ["David W. Johnston" ] 03 Nov Re: Snow Buntings [Blake Maybank ] 03 Nov Re: New Year's Eve Blue Moon [Sherman Williams ] 03 Nov Re: Snow Buntings [garvin atkinson ] 2 Nov Snow Buntings [Bruce Stevens ] 3 Nov Other Birds [James Hirtle ] 3 Nov Greater Scaup [James Hirtle ] 2 Nov red knots [John Nickerson ] 2 Nov Kingston to Port George and back [Patrick Giffin ] 02 Nov RE: Mystery birdsong ["Laviolette, Lance (EXP)" ] 2 Nov RE: New Year's Eve Blue Moon [Bev Crowell ] 02 Nov Re: Red breasted nuthatches [Marg Millard ] 02 Nov New Year's Eve Blue Moon [Hans Toom ] 2 Nov Re: Red breasted nuthatches [] 02 Nov Pink-footed Geese in Maine [] 02 Nov Re: Mystery birdsong [Eleanor Lindsay ] 02 Nov Red breasted nuthatches [Eleanor Lindsay ] 01 Nov Fundy Shore birds - Harlequins etc. ["P.L. Chalmers" ] 01 Nov Orioles [Lois Codling ] 1 Nov Fundy Shore birding this afternoon [Richard Stern ] 1 Nov Re: Mystery birdsong [Suzanne Borkowski ] 01 Nov Mystery birdsong [Eleanor Lindsay ] 01 Nov Orioles [Susann Myers ] 31 Oct A few new pics [Richard Stern ] 31 Oct Pictou Co. Harbours Halloween birds [Ken McKenna ] 31 Oct bat at villagedale [] 31 Oct shorebirds [John Nickerson ] 31 Oct Yell.-br. Chat W. End Halifax, and weather prospects [] 31 Oct Yell.-br. Chat W. End Halifax, and weather prospects [] 30 Oct Baltimore Oriole ["David W. Johnston" ] 30 Oct Eric Mills to Lecture on History of Marine Sciences in Atlantic Canada [] 30 Oct RE: The ocean will take it away [Ken MacAulay ] 30 Oct Re: lark sparrow ["Roland McCormick" ] 30 Oct Snow Buntings in Morden [Gary Myers ] 30 Oct lark sparrow [John Nickerson ] 30 Oct Re: The ocean will take it away [Gayle MacLean ] 30 Oct Re: Suburban Ring-necked Pheasants -- They're in Pt Pleasant Park, too [Andrew Horn ] 30 Oct N.S. Bird Society Field Trip: Port Hawkesbury; Sat. Nov. 7 [Patrick Kelly ] 30 Oct Nova Scotia Bird Society Field Trip: New Birders' Walk, Halifax [Patrick Kelly ] 30 Oct Re: The ocean will take it away ["Tom & Terri" ] 30 Oct The ocean will take it away ["Tom & Terri" ] 30 Oct Naturalist talk-" Forest Birds of Pictou-Antigonish Highlands"- John Kearney [Ken McKenna ] 29 Oct Snow Buntings, etc. [Brian Dalzell ] 29 Oct RE: re fishing eagles [Fritz McEvoy ] 29 Oct Re: wilson's storm petrel [Kathleen MacAulay ] 29 Oct wilson's storm petrel [] 29 Oct re fishing eagles [Fritz McEvoy ] Subject: Dickcissel at Broad Cove, Lun. Co. From: sfullert AT dal.ca Date: Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:39:28 -0500 This is a late report due to computer problems. A bright female Dickcissel spent the day here on Friday, Nov. 6, but there is no sign of it today. Otherwise there are exceptionally few passerines in the area. Sylvia Fullerton Broad Cove, Lun. Co.Subject: Dickcissel at Broad Cove, Lun. Co. From: sfullert AT dal.ca Date: Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:39:28 -0500 This is a late report due to computer problems. A bright female Dickcissel spent the day here on Friday, Nov. 6, but there is no sign of it today. Otherwise there are exceptionally few passerines in the area. Sylvia Fullerton Broad Cove, Lun. Co.Subject: Re: Re: Owl #100 From: Randy Lauff <randy.lauff AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 12:04:49 -0400 If the mice in my house are a good indication, then the late owls will at least have prey availability on their side. I don't recall if Deer Mice are found in the open country, too...but if so, the same argument would apply to the Kestrels. My latest records for nest start dates for Saw-whets are 11 and 13 June, so I check all of my nest boxes at least once after the 13th. This year, there were no nests found by me or anyone else that I know of that monitors small owl nest boxes. However, it is possible that next year I may find the remains of a nest that was started even later than my last check date. Randy 2009/11/7 Helene Van DoninckSubject: RE: Re: Owl #100 From: Helene Van Doninck <hvandoninck AT eastlink.ca> Date: Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:32:33 -0400 Hi Randy, This aug we got in a downy headed barred owl and Kestrel...and I mean late august. That does worry me a bit for survival of some birds of prey. Hoping these were oddballs and not a trend! Helene Helene Van Doninck DVM Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre RR#1 Brookfield Nova Scotia Canada B0N1C0 hvandoninck AT eastlink.ca www.cwrc.net http://cwrcblog.blogspot.com/ 1-902-893-0253 CWRC 2010 Calendars now for sale, see www.cwrc.net -----Original Message----- From: naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca]On Behalf Of Randy Lauff Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2009 7:47 AM To: NatureNS Subject: [NatureNS] Re: Owl #100 Thanks to Jim Wolford for pointing out that I didn't mention the type of owl. This email was actually supposed to go to a different address, and the recipient would have known I meant a Northern Saw-whet Owl (though the 100 owls also includes about 10 Boreals). Anyway, the southbound migration seems about as strong as last year. Other folks monitoring the migration are seeing a slow start (they're all south of me), but they haven't got their big wave yet. I've caught more Deer Mice in my house this past month (about 6) than in the last three years. I hope this means there are a lot of mice, not that my house has suddenly become attractive! If the mice numbers are truly up, then as long as the winter isn't too hard, weasels, owls, snakes, foxes should all do well next year. Randy 2009/11/6 Randy LauffSubject: Sullivan's Pond From: Gayle MacLean <duartess2003 AT yahoo.ca> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 06:42:06 -0800 (PST) Hi All,
Noticed between 20 - 30 Wigeons (I think most were American) on Sullivan's Pond
this morning. A number of various types of gulls present too.
Gayle MacLean
Dartmouth
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Subject: Re: Owl #100From: Randy Lauff <randy.lauff AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 07:46:46 -0400 Thanks to Jim Wolford for pointing out that I didn't mention the type of owl. This email was actually supposed to go to a different address, and the recipient would have known I meant a Northern Saw-whet Owl (though the 100 owls also includes about 10 Boreals). Anyway, the southbound migration seems about as strong as last year. Other folks monitoring the migration are seeing a slow start (they're all south of me), but they haven't got their big wave yet. I've caught more Deer Mice in my house this past month (about 6) than in the last three years. I hope this means there are a lot of mice, not that my house has suddenly become attractive! If the mice numbers are truly up, then as long as the winter isn't too hard, weasels, owls, snakes, foxes should all do well next year. Randy 2009/11/6 Randy LauffSubject: Halifax West End Pheasant From: Brian Bartlett <bbartlett AT eastlink.ca> Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:16:51 -0400 Early this morning while snow was still falling lightly, we had a Ring-necked Pheasant (male) stalking around our back yard in West End Halifax. This is the first time we've had a visiting pheasant during our nine years in this house. It picked up some stray food from under the barbecue. When I went outside for a closer look, it didn't take flight, but fled briskly on foot through a shrub into a neighbour's back yard--couldn't tell whether or not it was hurt and unable to fly. For my family the pheasant was a bigger -- and more colourful -- surprise than the snow.Subject: Owl #100 From: Randy Lauff <randy.lauff AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 17:00:19 -0400 I banded my 100th owl last night, before the moon rose. My 100 owls are almost evenly split between nest-banded birds and migration monitoring. The birds was an AHY unknown sex, not wearing any bracelets. But it did have bloody chin feathers, and the blood wasn't mine. Randy _________________________________ RF Lauff Way in the boonies of Antigonish County, NS.Subject: gryfalcon From: John Nickerson <jonsannick AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 14:44:22 -0400
at the hawk a gray phase gryfalcon perched on a rock sandra and i watched it
for 10 minutes it flew toward daniels head 1;45 p.m.
johnny sandra
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Subject: hudsonian godwitFrom: John Nickerson <jonsannick AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 12:32:54 -0400
1 hudsonian godwit at daniels head at 11.59 a.m. also dunlin,
sanderling, black bellied plovers there also
johnny sandra
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Subject: Northern Mockingbird, BedfordFrom: "P.L. Chalmers" <plchalmers AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:30:39 -0400 Hi there, I was speaking to Jean Hartley today and she told me that she saw a Northern Mockingbird near DeWolfe Park (off Convoy Run) in Bedford yesterday, the first time in quite a while. There is a footpath at the north end of Waterfront Drive that leads to the south end of Shore Drive; this is lined with multiflora rose bushes. This has been a regular winter location for mockingbirds for several years. Cheers, Patricia L. Chalmers HalifaxSubject: dancing winter crane flies -- identification in Oct. 2000 From: "James W. Wolford" <jimwolford AT eastlink.ca> Date: Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:34:26 -0400 WAY TO GO, JEAN! in finding the old e-mail from Oct. 2000 -- cheers from Jim in Wolfville. NOV. 3, 2009 - In east Wolfville, in the garden of Brenda & Bill Thexton, Bob Thexton noticed a small swarm of flies that was moving up and down in a dancing movement, just a metre or so above the ground. This is probably a swarm of male flies, perhaps winter crane flies?, that is dancing and buzzing to attract females of the same species. I don't recall reports of these over the past couple of winters, but Jean Timpa in Wolfville used to report these often in late autumn or spring, and I think Andrew Hebda? eventually identified to that family a fly that was captured by someone and submitted. But I think we still need someone to have an insect net at the right time and place to capture some of the dancing flies and get them identified for sure. The flies in question are small, and are difficult to observe as they fly; they are smallish and Bob said these had long legs (like real crane flies). [re WINTER CRANE FLIES: Jean Timpa found the e-mail from Fred Scott back on Oct. 27, 2000 -- Fred and Andrew Hebda identified the flies collected by Jean as WINTER CRANE FLIES, family Trichoceridae, genus and species Trichocera brumalis .][That e-mail from Fred is just below.] [Date sent: Fri, 27 Oct 2000 21:36:09 -0300 From: fwscott AT ns.sympatico.ca (Fred Scott) To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca Subject: Re: ballet of the flies Send reply to: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca Hello all who have been wondering about the dancing flies. Jean Timpa brought in two of the flies to my office at Acadia yesterday and I took them in to the NSMNH this morning. A check of the collection quickly revealed an exact match, which Andrew Hebda and I confirmed in Borror and Dillon and the Manual of Nearctic Diptera. They are Winter Crane Flies, family Trichoceridae, and the species is _Trichocera brumalis_ Fitch. Interestingly, there are some specimens in the quite long series of the species that were collected as late as 24 December. The family is best known for its outdoor swarming behaviour in early spring and late fall and the swarms are mostly males (as were the two specimens Jean gave me), suggesting that the swarms have a mating function. Some species of the genus also occur in caves and sometime cellars. Trichocerids differ from the true craneflies (Tipulidae) principally in having two tiny ocelli between the compound eyes (craneflies have no ocelli), and in being generally smaller, and usually having unmarked wings. The larvae of most species feed on decaying vegetation in moist habitats. Fred W. Scott 6250 Allan St. Halifax NS Canada B3L 1G9 (902) 422-8239 AND Department of Biology Acadia University Wolfville NS Canada B0P 1X0 (902) 585-1720 phone (902) 585-1059 fax]Subject: Rough-leg From: Richard Stern <sternrichard AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 16:01:50 -0400 There was a very smart-looking dark phase Rough-legged hawk hovering then soaring over the dykes and fields near my home this afternoon. Also 2 LBB gulls at Fred Thomas Rd. Richard -- ################# Richard Stern, 317 Middle Dyke Rd. Port Williams, NS, Canada B0P 1T0 sternrichard AT gmail.com ###################Subject: re Blue Moon New Year's Eve ... From: "James W. Wolford" <jimwolford AT eastlink.ca> Date: Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:31:24 -0400 Thanks, Roy! and I will indeed post this to the list. Cheers from Jim Begin forwarded message: > From: Roy BishopSubject: BNS 2010 Calendar From: "Harold Forsyth" <harold.forsyth AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 23:27:31 -0400
The Blomidon Naturalists Society's 2010 calendars are now available. As
always, the calendar contains beautiful nature pictures by local photographers,
daily tide times, events and lots of fascinating natural history information.
All for the price of only $15.
They are currently available at the following retail outlets:
Herbin Jewellers', EOS Fine Foods and Blomidon Inn in Wolfville
Hennigar's Farm Market, Elderkin's Farm Market and Noggins Corner Farm in
Greenwich
Shur Gain Feeds & Needs in Port Williams
Camera Corner in New Minas
R & G Family Restaurant in Hants Border
These outlets sell the calendar for our benefit at no profit for themselves
and we thank them for that and encourage you to patronize these fine
establishments. Anyone else who can take a few calendars on consignment are
most welcome.
Calendars will also be available at BNS monthly meetings, the Acadia Christmas
Craft Fair or from Harold by e-mail or phone at 542-5983. Enjoy your calendar
and thank you for your ongoing support of the Blomidon Naturalists Society.
Subject: RE: wilson's storm petrel -long..sorry :)From: Helene Van Doninck <hvandoninck AT eastlink.ca> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:07:25 -0400 Laurie, now that I think of it I have seen them feeding in late afternoon
near Bell Island when I lived in NL. So, I guess primarily nocturnal with
some daytime activity :)
Helene
Helene Van Doninck DVM
Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
RR#1 Brookfield Nova Scotia Canada B0N1C0
hvandoninck AT eastlink.ca
www.cwrc.net
http://cwrcblog.blogspot.com/
1-902-893-0253
-----Original Message-----
From: naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca
[mailto:naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca]On Behalf Of Laurie Murison
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 5:14 PM
To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: Re: [NatureNS] wilson's storm petrel -long..sorry :)
Helene,
Great summary, just one correction.
They do feed during the day, I see them doing it all the time in the
summer (both Wilson's and Leach's), however, they only come ashore and leave
their nesting sites after dark. Feeding forays can cover hundreds of miles.
Leach's petrels nesting on Kent Island in the Bay of Fundy travel as far as
George's Bank on a feeding trip before returning to their chicks, which can
take a couple of days or more. Nesting is staggered with some chicks only
now leaving the nests while others have been fledged since early September.
Leach's nest on many islands in the Maritimes but are often not seen because
of their nocturnal activities. I have a theory that some of the ghost
stories on islands where Leach's nest have their originals from the petrels'
nocturnal comings and goings.
We have a graduate student beginning a project next summer looking at
Leach's storm petrel's diet and contaminant levels in the food they
provision their chicks.
Laurie Murison
Grand Manan, NB.
----- Original Message -----
From: Helene Van Doninck
To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 3:52 PM
Subject: RE: [NatureNS] wilson's storm petrel -long..sorry :)
HI all,
Been planning to write about petrels in response to this question but
havent had time to get on. If you arent interested in the minutae of petrel
rehabilitation, stop reading now :)
I have had lots of storm petrels come in, or receieved calls about them,
typically after high winds. As most of you know they are pelagic seabirds
and are not normally seen on the mainland. They have a unique nocturnal
feeding behaviour where they literally skip along the surface of the ocean
skimming bits of zooplankton etc.
When they ar grounded on land, its like they literally have no idea what
to do. You can toss them in the air 100 times and they will just flutter to
the ground. However, take them to a beach or wharf or cliff..and toss them
and they will rapidly fly away ( unless they have some other problem). When
I get them in, i check them to be sure there are no injuries and they arent
thin ( they are usually fine). Then the next dusk that comes, I drive them
to Pictou and release them over open water and they fly off like a bat out
of hell. Nice releases. I try to release them where I can intervene if
necessary. I have had a couple who did not fly so I went in after them with
a dip net and boots...kinda hard to do off of a cliff :(
Because of their feeding behaviour they do NOT recognize anything you
might offer them as food, so if they are kept for an extended period they
will rapidly get thin. I once had one for a week ( landed after hurricane
Juan and I had no electricity for 5 of those days ) with a leg injury..so I
had to feed it with a stomach tube, no mean feat on such a tiny bird. It
was successfully released.
Some petrel trivia
- must be released at dusk or gulls WILL eat them. I once took my
boyfriend ( now my husband) on what I thought would be a cool release.
Tossed the bird in the air over Middle Cove in NL, it flew beautifully. As
we watched with binoculars, a great black backed gull swooped down and
swallowed him without breaking his flight pattern..ugh. I should have
listened to the locals!
- they smell like oil. Must be what they eat but they have a distinct
petroluem/fishy kind of smell
- they should be released ASAP, or they will get weak and thin
- again..they wont eat anything you offer them, no matter how good you
think it looks
- being a pelagic seabird, they and all birds who spend the majority of
their time on the water should be handled wearing gloves. Even oils from
your hands can mess with their delicate waterproofing. Also, their bedding
should be changed frequently, oils from their feces can also harm the
waterproofing on their feathers.
- do not try to swim them in your tub/sink/basin etc...especially if you
have hard water..again...hard on the feathers.
- consider yourself lucky if you see one, not many people do and they
are beautiful delicate little birds.
Sorry for the ramble, can you tell I like them?
If anyone finds one and needs advice, call me at 893-0253. The email I
have in my signature can be unreliable but I check birdvet AT hotmail.com
several times per day.
Thanks
Helene
Helene Van Doninck DVM
Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
RR#1 Brookfield Nova Scotia Canada B0N1C0
hvandoninck AT eastlink.ca
www.cwrc.net
http://cwrcblog.blogspot.com/
1-902-893-0253
-----Original Message-----
From: naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca
[mailto:naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca]On Behalf Of Kathleen MacAulay
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 5:36 PM
To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: Re: [NatureNS] wilson's storm petrel
I don't have much experience with petrels, but I was speaking with
Helene van Doninck moments ago about this, and she informed me that petrels
will not fly unless they are tossed over water, and must be released at
night to avoid being predated by gulls.
However, grounded birds often have problems, emaciation/starvation
being one of them. If your friend is not sure the bird is healthy, he should
not release it.
Helene also tells me that petrels will not eat on their own in
captivity.
In addition, if a bird is weak from starvation, extremely careful
refeeding and special diets are necessary, because in the last stages of
starvation the energy it takes to digest food can actually drain the animal
past the point of no return and cause it to perish.
I suggest that the friend get in touch with Helene at the Cobequid
Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre for advice, and hopefully transportation can
be arranged to get it to her.
Helene says she will try and e-mail the list tonight with a more
comprehensive and expert reply than mine. :)
Helene can be reached by phone at at (902) 893-0253 or by e-mail at
hvandoninck AT eastlink.ca.
Kathleen MacAulay
Milford Station
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "bdigout AT seaside.ns.ca"
Subject: RE: wilson's storm petrel -long..sorry :)From: Helene Van Doninck <hvandoninck AT eastlink.ca> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:06:25 -0400 Happy to hear this and glad to help. I do enjoy when they come in as it is almost always a happy ending. Most people dont know what petrels look like and when I get the description on the phone.. " Hello..i have this little black bird, webbed feet, bump on its beak, wont fly"....I pretty much know what it is :) Helene Helene Van Doninck DVM Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre RR#1 Brookfield Nova Scotia Canada B0N1C0 hvandoninck AT eastlink.ca www.cwrc.net http://cwrcblog.blogspot.com/ 1-902-893-0253 -----Original Message----- From: naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca]On Behalf Of bdigout AT seaside.ns.ca Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 6:03 PM To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca Subject: RE: [NatureNS] wilson's storm petrel -long..sorry :) > Thanks to Ian, Helene, and yourself for the information on petrels. My friend was able to force-feed it some "sea fleas" he picked up under kelp at the shore. The next evening, he released it near St. Peter's Canal and he said it flew off, apparently with no ill effects into the wild blue/black yonder. Billy .HI all, > > Been planning to write about petrels in response to this question but > havent > had time to get on. If you arent interested in the minutae of petrel > rehabilitation, stop reading now :) > > I have had lots of storm petrels come in, or receieved calls about them, > typically after high winds. As most of you know they are pelagic seabirds > and are not normally seen on the mainland. They have a unique nocturnal > feeding behaviour where they literally skip along the surface of the ocean > skimming bits of zooplankton etc. > > When they ar grounded on land, its like they literally have no idea what > to > do. You can toss them in the air 100 times and they will just flutter to > the > ground. However, take them to a beach or wharf or cliff..and toss them and > they will rapidly fly away ( unless they have some other problem). When I > get them in, i check them to be sure there are no injuries and they arent > thin ( they are usually fine). Then the next dusk that comes, I drive them > to Pictou and release them over open water and they fly off like a bat > out > of hell. Nice releases. I try to release them where I can intervene if > necessary. I have had a couple who did not fly so I went in after them > with > a dip net and boots...kinda hard to do off of a cliff :( > > Because of their feeding behaviour they do NOT recognize anything you > might > offer them as food, so if they are kept for an extended period they will > rapidly get thin. I once had one for a week ( landed after hurricane Juan > and I had no electricity for 5 of those days ) with a leg injury..so I > had > to feed it with a stomach tube, no mean feat on such a tiny bird. It was > successfully released. > > Some petrel trivia > > - must be released at dusk or gulls WILL eat them. I once took my > boyfriend > ( now my husband) on what I thought would be a cool release. Tossed the > bird > in the air over Middle Cove in NL, it flew beautifully. As we watched with > binoculars, a great black backed gull swooped down and swallowed him > without > breaking his flight pattern..ugh. I should have listened to the locals! > > - they smell like oil. Must be what they eat but they have a distinct > petroluem/fishy kind of smell > > - they should be released ASAP, or they will get weak and thin > > - again..they wont eat anything you offer them, no matter how good you > think > it looks > > - being a pelagic seabird, they and all birds who spend the majority of > their time on the water should be handled wearing gloves. Even oils from > your hands can mess with their delicate waterproofing. Also, their bedding > should be changed frequently, oils from their feces can also harm the > waterproofing on their feathers. > > - do not try to swim them in your tub/sink/basin etc...especially if you > have hard water..again...hard on the feathers. > > - consider yourself lucky if you see one, not many people do and they are > beautiful delicate little birds. > > Sorry for the ramble, can you tell I like them? > > If anyone finds one and needs advice, call me at 893-0253. The email I > have > in my signature can be unreliable but I check birdvet AT hotmail.com several > times per day. > > Thanks > > Helene > > Helene Van Doninck DVM > Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre > RR#1 Brookfield Nova Scotia Canada B0N1C0 > hvandoninck AT eastlink.ca > www.cwrc.net > http://cwrcblog.blogspot.com/ > 1-902-893-0253 > > -----Original Message----- > From: naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca > [mailto:naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca]On Behalf Of Kathleen MacAulay > Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 5:36 PM > To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca > Subject: Re: [NatureNS] wilson's storm petrel > > > I don't have much experience with petrels, but I was speaking with > Helene > van Doninck moments ago about this, and she informed me that petrels will > not fly unless they are tossed over water, and must be released at night > to > avoid being predated by gulls. > > However, grounded birds often have problems, emaciation/starvation being > one of them. If your friend is not sure the bird is healthy, he should not > release it. > > Helene also tells me that petrels will not eat on their own in > captivity. > > In addition, if a bird is weak from starvation, extremely careful > refeeding and special diets are necessary, because in the last stages of > starvation the energy it takes to digest food can actually drain the > animal > past the point of no return and cause it to perish. > > I suggest that the friend get in touch with Helene at the Cobequid > Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre for advice, and hopefully transportation > can > be arranged to get it to her. > > Helene says she will try and e-mail the list tonight with a more > comprehensive and expert reply than mine. :) > > Helene can be reached by phone at at (902) 893-0253 or by e-mail at > hvandoninck AT eastlink.ca. > > Kathleen MacAulay > Milford Station > > > > > > > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- > -- > From: "bdigout AT seaside.ns.ca"Subject: RE: wilson's storm petrel -long..sorry :) From: Helene Van Doninck <hvandoninck AT eastlink.ca> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:04:07 -0400 Laurie, they are indeed interesting birds, thanks for sharing :)
Helene
Helene Van Doninck DVM
Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
RR#1 Brookfield Nova Scotia Canada B0N1C0
hvandoninck AT eastlink.ca
www.cwrc.net
http://cwrcblog.blogspot.com/
1-902-893-0253
-----Original Message-----
From: naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca
[mailto:naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca]On Behalf Of Laurie Murison
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 5:14 PM
To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: Re: [NatureNS] wilson's storm petrel -long..sorry :)
Helene,
Great summary, just one correction.
They do feed during the day, I see them doing it all the time in the
summer (both Wilson's and Leach's), however, they only come ashore and leave
their nesting sites after dark. Feeding forays can cover hundreds of miles.
Leach's petrels nesting on Kent Island in the Bay of Fundy travel as far as
George's Bank on a feeding trip before returning to their chicks, which can
take a couple of days or more. Nesting is staggered with some chicks only
now leaving the nests while others have been fledged since early September.
Leach's nest on many islands in the Maritimes but are often not seen because
of their nocturnal activities. I have a theory that some of the ghost
stories on islands where Leach's nest have their originals from the petrels'
nocturnal comings and goings.
We have a graduate student beginning a project next summer looking at
Leach's storm petrel's diet and contaminant levels in the food they
provision their chicks.
Laurie Murison
Grand Manan, NB.
----- Original Message -----
From: Helene Van Doninck
To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 3:52 PM
Subject: RE: [NatureNS] wilson's storm petrel -long..sorry :)
HI all,
Been planning to write about petrels in response to this question but
havent had time to get on. If you arent interested in the minutae of petrel
rehabilitation, stop reading now :)
I have had lots of storm petrels come in, or receieved calls about them,
typically after high winds. As most of you know they are pelagic seabirds
and are not normally seen on the mainland. They have a unique nocturnal
feeding behaviour where they literally skip along the surface of the ocean
skimming bits of zooplankton etc.
When they ar grounded on land, its like they literally have no idea what
to do. You can toss them in the air 100 times and they will just flutter to
the ground. However, take them to a beach or wharf or cliff..and toss them
and they will rapidly fly away ( unless they have some other problem). When
I get them in, i check them to be sure there are no injuries and they arent
thin ( they are usually fine). Then the next dusk that comes, I drive them
to Pictou and release them over open water and they fly off like a bat out
of hell. Nice releases. I try to release them where I can intervene if
necessary. I have had a couple who did not fly so I went in after them with
a dip net and boots...kinda hard to do off of a cliff :(
Because of their feeding behaviour they do NOT recognize anything you
might offer them as food, so if they are kept for an extended period they
will rapidly get thin. I once had one for a week ( landed after hurricane
Juan and I had no electricity for 5 of those days ) with a leg injury..so I
had to feed it with a stomach tube, no mean feat on such a tiny bird. It
was successfully released.
Some petrel trivia
- must be released at dusk or gulls WILL eat them. I once took my
boyfriend ( now my husband) on what I thought would be a cool release.
Tossed the bird in the air over Middle Cove in NL, it flew beautifully. As
we watched with binoculars, a great black backed gull swooped down and
swallowed him without breaking his flight pattern..ugh. I should have
listened to the locals!
- they smell like oil. Must be what they eat but they have a distinct
petroluem/fishy kind of smell
- they should be released ASAP, or they will get weak and thin
- again..they wont eat anything you offer them, no matter how good you
think it looks
- being a pelagic seabird, they and all birds who spend the majority of
their time on the water should be handled wearing gloves. Even oils from
your hands can mess with their delicate waterproofing. Also, their bedding
should be changed frequently, oils from their feces can also harm the
waterproofing on their feathers.
- do not try to swim them in your tub/sink/basin etc...especially if you
have hard water..again...hard on the feathers.
- consider yourself lucky if you see one, not many people do and they
are beautiful delicate little birds.
Sorry for the ramble, can you tell I like them?
If anyone finds one and needs advice, call me at 893-0253. The email I
have in my signature can be unreliable but I check birdvet AT hotmail.com
several times per day.
Thanks
Helene
Helene Van Doninck DVM
Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
RR#1 Brookfield Nova Scotia Canada B0N1C0
hvandoninck AT eastlink.ca
www.cwrc.net
http://cwrcblog.blogspot.com/
1-902-893-0253
-----Original Message-----
From: naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca
[mailto:naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca]On Behalf Of Kathleen MacAulay
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 5:36 PM
To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: Re: [NatureNS] wilson's storm petrel
I don't have much experience with petrels, but I was speaking with
Helene van Doninck moments ago about this, and she informed me that petrels
will not fly unless they are tossed over water, and must be released at
night to avoid being predated by gulls.
However, grounded birds often have problems, emaciation/starvation
being one of them. If your friend is not sure the bird is healthy, he should
not release it.
Helene also tells me that petrels will not eat on their own in
captivity.
In addition, if a bird is weak from starvation, extremely careful
refeeding and special diets are necessary, because in the last stages of
starvation the energy it takes to digest food can actually drain the animal
past the point of no return and cause it to perish.
I suggest that the friend get in touch with Helene at the Cobequid
Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre for advice, and hopefully transportation can
be arranged to get it to her.
Helene says she will try and e-mail the list tonight with a more
comprehensive and expert reply than mine. :)
Helene can be reached by phone at at (902) 893-0253 or by e-mail at
hvandoninck AT eastlink.ca.
Kathleen MacAulay
Milford Station
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "bdigout AT seaside.ns.ca"
Subject: Geese in Truro areaFrom: iamclar AT DAL.CA Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:33:51 -0400 Hi all: Bernice and I went looking for geese at high tide between Truro and Glenholme. We saw several large groups of Canadas - perhaps 2000 or so all told - below the road opposite to the McWilliam road turnoff and also at the upper end of the McMwilliam Rd. mear Hiway 104 and in the fields near the bay south of Lr. Onslow. The only mildly interesting one was a possible Cackling Goose among the large Canadas in the first group, but too far to be totally connvinced. Only a small portion of the corn has been harvested, so later in the month the geese may become more scattered and easier to study. A hovering dark morph Rough-legged Hawk was seen near exit 9 on Hiway 102. Cheers, Ian Ian McLarenSubject: RE: wilson's storm petrel -long..sorry :) From: bdigout AT seaside.ns.ca Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 18:03:12 -0400 (AST) > Thanks to Ian, Helene, and yourself for the information on petrels. My friend was able to force-feed it some "sea fleas" he picked up under kelp at the shore. The next evening, he released it near St. Peter's Canal and he said it flew off, apparently with no ill effects into the wild blue/black yonder. Billy .HI all, > > Been planning to write about petrels in response to this question but > havent > had time to get on. If you arent interested in the minutae of petrel > rehabilitation, stop reading now :) > > I have had lots of storm petrels come in, or receieved calls about them, > typically after high winds. As most of you know they are pelagic seabirds > and are not normally seen on the mainland. They have a unique nocturnal > feeding behaviour where they literally skip along the surface of the ocean > skimming bits of zooplankton etc. > > When they ar grounded on land, its like they literally have no idea what > to > do. You can toss them in the air 100 times and they will just flutter to > the > ground. However, take them to a beach or wharf or cliff..and toss them and > they will rapidly fly away ( unless they have some other problem). When I > get them in, i check them to be sure there are no injuries and they arent > thin ( they are usually fine). Then the next dusk that comes, I drive them > to Pictou and release them over open water and they fly off like a bat > out > of hell. Nice releases. I try to release them where I can intervene if > necessary. I have had a couple who did not fly so I went in after them > with > a dip net and boots...kinda hard to do off of a cliff :( > > Because of their feeding behaviour they do NOT recognize anything you > might > offer them as food, so if they are kept for an extended period they will > rapidly get thin. I once had one for a week ( landed after hurricane Juan > and I had no electricity for 5 of those days ) with a leg injury..so I > had > to feed it with a stomach tube, no mean feat on such a tiny bird. It was > successfully released. > > Some petrel trivia > > - must be released at dusk or gulls WILL eat them. I once took my > boyfriend > ( now my husband) on what I thought would be a cool release. Tossed the > bird > in the air over Middle Cove in NL, it flew beautifully. As we watched with > binoculars, a great black backed gull swooped down and swallowed him > without > breaking his flight pattern..ugh. I should have listened to the locals! > > - they smell like oil. Must be what they eat but they have a distinct > petroluem/fishy kind of smell > > - they should be released ASAP, or they will get weak and thin > > - again..they wont eat anything you offer them, no matter how good you > think > it looks > > - being a pelagic seabird, they and all birds who spend the majority of > their time on the water should be handled wearing gloves. Even oils from > your hands can mess with their delicate waterproofing. Also, their bedding > should be changed frequently, oils from their feces can also harm the > waterproofing on their feathers. > > - do not try to swim them in your tub/sink/basin etc...especially if you > have hard water..again...hard on the feathers. > > - consider yourself lucky if you see one, not many people do and they are > beautiful delicate little birds. > > Sorry for the ramble, can you tell I like them? > > If anyone finds one and needs advice, call me at 893-0253. The email I > have > in my signature can be unreliable but I check birdvet AT hotmail.com several > times per day. > > Thanks > > Helene > > Helene Van Doninck DVM > Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre > RR#1 Brookfield Nova Scotia Canada B0N1C0 > hvandoninck AT eastlink.ca > www.cwrc.net > http://cwrcblog.blogspot.com/ > 1-902-893-0253 > > -----Original Message----- > From: naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca > [mailto:naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca]On Behalf Of Kathleen MacAulay > Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 5:36 PM > To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca > Subject: Re: [NatureNS] wilson's storm petrel > > > I don't have much experience with petrels, but I was speaking with > Helene > van Doninck moments ago about this, and she informed me that petrels will > not fly unless they are tossed over water, and must be released at night > to > avoid being predated by gulls. > > However, grounded birds often have problems, emaciation/starvation being > one of them. If your friend is not sure the bird is healthy, he should not > release it. > > Helene also tells me that petrels will not eat on their own in > captivity. > > In addition, if a bird is weak from starvation, extremely careful > refeeding and special diets are necessary, because in the last stages of > starvation the energy it takes to digest food can actually drain the > animal > past the point of no return and cause it to perish. > > I suggest that the friend get in touch with Helene at the Cobequid > Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre for advice, and hopefully transportation > can > be arranged to get it to her. > > Helene says she will try and e-mail the list tonight with a more > comprehensive and expert reply than mine. :) > > Helene can be reached by phone at at (902) 893-0253 or by e-mail at > hvandoninck AT eastlink.ca. > > Kathleen MacAulay > Milford Station > > > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- > -- > From: "bdigout AT seaside.ns.ca"Subject: Re: wilson's storm petrel -long..sorry :) From: "Laurie Murison" <gmwhale AT nbnet.nb.ca> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 17:14:11 -0400 Helene,
Great summary, just one correction.
They do feed during the day, I see them doing it all the time in the summer
(both Wilson's and Leach's), however, they only come ashore and leave their
nesting sites after dark. Feeding forays can cover hundreds of miles. Leach's
petrels nesting on Kent Island in the Bay of Fundy travel as far as George's
Bank on a feeding trip before returning to their chicks, which can take a
couple of days or more. Nesting is staggered with some chicks only now leaving
the nests while others have been fledged since early September. Leach's nest on
many islands in the Maritimes but are often not seen because of their nocturnal
activities. I have a theory that some of the ghost stories on islands where
Leach's nest have their originals from the petrels' nocturnal comings and
goings.
We have a graduate student beginning a project next summer looking at Leach's
storm petrel's diet and contaminant levels in the food they provision their
chicks.
Laurie Murison
Grand Manan, NB.
----- Original Message -----
From: Helene Van Doninck
To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 3:52 PM
Subject: RE: [NatureNS] wilson's storm petrel -long..sorry :)
HI all,
Been planning to write about petrels in response to this question but havent
had time to get on. If you arent interested in the minutae of petrel
rehabilitation, stop reading now :)
I have had lots of storm petrels come in, or receieved calls about them,
typically after high winds. As most of you know they are pelagic seabirds and
are not normally seen on the mainland. They have a unique nocturnal feeding
behaviour where they literally skip along the surface of the ocean skimming
bits of zooplankton etc.
When they ar grounded on land, its like they literally have no idea what to
do. You can toss them in the air 100 times and they will just flutter to the
ground. However, take them to a beach or wharf or cliff..and toss them and they
will rapidly fly away ( unless they have some other problem). When I get them
in, i check them to be sure there are no injuries and they arent thin ( they
are usually fine). Then the next dusk that comes, I drive them to Pictou and
release them over open water and they fly off like a bat out of hell. Nice
releases. I try to release them where I can intervene if necessary. I have had
a couple who did not fly so I went in after them with a dip net and
boots...kinda hard to do off of a cliff :(
Because of their feeding behaviour they do NOT recognize anything you might
offer them as food, so if they are kept for an extended period they will
rapidly get thin. I once had one for a week ( landed after hurricane Juan and I
had no electricity for 5 of those days ) with a leg injury..so I had to feed it
with a stomach tube, no mean feat on such a tiny bird. It was successfully
released.
Some petrel trivia
- must be released at dusk or gulls WILL eat them. I once took my boyfriend (
now my husband) on what I thought would be a cool release. Tossed the bird in
the air over Middle Cove in NL, it flew beautifully. As we watched with
binoculars, a great black backed gull swooped down and swallowed him without
breaking his flight pattern..ugh. I should have listened to the locals!
- they smell like oil. Must be what they eat but they have a distinct
petroluem/fishy kind of smell
- they should be released ASAP, or they will get weak and thin
- again..they wont eat anything you offer them, no matter how good you think
it looks
- being a pelagic seabird, they and all birds who spend the majority of their
time on the water should be handled wearing gloves. Even oils from your hands
can mess with their delicate waterproofing. Also, their bedding should be
changed frequently, oils from their feces can also harm the waterproofing on
their feathers.
- do not try to swim them in your tub/sink/basin etc...especially if you have
hard water..again...hard on the feathers.
- consider yourself lucky if you see one, not many people do and they are
beautiful delicate little birds.
Sorry for the ramble, can you tell I like them?
If anyone finds one and needs advice, call me at 893-0253. The email I have in
my signature can be unreliable but I check birdvet AT hotmail.com several times
per day.
Thanks
Helene
Helene Van Doninck DVM
Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
RR#1 Brookfield Nova Scotia Canada B0N1C0
hvandoninck AT eastlink.ca
www.cwrc.net
http://cwrcblog.blogspot.com/
1-902-893-0253
-----Original Message-----
From: naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca]On
Behalf Of Kathleen MacAulay
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 5:36 PM
To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: Re: [NatureNS] wilson's storm petrel
I don't have much experience with petrels, but I was speaking with Helene van
Doninck moments ago about this, and she informed me that petrels will not fly
unless they are tossed over water, and must be released at night to avoid being
predated by gulls.
However, grounded birds often have problems, emaciation/starvation being one
of them. If your friend is not sure the bird is healthy, he should not release
it.
Helene also tells me that petrels will not eat on their own in captivity.
In addition, if a bird is weak from starvation, extremely careful refeeding
and special diets are necessary, because in the last stages of starvation the
energy it takes to digest food can actually drain the animal past the point of
no return and cause it to perish.
I suggest that the friend get in touch with Helene at the Cobequid Wildlife
Rehabilitation Centre for advice, and hopefully transportation can be arranged
to get it to her.
Helene says she will try and e-mail the list tonight with a more comprehensive
and expert reply than mine. :)
Helene can be reached by phone at at (902) 893-0253 or by e-mail at
hvandoninck AT eastlink.ca.
Kathleen MacAulay
Milford Station
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "bdigout AT seaside.ns.ca"
Subject: Re: spatuletail hummingbird videoFrom: Hans Toom <Htoom AT hfx.eastlink.ca> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:02:00 -0400 I just watched it, truly amazing! ----- Original Message ----- From: Lynne Perry To: Nature Nova Scotia Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 3:22 PM Subject: RE: [NatureNS] spatuletail hummingbird video Mine said the content does not seem to be working. Try again later. Lynne Perry ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 15:43:35 -0400 Subject: [NatureNS] spatuletail hummingbird video From: suzanne.townsend AT gmail.com To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca A must-see for birders (altho' preceded by 30-sec ad): http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8338000/8338728.stm ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Get a great deal on Windows 7 and see how it works the way you want. See the Windows 7 offers now.Subject: RE: spatuletail hummingbird video From: Lynne Perry <perry.lynne AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 16:22:47 -0300 Mine said the content does not seem to be working. Try again later. Lynne Perry Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 15:43:35 -0400 Subject: [NatureNS] spatuletail hummingbird video From: suzanne.townsend AT gmail.com To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca A must-see for birders (altho' preceded by 30-sec ad): http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8338000/8338728.stm _________________________________________________________________ Ready. Set. Get a great deal on Windows 7. See fantastic deals on Windows 7 now http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9691818Subject: RE: wilson's storm petrel -long..sorry :) From: Helene Van Doninck <hvandoninck AT eastlink.ca> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:52:46 -0400 HI all, Been planning to write about petrels in response to this question but havent had time to get on. If you arent interested in the minutae of petrel rehabilitation, stop reading now :) I have had lots of storm petrels come in, or receieved calls about them, typically after high winds. As most of you know they are pelagic seabirds and are not normally seen on the mainland. They have a unique nocturnal feeding behaviour where they literally skip along the surface of the ocean skimming bits of zooplankton etc. When they ar grounded on land, its like they literally have no idea what to do. You can toss them in the air 100 times and they will just flutter to the ground. However, take them to a beach or wharf or cliff..and toss them and they will rapidly fly away ( unless they have some other problem). When I get them in, i check them to be sure there are no injuries and they arent thin ( they are usually fine). Then the next dusk that comes, I drive them to Pictou and release them over open water and they fly off like a bat out of hell. Nice releases. I try to release them where I can intervene if necessary. I have had a couple who did not fly so I went in after them with a dip net and boots...kinda hard to do off of a cliff :( Because of their feeding behaviour they do NOT recognize anything you might offer them as food, so if they are kept for an extended period they will rapidly get thin. I once had one for a week ( landed after hurricane Juan and I had no electricity for 5 of those days ) with a leg injury..so I had to feed it with a stomach tube, no mean feat on such a tiny bird. It was successfully released. Some petrel trivia - must be released at dusk or gulls WILL eat them. I once took my boyfriend ( now my husband) on what I thought would be a cool release. Tossed the bird in the air over Middle Cove in NL, it flew beautifully. As we watched with binoculars, a great black backed gull swooped down and swallowed him without breaking his flight pattern..ugh. I should have listened to the locals! - they smell like oil. Must be what they eat but they have a distinct petroluem/fishy kind of smell - they should be released ASAP, or they will get weak and thin - again..they wont eat anything you offer them, no matter how good you think it looks - being a pelagic seabird, they and all birds who spend the majority of their time on the water should be handled wearing gloves. Even oils from your hands can mess with their delicate waterproofing. Also, their bedding should be changed frequently, oils from their feces can also harm the waterproofing on their feathers. - do not try to swim them in your tub/sink/basin etc...especially if you have hard water..again...hard on the feathers. - consider yourself lucky if you see one, not many people do and they are beautiful delicate little birds. Sorry for the ramble, can you tell I like them? If anyone finds one and needs advice, call me at 893-0253. The email I have in my signature can be unreliable but I check birdvet AT hotmail.com several times per day. Thanks Helene Helene Van Doninck DVM Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre RR#1 Brookfield Nova Scotia Canada B0N1C0 hvandoninck AT eastlink.ca www.cwrc.net http://cwrcblog.blogspot.com/ 1-902-893-0253 -----Original Message----- From: naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca]On Behalf Of Kathleen MacAulay Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 5:36 PM To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca Subject: Re: [NatureNS] wilson's storm petrel I don't have much experience with petrels, but I was speaking with Helene van Doninck moments ago about this, and she informed me that petrels will not fly unless they are tossed over water, and must be released at night to avoid being predated by gulls. However, grounded birds often have problems, emaciation/starvation being one of them. If your friend is not sure the bird is healthy, he should not release it. Helene also tells me that petrels will not eat on their own in captivity. In addition, if a bird is weak from starvation, extremely careful refeeding and special diets are necessary, because in the last stages of starvation the energy it takes to digest food can actually drain the animal past the point of no return and cause it to perish. I suggest that the friend get in touch with Helene at the Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre for advice, and hopefully transportation can be arranged to get it to her. Helene says she will try and e-mail the list tonight with a more comprehensive and expert reply than mine. :) Helene can be reached by phone at at (902) 893-0253 or by e-mail at hvandoninck AT eastlink.ca. Kathleen MacAulay Milford Station ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- From: "bdigout AT seaside.ns.ca"Subject: spatuletail hummingbird video From: Suzanne Townsend <suzanne.townsend AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 15:43:35 -0400 A must-see for birders (altho' preceded by 30-sec ad): http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8338000/8338728.stmSubject: RE: The ocean will take it away From: Helene Van Doninck <hvandoninck AT eastlink.ca> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:35:49 -0400 Not sure if anyone has been to Cape St Mary's gannet colony in NL. The majority of the nests there have plastic in them. Pretty disgusting Helene Helene Van Doninck DVM Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre RR#1 Brookfield Nova Scotia Canada B0N1C0 hvandoninck AT eastlink.ca www.cwrc.net http://cwrcblog.blogspot.com/ 1-902-893-0253 -----Original Message----- From: naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner AT chebucto.ns.ca]On Behalf Of Tom & Terri Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 8:38 AM To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca Subject: [NatureNS] The ocean will take it away Hi Gang. Remember these old commercials on TV. Well here's a link to a disturbing portfolio of where some of the debris are ending up. These images of Albatross chicks may be hard for some to view. http://stateoftheart.popphoto.com/blog/2009/10/chris-jordans-midway-docume nts-the-plight-of-albatross-chicks.html Tom K. CansoSubject: Winter birds in HRM From: Bob McDonald <bobathome AT hfx.eastlink.ca> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:21:27 -0400 After reading a number of reports of the arrival of winter birds in various locations, I thought I would mention that on a walk at Prospect High Head last weekend, a small group of us on a Wild Flora field trip noted a small group of Harlequin Ducks hauled out on some offshore rocks about 500 - 600 m along the trail from the Indian Point Rd trailhead. The group consisted of 3 males and 4-5 females/immatures. Later in the afternoon, as we drove the 333 loop, about 5 km north of the Swiss Air 111 memorial, we noticed several small groups, totalling 6-7 individuals, of Horned Grebes. Cheers, Bob McDonald Halifax ----- Original Message ----- From: James W. Wolford To: NatureNS Cc: Jim Wolford Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 5:06 PM Subject: [NatureNS] 3 insect reports + ad' for Quirks & Quarks NOV. 2, 2009 - I found a western conifer seed bug on our front screen door at home in Wolfville. Locally these bugs try to get into homes in autumn in order to overwinter, sometimes in numbers (but usually singles in my experience). This is a large insect with noticeable diamond-shaped enlargements on each hind leg. It was featured on a past Quirks & Quarks show for its special infra-red sense organ on its underside? for finding conifer cones by the fact that they are a bit warmer in temperature than their trees. NOV. 3, 2009 - In east Wolfville, in the garden of Brenda & Bill Thexton, Bob Thexton noticed a small swarm of flies that was moving up and down in a dancing movement, just a metre or so above the ground. This is probably a swarm of male flies, perhaps winter crane flies?, that is dancing and buzzing to attract females of the same species. I don't recall reports of these over the past couple of winters, but Jean Timpa in Wolfville used to report these often in late autumn or spring, and I think Andrew Hebda? eventually identified to that family a fly that was captured by someone and submitted. But I think we still need someone to have an insect net at the right time and place to capture some of the dancing flies and get them identified for sure. The flies in question are small, and are difficult to observe as they fly; they are smallish and Bob said these had long legs (like real crane flies). Speaking of flies, did some of you hear Quirks and Quarks last Saturday, Oct. 31, and the item on a "unicorn fly" being found in amber? Check it out by Googling "quirks" and clicking on the most recent show. Also note that the Q&Q Web site has many years of past shows all archived for all of us. Cheers from Jim in Wolfville Jim (James W.) Wolford 91 Wickwire Ave. Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada B4P 1W3 phone 902-542-9204 e-mailSubject: Re: 3 insect reports + ad' for Quirks & Quarks From: Rick Ballard <ideaphore AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 19:01:33 -0400 All Q&Q are also available as free podcasts. I get it automatically downloaded via iTunes my iPod every week. On Tue, Nov 3, 2009 at 5:06 PM, James W. WolfordSubject: 3 insect reports + ad' for Quirks & Quarks From: "James W. Wolford" <jimwolford AT eastlink.ca> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:06:20 -0400 NOV. 2, 2009 - I found a western conifer seed bug on our front screen door at home in Wolfville. Locally these bugs try to get into homes in autumn in order to overwinter, sometimes in numbers (but usually singles in my experience). This is a large insect with noticeable diamond-shaped enlargements on each hind leg. It was featured on a past Quirks & Quarks show for its special infra-red sense organ on its underside? for finding conifer cones by the fact that they are a bit warmer in temperature than their trees. NOV. 3, 2009 - In east Wolfville, in the garden of Brenda & Bill Thexton, Bob Thexton noticed a small swarm of flies that was moving up and down in a dancing movement, just a metre or so above the ground. This is probably a swarm of male flies, perhaps winter crane flies?, that is dancing and buzzing to attract females of the same species. I don't recall reports of these over the past couple of winters, but Jean Timpa in Wolfville used to report these often in late autumn or spring, and I think Andrew Hebda? eventually identified to that family a fly that was captured by someone and submitted. But I think we still need someone to have an insect net at the right time and place to capture some of the dancing flies and get them identified for sure. The flies in question are small, and are difficult to observe as they fly; they are smallish and Bob said these had long legs (like real crane flies). Speaking of flies, did some of you hear Quirks and Quarks last Saturday, Oct. 31, and the item on a "unicorn fly" being found in amber? Check it out by Googling "quirks" and clicking on the most recent show. Also note that the Q&Q Web site has many years of past shows all archived for all of us. Cheers from Jim in Wolfville Jim (James W.) Wolford 91 Wickwire Ave. Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada B4P 1W3 phone 902-542-9204 e-mailSubject: Snow Buntings From: "David W. Johnston" <dwj.jem AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:56:42 -0400 A flock of Snow Buntings have been reported this week here in the Port Hawkesbury area. David Johnston -- David W. Johnston Mary K. Johnston 207 Hiram St. Port Hawkesbury N.S. B9A 2C3 902 625 1534 dwj.jem AT ns.sympatico.caSubject: Re: Snow Buntings From: Blake Maybank <maybank AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:44:40 -0400 I saw my first Snow Bunting of the autumn, a flock of 10, near West Dover, HRM, Nov. 2. Cheers, Blake ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Blake Maybank maybank AT ns.sympatico.ca 902-852-2077 Editor, "Nova Scotia Birds" http://nsbs.chebucto.org author, "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" http://tinyurl.com/birdingns Downloadable Nova Scotia Maps for inside front and back covers: http://tinyurl.com/mr627d White's Lake, Nova Scotia, CanadaSubject: Re: New Year's Eve Blue Moon From: Sherman Williams <sherm AT glinx.com> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:35:43 -0400 A bout 5 p.m., last evening, while I was driving home, eastward from Wolfville there a magnificent rising of the Full Moon. It would have made a great photo, positioned just above the pink outer fringe of the rising Earth shadow (the Belt of Venus). ( linked here to a demonstration photo -not mine http://extra.listverse.com/amazon/ weather/beltofvenus.jpg Wish my camera had been handy. Re: A BLUE MOON (something that's not supposed to happen very often) Han's New Year's Eve Full Moon, is a much better candidate for that >Blue Moon< idea: one must wait about 19 years for it to happen again (rather than the 2.5 year misnomer that seems to have made it into popular use in the last 50 or so years (I believe it came about based on a comment made in an astronomy magazine article in 1943 and got picked up by the Farmer's Almanac (I'll check that out later)) . The last year we had a New Year's Full Moon was 1990, the next one will be 2028 :-). An even better consideration for a Blue Moon event would be the years that we have no Full Moon in February, with the preceding January having 2 Full Moons and following March also having 2 Full Moons. That will happen in 2018 and I think it happened last in 1999, again in 19 year intervals. I'll probably do a little more research on this Blue Moon idea. If I find anything of more interest, I'll pass it along. I know there is an article in a the March 1999 copy of Sky and Telescope magazing, if I can find that copy. Sherman On 2/11/2009, at 9:04 AM, Hans Toom wrote: > This new year's eve, December 31, we will have a blue moon to > celebrate the new year with. The common modern definition of a > blue moon is the second full moon in any given month. The first > full moon of December will fall on December 2. Although blue moons > are not that uncommon one falling on a particular day, say New > Year's Eve, must be extremely rare. I hope for clear skies that > night to capture that rare event with my camera. I was unable to > find a blue moon calculator that predicts on the basis of day of > the year so who knows when the next one will be. Perhaps our RASC > members can provide an answer. > > I've posted my October photographic highlights leading off with > three edits of our recent moon. > > Hans > > http://www.hanstoom.com/Highlights/October09/0159.html > _________________________________ > Hans Toom > Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada > Website: http://hanstoom.com > _________________________________Subject: Re: Snow Buntings From: garvin atkinson <heronsmist AT eastlink.ca> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:22:30 -0400 I also saw a small flock of about 8 Snow Buntings on the 103 heading west towards Yarmouth on Halloween day. I always look forward to their arrival every fall. ----- Original Message ----- From: Bruce Stevens To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 11:28 PM Subject: [NatureNS] Snow Buntings James Hirtles' post reminded me that Allison and I saw ca. 10 Snow Buntings on the roadside on Cape Smokey CBI Halloween afternoon. -- Bruce Stevens Maryvale, NS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.424 / Virus Database: 270.14.46/2477 - Release Date: 11/02/09 19:39:00Subject: Snow Buntings From: Bruce Stevens <m.bruce.stevens AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 23:28:24 -0400 James Hirtles' post reminded me that Allison and I saw ca. 10 Snow Buntings on the roadside on Cape Smokey CBI Halloween afternoon. -- Bruce Stevens Maryvale, NSSubject: Other Birds From: James Hirtle <jrhbirder AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 02:16:41 +0000 On Oct. 31, there were two snow buntings in Lunenburg and another two at Heckman's Island. David Walmark and I also had a sharp-shinned hawk in Lunenburg. Yesterday, David Walmark had 20 Bonaparte gulls at Kingsburg Beach and he saw a lot of shorebirds at Hell's Point. He did not let me know the species composition though. I had 13 sanderlings, a least sandpiper, 7 semi-pamated sandpipers and 12 semi-palmated plovers at Kingsburg Beach. There was also a female northern pintail there. James R. Hirtle Bayport _________________________________________________________________ Lots of fantastic Windows 7 offers, in one convenient place. Get the perfect deal for you now. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9691633Subject: Greater Scaup From: James Hirtle <jrhbirder AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 02:02:40 +0000 On October 31 at Mason's Beach, David Walmark and I counted 62 greater scaup. There were also two ring-necked ducks there. Sincerely, James R. Hirtle Bayport _________________________________________________________________ Save up to 84% on Windows 7 until Jan 3—eligible CDN College & University students only. Hurry—buy it now for $39.99! http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9691635Subject: red knots From: John Nickerson <jonsannick AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 21:27:37 -0400
at daniels head today
8 red knots
2 harlequin ducks females
3 northern harriers
johnny
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Subject: Kingston to Port George and backFrom: Patrick Giffin <p_giffin AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 19:22:54 -0400 1Nov09 1430-1700 Hi: Near low tide at Port George, ~15knot wind, NNW. 14 Harlequin Ducks, 7 obvious, mature, males; the other 7 were adult, male, non-breeding or adult females: On the shoulder of Delusion Rd. an adult, male, Spruce Grouse: Spa Springs; a RT Hawk: Wiswal Brook, Melvern Square, 2 Beaver & 3 Mallards: Spinney's Pond, Victoria Vale, 54 C. Geese. At Port George we searched in vane for Kittiwakes, Jaegers, Snow Buntings. Cheers, Barbara and Pat _________________________________________________________________ Ready for a deal-of-a-lifetime? See fantastic offers on Windows 7, in one convenient place. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9691634Subject: RE: Mystery birdsong From: "Laviolette, Lance (EXP)" <lance.laviolette AT lmco.com> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:17:16 -0500 Hi Eleanor, >So for the time being I'll go with Andy's 'whispered songs'. >The time of year is right, I have song sparrows around and >the 'whispering' captures the essence of what I was hearing..... Andy's suggestion of a 'whispering' Song Sparrow is indeed the most likely. The photo-period in late September/early October is similar in length to that of early Spring and, as it does in spring, it often stimulates birds to sing. However, because the hormone levels at this time of year are much lower than during early spring and summer the songs that are produced are very weak and whispery. From my experience, Song Sparrows commonly exhibit this behaviour. All the best, Lance =========================== Lance Laviolette Glen Robertson, Ontario lance.laviolette AT lmco.com =========================== P Before printing think about your responsibility & commitment to the Environment! P Merci de penser ŕ l'environnement avant d'imprimer ce courriel!Subject: RE: New Year's Eve Blue Moon From: Bev Crowell <bevcrowell AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 09:33:49 -0400 Those are truly beautiful, Hans. And we'll know about the blue moon in plenty of time to catch it! :) Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 09:04:15 -0400 From: Htoom AT hfx.eastlink.ca Subject: [NatureNS] New Year's Eve Blue Moon To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca This new year's eve, December 31, we will have a blue moon to celebrate the new year with. The common modern definition of a blue moon is the second full moon in any given month. The first full moon of December will fall on December 2. Although blue moons are not that uncommon one falling on a particular day, say New Year's Eve, must be extremely rare. I hope for clear skies that night to capture that rare event with my camera. I was unable to find a blue moon calculator that predicts on the basis of day of the year so who knows when the next one will be. Perhaps our RASC members can provide an answer. I've posted my October photographic highlights leading off with three edits of our recent moon. Hans http://www.hanstoom.com/Highlights/October09/0159.html _________________________________ Hans Toom Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada Website: http://hanstoom.com _________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ CDN College or University student? Get Windows 7 for only $39.99 before Jan 3! Buy it now! http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9691636Subject: Re: Red breasted nuthatches From: Marg Millard <mmillard AT eastlink.ca> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:29:06 -0400 Since RB nuthatches are reported as being scarce this year, I thought I'd mention that I currently have two at my feeders. I usually have 1-3 at the beginning of every winter, but they always vanish before the winter's end. Does anyone know why, or where they go to? Eleanor Lindsay, St Margarets Bay ............................. I have had two red breasted nuthatches visiting my feeder about 10am, oops, now 9 am !!, everyday but today it appears to be alone. Very nice looking specimen, I think. The white breasteds were coming in the later pm about 4 to 5, so switch back an hour for time change. they have been consistent in their arrival. They seem to be taking the black oil sunflower seeds as a last resort. I haven't started putting my seed cakes out yet but they do seem to visit that part of the grape vine, hanging upside down looking where normally in cold weather the seed cakes would be hanging. Marg Millard, White Point, Queens. http://MargMillard.caSubject: New Year's Eve Blue Moon From: Hans Toom <Htoom AT hfx.eastlink.ca> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:04:15 -0400 This new year's eve, December 31, we will have a blue moon to celebrate the new year with. The common modern definition of a blue moon is the second full moon in any given month. The first full moon of December will fall on December 2. Although blue moons are not that uncommon one falling on a particular day, say New Year's Eve, must be extremely rare. I hope for clear skies that night to capture that rare event with my camera. I was unable to find a blue moon calculator that predicts on the basis of day of the year so who knows when the next one will be. Perhaps our RASC members can provide an answer. I've posted my October photographic highlights leading off with three edits of our recent moon. Hans http://www.hanstoom.com/Highlights/October09/0159.html _________________________________ Hans Toom Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada Website: http://hanstoom.com _________________________________Subject: Re: Red breasted nuthatches From: Hubcove AT aol.com Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 07:41:29 EST Definitely not scarce in Hubbards, we have several and they appear to have had a successful breeding year. They are at the feeders constantly. Peter Stow HubbardsSubject: Pink-footed Geese in Maine From: iamclar AT dal.ca Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:39:03 -0400 All:
There are three pink-foots in Thornhurst, Maine, nicel digiscoped yesterday by
Derek Lovitch with photos at:
http://maineoutdoorjournal.mainetoday.com/blogentry.html?id=16107
There have also been a number of recent reports of Cackling Goose from ME and
elsewhere in n.e. U.S.
Cheers, Ian
Ian McLaren
Subject: Re: Mystery birdsongFrom: Eleanor Lindsay <kelindsay AT eastlink.ca> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:27:40 -0400 Thanks Suzanne; I checked out the fox sparrow's song on receiving your email (and I do tend to see one or two briefly each autumn) but it's definitely not that - too 'strong' a sound and too repetitive in comparison with this tiny, soft meandering voice I was hearing through September and early-mid October. Eleanor Suzanne Borkowski wrote: > Hi Eleanor; > > Fox Sparrows sometimes come through people's yards in the Fall. Have you listened to their song? > > Cheers; > Suzanne > > > > > --- On Sun, 11/1/09, Eleanor LindsaySubject: Red breasted nuthatches From: Eleanor Lindsay <kelindsay AT eastlink.ca> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:33:40 -0400 Since RB nuthatches are reported as being scarce this year, I thought I'd mention that I currently have two at my feeders. I usually have 1-3 at the beginning of every winter, but they always vanish before the winter's end. Does anyone know why, or where they go to? Eleanor Lindsay, St Margarets BaySubject: Fundy Shore birds - Harlequins etc. From: "P.L. Chalmers" <plchalmers AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:52:00 -0400 Hi there, I spent the weekend visiting friends in Margaretsville. Saturday was remarkably mild (+17) but became very windy by early afternoon. I went out to scan the waters, under less than ideal conditions. It was !00% overcast, windy, with quite a chop on the water which made it hard to pick things out. However, at Margaretsville there was a flock of about 200 seaducks just offshore to the west of the lighthouse; more than half were Surf Scoters, with lesser numbers of Common Eider and White-winged Scoters, a very few Black Scoters and a couple of pairs of Long-tailed Ducks. There was one Horned Grebe with a very light throat. No loons or alcids. At mid-day at Port George, there were three female Harlequin Ducks in tight against the shore just where the brook runs out through the gorge. Three fine drakes were further west along the coast, before Cottage Cove. I was delighted to see these, the first I've seen this year. There were several flocks of gulls loafing on the rocks, but nothing out of the ordinary. Although Crows and Blue Jays were everywhere, other land birds were scarce. A flock of 6 Snow Buntings flushed repeatedly from the shoulder of the road in Port George, the first of the fall for me. I went for several walks in the woods behind my friends' farm on both days. Yesterday a Ruffed Grouse exploded from the trail's edge, and I found Black-capped and Boreal Chickadees, and lots of Golden-crowned Kinglets. This afternoon I found a Gray Jay, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, and a Brown Creeper, but there were no Red-breasted Nuthatches, which continue to be scarce this year. This weekend I particularly noticed the absence of sparrows and finches. In my travels I saw only a couple of Song Sparrows, and a single Chipping Sparrow (I expected a Tree Sparrow, but it wasn't), and a few Dark-eyed Juncos, the latter both in Morden. There was also a flock of Robins in Morden on Sunday afternoon. Thanks to the crows and ravens which harassed them, I saw two raptors this weekend - a Northern Goshawk and a Red-tailed Hawk, both over the farm. It was interesting to read Richard Stern's account of his birding at the same locations today - what a difference a day and a night of strong winds can make! The winds must have brought those seabirds up into the bay. Cheers, Patricia L. Chalmers HalifaxSubject: Orioles From: Lois Codling <loiscodling AT hfx.eastlink.ca> Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:50:45 -0400 Today we had a 1st fall female Baltimore Oriole picking insects from inside the Lilac leaves, and also in the apple tree. Weds., Oct. 28th we had a 1st fall male B. Oriole, and a week earlier on the 21st an adult male. Today's Oriole was accompanied by a N. Parula Warbler, which was also seen on Fri. Oct. 30 along with a flock of Golden-cr. Kinglets. A female Red-winged Blackbird has been coming to the feeders for several days now, and several C. Grackles. Yesterday I watched Crows chasing a Red-tailed Hawk. The Bluejays are slowing down a bit with their seed-storage activities, but are still keeping most of the Finches away. Today I saw only 1 Goldfinch. It's definitely looking like November in our yard, but the apple leaves are still hanging on, so maybe more Orioles are on the way! Lois Codling, L. Sackville.Subject: Fundy Shore birding this afternoon From: Richard Stern <sternrichard AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 16:39:20 -0400 Hi, Angus and I went part way down the Fundy Shore this afternoon, and saw some birds of interest. First off there were were 3 LBB GULLS in a field full of Herring gulls along the 221 near North Kingston. At Morden, there were a lot of ROBINS, but not much on the water. At Margaresville, there were good numbers of SURF and WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, C. EIDERS, 1 BLACK GUILLEMOT, 2 RED-NECKED GREBES, still with red necks, and a single SNOW BUNTING flew over. AT PORT GEORGE and Cottage Cove, we hit the jackpot, with something I have rarely if ever sen that far up the Bay - real seabirds. There were N. GANNETS, BLACK-L.KITTIWAKES, a flock of GREATER SHEARWATERS farther out, and best of all 3 or 4 PAERASITIC JAEGERS - some of which we watched harrassing Kittiwakes. The 1st ICELAND GULL of the season also flew by. As others have commented, BLUE JAYS were everywhere. Incidentally, just before dusk 2 evenings ago a pair of N.CARDINALS appeared at the feeder on my deck. Cheers, Richard -- ################# Richard Stern, 317 Middle Dyke Rd. Port Williams, NS, Canada B0P 1T0 sternrichard AT gmail.com ###################Subject: Re: Mystery birdsong From: Suzanne Borkowski <suzanneborkowski AT yahoo.ca> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 07:57:28 -0800 (PST) Hi Eleanor; Fox Sparrows sometimes come through people's yards in the Fall. Have you listened to their song? Cheers; Suzanne --- On Sun, 11/1/09, Eleanor LindsaySubject: Mystery birdsong From: Eleanor Lindsay <kelindsay AT eastlink.ca> Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:52:19 -0400 My thanks (and apologies for the delay in replying, due to friends visiting) to all who offered suggestions about my mystery birdsong. The winter wren was one of the first possibilities I had already checked with my Peterson disc, but its song was quite different. Unfortunately I don't have a means of recording sounds, but while I am very familiar with the usual vocalisations of goldfinch, song and white throat sparrows, Andy Horn's 'whispered songs of the song sparrow' is an intriguing possibility - I do have some around now, as I do every year, (though I have never registered this particular song before) and I may well have seen one in the vicinity of the 'mystery' song and dismissed it as not being the source. So for the time being I'll go with Andy's 'whispered songs'. The time of year is right, I have song sparrows around and the 'whispering' captures the essence of what I was hearing..... Eleanor LindsaySubject: Orioles From: Susann Myers <myerss AT eastlink.ca> Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:19:55 -0400 Five immature Baltimore Orioles (2m, 3f) flew into the grape vine in my back yard on Vienna Street, Halifax, yesterday at noon. At least 2 returned this morning, to continue feasting on grapes. Susann MyersSubject: A few new pics From: Richard Stern <sternrichard AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:59:07 -0300 I've completed my Oct. NS birds/ nature gallery with a few more pics - http://www.pbase.com/rb_stern/ns_fall_09 Richard -- ################# Richard Stern, 317 Middle Dyke Rd. Port Williams, NS, Canada B0P 1T0 sternrichard AT gmail.com ###################Subject: Pictou Co. Harbours Halloween birds From: Ken McKenna <kenmcken AT eastlink.ca> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:39:03 -0300 Hi all Here are some highlights of birding around Pictou, Caribou and Chance Harbours on Sat. morning.Oct. 31. I arrived at Waterside PP about 9 a.m. and was impressed with an easterly movement of flocks of American Robins. I counted 180 in about 1.5 hours. I wondered how many might have moved before I got there. A flock of 17 Waxwings flew over and I think they were Cedars from the brief flight call. I saw a single COMMON REDPOLL, my first for the fall. My count for the park was 30 species. There were 4 Black-bellied Plover, the only shorebirds for the morning. The flock of RED-THROATED LOONS had dwindled to 50 from the 90 on Oct. 25. An American Kestrel flew over the marsh and I later saw it closer to Weirs Gut. In the distance I could see 5 Bald Eagles in the air north on Caribou I. I later observed these eagles feeding on a deer? carcass on the beach. There were about 50 Bonaparte's Gulls in the park area and a first winter Black-headed Gull was noted with them. In the distance I could see quite a bit of activity near an inlet leading to the area near Weirs gut and there appeared to be quite a few small gulls there. At the park, other species in numbers were 250 Canada Geese and 95 Red-breasted Merganser. Two of each Northern Flicker and Yellow-rumped Warbler and a single Savannah Sparrow to break up the monopoly of the 5 Song Sparrows were also observed. A single Great Blue Heron was noted on the return trip through the park. At the Caribou light bar, I encountered my first Iceland Gulls for the fall- 3 adults and one 2nd winter.There were 50 Bonaparte's Gulls here and 3 Red-throated Loons. A Merlin perched on a powerline nearby. At Haliburton Gut near the Pictou Rotary, I counted at least 170 Hooded Mergansers and 150 Bonaparte's Gulls. A single Great Blue Heron flew in here as well. Nearby, the field of Rollie MacDonalds closer to the rotary held a large flock of Canada Geese and gulls, mostly Ring-bills. I did not count either. At the Pictou Causeway, there was still a substantial flock of Double-crested Cormorants likely in excess of 50 birds.I did not stop to count. A few Scaup were noted, but by this time the winds had worked up the water into quite a chop. Some Bonaparte's Gulls were working the waters with the tide change. At Sinclair's I. there were an additional 50 Bonaparte's Gulls. At the New Glasgow sewage treatment plant, I noted 3 Gadwall in a mixed flock of about 6 species of waterfowl. The day was quite mild very close to 20C, but the winds picked up in the afternoon. cheers Ken Ken McKenna Box 218 Stellarton NS B0K 1S0 902 752-7644Subject: bat at villagedale From: pipingploverss AT eastlink.ca Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:53:34 -0300 31 oct, 2009 at 155 pm at villagedale road by lamrock electric there was a bat about 15=20 inches when wing spread flying, all black except light faint grey where upper wings when spread and darting back and forth over the highway, i watched it for about 10 minutes and it was still there when i left any comments clyde stoddart email sawwhetowl AT gmail.comSubject: shorebirds From: John Nickerson <jonsannick AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:27:20 -0300
at the hawk beach on the kelp banks
sanderlings
white rumped sandpipers
dunlin
sem. pal. sandpipers
black bellied plovers
sem. pal. plover
pectoral sandpiper
at the guzzel
4 long billed dowitchers
greater yellow legs
lesser yellow legs
they were seen this morning at high tide
johnny sandra nickerson
_________________________________________________________________
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Subject: Yell.-br. Chat W. End Halifax, and weather prospectsFrom: iamclar AT dal.ca Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:22:54 -0300 All: Late Thursday afternoon (29th) a chat checked me out briefly from the multiflora rose thickets along the footpath between the end of Waegwoltic Ave and Chebucto Road, W. End Halifax. Otherwise not much about - almost no birds yesterday a.m. in the back cove, Hartlen Pt. However, the weather prospects look interesting for, say, Monday - a deep low near the Great Lakes is causing southwesterly airflow from the s.e. U.S.A. - conditions that have brought "reverse migrants" in the past autumns.Subject: Yell.-br. Chat W. End Halifax, and weather prospects From: iamclar AT dal.ca Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:22:54 -0300 All: Late Thursday afternoon (29th) a chat checked me out briefly from the multiflora rose thickets along the footpath between the end of Waegwoltic Ave and Chebucto Road, W. End Halifax. Otherwise not much about - almost no birds yesterday a.m. in the back cove, Hartlen Pt. However, the weather prospects look interesting for, say, Monday - a deep low near the Great Lakes is causing southwesterly airflow from the s.e. U.S.A. - conditions that have brought "reverse migrants" in the past autumns.Subject: Baltimore Oriole From: "David W. Johnston" <dwj.jem AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:53:45 -0300 I saw three Baltimore Orioles in my back yard today here in Port Hawkesbury. First I have seen this fall. Also, while birding a remote woodland area near town this week, it was interesting that I found two Palm Warblers and a Hermit Thrush - along with the expected Golden-crowned Kinglets, Chickadees, Junkos etc. -- David W. Johnston Mary K. Johnston 207 Hiram St. Port Hawkesbury N.S. B9A 2C3 902 625 1534 dwj.jem AT ns.sympatico.caSubject: Eric Mills to Lecture on History of Marine Sciences in Atlantic Canada From: <plchalmers AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:59:56 -0300 Hi there, This will be of interest to some. Patricia L. Chalmers Halifax Public Talk: Eric Mills Facing the Atlantic: How the Marine Sciences began on Canada's East Coast Maritime Museum of the Atlantic 1675 Lower Water Street Halifax Tuesday, November 3 7:30 pm Canada's first marine biological stations were established in 1908 in St Andrews, NB and Nanaimo, BC. They were the outcome of a campaign by Canadian scientists to bring the country's marine sciences up to international standards, and to provide research opportunities for themselves. But the marine sciences had been studied in Canada long before 1908. This exensively illustrated talk outlines the background of science in Canada before the early 20th century, placing it in its unique historical setting. Oceans have had a mysterious allure for centuries, inspiring fears, myths and poetic imaginations. By the early twentieth century, however, scientists began to see oceans as physical phenomena that could be understood through mathematical geophysics. The Fluid Envelope of Our Planet by Eric Mills, explores the scientific developments from the middle ages to the twentieth century that illuminated the once murky depths of oceanography. Tracing the transition from descriptive to mathematical analyses of the oceans, Professor Mills examines sailors' and explorers'observations of the oceans, the influences of Scandinavian techniques on German-speaking geographers and the eventual development of shared quantitative practices and ideas. Eric Mills is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, and Inglis Professor and former Director of the History of Science and Technology Programme at the University of King’s College in Halifax. Beginning in 1967, Eric taught and did research in biological oceanography at Dalhousie University, following an undergraduate degree at Carleton and a MS, PhD at Yale. In 1994, after a transition from the marine science to the history of science, Eric helped transform and ultimate lead as Director, the joint History of Science and Technology Programme at the University of King’s College and Dalhousie. Since “retirement” in 2002, Eric has continued to teach and research the history of the marine science and oceanography, specializing in 19th century history, the development of biological oceanography, and the origins of physical oceanography.Subject: RE: The ocean will take it away From: Ken MacAulay <kenmacaulay AT eastlink.ca> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:29:49 -0300 That is very disturbing! Too bad those responsible couldn't see the result of their stupidity! Ken MacAulay Port Mouton, NSSubject: Re: lark sparrow From: "Roland McCormick" <roland.mccormick AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:30:25 -0300 I appreciate your reports John. I have missed Murray's reports, and yours kind
of fill the gap.
I have never seen a lark sparrow - I will have to visit the area you mention
and perhaps take a walk along the trail there.
Roland
----- Original Message -----
From: John Nickerson
To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca
Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 11:00 AM
Subject: [NatureNS] lark sparrow
1 lark sparrow at barrington by old ferry wharf
johnny
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Subject: Snow Buntings in MordenFrom: Gary Myers <gemyers AT av.eastlink.ca> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:50:48 -0300 We had a pair of snow buntings by the bay in Morden this morning. Gary Myers Morden NSSubject: lark sparrow From: John Nickerson <jonsannick AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:00:25 -0300
1 lark sparrow at barrington by old ferry wharf
johnny
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Subject: Re: The ocean will take it awayFrom: Gayle MacLean <duartess2003 AT yahoo.ca> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:47:08 -0700 (PDT) Very disturbing and thought provoking. Wonder if folks will ever 'get it'.... Gayle MacLean Dartmouth --- On Fri, 10/30/09, Tom & TerriSubject: Re: Suburban Ring-necked Pheasants -- They're in Pt Pleasant Park, too From: Andrew Horn <aghorn AT dal.ca> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:42:33 -0300 Hi all, One more bit of evidence to add to Pat Chalmer's earlier post: I flushed a pheasant this morning from the slopes above Black Rock Beach. I think others have seen them in the park in the past, but it was a first for me. Cheers, Andy Horn Halifax On 25-Oct-09, at 10:30 PM, P.L. Chalmers wrote: > Hi there, > > Several reports of a common bird in unexpected locations lately > made me wonder if a pattern was emerging,,, > > A few weeks ago at the Frog Pond in Jollimore, HRM I had a long > chat with a local resident who reported several interesting > observations. He clearly knew his birds, and mentioned that the > most surprising thing he had seen recently was a Ring-necked > Pheasant (roadkilled) along a nearby stretch of the Purcell's Cove > Road. The habitat is all wrong - a well-treed suburban area with > mixed mature woodland between the houses. The homes don't have big > lawns, and there are no large grassy patches - nothing at all like > an overgrown pasture or golf course. > > Yesterday my parents observed a female Ring-necked Pheasant in > their front yard. Again, this is hardly suitable habitat. We have > mixed woodland (more coniferous than deciduous), and mature gardens, > but not open grassy areas. Ruffed Grouse were occasional visitors > in the past, until the development of the Ravines of Bedford South > wiped out the woodland behind us; grouse could be expected, but not > these pheasants. > > In the areas with appropriate habitat where I do regularly see > RNPH, their numbers seem to be increasing. Is there pressure on > them to move closer to human habitation? > > Cheers, > > Patricia L. Chalmers > Halifax > >Subject: N.S. Bird Society Field Trip: Port Hawkesbury; Sat. Nov. 7 From: Patrick Kelly <patrick.kelly AT dal.ca> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:10:47 -0300 Saturday November 7 2009 – Port Hawkesbury Leaders: David Johnston 625-1534 Email: dwj.jem AT ns.sympatico.ca and Dave McCorquodale 563-1260 Email: david_mccorquodale AT capebretonu.ca Meet at 9:00 am at the Tourist Information Building in Port Hastings. At the Canso Causeway there are frequently concentrations of gulls, eagles and gannets that are feeding on migrating skipjacks (aka billfish) in mid-November. In addition we will check out the waterfront for loons, grebes, alcids and waterfowl, feeders for lingering migrants, and a few fields and creek valleys for sparrows and warblers. Lunch will follow at David and Mary Johnston’s home. Storm date: November 14. __________________________ Patrick Kelly President, Nova Scotia Bird Society RR#2 159 Town Road Falmouth NS B0P 1L0 Canada (902) 472-2322 (h) (902) 494-3294 (w)Subject: Nova Scotia Bird Society Field Trip: New Birders' Walk, Halifax From: Patrick Kelly <patrick.kelly AT dal.ca> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:09:49 -0300 Saturday November 7 2009 – New Birders’ Walk, Halifax Leader: Patricia Chalmers Email: plchalmers AT ns.sympatico.ca Meet in the Lower parking lot at the end of Point Pleasant Drive by the wall overlooking Black Rock Beach at 9:30 am. We’ll take a leisurely walk around part of the park to look for birds in their natural habitat on land and on the water. Duration: 2 hours. No storm date for this trip. For more information about the society, visit nsbs.chebucto.org __________________________ Patrick Kelly President, Nova Scotia Bird Society RR#2 159 Town Road Falmouth NS B0P 1L0 Canada (902) 472-2322 (h) (902) 494-3294 (w)Subject: Re: The ocean will take it away From: "Tom & Terri" <terri.crane AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:12:40 -0300 Hi Guys This is the link that was suppose to be coppied. http://www.chrisjordan.com/ Click on the "Midway" link at the top of the page to view all the photos! Sory for the wrong link in the first message Tom ----- Original Message ----- From: Tom & Terri To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 8:37 AM Subject: [NatureNS] The ocean will take it away Hi Gang. Remember these old commercials on TV. Well here's a link to a disturbing portfolio of where some of the debris are ending up. These images of Albatross chicks may be hard for some to view. http://stateoftheart.popphoto.com/blog/2009/10/chris-jordans-midway-documents-the-plight-of-albatross-chicks.html Tom K. CansoSubject: The ocean will take it away From: "Tom & Terri" <terri.crane AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:37:52 -0300 Hi Gang. Remember these old commercials on TV. Well here's a link to a disturbing portfolio of where some of the debris are ending up. These images of Albatross chicks may be hard for some to view. http://stateoftheart.popphoto.com/blog/2009/10/chris-jordans-midway-documents-the-plight-of-albatross-chicks.html Tom K. CansoSubject: Naturalist talk-" Forest Birds of Pictou-Antigonish Highlands"- John Kearney From: Ken McKenna <kenmcken AT eastlink.ca> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:29:07 -0300 Hi all Here is notice of the next presentation of the Pictou Co. Naturalists Club. Tuesday, November 3, 7:00 New Glasgow Public Library Program Room Pictou County Naturalist Club Guest speaker John Kearney will present his illustrated talk, "The Forest Birds of the Pictou-Antigonish Highlands - Their Breeding, Migration and Habitat". All welcome to attend. cheers ken Ken McKenna Box 218 Stellarton NS B0K 1S0 902 752-7644Subject: Snow Buntings, etc. From: Brian Dalzell <aythya AT nb.sympatico.ca> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:23:49 -0300 Although I have seen no mention of them, SNOW BUNTINGS seem to have arrived across the province in good numbers in recent days. During a bird survey at the highest point in mainland Nova Scotia (Mount Nuttby in the Cobequid Mountains) Stuart Tingley and I found two Snow Buntings (both singles) along a logging road in the middle of a huge clearcut area (this was on Tuesday, Oct. 27). Next day, on a small offshore island near Lower Woods Harbour, Shelburne county, we found a couple of flocks totaling 50+ Snow Buntings feeding in the kelp line. Also of note were migrating woodpeckers, with several Downy and Hairy at Mount Nuttby flying across huge clear-cuts, and a single Hairy Woodpecker on the offshore island on Oct. 28. I was also surprised to find a fair number of PURPLE FINCHES in the Cobequid Mountains, at least 10-15 on Tuesday. All were apparent hatch-year (female-type) bird in little groups of 1-3, feeding on the buds of maple saplings. Again, I have heard no mention of a recent influx, but this must be the case. Still a fair number of HERMIT THRUSH in the mountains, with three on Oct. 27th. Brian Dalzell Tatamagouche, NS & Moncton, NB. P.S. In Shelburne, a flock of ~25 Cedar Waxwings on Wednesday afternoon.Subject: RE: re fishing eagles From: Fritz McEvoy <fritzmcevoy AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:49:40 -0300
Hi All,
"but I have way of knowing for sure" should read but I have no way of knowing
for sure. Not my day. :)
All the best.
Fritz McEvoy
From: fritzmcevoy AT hotmail.com
To: naturens AT chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: [NatureNS] re fishing eagles
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:02:47 -0300
Hi All,
Recently I posted a observation, made to me by a local resident, of eagles and
other birds catching fish near Bay St. Lawrence. I suggested billfish as the
possible food source but neglected to put a ? after the suggestion. This has
been taken (unfortunately incorrectly) as a personal observation of billfish
and I want to correct the posting so as to be accurate as possible. The
billfish suggestion/guess was based on observations, posted on naturens, of N.
Gannets fishing at the Canso Causeway. The fish may indeed be billfish but I
have way of knowing for sure.
I'm sorry for any confusion this oversight may have caused.
This is a good lesson on being as precise as possible in our posts and to
correct errors posted on naturens ASAP as these emails are used by the natural
history community to keep accurate records and do scientific research in the
province. All the best.
Fritz McEvoy
Sunrise Valley CB (near Dingwall)
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Subject: Re: wilson's storm petrelFrom: Kathleen MacAulay <roughlegged_hawk AT yahoo.ca> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:35:42 -0700 (PDT) I don't have much experience with petrels, but I was speaking with Helene van Doninck moments ago about this, and she informed me that petrels will not fly unless they are tossed over water, and must be released at night to avoid being predated by gulls. However, grounded birds often have problems, emaciation/starvation being one of them. If your friend is not sure the bird is healthy, he should not release it. Helene also tells me that petrels will not eat on their own in captivity. In addition, if a bird is weak from starvation, extremely careful refeeding and special diets are necessary, because in the last stages of starvation the energy it takes to digest food can actually drain the animal past the point of no return and cause it to perish. I suggest that the friend get in touch with Helene at the Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre for advice, and hopefully transportation can be arranged to get it to her. Helene says she will try and e-mail the list tonight with a more comprehensive and expert reply than mine. :) Helene can be reached by phone at at (902) 893-0253 or by e-mail at hvandoninck AT eastlink.ca. Kathleen MacAulay Milford Station ________________________________ From: "bdigout AT seaside.ns.ca"Subject: wilson's storm petrel From: bdigout AT seaside.ns.ca Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:15:51 -0300 (ADT) I'm looking for some advice to pass on. A man in the neighbourhood picked up a petrel near his workplace in Point Tupper. He threw it up into the air, but it only flew a feet feet and then fluttered to the ground. He took it to me for identification. What should he do with it? What will it eat? He is willing to feed it back to health if it is just weak. Can it swim? If so, could he simply let it go on the Atlantic side of the St. Peter's Canal? Does anyone have any suggestions? BillySubject: re fishing eagles From: Fritz McEvoy <fritzmcevoy AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:02:47 -0300
Hi All,
Recently I posted a observation, made to me by a local resident, of eagles and
other birds catching fish near Bay St. Lawrence. I suggested billfish as the
possible food source but neglected to put a ? after the suggestion. This has
been taken (unfortunately incorrectly) as a personal observation of billfish
and I want to correct the posting so as to be accurate as possible. The
billfish suggestion/guess was based on observations, posted on naturens, of N.
Gannets fishing at the Canso Causeway. The fish may indeed be billfish but I
have way of knowing for sure.
I'm sorry for any confusion this oversight may have caused.
This is a good lesson on being as precise as possible in our posts and to
correct errors posted on naturens ASAP as these emails are used by the natural
history community to keep accurate records and do scientific research in the
province. All the best.
Fritz McEvoy
Sunrise Valley CB (near Dingwall)
_________________________________________________________________
Get Windows 7 for only $39.99—CDN College & University students only. This
offer ends Jan 3—upgrade now!
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