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Updated on Sunday, May 11 at 05:27 PM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.


Ashy Tailorbird,©Barry Kent Mackay

11 May House Finch, Digby, Migration Day Count ["Wayne P. Neily" ]
11 May House Finch, Digby, Migration Day Count ["Wayne P. Neily" ]
11 May American White Pelican Photo [Bruce Stevens ]
11 May White Pelican in Bayfield, Ant. Co. ["Randy Lauff" ]
11 May Hummingbirds ["rachelhoogenbos" ]
10 May Ruby-throated Hummer ["jimmysew" ]
10 May ruby throated hummingbird [Gerald Jacquard ]
9 May 1st for this year ["joni" ]
9 May Ipswich Sparrow, Dartmouth [Kier Shackleton Gigeroff ]
9 May Brier Island ["Eric Mills" ]
9 May Humming birds in Cumberland County [Jane Mills ]
09 May White-crowned Sparrows [Hans Toom ]
6 May American Bittern ["Sandy HIltz" ]
6 May American Bittern ["Sandy HIltz" ]
6 May FW: [NS-RBA] Blue Grosbeak, other weekend species Digby Co. ["Wayne P. Neily" ]
6 May FW: Blue Grosbeak, other weekend species Digby Co. ["Wayne P. Neily" ]
5 May Blue-headed Grosbeak, other weekend species Digby Co. ["Wayne P. Neily" ]
5 May Blue-headed Grosbeak, other weekend species Digby Co. ["Wayne P. Neily" ]
4 May Turkey Vulture & Magpie update ["Bernard Burke" ]
4 May Turkey Vulture & Magpie update ["Bernard Burke" ]
04 May Brants and Eiders [Stuart & Rachel Smith ]
4 May Eurasian Wigeon at Red Bridge Pond ["Bernard Burke" ]
4 May Eurasian Wigeon at Red Bridge Pond ["Bernard Burke" ]
3 May Magpie Location Correction ["Lucas Berrigan" ]
3 May Magpie Location Correction ["Lucas Berrigan" ]
3 May Re: Magpie Update ["C. Davis" ]
3 May Magpie Update ["David Currie" ]
3 May FW: Probable FRANKLIN'S GULL (Mouette de Franklin) in Sackville ["Wayne P. Neily" ]
2 May More on what to look for on Lake Charlotte magpie []
2 May Information on magpie i.d. []
02 May Update on Magpie, Clam Harbour, HRM ["Eric L. Mills" ]
02 May Update on Magpie, Clam Harbour, HRM ["Eric L. Mills" ]
01 May Fw: black billed magpie [Bob McDonald ]
01 May Purple Sandpipers [Hans Toom ]
30 Apr Blue Grosbeak, Brier Island ["Eric Mills" ]
26 Apr GYRFALCON ["Michael King" ]
26 Apr PIPING PLOVERS ["Michael King" ]
23 Apr Re: Vultures and GRPR [Joan Czapalay ]
23 Apr Vultures ["Terri Crane" ]
23 Apr Vultures ["Terri Crane" ]
22 Apr Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Berwick, Kings Co. []
22 Apr Northern Parula [Hans Toom ]
21 Apr Sparrows in Advocate [Jane Mills ]
20 Apr Winter Wren, Cardinal, Hermit Thrush [Jane Mills ]
20 Apr LBB Gull ["Richard Stern" ]
20 Apr LBB Gull ["Richard Stern" ]
20 Apr Harlequin Ducks ["Sandy HIltz" ]
20 Apr Harlequin Ducks ["Sandy HIltz" ]
19 Apr Turkey Vulture, Jeddore Oyster Ponds, HRM ["Lucas Berrigan" ]
19 Apr American Redstart, Palm Warbler, Swamp Sparrow and others [Hans Toom ]
19 Apr Snowy Egret, Five Houses, Lun. Co. [Eric Mills ]
19 Apr Snowy Egret, Five Houses, Lun. Co. [Eric Mills ]

Subject: House Finch, Digby, Migration Day Count
From: "Wayne P. Neily" <neilyornis AT hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 19:24:00 -0300
Hello all, 
 
 As others noted, the weather Saturday (May 10) was not very conducive for the 
migration count, and I got only about 46 species this year. In Digby Co., the 
35-40 km/hr NE wind made it seem much colder than the official 6 degrees, and 
kept most insectivores out of sight - no swallows, flycatchers, and only four 
warbler species (Yellow-rumped, Palm, Black-throated Green, and one Magnolia) 
were observed in my area from Digby to Culloden. There were no really rare 
species; four Turkey Vultures drifting westward by Mt. Pleasant were 
interesting, as were 4 White-crowned Sparrows at feeders in the area - a 
species that I almost never get at home. 

 
 Athough I am not sure of their current status in NS, a highlight for me was a 
pair of House Finches occupying the shrubs in front of 33 Lighthouse Rd. in 
Digby. These are easily viewed from the road, but there are no spots nearby to 
pull off except driveways. I have seen few records of the species away from 
Halifax and Yarmouth in recent years, and this was new for my Digby Co. life 
list. 

 
Good birding,
Wayne Neily Tremont, Kings Co., Nova Scotia "Beauty is truth, and truth 
beauty," - John Keats, 1820. 

_________________________________________________________________
Find hidden words, unscramble celebrity names, or try the ultimate crossword 
puzzle with Live Search Games. Play now! 

http://g.msn.ca/ca55/212
Subject: House Finch, Digby, Migration Day Count
From: "Wayne P. Neily" <neilyornis AT hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 19:24:00 -0300
Hello all, 
 
 As others noted, the weather Saturday (May 10) was not very conducive for the 
migration count, and I got only about 46 species this year. In Digby Co., the 
35-40 km/hr NE wind made it seem much colder than the official 6 degrees, and 
kept most insectivores out of sight - no swallows, flycatchers, and only four 
warbler species (Yellow-rumped, Palm, Black-throated Green, and one Magnolia) 
were observed in my area from Digby to Culloden. There were no really rare 
species; four Turkey Vultures drifting westward by Mt. Pleasant were 
interesting, as were 4 White-crowned Sparrows at feeders in the area - a 
species that I almost never get at home. 

 
 Athough I am not sure of their current status in NS, a highlight for me was a 
pair of House Finches occupying the shrubs in front of 33 Lighthouse Rd. in 
Digby. These are easily viewed from the road, but there are no spots nearby to 
pull off except driveways. I have seen few records of the species away from 
Halifax and Yarmouth in recent years, and this was new for my Digby Co. life 
list. 

 
Good birding,
Wayne Neily Tremont, Kings Co., Nova Scotia "Beauty is truth, and truth 
beauty," - John Keats, 1820. 

_________________________________________________________________
Find hidden words, unscramble celebrity names, or try the ultimate crossword 
puzzle with Live Search Games. Play now! 

http://g.msn.ca/ca55/212
Subject: American White Pelican Photo
From: Bruce Stevens <bstevens AT stfx.ca>
Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 16:17:56 -0300
By no means frame-filling, but documentation nonetheless!

http://chimera.stfx.ca/aves/index.php?image=American_White_Pelican_2.jpg

Bruce

-- 
Bruce Stevens, M.Sc.
Ph.D. Candidate, Dalhousie University
2028 Physical Sciences Complex
Environmental Sciences Research Centre
St. Francis Xavier University
1 West Street, Antigonish, NS, Canada, B2G 2W5
(tel)   (902) 867-4506
(fax)   (902) 867-2414
(email) bstevens AT stfx.ca
(skype) michael.bruce.stevens

Subject: White Pelican in Bayfield, Ant. Co.
From: "Randy Lauff" <randy.lauff AT gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 14:13:03 -0300
Good afternoon,

This morning I received a call from Frank Randall of Bayfield. He was
alerted to a White Pelican in the area, so Bruce Stevens, Kerstin Mueller
and I went out to check out the bird and found it. Eagles flushed it, but it
came back to the same spot. Bruce will post his frame-filling pics when he
gets back to his place (we're at Frank's right now).

To find this bird (at the spot we found it), go to the community of Bayfield
(page 32, X3 in the new NS road atlas), and proceed east. At the mouth of
the Afton River is a sheltered bay, and the bird was initially discovered
there, and that's where we found it. About 61.74 degrees W, 45 degrees, 38
minutes north.

My thanks to Henry van Bommel for initially reporting this.

Randy
_________________________________
RF Lauff
Way in the boonies of
Antigonish County, NS.
Subject: Hummingbirds
From: "rachelhoogenbos" <rachelhoogenbos AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 10:49:30 -0000
Don't know if Carol and I had the same Hummingbird, but mine also
arrived yesterday (Sat.) around 1pm in Carleton (20 mins from Tusket).
Adult male, looking very disappointed my feeder was not up yet!

Cheers,

Rachel

Subject: Ruby-throated Hummer
From: "jimmysew" <jimsewell AT eastlink.ca>
Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 13:25:03 -0000
A humming bird visited my feeder this morning, ten days earlier than 
last year. I'm in LaHave, near the ferry.
Subject: ruby throated hummingbird
From: Gerald Jacquard <gcjacquard AT eastlink.ca>
Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 07:26:56 -0300
May 9th - at Tusket Falls - first sighting at my house this year.

 

Carol Jacquard
Subject: 1st for this year
From: "joni" <jashley AT netscape.ca>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 21:02:44 -0300
We had a Yellow Rump Warbler and a Yellow Chat in the yard in Woodlawn  this
morning. 1st for this year!
Joni Ashley
Subject: Ipswich Sparrow, Dartmouth
From: Kier Shackleton Gigeroff <ksg.data AT yahoo.ca>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 19:16:31 -0400 (EDT)
Sort of strange: saw an Ipswich Sparrow on the Dartmouth Harbourfront Trail in 
a field by the Nova Scotia Hospital (right beside the Woodside Ferry Terminal). 
It just perched and flew off, and that was the last I saw of it. 

Also heard a Pheasant down there, as usual.

Kier Shackleton Gigeroff
Dartmouth
Nova Scotia

       
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Subject: Brier Island
From: "Eric Mills" <emills AT dal.ca>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 20:40:14 +0000
Good birding here today. 

The pre-dawn chorus of Robins, White-throats & White-crowns along Lighthouse 
Rd. included an E. Towhee. 


In Westport this morning, a bright singing male Pine Warbler joined a small 
group of migrating warblers. 


An imm. male Orchard Oriole was at the Garrons' feeders for a 2nd day, chasing 
White-crowns & R-b. Grosbeaks away from its grapes. 


Mid-aft., a Yellow-throated Vireo was in a small flock of warblers & vireos at 
the foot of Camp Road. 


Finally, 15 Red-throated Loons in 2 groups flew W past Northern Point late this 
aft. 

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device
Eric L. Mills
286 Kingsburg Road
RR#1, Rose Bay, NS B0J 2X0, Canada

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Subject: Humming birds in Cumberland County
From: Jane Mills <jampov AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 13:40:28 -0400
On Thursday May 8th Maureen Mills had a Ruby-throat Hummingbird at her feeder 
in Spencers Island and today I have one at my feeder in East Advocate. 

Jane
Subject: White-crowned Sparrows
From: Hans Toom <htoom AT hfx.eastlink.ca>
Date: Fri, 09 May 2008 14:20:55 -0300
Hi all,

Three White-crowned Sparrows arrived this morning and were feeding behind our 
back deck. They are now hopping about near the back yard pond and mutliflora 
bramble. There could easily be more than the three I spotted together. 


Hans

_________________________________
Hans Toom
Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
Website: http://hanstoom.com 
Pbase: http://pbase.com/snahmoot
_________________________________
Subject: American Bittern
From: "Sandy HIltz" <birddog AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 21:48:32 -0300
There was an American Bittern on the meadows of the Tom Tigney stillwaters 
today. There also were many warblers and swallows there as well as at least 4 
pair of Green Wing Teal and 3 pair of Wood Ducks. There also were Bladk Ducks 
and one pair of Mallard Ducks. THe Tom Tigney Riover is in Shelburne County. We 
also saw several muskrat and one beaver. 
Subject: American Bittern
From: "Sandy HIltz" <Birddog AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 21:48:32 -0300
There was an American Bittern on the meadows of the Tom Tigney stillwaters 
today. There also were many warblers and swallows there as well as at least 4 
pair of Green Wing Teal and 3 pair of Wood Ducks. There also were Bladk Ducks 
and one pair of Mallard Ducks. THe Tom Tigney Riover is in Shelburne County. We 
also saw several muskrat and one beaver. 
Subject: FW: [NS-RBA] Blue Grosbeak, other weekend species Digby Co.
From: "Wayne P. Neily" <neilyornis AT hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 02:23:52 -0300
Hello All,
 
 No the English name of the Blue Grosbeak hasn't changed recently - except in 
my mind in the wee hours of Monday a.m. I'll blame fatigue rather than 
senility.... Thanks to those who pointed out the slip. 

 
Wayne 
Wayne Neily Tremont, Kings Co., Nova Scotia "Let us a little permit Nature to 
take her own way; she better understands her own affairs than we." - Michel de 
Montaigne, 1580. 



To: ns-rba AT yahoogroups.com; naturens AT chebucto.ns.caCC: 
barpat AT ns.sympatico.caFrom: neilyornis AT hotmail.comDate: Mon, 5 May 2008 
00:53:23 -0300Subject: [NS-RBA] Blue-headed Grosbeak, other weekend species 
Digby Co. 




Hello folks, On Saturday, May 3, I was able to spend a few hours before dark 
birding on Brier Island. Although land birds were scarce except around feeders, 
I was fortunate enough to be able to view a female Blue-headed Grosbeak 
(Passerina caerulea) feeding on lawns in Westport close to the ferry terminal, 
between Front St. and Second St. I was able to observe it about 1/2 hour, and 
it was most often in a grassy area across from the Bay of Fundy Inn (137 Second 
St.). It was also seen by Minga and Heather O'Brien of Halifax. This is likely 
the same one that Eric Mills had last week, so there is a good chance that it 
may hang around a bit longer. It resembles the field guide pictures closely, 
except that the throat is not noticeably lighter than the rest of the 
underparts. I had just seen a female Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) a few 
minutes earlier at David Pugh's feeder, so the comparison was interesting, and 
tends to support the recent lumping of the genera. I did not manage to find the 
Snowy Egret, but understand that it has been seen recently (last week), so it 
may well still be there. There were about 33 Brant in Pond Cove, along with 60+ 
Common Eiders, 20 Black Scoters, and a few Surf and White-winged, but a Greater 
Yellowlegs at the town marsh was the only shorebird seen. Also on Saturday, one 
enjoyable sign of spring was being able to hear the song of a Winter Wren while 
driving along the highway at East Ferry. Earlier in the day, at the Culloden 
wharf, I saw my first 2 Gannets of the season heading NE off the coast, as well 
as the usual single Red-throated and Common Loons and a Black Guillemot. An 
Iceland Gull (L. g. kumleini) was there as late as May 1. Not far away, at 
Mount Pleasant, a N. Cardinal was singing on territory on May 3, and I heard my 
first Ruby-crowned Kinglet of the year (in Culloden) that day. Today (May 4) 
there were more Hermit Thrushes in these areas, and a Boreal Chickadee and 
Barred Owl that perched quietly by the trail (Culloden) to check me out were 
treats, while the highlight for an atlasser was an American Robin's nest with 
three eggs! Flowers blooming in the Culloden area include coltsfoot (Tussilago 
farfara),skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), trailing arbutus (Epigaea 
repens), and a small-leaved blue violet (Viola sp.). Masses of amphibian eggs 
were in the puddles, and at least 3 garter snakes seen May 1-4 (not to mention 
a dozen or so Dermacentor variabilis ticks). Keep those signs of spring coming! 
Good Birding, 

Wayne Neily Tremont, Kings Co., Nova Scotia "Think globally, Act locally." - 
René Dubos, 1972. 


,_.___ 
 

 


 1
. __,_._,___ 






_________________________________________________________________
Try Chicktionary, a game that tests how many words you can form from the 
letters given. Find this and more puzzles at Live Search Games! 

http://g.msn.ca/ca55/207
Subject: FW: Blue Grosbeak, other weekend species Digby Co.
From: "Wayne P. Neily" <neilyornis AT hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 02:23:52 -0300
Hello All,
 
 No the English name of the Blue Grosbeak hasn't changed recently - except in 
my mind in the wee hours of Monday a.m. I'll blame fatigue rather than 
senility.... Thanks to those who pointed out the slip. 

 
Wayne 
Wayne Neily Tremont, Kings Co., Nova Scotia "Let us a little permit Nature to 
take her own way; she better understands her own affairs than we." - Michel de 
Montaigne, 1580. 



To: ns-rba AT yahoogroups.com; naturens AT chebucto.ns.caCC: 
barpat AT ns.sympatico.caFrom: neilyornis AT hotmail.comDate: Mon, 5 May 2008 
00:53:23 -0300Subject: [NS-RBA] Blue-headed Grosbeak, other weekend species 
Digby Co. 




Hello folks, On Saturday, May 3, I was able to spend a few hours before dark 
birding on Brier Island. Although land birds were scarce except around feeders, 
I was fortunate enough to be able to view a female Blue-headed Grosbeak 
(Passerina caerulea) feeding on lawns in Westport close to the ferry terminal, 
between Front St. and Second St. I was able to observe it about 1/2 hour, and 
it was most often in a grassy area across from the Bay of Fundy Inn (137 Second 
St.). It was also seen by Minga and Heather O'Brien of Halifax. This is likely 
the same one that Eric Mills had last week, so there is a good chance that it 
may hang around a bit longer. It resembles the field guide pictures closely, 
except that the throat is not noticeably lighter than the rest of the 
underparts. I had just seen a female Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) a few 
minutes earlier at David Pugh's feeder, so the comparison was interesting, and 
tends to support the recent lumping of the genera. I did not manage to find the 
Snowy Egret, but understand that it has been seen recently (last week), so it 
may well still be there. There were about 33 Brant in Pond Cove, along with 60+ 
Common Eiders, 20 Black Scoters, and a few Surf and White-winged, but a Greater 
Yellowlegs at the town marsh was the only shorebird seen. Also on Saturday, one 
enjoyable sign of spring was being able to hear the song of a Winter Wren while 
driving along the highway at East Ferry. Earlier in the day, at the Culloden 
wharf, I saw my first 2 Gannets of the season heading NE off the coast, as well 
as the usual single Red-throated and Common Loons and a Black Guillemot. An 
Iceland Gull (L. g. kumleini) was there as late as May 1. Not far away, at 
Mount Pleasant, a N. Cardinal was singing on territory on May 3, and I heard my 
first Ruby-crowned Kinglet of the year (in Culloden) that day. Today (May 4) 
there were more Hermit Thrushes in these areas, and a Boreal Chickadee and 
Barred Owl that perched quietly by the trail (Culloden) to check me out were 
treats, while the highlight for an atlasser was an American Robin's nest with 
three eggs! Flowers blooming in the Culloden area include coltsfoot (Tussilago 
farfara),skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), trailing arbutus (Epigaea 
repens), and a small-leaved blue violet (Viola sp.). Masses of amphibian eggs 
were in the puddles, and at least 3 garter snakes seen May 1-4 (not to mention 
a dozen or so Dermacentor variabilis ticks). Keep those signs of spring coming! 
Good Birding, 

Wayne Neily Tremont, Kings Co., Nova Scotia "Think globally, Act locally." - 
René Dubos, 1972. 


,_.___ 
 

 


 1
.  






_________________________________________________________________
Try Chicktionary, a game that tests how many words you can form from the 
letters given. Find this and more puzzles at Live Search Games! 

http://g.msn.ca/ca55/207
Subject: Blue-headed Grosbeak, other weekend species Digby Co.
From: "Wayne P. Neily" <neilyornis AT hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 00:53:23 -0300
Hello folks,
 
 On Saturday, May 3, I was able to spend a few hours before dark birding on 
Brier Island. Although land birds were scarce except around feeders, I was 
fortunate enough to be able to view a female Blue-headed Grosbeak (Passerina 
caerulea) feeding on lawns in Westport close to the ferry terminal, between 
Front St. and Second St. I was able to observe it about 1/2 hour, and it was 
most often in a grassy area across from the Bay of Fundy Inn (137 Second St.). 
It was also seen by Minga and Heather O'Brien of Halifax. This is likely the 
same one that Eric Mills had last week, so there is a good chance that it may 
hang around a bit longer. It resembles the field guide pictures closely, except 
that the throat is not noticeably lighter than the rest of the underparts. I 
had just seen a female Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) a few minutes earlier 
at David Pugh's feeder, so the comparison was interesting, and tends to support 
the recent lumping of the genera. 

 
 I did not manage to find the Snowy Egret, but understand that it has been seen 
recently (last week), so it may well still be there. There were about 33 Brant 
in Pond Cove, along with 60+ Common Eiders, 20 Black Scoters, and a few Surf 
and White-winged, but a Greater Yellowlegs at the town marsh was the only 
shorebird seen. 

 Also on Saturday, one enjoyable sign of spring was being able to hear the song 
of a Winter Wren while driving along the highway at East Ferry. Earlier in the 
day, at the Culloden wharf, I saw my first 2 Gannets of the season heading NE 
off the coast, as well as the usual single Red-throated and Common Loons and a 
Black Guillemot. An Iceland Gull (L. g. kumleini) was there as late as May 1. 
Not far away, at Mount Pleasant, a N. Cardinal was singing on territory on May 
3, and I heard my first Ruby-crowned Kinglet of the year (in Culloden) that 
day. 

 
 Today (May 4) there were more Hermit Thrushes in these areas, and a Boreal 
Chickadee and Barred Owl that perched quietly by the trail (Culloden) to check 
me out were treats, while the highlight for an atlasser was an American Robin's 
nest with three eggs! 

 
 Flowers blooming in the Culloden area include coltsfoot (Tussilago 
farfara),skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), trailing arbutus (Epigaea 
repens), and a small-leaved blue violet (Viola sp.). Masses of amphibian eggs 
were in the puddles, and at least 3 garter snakes seen May 1-4 (not to mention 
a dozen or so Dermacentor variabilis ticks). Keep those signs of spring coming! 

 
Good Birding,
 
Wayne Neily Tremont, Kings Co., Nova Scotia "Think globally, Act locally." - 
René Dubos, 1972. 

_________________________________________________________________
If you like crossword puzzles, then you'll love Flexicon, a game which combines 
four overlapping crossword puzzles into one! 

http://g.msn.ca/ca55/208
Subject: Blue-headed Grosbeak, other weekend species Digby Co.
From: "Wayne P. Neily" <neilyornis AT hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 00:53:23 -0300
Hello folks,
 
 On Saturday, May 3, I was able to spend a few hours before dark birding on 
Brier Island. Although land birds were scarce except around feeders, I was 
fortunate enough to be able to view a female Blue-headed Grosbeak (Passerina 
caerulea) feeding on lawns in Westport close to the ferry terminal, between 
Front St. and Second St. I was able to observe it about 1/2 hour, and it was 
most often in a grassy area across from the Bay of Fundy Inn (137 Second St.). 
It was also seen by Minga and Heather O'Brien of Halifax. This is likely the 
same one that Eric Mills had last week, so there is a good chance that it may 
hang around a bit longer. It resembles the field guide pictures closely, except 
that the throat is not noticeably lighter than the rest of the underparts. I 
had just seen a female Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) a few minutes earlier 
at David Pugh's feeder, so the comparison was interesting, and tends to support 
the recent lumping of the genera. 

 
 I did not manage to find the Snowy Egret, but understand that it has been seen 
recently (last week), so it may well still be there. There were about 33 Brant 
in Pond Cove, along with 60+ Common Eiders, 20 Black Scoters, and a few Surf 
and White-winged, but a Greater Yellowlegs at the town marsh was the only 
shorebird seen. 

 Also on Saturday, one enjoyable sign of spring was being able to hear the song 
of a Winter Wren while driving along the highway at East Ferry. Earlier in the 
day, at the Culloden wharf, I saw my first 2 Gannets of the season heading NE 
off the coast, as well as the usual single Red-throated and Common Loons and a 
Black Guillemot. An Iceland Gull (L. g. kumleini) was there as late as May 1. 
Not far away, at Mount Pleasant, a N. Cardinal was singing on territory on May 
3, and I heard my first Ruby-crowned Kinglet of the year (in Culloden) that 
day. 

 
 Today (May 4) there were more Hermit Thrushes in these areas, and a Boreal 
Chickadee and Barred Owl that perched quietly by the trail (Culloden) to check 
me out were treats, while the highlight for an atlasser was an American Robin's 
nest with three eggs! 

 
 Flowers blooming in the Culloden area include coltsfoot (Tussilago 
farfara),skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), trailing arbutus (Epigaea 
repens), and a small-leaved blue violet (Viola sp.). Masses of amphibian eggs 
were in the puddles, and at least 3 garter snakes seen May 1-4 (not to mention 
a dozen or so Dermacentor variabilis ticks). Keep those signs of spring coming! 

 
Good Birding,
 
Wayne Neily Tremont, Kings Co., Nova Scotia "Think globally, Act locally." - 
René Dubos, 1972. 

_________________________________________________________________
If you like crossword puzzles, then you'll love Flexicon, a game which combines 
four overlapping crossword puzzles into one! 

http://g.msn.ca/ca55/208
Subject: Turkey Vulture & Magpie update
From: "Bernard Burke" <blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 23:31:10 -0300
Hi All

I had no luck viewing the Magpie at Clam Harbor late this afternoon, but a 
resident at #37 Russell Road indicated that the bird was heard this morning, 
although not seen. 


While on the way to Clam Harbor, I kept coming across a Turkey Vulture that 
seemed to keep popping up just ahead of us along the highway, and was even 
standing right on the middle of the road at one point. It was mostly in the 
vicinity of Clam Bay. Here are a few photos, the last of which was through my 
car windshield, and not near as clear as I would have liked. A vehicle coming 
from the opposite direction showed up and spooked it before I could get a 
better shot, but as for flight shots, the bird was quite accommodating as it 
circled just overhead: 


http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/916397_ynXPk/3/43465085_X3pDu/Medium

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/916397_ynXPk/3/43465086_msKBr/Medium

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/916397_ynXPk/3/43465087_e3pKS/Medium

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/916397_ynXPk/3/43465088_sNfVf/Medium

Bernard Burke
blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca
Dartmouth
Subject: Turkey Vulture & Magpie update
From: "Bernard Burke" <blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 23:31:10 -0300
Hi All

I had no luck viewing the Magpie at Clam Harbor late this afternoon, but a 
resident at #37 Russell Road indicated that the bird was heard this morning, 
although not seen. 


While on the way to Clam Harbor, I kept coming across a Turkey Vulture that 
seemed to keep popping up just ahead of us along the highway, and was even 
standing right on the middle of the road at one point. It was mostly in the 
vicinity of Clam Bay. Here are a few photos, the last of which was through my 
car windshield, and not near as clear as I would have liked. A vehicle coming 
from the opposite direction showed up and spooked it before I could get a 
better shot, but as for flight shots, the bird was quite accommodating as it 
circled just overhead: 


http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/916397_ynXPk/3/43465085_X3pDu/Medium

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/916397_ynXPk/3/43465086_msKBr/Medium

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/916397_ynXPk/3/43465087_e3pKS/Medium

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/916397_ynXPk/3/43465088_sNfVf/Medium

Bernard Burke
blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca
Dartmouth
Subject: Brants and Eiders
From: Stuart & Rachel Smith <rsmelbourne AT eastlink.ca>
Date: Sun, 04 May 2008 21:54:28 -0300
On Saturday there was approx. 50 Brants on Ram Island which is located a short 
distant after the end of the wharf in Pickney's Point as well we counted at 
least 94 pairs of Eiders located about Pickney's Point. A pied billed-grebe was 
seen on the pond located on the corner of the William Alan and Melbourne road. 

A great birding day.
Rachel
Subject: Eurasian Wigeon at Red Bridge Pond
From: "Bernard Burke" <blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 07:10:59 -0300
There was a male Eurasian Wigeon here yesterday evening (Saturday) at Red 
Bridge Pond Dartmouth, perhaps the same one that, as of April 30th at least, 
was still occasionaly appearing at Sullivans Pond. The one remaining American 
Coot at Sullivans Pond, I did not see after April 15th, and the 1st winter 
Glaucous Gull that spent a good part of the winter in my neighborhood seemed to 
have moved on after April 12th. 


Bernard Burke
Dartmouth
Subject: Eurasian Wigeon at Red Bridge Pond
From: "Bernard Burke" <blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 07:10:59 -0300
There was a male Eurasian Wigeon here yesterday evening (Saturday) at Red 
Bridge Pond Dartmouth, perhaps the same one that, as of April 30th at least, 
was still occasionaly appearing at Sullivans Pond. The one remaining American 
Coot at Sullivans Pond, I did not see after April 15th, and the 1st winter 
Glaucous Gull that spent a good part of the winter in my neighborhood seemed to 
have moved on after April 12th. 


Bernard Burke
Dartmouth
Subject: Magpie Location Correction
From: "Lucas Berrigan" <coppersmithbarbet AT yahoo.ca>
Date: Sat, 3 May 2008 14:53:25 -0300
In order to avoid confusion, I thought I should say that #37 Russell Rd is
far from Lake Charlotte; it's not even in Owl's Head. The correct location
is Clam Harbour (not the beach).

 

____________________

Lucas Berrigan

 

Eastern Shore,

Nova Scotia

 

My Website  

 
Subject: Magpie Location Correction
From: "Lucas Berrigan" <coppersmithbarbet AT yahoo.ca>
Date: Sat, 3 May 2008 14:53:25 -0300
In order to avoid confusion, I thought I should say that #37 Russell Rd is
far from Lake Charlotte; it's not even in Owl's Head. The correct location
is Clam Harbour (not the beach).

 

____________________

Lucas Berrigan

 

Eastern Shore,

Nova Scotia

 

My Website  

 
Subject: Re: Magpie Update
From: "C. Davis" <nuthatch AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Sat, 3 May 2008 12:08:27 -0300
Hi,

My husband and I arrived just as David getting ready to leave. His  
luck was better than ours as he did get that brief early morning  
glimpse. We sat waiting and watching till 10:00 then took a brief  
tour around with no sightings before heading back to Dartmouth at 10:30.

If anyone goes out to look for the bird over the next couple days I  
would appreciate some feed back, good or bad.

Thanks,

Cheryl Davis
Dartmouth, NS

On May 3, 2008, at 11:40 AM, David Currie wrote:

>
>
> Hi all...At about 6:15 this morning I did get a brief look at the  
> bird as it flew from the shore side of the road to #37 Russell Dr.  
> It remained out of sight after that but called about 8-10 times  
> over the next 5-10 minutes. The calls kept getting fainter and know  
> it was moving further away but did not see it again after that.  
> There was no opportunity for a photograph. The call, a series of  
> 5-6 nasal yak, yak, yak or ch-yak, ch-yak, ch-yak is as close as I  
> can duplicate.
>
> I'm still trying to find the voice of Eurasian on the internet but  
> did sound similar to those I heard before in Alberta.
>
> I left the area at about 9:00, more people were arriving and  
> hopefully they will have a bit more luck.
>
> Mrs. McKinnon did say that it was seen nearby on a lawn along the  
> main road yesterday evening so worth checking as you drive to the  
> area.
>
> Dave
> Dartmouth
>
>
> 
Subject: Magpie Update
From: "David Currie" <david_currie AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Sat, 3 May 2008 11:40:15 -0300
Hi all...At about 6:15 this morning I did get a brief look at the bird as it 
flew from the shore side of the road to #37 Russell Dr. It remained out of 
sight after that but called about 8-10 times over the next 5-10 minutes. The 
calls kept getting fainter and know it was moving further away but did not see 
it again after that. There was no opportunity for a photograph. The call, a 
series of 5-6 nasal yak, yak, yak or ch-yak, ch-yak, ch-yak is as close as I 
can duplicate. 


I'm still trying to find the voice of Eurasian on the internet but did sound 
similar to those I heard before in Alberta. 


I left the area at about 9:00, more people were arriving and hopefully they 
will have a bit more luck. 


Mrs. McKinnon did say that it was seen nearby on a lawn along the main road 
yesterday evening so worth checking as you drive to the area. 


Dave
Dartmouth
   
Subject: FW: Probable FRANKLIN'S GULL (Mouette de Franklin) in Sackville
From: "Wayne P. Neily" <neilyornis AT hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 3 May 2008 00:41:59 -0300
 
 
This will be of interest to some NS birders.
Wayne Neily Tremont, Kings Co., Nova Scotia "Beauty is truth, and truth 
beauty," - John Keats, 1820. > Date: Fri, 2 May 2008 23:42:14 -0300> From: 
tingley AT NBNET.NB.CA> Subject: Probable FRANKLIN'S GULL (Mouette de Franklin) in 
Sackville> To: NATURENB AT LISTSERV.UNB.CA> > Kathy Popma, Tony Erskine and Becky 
Stewart found a small hooded gull today roosting with Ring-billed Gulls in the 
parking lot of the Sackville Home Hardware, adjacent to the Sackville Waterfowl 
Park. They were uncertain of the identification so Kathy e-mailed a photo to me 
this evening which I saw just moments ago as I was heading to bed. While the 
photo isn't great I feel reasonably confident that the bird is an adult 
FRANKLIN'S GULL in breeding plumage.> > Norm, Gisčle and Gilles Belliveau and I 
plan to search for the bird at some point tomorrow morning and if we are able 
to relocate it I'll try to get an update posted to NatureNB. 

> > To reach the Sackville Home Hardware, coming from Moncton on the TCH, take 
the first exit into Sackville. Turn right at the stop sign and then immediately 
left at the traffic light (between the Tim Horton's and Irving). The Home 
Hardware is (I think???) at the end of this street beside the Sackville Tourist 
Info Centre.> > Thanks very much to Kathy Popma for bringing this bird to my 
attention!> > Good Birding,> > Stu Tingley> Shediac Cape, NB> > NatureNB 
guidelines http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbe.html> Foire aux questions de 
NatureNB http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/maryspt/nnbf.html 

_________________________________________________________________
Enter today for your chance to win $1000 a day—today until May 12th. Learn more 
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Subject: More on what to look for on Lake Charlotte magpie
From: iamclar AT dal.ca
Date: Fri, 2 May 2008 17:14:24 -0300
All:

Here's more information on distinguishing Old-World and Black-billed Magpie,
modified from "Birds of North America." Note that, the reason for all this
arcane consideration is that the A.O.U. now accepts that the two are different
species, Eurasian (_Pica pica_) and Black-billed (_Pica hudsonia_) largely
based on genetic analysis.

Compared with Old World races of _pica_, _hudsonia_ has: (1) lighter build, 
with 

mass of adult male averaging 186 g (maximum about 210 g) versus averages
201-241 g (maxima 230-290 g); (2) tail and wing average longer than most
Eurasian populations; (3) innermost primary has smaller white spot on inner web
(10–60 mm versus 40–80 mm) and this spot rarely occupies edge of web; (4)
throat-feathers have concealed white spotting at base and setaceous shafts are
less well developed; (5) iris has whitish outer ring in the summer and fall
(versus brown in other races); (6) bill is thinner and slightly longer.
Vocalizations differ dramatically between Eurasian and North American
populations.  Harsh alarm calls of Black-billed and Yellow-billed magpies— skaa
skaa ka ka ka —sound similar, but are quite different from the lower-pitched
calls of Eurasian magpies.

Cheers, Ian McLaren
Subject: Information on magpie i.d.
From: iamclar AT dal.ca
Date: Fri, 2 May 2008 13:33:54 -0300
All:

As Eric mentioned, there is a (remote?) possibility that the E. Shore magpie is
a ship-assisted Eurasian. This is very difficult i.d. call, but here's what I
gleaned from an article in Dutch Birding 2003, 25(1), pp 103-116. Photographs
of the bird alongside objects of measurable size (like the mesh around its fish
pond hangout) would be helpful. Voice recordings might be even better.

"The main differences described are the smaller size (weight) with relatively
longer wing and tail in Black-billed, a blue iris at least in first-years
(brown in Rurasian birds) and the gloss of upperwing and tertials in
Black-billed being dark bluish-green, less deep blue on the secondaries and
tertials than in Eurasian. In addition, the gloss of the crown is slightly more
bronze-green in Black-billed . . . )"

A good difference is the "chatter calls;" those of the Eurasian are shorter and
more closely spaced (and higher?).

Cheers, Ian McLaren
Subject: Update on Magpie, Clam Harbour, HRM
From: "Eric L. Mills" <e.mills AT dal.ca>
Date: Fri, 02 May 2008 13:07:50 -0300
The Black-billed (presumably) Magpie reported yesterday from #37 Russell Road, 
off the 

Owl's Head Road in Clam Harbour, HRM, was there this morning when Ian McLaren 
and I 

arrived. It feeds periodically around the fish pond just S of the McKinnon's 
house (behind the 

model lighthouse) and is best seen from their driveway. We saw it once again in 
the same 

place, then along the trees on the N side of the property. This bird is very 
shy and ranges 

around, so we recommend staying in your car, otherwise it will disappear 
pronto. 


Joe and Janet McKinnon are the very welcoming and hospitable residents at #37. 
They told 

us that they first saw the Magpie on Wednesday afternoon the 30th. It was there 
off and on 

through yesterday. 

Incidentally, the (presumably) above refers to the remote possibility that this 
bird is a ship- 

assisted European Magpie. Ian will elaborate on this later. Whatever its 
origin, it is very shy 

and so very likely a wild bird not an escapee. 

The only previous confirmed Black-billed Magpie in Nova Scotia was one on Brier 
Island in 

May 1973. 
Subject: Update on Magpie, Clam Harbour, HRM
From: "Eric L. Mills" <E.Mills AT Dal.Ca>
Date: Fri, 02 May 2008 13:07:50 -0300
The Black-billed (presumably) Magpie reported yesterday from #37 Russell Road, 
off the 

Owl's Head Road in Clam Harbour, HRM, was there this morning when Ian McLaren 
and I 

arrived. It feeds periodically around the fish pond just S of the McKinnon's 
house (behind the 

model lighthouse) and is best seen from their driveway. We saw it once again in 
the same 

place, then along the trees on the N side of the property. This bird is very 
shy and ranges 

around, so we recommend staying in your car, otherwise it will disappear 
pronto. 


Joe and Janet McKinnon are the very welcoming and hospitable residents at #37. 
They told 

us that they first saw the Magpie on Wednesday afternoon the 30th. It was there 
off and on 

through yesterday. 

Incidentally, the (presumably) above refers to the remote possibility that this 
bird is a ship- 

assisted European Magpie. Ian will elaborate on this later. Whatever its 
origin, it is very shy 

and so very likely a wild bird not an escapee. 

The only previous confirmed Black-billed Magpie in Nova Scotia was one on Brier 
Island in 

May 1973. 
Subject: Fw: black billed magpie
From: Bob McDonald <bobathome AT hfx.eastlink.ca>
Date: Thu, 01 May 2008 13:33:13 -0300
Hello,

I just received this message from Charles Cron. Possibly someone may be able to 
check it out. I wouldn't think that Black-billed Magpie would be confused with 
ant less rare species. 


Good luck,
Bob

P.S. I have unsubscribed from NatureNS for the past few weeks but someone else 
may be interested in posting this report there. 



----- Original Message ----- 
From: c c 
To: Robert McDonald 
Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 1:01 PM
Subject: black billed magpie


Dear Bob: you may be interested, a black billed magpie has been sighted at 37 
Russel Rd.,Owls Head,RR1 Lake Charlotte, NS. I have not been there myself but 
the report is reliable and I have been told it is ok to visit the area. I 
believe this is a western prairie bird and probably rare here but I do not know 
how commonly it is sighted here.You may post this to the rare bird alert if 
appropriate. Charlie. 



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Subject: Purple Sandpipers
From: Hans Toom <htoom AT hfx.eastlink.ca>
Date: Thu, 01 May 2008 09:44:19 -0300
Hi all,

I had a nice bunch(30+) of Purple Sandpipers on Duncan Reef this morning. I 
suspect these birds might be a Halifax County rarity this time of year, though 
certainly more common further north in our province. 


Hans Toom


_________________________________
Hans Toom
Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
Website: http://hanstoom.com 
Pbase: http://pbase.com/snahmoot
_________________________________
Subject: Blue Grosbeak, Brier Island
From: "Eric Mills" <emills AT dal.ca>
Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:12:02 +0000
Anne Mills and June Swift found and photographed a female Blue Grosbeak along 
the Northern Point road this morning. At 2:30 I relocated it feeding in the 
ditch just below the Lodge. 


Birding has been slow, and the resident Snowy Egret first found by Carl Haycock 
and June Swift a week ago could not be located today. 

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device
Eric L. Mills
286 Kingsburg Road
RR#1, Rose Bay, NS B0J 2X0, Canada

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Subject: GYRFALCON
From: "Michael King" <warblerking AT yahoo.ca>
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2008 18:16:09 -0000
April 26,08
Chebucto Head
1 gyrfalcon(grey phase)
GO BIRDING,
Mike
Subject: PIPING PLOVERS
From: "Michael King" <warblerking AT yahoo.ca>
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2008 18:12:49 -0000
April 25,08
Conrad's beach
3 piping plovers 2(m)1(f)
GO BIRDING,
Mike
Subject: Re: Vultures and GRPR
From: Joan Czapalay <joancz AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:52:48 -0300
Seems impossible, but I saw what I believe to have been* two *Black 
Vultures overhead near Enfield today ( shortish tails, rather wide 
wings, light at the ends and  held flat; slowly soaring). I was in a big 
rush to get back to the city, so sighting not confirmed, but I am 
familiar with both Black and Turkey Vultures.  At  11 am this morning 
there were two Gray Partridge  (acting friendly) near the sidewalk at 
the AC campus in  Bible Hill. Cheers, Joan

Terri Crane wrote:
>
> With frequent reports of Vultures being recieved daily for the past 
> week today I recieved a report of 3 red headed vultures perched on a 
> fence  AT  the Fanning Memorial School (Hazel Hill) on Monday evening 
> (Apr 21st)
>  
> Yesterday Steph B. reported a Black Vulture circling over the same 
> area as the one that spent most of the winter in the area. He had good 
> enough views over 10-15 min. to get the feild marks for the Black ID.
>  
> Tom K.
> Canso
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG. 
> Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.3/1393 - Release Date: 4/23/2008 
8:12 AM 

>   
Subject: Vultures
From: "Terri Crane" <terri.crane AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:30:24 -0300
With frequent reports of Vultures being recieved daily for the past week today 
I recieved a report of 3 red headed vultures perched on a fence  AT  the Fanning 
Memorial School (Hazel Hill) on Monday evening (Apr 21st) 


Yesterday Steph B. reported a Black Vulture circling over the same area as the 
one that spent most of the winter in the area. He had good enough views over 
10-15 min. to get the feild marks for the Black ID. 


Tom K.
Canso
Subject: Vultures
From: "Terri Crane" <terri.crane AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:30:24 -0300
With frequent reports of Vultures being recieved daily for the past week today 
I recieved a report of 3 red headed vultures perched on a fence  AT  the Fanning 
Memorial School (Hazel Hill) on Monday evening (Apr 21st) 


Yesterday Steph B. reported a Black Vulture circling over the same area as the 
one that spent most of the winter in the area. He had good enough views over 
10-15 min. to get the feild marks for the Black ID. 


Tom K.
Canso
Subject: Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Berwick, Kings Co.
From: iamclar AT dal.ca
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:36:46 -0300
Foreward:  From: Patrick Giffin [mailto:barpat AT ns.sympatico.ca]
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 9:40 PM


Subject: Red-bellied Woodpecker Berwick 19Apr08




In Berwick, on 19Apr08, Joyce Dodd,  heard what she expected was a flicker,
however, was delighted to see a male,  Red-bellied Woodpecker flyby, then a
possible, second Red-bellied Woodpecker! Wow! This could mean that the male,
that was with them some years ago, has returned with a mate.  "Hope springs
eternal within the human breast!" (Alexander Pope) There has been a
Red-bellied Woodpecker in Aylesford in recent years.



Cheers, Pat Giffin



Subject: Northern Parula
From: Hans Toom <htoom AT hfx.eastlink.ca>
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:00:01 -0300
Hi all,

Three warbler species are back in Jerry Lawrence PP(aka Lewis Lake PP); 
Yellow-rumped, Palm and Northern Parula. All were singing. Other singing 
attendees this morning were Hermit Thrush, Brown Creeper, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 
Swamp Sparrow and Purple Finch. The dawn chorus has arrived, and with gusto. 


Hans
_________________________________
Hans Toom
Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
Website: http://hanstoom.com 
Pbase: http://pbase.com/snahmoot
_________________________________
Subject: Sparrows in Advocate
From: Jane Mills <jampov AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 7:15:55 -0400
Hi All, there are lots of Savannah Sparrows around the feeders, also 
White-throated and a Chipping Sparrow. 

Jane
Subject: Winter Wren, Cardinal, Hermit Thrush
From: Jane Mills <jampov AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:35:31 -0400
Saturday April 19, I heard two Winter Wren on Cape D'or, I also heard what 
sounded like a Ruby Crown Kinglet, it wasn't singing at it's best. My sister in 
Fraserville has a male Cardinal at her feeder. I heard a Hermit Thrush in 
Portapique, Colchester County. A couple different sightings in Cumberland 
County for Tree Swallows; Spencers Island, Fraserville and Ward Brook. 

Jane
Subject: LBB Gull
From: "Richard Stern" <sternrichard AT gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:50:50 -0300
There was a nice bright LBB Gull a little while ago along Saxon St., Kings
Co. It had no trace of dark on the head, and bright yellow legs. Mantle
color was typical graelsii. I got some reasonable pics.

Richard

-- 
#################
Richard Stern,
317 Middle Dyke Rd.
Port Williams, NS, Canada
B0P 1T0

rbstern AT ns.sympatico.ca
rbstern AT xcountry.tv
sternrichard AT gmail.com
###################
Subject: LBB Gull
From: "Richard Stern" <sternrichard AT gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:50:50 -0300
There was a nice bright LBB Gull a little while ago along Saxon St., Kings
Co. It had no trace of dark on the head, and bright yellow legs. Mantle
color was typical graelsii. I got some reasonable pics.

Richard

-- 
#################
Richard Stern,
317 Middle Dyke Rd.
Port Williams, NS, Canada
B0P 1T0

rbstern AT ns.sympatico.ca
rbstern AT xcountry.tv
sternrichard AT gmail.com
###################
Subject: Harlequin Ducks
From: "Sandy HIltz" <birddog AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Sun, 20 Apr 2008 12:32:03 -0300
Just watched today, a pair of Harlequin Ducks in the surf from East Point below 
Ingomar, Shelburne County. 

Great looks at 100 yards with binoculars.
Subject: Harlequin Ducks
From: "Sandy HIltz" <Birddog AT ns.sympatico.ca>
Date: Sun, 20 Apr 2008 12:32:03 -0300
Just watched today, a pair of Harlequin Ducks in the surf from East Point below 
Ingomar, Shelburne County. 

Great looks at 100 yards with binoculars.
Subject: Turkey Vulture, Jeddore Oyster Ponds, HRM
From: "Lucas Berrigan" <coppersmithbarbet AT yahoo.ca>
Date: Sat, 19 Apr 2008 17:21:56 -0300
Kier and I saw a Turkey Vulture flying north over Oyster Pond in the Head of
Jeddore at about 4:45 PM today (19th.) For new birds in my area, there were
two Tree Swallows, a Yellow-rumped Warbler and three Double-crested
Cormorants.

 

____________________

Lucas Berrigan

 

Eastern Shore,

Nova Scotia

 

My Website  

 
Subject: American Redstart, Palm Warbler, Swamp Sparrow and others
From: Hans Toom <htoom AT hfx.eastlink.ca>
Date: Sat, 19 Apr 2008 16:46:18 -0300
Hi all,

This morning I spotted a bird near the treeline, Crystal Crescent Beach PP. It 
was sparrow sized and appeared all black on my first 1/2 second look. On my 
second 1/2 second look the bird sported bright red wing markings and flashed 
white as it darted away. I know of no bird other than the American Redstart 
that matches these field marks. 


Other new arrivals in the park were Palm Warbler and Swamp Sparrow. The 
resident Fox Sparrows were singing brightly on territory in two locations. Off 
shore the Northern Gannets were streaming past in small groups. 


At home in Portuguese Cove the Rose-breasted Grosbeak has appeared daily but 
due to its shyness it would be a very difficult to spot except from the house. 
It seldom comes out in the open. The Purple Finch has returned and will be a 
daily yard bird now until November. 


Hans

_________________________________
Hans Toom
Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
Website: http://hanstoom.com 
Pbase: http://pbase.com/snahmoot
_________________________________
Subject: Snowy Egret, Five Houses, Lun. Co.
From: Eric Mills <e.mills AT dal.ca>
Date: Sat, 19 Apr 2008 16:10:43 -0300
This morning there was a fine adult Snowy Egret in the small pond/marsh by the 
road in Five Houses, Lun. Co. - just 

past Riverport where the road divides to Lower LaHave or the Kraut Point fish 
plant. No doubt this was the same bird 

found by David Walmark in the Lower LaHave marsh earlier this week.  
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Eric L. Mills 
286 Kingsburg Road
RR#1, Rose Bay, Nova Scotia B0J 2X0, CANADA
E.Mills AT Dal.Ca
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Subject: Snowy Egret, Five Houses, Lun. Co.
From: Eric Mills <E.Mills AT Dal.Ca>
Date: Sat, 19 Apr 2008 16:10:43 -0300
This morning there was a fine adult Snowy Egret in the small pond/marsh by the 
road in Five Houses, Lun. Co. - just 

past Riverport where the road divides to Lower LaHave or the Kraut Point fish 
plant. No doubt this was the same bird 

found by David Walmark in the Lower LaHave marsh earlier this week.  
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Eric L. Mills 
286 Kingsburg Road
RR#1, Rose Bay, Nova Scotia B0J 2X0, CANADA
E.Mills AT Dal.Ca
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