Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from NS-RBA > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Saturday, November 7 at 10:44 AM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Wood Thrush,©Chris Kerrigan

7 Nov Yellow-throated Warbler ["David Currie" ] 07 Nov Correction Rufous Sided Towhee...Spotted western ["ghawkins_ca" ] 07 Nov Black Headed Grosbeak ["ghawkins_ca" ] 6 Nov FWD: Sightings from Cape Sable Island ["Blake Maybank" ] 3 Nov Northern Cardinal ["Judy O'Brien" ] 1 Nov FWD: rare birds at Port Hawkesbury, Cape Breton ["Blake Maybank" ] 1 Nov FWD: Update on Long-billed Dowitchers in Shelburne County ["Blake Maybank" ] 1 Nov Ruby-crowned Kinglet on the Prospect Peninsula ["Blake Maybank" ] 30 Oct FWD: Lark Sparrow in Barrington ["Blake Maybank" ] 29 Oct FWD: Great Egret and late Barn Swallow in Shelburne County ["Blake Maybank" ] 28 Oct FWD: Red-bellied Woodpecker and late Hermit Thrush in Dartmouth ["Blake Maybank" ] 28 Oct FWD: Long-billed Dowitchers in Shelburne County ["Blake Maybank" ] 26 Oct Twelve Blubirds ["daviddnrharris" ] 26 Oct Snow Bunting ["daviddnrharris" ] 25 Oct Orange-crowned warbler in Halifax. ["Terry Boswell" ] 22 Oct FW: a bird in the hand.... [Lynn Karchewski ] 21 Oct a bird in the hand.... [Lynn Karchewski ] 19 Oct "im. painted bunting" [Henk Kwindt ] 19 Oct "im. painted bunting" [Henk Kwindt ] 18 Oct FWD: Great Egret & Little Blue Heron in southern NS ["Blake Maybank" ] 18 Oct Painted bunting [Henk Kwindt ] 18 Oct Painted bunting [Henk Kwindt ] 18 Oct horned lark [Henk Kwindt ] 18 Oct horned lark [Henk Kwindt ] 18 Oct Yellow-breasted Chat in Shubenacadie ["Kathleen" ] 16 Oct Yellow-breasted Chat ["Judy O'Brien" ] 14 Oct Orange-crowned Warbler [Hans Toom ] 13 Oct Highlights from Seal Island, Oct 9-12 2009 ["Blake Maybank" ] 13 Oct Oct 12 - Eurasian Collared Dove and others - Canso ["David Currie" ] 12 Oct Turkey Vulture, Warbling Vireo, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Baltimore Oriole [Hans Toom ] 9 Oct Hartlen Point (back cove) Friday [Terry Paquet ] 9 Oct Truro Geese ["Ross & Linda Hall" ] 08 Oct Friday HRM Birding [Don MacNeill ] 08 Oct Friday HRM Birding [Don MacNeill ] 7 Oct FWD: Yellow-billed Cuckoo near Chocolate Lake, HRM ["Blake Maybank" ] 6 Oct Re: 1NEW LIFE BIRD 2 NEW YARD BIRDS ["Tom & Terri" ] 6 Oct 1NEW LIFE BIRD 2 NEW YARD BIRDS ["Tom & Terri" ] 6 Oct Fwd: [NatureNS] Greater Wh-fronted Goose in Canning [] 4 Oct Adult Lesser Black-backed Gull ["bernard burke" ] 04 Oct Thanks all for the replies on my ID request . . . [Terry Danks ] 4 Oct Re: Three unknowns in our backyard this summer. Please help. [Kier Shackleton Gigeroff ] 04 Oct Three unknowns in our backyard this summer. Please help. ["dawziecat" ] 04 Oct Three unknowns in our backyard this summer. Please help. ["dawziecat" ] 4 Oct Adult Lesser Black-backed Gull ["bernard burke" ] 3 Oct Eurasian Wigeon, Franklin's Gull updates ["bernard burke" ] 3 Oct Eurasian Wigeon, Franklin's Gull updates ["bernard burke" ] 3 Oct Photos of Franklin's and Lesser Black-backed gulls [] 3 Oct Addendum: Common Ringed vs. Semipalmated Plover [] 2 Oct Eurasian Wigeon ["bernard burke" ] 2 Oct Eurasian Wigeon ["bernard burke" ] 2 Oct FWD: White-eyed Vireo, Franklin's Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull in HRM ["Blake Maybank" ] 1 Oct FWD: Northern Wheatear at LaHaveI'm visiting LaHave, and wanted to report a possible Northern Wheatear that was present along the beach adjacent to the LaHave River next to the road leading into the Fort Point Historic Site. I observed the bird for c.a. 15 minutes this morning (Thursday Oct 01) from the beach and the driveway to a house with a stone monument along the driveway reading "Turning Point". This is the short, narrow beach immediately to your left as you approach the historic site. I o ["Blake Maybank" ] 1 Oct A Common Ringed Plover in Nova Scotia? (LONG) [] 1 Oct Red-bellied woodpecker [Susan Hunt ] 1 Oct A Common Ringed Plover in Nova Scotia? (LONG) [] 29 Sep Re: WAVI (late report) [Joan Czapalay ] 27 Sep Sep 26 Pelagic ["David Currie" ] 27 Sep Redhead Duck ["tumayoung" ] 26 Sep Turkey Vulture, Lunenburg County ["P.L. Chalmers" ] 25 Sep Western Kingbird ["ebo2112" ] 24 Sep Ipswich Sparrow and Eastern Kingbird [Hans Toom ] 23 Sep Solitary Sandpiper at Sandy's Cove ["tumayoung" ] 22 Sep Ipswich Sparrow and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher [Hans Toom ] 22 Sep Stilt Sandpiper ["viaurita" ] 21 Sep Golden-winged Warbler ["David Currie" ] 19 Sep FWD: Black-throated Gray Warbler ["Blake Maybank" ] 19 Sep Warbling Vireos ["David Currie" ] 18 Sep Solitary Sandpipers and an Upload of Photos [Hans Toom ] 16 Sep Buff-breasted Sandpipers and Baltimore Oriole [Hans Toom ] 16 Sep Black Vultures, Brier Island ["Eric Mills" ] 16 Sep Black Vultures, Brier Island ["Eric Mills" ] 14 Sep Re: Snowy Owl on Cape [Joan Czapalay ] 14 Sep Sabine's Gulls ["David Currie" ] 14 Sep Sabine's Gull ["David Currie" ] 12 Sep White-eyed Vireo and lots of warblers [Hans Toom ] 12 Sep RTHummers and more ["rachelhoogenbos" ] Subject: Yellow-throated Warbler From: "David Currie" <david_currie AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 12:44:49 -0400 Hi Exactly where we had a YTWA a couple of years ago, near 23 Brookdale Cres. Dartmouth, there was one there again at about noon today. I will go back in a few minutes to see if a photo is possible, besides, I never had binoculars either earlier. It was seen along the brook and in the courtyard of the apartments on Brookdale Court with chickadees. Another note from Thursday, Nov 5...near our office feeding area, we had an Orange-crowned Warbler and a male Black-throated Blue Warbler at 530 Portland Street. They stayed for an hour, but after yesterday not sure if they will return. David Currie Subject: Correction Rufous Sided Towhee...Spotted western From: "ghawkins_ca" <ghawkins AT hfx.eastlink.ca> Date: Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:13:23 -0000 I thought that the bird coming into the feeder was a black headed grosbeak. The bird is now back and I got a pic of it. It's Rufous Sided Towhee, not the Grosbeak and by the looks of the white wing barring a spotted western.I'll post a pic Sorry about any confusion on the previous post Subject: Black Headed Grosbeak From: "ghawkins_ca" <ghawkins AT hfx.eastlink.ca> Date: Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:31:33 -0000 While I haven't been able to get a pic yet, he was in the feeder last night at supper time and then again early this morning. Both times the Blue Jays have scared him off Subject: FWD: Sightings from Cape Sable Island From: "Blake Maybank" <accentor AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 15:25:51 -0400 From: John Nickerson jonsannick AT hotmail.com Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 1 hudsonian godwit at daniels head at 11.59 a.m. also dunlin, sanderling, black-bellied plovers. At the hawk a gray phase Gyrfalcon perched on a rock. sandra and i watched it for 10 minutes it flew toward daniel's head 1:45 p.m. Forwarded by: Blake Maybank White's Lake, Nova Scotia maybank AT ns.sympatico.ca "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" author, "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" http://tinyurl.com/birdingns Downloadable Nova Scotia Maps for inside front and back covers: http://tinyurl.com/mr627d Subject: Northern Cardinal From: "Judy O'Brien" <judyobrien AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 09:25:50 -0400 I just had a beautiful male Northern Cardinal in my backyard in Dartmouth. The first I've seen this year. There was a pair last winter so the female may also be around. Judy O'Brien Subject: FWD: rare birds at Port Hawkesbury, Cape Breton From: "Blake Maybank" <accentor AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 8:28:26 -0400 Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:53:45 -0300 From: "David W. Johnston" dwj.jem AT ns.sympatico.ca 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, Juncos etc. -- David W. Johnston Mary K. Johnston 207 Hiram St. Port Hawkesbury N.S. B9A 2C3 902 625 1534 dwj.jem AT ns.sympatico.ca Forwarded by: Blake Maybank White's Lake, Nova Scotia maybank AT ns.sympatico.ca "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" author, "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" http://tinyurl.com/birdingns Downloadable Nova Scotia Maps for inside front and back covers: http://tinyurl.com/mr627d Subject: FWD: Update on Long-billed Dowitchers in Shelburne County From: "Blake Maybank" <accentor AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 8:26:41 -0400 31 October 2009 Johnny and Sandra Nickerson reported the continued presence of 4 Long-billed Dowitchers on Cape Sable Island. Nine other species of shorebird were reported, including both yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper, and Semipalmated Sandpipers. Forwarded by: Blake Maybank White's Lake, Nova Scotia maybank AT ns.sympatico.ca "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" author, "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" http://tinyurl.com/birdingns Downloadable Nova Scotia Maps for inside front and back covers: http://tinyurl.com/mr627d Subject: Ruby-crowned Kinglet on the Prospect Peninsula From: "Blake Maybank" <accentor AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 8:24:45 -0400 1 November 2009, White's Lake, HRM I heard and briefly observed a soggy Ruby-crowned Kinglet in my yard here is White's Lake this morning. Blake Maybank White's Lake, Nova Scotia maybank AT ns.sympatico.ca "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" author, "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" http://tinyurl.com/birdingns Downloadable Nova Scotia Maps for inside front and back covers: http://tinyurl.com/mr627d Subject: FWD: Lark Sparrow in Barrington From: "Blake Maybank" <accentor AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:47:49 -0400 From: John Nickerson jonsannick AT hotmail.com Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 1 Lark Sparrow at Barrington by old ferry wharf. johnny Forwarded by: Blake Maybank White's Lake, Nova Scotia maybank AT ns.sympatico.ca "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" author, "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" http://tinyurl.com/birdingns Downloadable Nova Scotia Maps for inside front and back covers: http://tinyurl.com/mr627d Subject: FWD: Great Egret and late Barn Swallow in Shelburne County From: "Blake Maybank" <accentor AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 7:22:54 -0400 From: John Nickerson jonsannick AT hotmail.com Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 1 Great Egret seen today at Centerville, C.S.I. 1 Barn Swallow seen in Clarks Hbr. seen by Murray Newell Johnny Nickerson Forwarded by: Blake Maybank White's Lake, Nova Scotia maybank AT ns.sympatico.ca "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" author, "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" http://tinyurl.com/birdingns Downloadable Nova Scotia Maps for inside front and back covers: http://tinyurl.com/mr627d Subject: FWD: Red-bellied Woodpecker and late Hermit Thrush in Dartmouth From: "Blake Maybank" <accentor AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:44:33 -0400 From: Rosemary Gallinger Subject: Dartmouth Birds Oct 27 Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 A late afternoon walk down Oakdale Crescent in Dartmouth along the edge of Birch Cove Park rewarded me with: Red-bellied Woodpecker Hermit Thrush Brown Creeper Rosemary Gallinger Forwarded by: Blake Maybank White's Lake, Nova Scotia maybank AT ns.sympatico.ca "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" author, "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" http://tinyurl.com/birdingns Downloadable Nova Scotia Maps for inside front and back covers: http://tinyurl.com/mr627d Subject: FWD: Long-billed Dowitchers in Shelburne County From: "Blake Maybank" <accentor AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:43:17 -0400 From: John Nickerson jonsannick AT hotmail.com Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 4 Long-billed Dowitchers at The Hawk , Cape Sable Island, 9.45 a.m. today. Johnny Nickerson Forwarded by: Blake Maybank White's Lake, Nova Scotia maybank AT ns.sympatico.ca "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" author, "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" http://tinyurl.com/birdingns Downloadable Nova Scotia Maps for inside front and back covers: http://tinyurl.com/mr627d Subject: Twelve Blubirds From: "daviddnrharris" <harrisda AT gov.ns.ca> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:33:48 -0000 A flock of twelve Bluebirds were observed (not me) in Spencers Islands on Oct 26. Dave Subject: Snow Bunting From: "daviddnrharris" <harrisda AT gov.ns.ca> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:31:40 -0000 One Snow Bunting was observed at Port Griville beach on Mon. Oct. 26. in Cumb. Co. Dave Subject: Orange-crowned warbler in Halifax. From: "Terry Boswell" <ta_boz AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:37:13 -0000 There is an Orange-crowned Warbler in the gardens between Cork St. and Young St. in Halifax. I spotted him fidgeting around in the trees that divide the yards at 4:30 today (Sun 25 Oct) and it took some time before I could make the i.d. as his plumage is very dull and the faint belly streaks were not showing up to well. I also have an Eastern Wood-pewee hunting for flies under the eaves of the appartment building at the bottom of my garden and I thought that I saw an American Kestrel fly over but wasn't 100% sure as it was moving at speed and fairly high up traveling South-west (Migrating?). Terry Boswell Cork St. Halifax. Subject: FW: a bird in the hand.... From: Lynn Karchewski <dlkarchewski AT live.com> Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:58:28 -0200 From: dlkarchewski AT live.com To: joancz AT ns.sympatico.ca Subject: RE: [NS-RBA] a bird in the hand.... Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:55:54 -0200 Hi: My best guess was an immature Tennessee warbler with an undeveloped eyebrow??? (does that occur?) this was based on the sibley guide but then I looked in another book and on the net and all that went out the window. Looking back at the sibley though it is the best match. Thanks for your reply. :0) Lynn > Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:19:02 -0300 > From: joancz AT ns.sympatico.ca > Subject: Re: [NS-RBA] a bird in the hand.... > To: dlkarchewski AT live.com > > First year Flycatcher, perhaps? or "confusing fall warbler"? Have you > Sibley's? Also The Golden Guide is good for these. They are not easy, > even for the experienced birder. Cheers, Joan > > Lynn Karchewski wrote: > > > > > > ....can be very confusing! > > > > Hi: > > > > I'm hoping to get some help identifying a bird that was window-killed > > (please re-direct me if this is not the appropriate forum). > > Unfortunately I no longer have the carcass, so can't submit photos. > > > > Description: > > > > Head: Olive green except for tan coloured lores. Black, sharp, > > warbler-type bill.* *No* *eyebrow or eyestripe. The colour around the > > eye was black...don't know if this is considered an eye-ring. > > > > Mantle/scapulars/rump: Uniformly olive green. > > > > Throat/breast/belly/flanks: Yellow with some white....there was sort > > of a "background" colour (closer to the skin) of black but no > > streaking when the feathers were smoothed. > > > > Wings: Olive green with the leading edges of the primaries thinly > > lined with white and the trailing edges yellow. Two faint white wing > > bars. > > > > Tail: Uniformly dark gray (not green) with both edges of the feathers > > thinly lined with yellow. > > > > Undertail coverts: Unfortunately, I don't remember, but am thinking > > that they probably weren't much different from the belly (either > > yellow or white) or I probably would have noticed. > > > > Legs/feet: black. > > > > I had tentatively ID'd it but after a while the more books I look at > > the more confused I get. (I thought that being that close to it would > > make identification easier...haha.....joke's on me!) Any and all input > > on this is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much. :0) > > > > Lynn Karchewski > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Less clicking: Hotmail access on the new MSN homepage. > > > > > CDN College or University student? Get Windows 7 for only $39.99 before Jan 3! Buy it now! _________________________________________________________________ CDN College or University student? Get Windows 7 for only $39.99 before Jan 3! Buy it now! http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9691636 Subject: a bird in the hand.... From: Lynn Karchewski <dlkarchewski AT live.com> Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:37:01 -0200 ....can be very confusing! Hi: I'm hoping to get some help identifying a bird that was window-killed (please re-direct me if this is not the appropriate forum). Unfortunately I no longer have the carcass, so can't submit photos. Description: Head: Olive green except for tan coloured lores. Black, sharp, warbler-type bill. No eyebrow or eyestripe. The colour around the eye was black...don't know if this is considered an eye-ring. Mantle/scapulars/rump: Uniformly olive green. Throat/breast/belly/flanks: Yellow with some white....there was sort of a "background" colour (closer to the skin) of black but no streaking when the feathers were smoothed. Wings: Olive green with the leading edges of the primaries thinly lined with white and the trailing edges yellow. Two faint white wing bars. Tail: Uniformly dark gray (not green) with both edges of the feathers thinly lined with yellow. Undertail coverts: Unfortunately, I don't remember, but am thinking that they probably weren't much different from the belly (either yellow or white) or I probably would have noticed. Legs/feet: black. I had tentatively ID'd it but after a while the more books I look at the more confused I get. (I thought that being that close to it would make identification easier...haha.....joke's on me!) Any and all input on this is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much. :0) Lynn Karchewski _________________________________________________________________ New: Messenger sign-in on the MSN homepage http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9677403 Subject: "im. painted bunting" From: Henk Kwindt <cbatl AT eastlink.ca> Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:49:11 -0300 It appears that the reported "im.painted bunting" is in fact a very young goldfinch as determined by Mike King and both Clarences. The bird is very green and has no wingbars (yet) and appears to behave differently than a "normal" g.f. Sorry for the confusion. Henk Kwindt. Subject: "im. painted bunting" From: Henk Kwindt <cbatl AT eastlink.ca> Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:49:11 -0300 It appears that the reported "im.painted bunting" is in fact a very young goldfinch as determined by Mike King and both Clarences. The bird is very green and has no wingbars (yet) and appears to behave differently than a "normal" g.f. Sorry for the confusion. Henk Kwindt. Subject: FWD: Great Egret & Little Blue Heron in southern NS From: "Blake Maybank" <accentor AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 22:32:16 -0400 From: John Nickerson jonsannick AT hotmail.com Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 300 1 Great Egret in Barrington, Shelburne County, found by Murray Newell. 1 Little Blue Heron in West Pubnico in the marsh to the left of co-op store. Johnny Nickerson Forwarded by: Blake Maybank White's Lake, Nova Scotia maybank AT ns.sympatico.ca "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" author, "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" http://tinyurl.com/birdingns Downloadable Nova Scotia Maps for inside front and back covers: http://tinyurl.com/mr627d Subject: Painted bunting From: Henk Kwindt <cbatl AT eastlink.ca> Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:33:29 -0300 This morning we had an im. or fem. painted bunting picking the seeds out of the echinasia seedheads. Henk Kwindt, Cow Bay, NS. Subject: Painted bunting From: Henk Kwindt <cbatl AT eastlink.ca> Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:33:29 -0300 This morning we had an im. or fem. painted bunting picking the seeds out of the echinasia seedheads. Henk Kwindt, Cow Bay, NS. Subject: horned lark From: Henk Kwindt <cbatl AT eastlink.ca> Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:22:22 -0300 There was a small flock of horned lark at Silver Sands beach in Cow Bay, this afternoon. Henk Kwindt, Cow Bay,NS. Subject: horned lark From: Henk Kwindt <cbatl AT eastlink.ca> Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:22:22 -0300 There was a small flock of horned lark at Silver Sands beach in Cow Bay, this afternoon. Henk Kwindt, Cow Bay,NS. Subject: Yellow-breasted Chat in Shubenacadie From: "Kathleen" <roughlegged_hawk AT yahoo.ca> Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 12:50:32 -0000 Yesterday morning I found a yellow-breasted chat in the wetlands trail behind the Greenwing Interpretive Centre at the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park. It was in a thick patch of alders at the far end of the trail, and only gave me a very brief look. If anyone wants to go look for it, you can go in to walk the trail anytime, even when the park is closed - just be sure to park outside the main gate if you'll be there after 3:00 PM, as that's when the gate is locked. Kathleen MacAulay Milford Station Subject: Yellow-breasted Chat From: "Judy O'Brien" <judyobrien AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:30:25 -0300 I just had a beautiful Yellow-breasted Chat in my backyard in Dartmouth. Judy O'Brien Subject: Orange-crowned Warbler From: Hans Toom <htoom AT hfx.eastlink.ca> Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:14:54 -0300 There were Yellow-rumped Warblers and American Robins on the leeward side of the southern part of Duncan's Cove, overlooking Duncan Reef. Near the dam a single Orange-crowned Warbler appeared briefly. The numerous birds that were around were hard to ID as they stayed hunkered down due to the stiff north-west wind. Hans _________________________________ Hans Toom Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada Website: http://hanstoom.com _________________________________ Subject: Highlights from Seal Island, Oct 9-12 2009 From: "Blake Maybank" <accentor AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:26:33 -0400 Here are some highlights from a trip to Seal Island Oct. 9-12. Brant, 6, flying south along the west shore Oct. 12, m.obs. Black Scoter, 30, flying south along the east shore Oct. 11, ELM, IAM, BLM. Pied-billed Grebe, 2, Oct. 11-12, DOM et al. Green Heron, 1, Oct. 11, BLM, et al. Osprey, 6, including 5 on Oct. 11., var. obs. Cooper’s Hawk, 1, Oct. 12, DOM, Dave Tannahill American Woodcock, 1, Oct. 10, IAM and DOM Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 juvenile, Oct. 11-12, Gerd Rotzell, et al. Downy Woodpecker, 1 (rare on Seal), Oct. 12, m.obs. Hairy Woodpecker, 2 (rare on Seal), 1 Oct. 9 (IAM, ELM), 1 Oct. 11 (BLM) Eastern Phoebe, 6+, var. obs. White-breasted Nuthatch, 1 (rare on Seal), Oct. 10, DOM et al. House Wren, 2, ELM & IAM Nashville Warbler, 3, including one possible Western race Orange-crowned Warbler, 2, both eastern race, BLM et al., one Oct. 11, one Oct. 12. Palm Warbler, 12+, including one Western race (latter on Oct. 11, BLM et al.) Hooded Warbler, 1, immature female, Oct. 9-10, BLM et al. Lark Sparrow, 1, Oct. 9, IAM & ELM White-crowned Sparrow, 8+, including one Gambell’s race, var. obs. Blue Grosbeak, 1, Oct. 9, BLM Indigo Bunting, 4, var. obs. Baltimore Orioles, 12+, Oct. 9, ELM & IAM. Forwarded by: Blake Maybank White's Lake, Nova Scotia maybank AT ns.sympatico.ca "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" author, "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" http://tinyurl.com/birdingns Downloadable Nova Scotia Maps for inside front and back covers: http://tinyurl.com/mr627d Subject: Oct 12 - Eurasian Collared Dove and others - Canso From: "David Currie" <david_currie AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:01:47 -0300 Hi all Fulton Lavender, Mike King and I, (along with my mother), spent the best part of yesterday driving from Dartmouth to Canso and back but as usual we were not disappointed in the birding results. The Eurasian Collared Dove was either at Tom and Terri's feeders on Carleton St. or roosting close by. It appears to be making itself comfortable in the area although still quite wary. Tom took us around to various spots turning up Dickcissels, Indigo Buntings and a Lark Sparrow. All three of these species we found at the Canso Marina but Tom has at least two Dickcissels at his feeder and we had Indigo Buntings at various spots as well. The wind was very high there yesterday as elsewhere I'm sure, and felt we were missing much more as a result. It is shaping up to be another great Fall in Canso. Thanks to Tom and Terri for there hospitality. David Currie Dartmouth Subject: Turkey Vulture, Warbling Vireo, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Baltimore Oriole From: Hans Toom <htoom AT hfx.eastlink.ca> Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:00:11 -0300 I took a hike out along the coastal barrens of Crystal Crescent Beach Provincial Park this morning. There were lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers, a few Palm Warblers and one Warbling Vireo. While returning I spotted my first ever Turkey Vulture in the park. I also saw a Northern Harrier. Last Tuesday I spotted a Baltimore Oriole at Duncan's Cove amongst hordes of Blue-headed Vireos and Yellow-rumped Warblers. It's nice to less orioles this year. I hope it stays that way. The bird suffers so much trying to tough out our winters. On Thursday an immature Yellow-bellied Sapsucker passed trhough our place in Portuguese Cove, the first in several years. Hans ________________________________ Hans Toom Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada Website: http://hanstoom.com _________________________________ Subject: Hartlen Point (back cove) Friday From: Terry Paquet <terrypaquet AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 9 Oct 2009 16:53:35 -0300 10 species of warbler included Orange-crowned, Wilsons, Yellow-breasted Chat 2 Vireos - Red-eyed, Warbling 2 Baltimore Orioles Indigo Bunting a Stilt Sandpiper hanging out with Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs for nice comparison. Peregrine diving on teal several large flocks of DC Cormorants migrating, numbers of Gannets, pipits and Ipswich and Loncolns Sparrow among others. -- Terry Paquet terrypaquet AT gmail.com Subject: Truro Geese From: "Ross & Linda Hall" <ross.hall AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 9 Oct 2009 16:27:55 -0300 Canada geese have built up in numbers in the Central Onslow area. Only a portion of corn fields are harvested and now with wet ground there will be a delay. I estimate about 1000+ today and included one snow goose (white adult). There is another concentration of geese in the Upper Onslow - North River area. I've seen several small flocks moving up and down the North River. I haven't checked the Masstown area. Ross Hall Subject: Friday HRM Birding From: Don MacNeill <donmacneill AT eastlink.ca> Date: Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:19:35 -0300 Gerd Rotzoll and I did some birding on the Halifax side of the harbour today. Highlights were a Dickcissel in Prospect and a Baltimore Oriole on the road in to Chebucto Head. It was very windy but thankfully no rain. Don Don MacNeill donmacneill AT eastlink.ca Subject: Friday HRM Birding From: Don MacNeill <donmacneill AT eastlink.ca> Date: Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:19:35 -0300 Gerd Rotzoll and I did some birding on the Halifax side of the harbour today. Highlights were a Dickcissel in Prospect and a Baltimore Oriole on the road in to Chebucto Head. It was very windy but thankfully no rain. Don Don MacNeill donmacneill AT eastlink.ca Subject: FWD: Yellow-billed Cuckoo near Chocolate Lake, HRM From: "Blake Maybank" <accentor AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Wed, 7 Oct 2009 8:27:29 -0400 06 October 2009 Gerd Rotzell, and Bonnie and David Carmichael, saw a Yellow-billed Cuckoo in the Carmichael's back yard on October 6, in the late afternoon. The bird was photographed, but unfortunately did not linger. The Carmichaels live on St. Margaret's Bay Road, near Chocolate Lake, HRM. Forwarded by: Blake Maybank White's Lake, Nova Scotia maybank AT ns.sympatico.ca "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" author, "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" http://tinyurl.com/birdingns Downloadable Nova Scotia Maps for inside front and back covers: http://tinyurl.com/mr627d Subject: Re: 1NEW LIFE BIRD 2 NEW YARD BIRDS From: "Tom & Terri" <terri.crane AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Tue, 6 Oct 2009 17:57:28 -0300 The E. Collared-Dove was a lifer as well as a new yardbird. We now have 3 Dickcissels at the feeders. Tom ----- Original Message ----- From: Tom & Terri To: NS-RBA AT Yahoogroups.com ; iamclar AT dal.ca Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2009 5:53 PM Subject: [NS-RBA] 1NEW LIFE BIRD 2 NEW YARD BIRDS Hi All On Friday I seen my lifer House Wren. It was near the folk festival office. Mike King found it on Sunday just past the office. Today I had 1 (same/another???) across the road from my house and I was able to see it several times from the front step in the apple tree and hawthorn. The biggest surprise (kinda) was getting an Eurasian Collared-Dove AT my feeders for the afternoon. Wow these guys are big and hard to miss with a beautiful tail. My neighbour stopped me two weeks or more ago now to ask me to ID some birds he'd seen just a short time b4. There were 10-12 doves that were feeding on the side of the road. He noted that they were all uniform in in colour (pale tan) what he was troubled with was that they were so big. "Larger than Pigeons" (his words). I'd like to see the rest of the flock if they're still around the area. We also had a Gnatcatcher taking flies off the step and the side of the house this morning. Mike reported encountering a small flock (5) at Glasgow head on Saturday. This bird was likely one of these birds making there way west as per norm. Tom K Canso Subject: 1NEW LIFE BIRD 2 NEW YARD BIRDS From: "Tom & Terri" <terri.crane AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Tue, 6 Oct 2009 17:53:02 -0300 Hi All On Friday I seen my lifer House Wren. It was near the folk festival office. Mike King found it on Sunday just past the office. Today I had 1 (same/another???) across the road from my house and I was able to see it several times from the front step in the apple tree and hawthorn. The biggest surprise (kinda) was getting an Eurasian Collared-Dove AT my feeders for the afternoon. Wow these guys are big and hard to miss with a beautiful tail. My neighbour stopped me two weeks or more ago now to ask me to ID some birds he'd seen just a short time b4. There were 10-12 doves that were feeding on the side of the road. He noted that they were all uniform in in colour (pale tan) what he was troubled with was that they were so big. "Larger than Pigeons" (his words). I'd like to see the rest of the flock if they're still around the area. We also had a Gnatcatcher taking flies off the step and the side of the house this morning. Mike reported encountering a small flock (5) at Glasgow head on Saturday. This bird was likely one of these birds making there way west as per norm. Tom K Canso Subject: Fwd: [NatureNS] Greater Wh-fronted Goose in Canning From: iamclar AT dal.ca Date: Tue, 6 Oct 2009 15:39:20 -0300 ----- Forwarded message from tandove AT ns.sympatico.ca ----- Date: Tue, 6 Oct 2009 14:46:11 -0300 From: Judy Tufts Subject: [NatureNS] Wh-fronted Goose in Canning Tues Oct 6/09 Noon: There's was a WH-FRONTED GOOSE with 130 Canada Geese in Harris' Pond in Canning, Kings Co. For those who are not familiar with the pond location, it is behind the United Baptist Church on the cnr. of Main St and Chapel Rd. I also heard a Yellowlegs calling. The WFGO spent much of its time resting with its head under wing, but is notably smaller than the CAGOs. FYI: The path behind the church parking lot that used to be easily traversed to enjoy a good clear look at this pond from the 'gated barricade', is getting so overgrown with tangled shrubbery and rose brambles that one almost needs a pair of clippers to clear a way! [some Snipped] Cheers, Judy Tufts >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Judy Tufts Wolfville <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< ----- End forwarded message ----- Subject: Adult Lesser Black-backed Gull From: "bernard burke" <blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Sun, 4 Oct 2009 11:30:36 -0300 Adult Lesser Black-backed Gull seen this morming (Sunday, October 4th) at the Ultramar Atlantic Regional Office parking lot in Eastern Passage : http://bernieb.smugmug.com/Other/recent-pics/916397_ynXPk/20/669687412_caLY2/Medium Bernard Burke blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca Dartmouth Subject: Thanks all for the replies on my ID request . . . From: Terry Danks <dankst AT eastlink.ca> Date: Sun, 04 Oct 2009 20:41:06 -0300 I'm overwhelmed at all the replies. Many thanks Angus, Don, Ric, Jeffrey, David, Kier and John. Hope I didn't leave anyone out. :) Terry Chester Basin, NS Subject: Re: Three unknowns in our backyard this summer. Please help. From: Kier Shackleton Gigeroff <ksg.data AT yahoo.ca> Date: Sun, 4 Oct 2009 10:24:55 -0700 (PDT) Hi there, Photos 1, 2 and 3 are of a Black-throated Green Warbler. Photos 4, 5 and 6 are a Song Sparrow. Photos 7 and 8 are a Blue-headed Vireo (formerly known as "Solitary Vireo"). Cheers - Kier Kier S Gigeroff 222 Tilley Road Gagetown, NB E5M 1H8 (506) 488-1930 ________________________________ From: dawziecat To: NS-RBA AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Sun, October 4, 2009 1:45:46 PM Subject: [NS-RBA] Three unknowns in our backyard this summer. Please help. No reason to think these are rare so, apologies if using the group as some kind of personal ID service is out of line. Poor quality photos of the three in question as posted at: http://danks. netfirms. com/unknowns. htm The photos are numbered. Any help in IDing would be appreciated. All photos were taken within the past month, likely in the "confusing fall warbler" period. Thanks Terry Danks Chester Basin, NS __________________________________________________________________ The new Internet Explorer® 8 - Faster, safer, easier. Optimized for Yahoo! Get it Now for Free! at http://downloads.yahoo.com/ca/internetexplorer/ Subject: Three unknowns in our backyard this summer. Please help. From: "dawziecat" <dankst AT eastlink.ca> Date: Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:45:46 -0000 No reason to think these are rare so, apologies if using the group as some kind of personal ID service is out of line. Poor quality photos of the three in question as posted at: http://danks.netfirms.com/unknowns.htm The photos are numbered. Any help in IDing would be appreciated. All photos were taken within the past month, likely in the "confusing fall warbler" period. Thanks Terry Danks Chester Basin, NS Subject: Three unknowns in our backyard this summer. Please help. From: "dawziecat" <dankst AT eastlink.ca> Date: Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:45:27 -0000 No reason to think these are rare so, apologies if using the group as some kind of personal ID service is out of line. Poor quality photos of the three in question as posted at: http://danks.netfirms.com/unknowns.htm The photos are numbered. Any help in IDing would be appreciated. All photos were taken within the past month, likely in the "confusing fall warbler" period. Thanks Terry Danks Chester Basin, NS Subject: Adult Lesser Black-backed Gull From: "bernard burke" <blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Sun, 4 Oct 2009 11:30:36 -0300 Adult Lesser Black-backed Gull seen this morming (Sunday, October 4th) at the Ultramar Atlantic Regional Office parking lot in Eastern Passage : http://bernieb.smugmug.com/Other/recent-pics/916397_ynXPk/20/669687412_caLY2/Medium Bernard Burke blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca Dartmouth Subject: Eurasian Wigeon, Franklin's Gull updates From: "bernard burke" <blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2009 15:35:25 -0300 This afternoon around 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. (Saturday October 3rd) the Franklins Gull was again in the same location as mentioned by Ian. Here are a few photos: http://bernieb.smugmug.com/Other/recent-pics/916397_ynXPk/19/668739987_ZMfhR/Medium http://bernieb.smugmug.com/Other/recent-pics/916397_ynXPk/19/668739970_PfZgE/Medium http://bernieb.smugmug.com/Other/recent-pics/916397_ynXPk/19/668739876_Yqcbn/Medium http://bernieb.smugmug.com/Other/recent-pics/916397_ynXPk/19/668739905_thTvq/Medium http://bernieb.smugmug.com/Other/recent-pics/916397_ynXPk/19/668739933_XqBQw/Medium As for the Eurasian Wigeon, when I returned home shortly thereafter here in Dartmouth, I spotted it close to the new building just before the Irving garage at Red Bridge Pond. Looking at my photos though, I can't help but wonder if there isn't any American Wigeon in its ancestry, judging by what appears to me to be possibly a hint of green near the eye: http://bernieb.smugmug.com/Other/recent-pics/916397_ynXPk/19/668766404_2eQtG/Medium Bernard Burke blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca Dartmouth Subject: Eurasian Wigeon, Franklin's Gull updates From: "bernard burke" <blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2009 15:35:25 -0300 This afternoon around 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. (Saturday October 3rd) the Franklins Gull was again in the same location as mentioned by Ian. Here are a few photos: http://bernieb.smugmug.com/Other/recent-pics/916397_ynXPk/19/668739987_ZMfhR/Medium http://bernieb.smugmug.com/Other/recent-pics/916397_ynXPk/19/668739970_PfZgE/Medium http://bernieb.smugmug.com/Other/recent-pics/916397_ynXPk/19/668739876_Yqcbn/Medium http://bernieb.smugmug.com/Other/recent-pics/916397_ynXPk/19/668739905_thTvq/Medium http://bernieb.smugmug.com/Other/recent-pics/916397_ynXPk/19/668739933_XqBQw/Medium As for the Eurasian Wigeon, when I returned home shortly thereafter here in Dartmouth, I spotted it close to the new building just before the Irving garage at Red Bridge Pond. Looking at my photos though, I can't help but wonder if there isn't any American Wigeon in its ancestry, judging by what appears to me to be possibly a hint of green near the eye: http://bernieb.smugmug.com/Other/recent-pics/916397_ynXPk/19/668766404_2eQtG/Medium Bernard Burke blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca Dartmouth Subject: Photos of Franklin's and Lesser Black-backed gulls From: iamclar AT dal.ca Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2009 11:48:18 -0300 All: I put two images on NS-RBA, one from a hasty digiscope of the juvenile LESSER BLACK-BACKED befiore it fled, and the other a fair telephoto shot of the adult FRANKLIN'S GULL - both found yesterday on the flats off McCormack's (sp?) Bch. at E. Passage. Cheers, Ian Subject: Addendum: Common Ringed vs. Semipalmated Plover From: iamclar AT dal.ca Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2009 08:30:25 -0300 All: I misadressed this followup to my Friday posting on the i.d. issues raised by the small plover. _____________________________________________________________________________ Opps! Forgot to mention the most often used field mark (in recent years) - the extension of the lower edge of the dark lores to the gape in CRPL and above the gape in SEPL. This difference is quite obvious in juvenile and most late-fall adults. But in some adult SEPL in relatively unworn breeding plunmage, the dark lores seem to extend down to the gape, although often with some messy mixture of darker and lighter feathers there. Althoughy the dark lores accordingly seem narrower and often "pinched" near the gape in SEPL, some CRPL can have similarly narrow, but not "pinched" lores (except close to the eye in some). The NS plover has relatively narrow lores (although similar to some images of CRPL), but they do not in any way sweep up above the gape. _________________________________________________________________________ P.S. There has been no clear consensus on this bird among a few responders to the image posted to the advanced i.d. mail group, but some highly experienced people feel favour an unusual Semipalmated. No one has addressed the issue of hybridation, which probably does occur in Nunavut. Cheers, Ian Ian McLaren Cheers, Ian M. Subject: Eurasian Wigeon From: "bernard burke" <blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2009 18:23:57 -0300 There is presently a male Eurasian Wigeon (Frdiay October 2nd, 6:21 p.m.) here on Red Bridge Pond Dartmouth Bernard Burke blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca Dartmouth Subject: Eurasian Wigeon From: "bernard burke" <blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2009 18:23:57 -0300 There is presently a male Eurasian Wigeon (Frdiay October 2nd, 6:21 p.m.) here on Red Bridge Pond Dartmouth Bernard Burke blburke AT ns.sympatico.ca Dartmouth Subject: FWD: White-eyed Vireo, Franklin's Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull in HRM From: "Blake Maybank" <accentor AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2009 14:1:16 -0400 2 October 2009, 1330 h Ian McLaren just phoned to report that he and Gerd Rotzell had an immature White-eyed Vireo in the Back Cove of Hartlen Point, and a second-summer Lesser Black-backed Gull and an adult Franklin's Gull in Eastern Passage. Forwarded by: Blake Maybank White's Lake, Nova Scotia maybank AT ns.sympatico.ca "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" author, "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" http://tinyurl.com/birdingns Downloadable Nova Scotia Maps for inside front and back covers: http://tinyurl.com/mr627d Subject: FWD: Northern Wheatear at LaHaveI'm visiting LaHave, and wanted to report a possible Northern Wheatear that was present along the beach adjacent to the LaHave River next to the road leading into the Fort Point Historic Site. I observed the bird for c.a. 15 minutes this morning (Thursday Oct 01) from the beach and the driveway to a house with a stone monument along the driveway reading "Turning Point". This is the short, narrow beach immediately to your left as you approach the historic site. I o From: "Blake Maybank" <accentor AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Thu, 1 Oct 2009 17:25:39 -0400 bserved it from distances of 15-25 m with 8x bins, both at rest and in flight. X-mailer: Foxmail 4.1 [eg] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="=====002_Dragon457363172867_=====" This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --=====002_Dragon457363172867_===== Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit 1 Oct. 2009 I'm visiting LaHave, and wanted to report a Northern Wheatear that was present along the beach adjacent to the LaHave River next to the road leading into the Fort Point Historic Site. I observed the bird for c.a. 15 minutes this morning (Thursday Oct 01) from the beach and the driveway to a house with a stone monument along the driveway reading "Turning Point". This is the short, narrow beach immediately to your left as you approach the historic site. I observed it from distances of 15-25 m with 8x bins, both at rest and in flight. Dr. John D. Lloyd Senior Research Ecologist Ecostudies Institute Forwarded by: Blake Maybank White's Lake, Nova Scotia maybank AT ns.sympatico.ca "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" author, "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" http://tinyurl.com/birdingns Downloadable Nova Scotia Maps for inside front and back covers: http://tinyurl.com/mr627d --=====002_Dragon457363172867_===== Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit 1 Oct. 2009   I'm visiting LaHave, and wanted to report a Northern Wheatear that was present along the beach adjacent to the LaHave River next to the road leading into the Fort Point Historic Site.  I observed the bird for c.a. 15 minutes this morning (Thursday Oct 01) from the beach and the driveway to a house with a stone monument along the driveway reading "Turning Point".  This is the short, narrow beach immediately to your left as you approach the historic site.  I observed it from distances of 15-25 m with 8x bins, both at rest and in flight.  Dr. John D. Lloyd Senior Research Ecologist Ecostudies Institute   Forwarded by: Blake Maybank White's Lake, Nova Scotia maybank AT ns.sympatico.ca "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" author, "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" http://tinyurl.com/birdingns Downloadable Nova Scotia Maps for inside front and back covers: http://tinyurl.com/mr627d   --=====002_Dragon457363172867_=====-- Subject: A Common Ringed Plover in Nova Scotia? (LONG) From: iamclar AT dal.ca Date: Thu, 1 Oct 2009 15:57:00 -0300 All: Here's a copy of a note I sent to the advanced i.d. site at birdwg01, Tricky business, but I feel that it was indeed a Common Ringed Plover. It is good that Dave Brown gave access to the image of an interesting small plover photographed [by Nicolass Honig] Sept. 4 near Halifax, Nova Scotia. It came to my attention after Allan and Cathy Murrant saw the photo and pointed out features of Common Ringed (CORP) rather than Semipalmated Plover (SEPL) - lack of visible orbital ring and broad breast band. They also posted the image, along with great shots of a Eurasian Whimbrel in Sydney, NS, in early Sept. With Dave Brown, I have been agonizing over it since, and both of us are puzzled by the lack of response on this forum. Is it considered too obviously one species or the other? I have checked numerous images, particular from Google and Vireo, of fall-migrant adults (July-November) and they sure address some views on distinctions. 1. Widths, shapes and sizes of breast band and all dark head patches on both species vary individually, and highly with posture (a warning in some sources). Few SEPL show as evenly broad breast band when expanded as the NS bird. Few CRPL have a strongly convex lower border of the auricular patch, and rarely so far back as on the NS bird, but some do(depending on posture?), whereas most SEPL have this shape. 2. White patches are quite variable. The white frons can extend to the eye in both species, or there can be a dark intervening area. One nice image from Iceland shows a July adult with a very broad dark area between white frons and eye. Shape and extent of the white supercilium also varies greatly in both species, and behind the eye can extend below the upper border of the eye in both, though more so in some SEPL. 3. True length and height of bill (see Pyle's Id Guide . . . on this) are of little use, but SEPL almost always shows a slight "dip" in the culmen, imparting its oft-mentioned slightly bulbous tip. The CRPL culmen seems always straight until near the tip, making it seem longer and thinner (head on images seem to show the CRPL bil as more sharply pointed). The NS bird seems good on bill shape for CRPL. 4. The tone of back and wing plumage of most (but not all) CRPL is distinctly paler and grayer, but a few SEPL can be quite grayish. There is some possibility of confusion here from the use in photo guides of images of darker, browner _tundrae_ from Eurasia and AK. The expected _hiaticula_ from Greenland and Nunavut is sometimes separated as a browner subspecies, but that's also said to be dubious. The NS bird is a little problematic, as its back is strongly shaded amd its wings and flanks obliquely lit. But, a zoom of the image shows a distinct paler gray cast to the better-lit scaps and coverts 6. The pale orbital ring (distinctly yellow in fall-migrating adults) of SEPL is a most salient feature, surely, and is clear on all decently sharp images, even when ill-lit. The dark brownish or dark brownish orange orbital ring of CRPL is obscure at best and completely invisible on most well-lit CRPL images. The light on the BNS bird is oblique on the head, but it is sharp, and zooming reveals no hint of pale orbital ring, especially at the reasonably well-lit front of the eye Finally, although CRPL and SEPL are rated as good species, and although Smith (Ibis, 1969, 111: 177-188) made some dubious observations on mixed pairs producing Mendelian ratios of morphology of each species, interbreeding may indeed occur in n. Nunavut (especially with global warming?). How would one pick out a hybrid? Cheers, Ian McLaren Ian A. McLaren Biology Department Dalhousie University Halifax, NS Canada B3H 4J1 Subject: Red-bellied woodpecker From: Susan Hunt <susanehunt AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 1 Oct 2009 16:10:25 -0300 For anyone who is tracking the comings and going of the red-bellied woodpeckers in Halifax, I am pleased to report that "my" female returned on Saturday, September 27th and has been seen every morning since, carefully selecting all the peanuts from my tube feeder. With the exception of a very brief appearance in mid-June, I had not seen this bird at all since February 27th, so am hoping she is back for another winter season. I also believe I heard a red-bellied woodpecker while walking along Roxton between Marlborough and Belmont (near Saint Mary's) yesterday; I can't confirm a sighting, as I caught barely a glimpse. Susan Hunt _________________________________________________________________ Create a cool, new character for your Windows Live™ Messenger. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9656621 Subject: A Common Ringed Plover in Nova Scotia? (LONG) From: iamclar AT dal.ca Date: Thu, 1 Oct 2009 15:57:00 -0300 All: Here's a copy of a note I sent to the advanced i.d. site at birdwg01, Tricky business, but I feel that it was indeed a Common Ringed Plover. It is good that Dave Brown gave access to the image of an interesting small plover photographed [by Nicolass Honig] Sept. 4 near Halifax, Nova Scotia. It came to my attention after Allan and Cathy Murrant saw the photo and pointed out features of Common Ringed (CORP) rather than Semipalmated Plover (SEPL) - lack of visible orbital ring and broad breast band. They also posted the image, along with great shots of a Eurasian Whimbrel in Sydney, NS, in early Sept. With Dave Brown, I have been agonizing over it since, and both of us are puzzled by the lack of response on this forum. Is it considered too obviously one species or the other? I have checked numerous images, particular from Google and Vireo, of fall-migrant adults (July-November) and they sure address some views on distinctions. 1. Widths, shapes and sizes of breast band and all dark head patches on both species vary individually, and highly with posture (a warning in some sources). Few SEPL show as evenly broad breast band when expanded as the NS bird. Few CRPL have a strongly convex lower border of the auricular patch, and rarely so far back as on the NS bird, but some do(depending on posture?), whereas most SEPL have this shape. 2. White patches are quite variable. The white frons can extend to the eye in both species, or there can be a dark intervening area. One nice image from Iceland shows a July adult with a very broad dark area between white frons and eye. Shape and extent of the white supercilium also varies greatly in both species, and behind the eye can extend below the upper border of the eye in both, though more so in some SEPL. 3. True length and height of bill (see Pyle's Id Guide . . . on this) are of little use, but SEPL almost always shows a slight "dip" in the culmen, imparting its oft-mentioned slightly bulbous tip. The CRPL culmen seems always straight until near the tip, making it seem longer and thinner (head on images seem to show the CRPL bil as more sharply pointed). The NS bird seems good on bill shape for CRPL. 4. The tone of back and wing plumage of most (but not all) CRPL is distinctly paler and grayer, but a few SEPL can be quite grayish. There is some possibility of confusion here from the use in photo guides of images of darker, browner _tundrae_ from Eurasia and AK. The expected _hiaticula_ from Greenland and Nunavut is sometimes separated as a browner subspecies, but that's also said to be dubious. The NS bird is a little problematic, as its back is strongly shaded amd its wings and flanks obliquely lit. But, a zoom of the image shows a distinct paler gray cast to the better-lit scaps and coverts 6. The pale orbital ring (distinctly yellow in fall-migrating adults) of SEPL is a most salient feature, surely, and is clear on all decently sharp images, even when ill-lit. The dark brownish or dark brownish orange orbital ring of CRPL is obscure at best and completely invisible on most well-lit CRPL images. The light on the BNS bird is oblique on the head, but it is sharp, and zooming reveals no hint of pale orbital ring, especially at the reasonably well-lit front of the eye Finally, although CRPL and SEPL are rated as good species, and although Smith (Ibis, 1969, 111: 177-188) made some dubious observations on mixed pairs producing Mendelian ratios of morphology of each species, interbreeding may indeed occur in n. Nunavut (especially with global warming?). How would one pick out a hybrid? Cheers, Ian McLaren Ian A. McLaren Biology Department Dalhousie University Halifax, NS Canada B3H 4J1 Subject: Re: WAVI (late report) From: Joan Czapalay <joancz AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:57:01 -0300 On Saturday, 26th September, at about 11 am, as I was about to leave for Col. and Cumb. counties, I heard a lovely warbling song which I knew to be a *Warbling Vireo*. I pished, and it flew from the cedars in front of 11 Balcome Drive at the edge of Chocolate Lake. It did not make its call, but sang several times. I had to rush off, but I tried to call several birders whose numbers I had on my blackberry. No luck, but it was a nice "yard" bird. We put up an *American Woodcock *in Five Islands behind Mo's place (best pizza in N.S.). This is the note on the WAVI song from the Cornell website. "Song a rapid jumble of rising and falling notes, usually ending in an accented, higher-pitched note. "If I sees you, I will seize you, and I'll squeeze you till you squirt!" Call a nasal "eeah." " Subject: Sep 26 Pelagic From: "David Currie" <david_currie AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Sun, 27 Sep 2009 15:13:11 -0300 Hi all... The second and last trip this year off Eastern Passage through Blue Shark Charters was pretty good again. We had a great group of birders and non-birders. Though winds were predicted to be strong, the conditions were not as bad as expected. Swells though, were heavy at times and it was best to seat yourself somewhere or be seated more dramatically. We started at 21 miles offshore and drifted to approximately 25 miles. Here's the list of the pelagic types seen Skua sp. - 2 and after last trip a cautious review of Mike King's great photos will ID one that was photographed. Pomarine Jaeger - 2 Wilson's Storm Petrel - ~ 25 Leach's Storm Petrel - 8 Red-necked Phalarope - 1 Red Phalarope - 3 Atlantic Puffin - 2 large alcid (probably Razorbill) - 1 Black-legged Kittiwake - 2 Sooty Shearwater - 3 Greater Shearwater - 12 Northern Fulmar - 200-250 - large numbers with what I'd estimate at about 25:1 ratio of light morph to gray morph. We will attempt this again next year. David Currie Subject: Redhead Duck From: "tumayoung" <tumayoung AT yahoo.ca> Date: Sun, 27 Sep 2009 12:54:44 -0000 Hi Everyone: Nick and I went birding with our friends, Allan and Cathy Murrant in Cape Breton. Spotted well over thirty different species of birds but two were "reportable" and those were the Long Billed Dowitcher (at Homeville) and the Redhead Duck (at Beacon Street Dam)I have posted pictures of the Redhead but the Dowitcher was too far away to get ideal pics. We may have a picture of a "Common Ringed Plover" and we are awaiting confirmation (to me it looked like a semipalmated plover) but there was no eye ring. Tuma Young Subject: Turkey Vulture, Lunenburg County From: "P.L. Chalmers" <plchalmers AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:23:20 -0300 I saw a Turkey Vulture this afternoon as I was driving back to Halifax from Mahone Bay. It was soaring near exit 9 - Chester Basin. The first I think I've seen in Lunenburg County Patricia L. Chalmers Halifax Subject: Western Kingbird From: "ebo2112" <foxhollow AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:40:46 -0000 My first post. We were just about to leave Hartlen Point today at noon when the Northern Harrier flew past. We circled back for a look at him but instead a Western Kingbird landed beside us ready for his photo op. He was right at the gate prior to entering the clubhouse parking lot. I thought I would post the sighting owing to the fact that the W.Kingbird is on the "Less regular birds" page of the NSBS field checklist. Photos available.Comments welcome Cheers Ian Marshall Subject: Ipswich Sparrow and Eastern Kingbird From: Hans Toom <htoom AT hfx.eastlink.ca> Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:49:42 -0300 The Ipswich Sparrow remains at Duncan Reef, HRM, despite favourable departure winds. It's a skittish bird, probably because it's a lost leader. Last week there was an Eastern Kingbird at Ketch Harbour. I neglected to report it but it is uncommon to rare out this way. I see one hereabouts every 3-4 years, or so. I searched for the Solitary Sandpiper at Sandy Cove's beach today without success, but there are still about 40 shore birds present; three Greater Yellowlegs, two Spotted Sandpipers and about three dozen mixed Semipalmated Plovers, Semipalmated Sandpipers and Least Sandpipers. There are bunches of Northern Flickers and American Robins all over this area. I was unable to confirm a probable Prairie Warbler due to failing light this evening at Sandy Cove but look for it if your down there tomorrow. It was flycatching from the trees and wires near the house. It had a bright yellow chest and underparts, with much tail bobbing. It could have been a bright Palm Warbler. Hans _________________________________ Hans Toom Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada Website: http://hanstoom.com _________________________________ Subject: Solitary Sandpiper at Sandy's Cove From: "tumayoung" <tumayoung AT yahoo.ca> Date: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:09:00 -0000 Sept 21, 2009, Dusk at Sandy's Cove-Found the Solitary Sandpiper, posted a picture reflected in the golden hour of dusk. There were also a spotted Sandpiper, semipalmated plovers, semipalmated sandpipers, least sandpipers. My birding is vastly improving every time I go out. This birding stuff is really fun! Subject: Ipswich Sparrow and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher From: Hans Toom <htoom AT hfx.eastlink.ca> Date: Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:30:50 -0300 I found my first Ipswich Sparrow of the fall migration this afternoon at Duncan Reef. By coincidence I was there with Ian McLaren this morning who has studied this species considerably. We were discussing said species at the time when I spotted a movement in the rocks. We were not able to locate the bird but it is almost certainly the same one. Yesterday morning at Duncan's Cove I encountered my first Blue-gray Gnatcatcher of the fall. Later In the bushes I heard the noxious complaining of what I thought might have been a Black-billed Cuckoo, but consider this observation a "heads up" only. The darkish Solitary Sandpiper remained at Sandy Cove's beach as of yesterday. Laura and I will look for it this evening when the tide is favourable. Hans _________________________________ Hans Toom Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada Website: http://hanstoom.com _________________________________ Subject: Stilt Sandpiper From: "viaurita" <viaurita AT yahoo.ca> Date: Tue, 22 Sep 2009 01:26:35 -0000 Hi There was a Stilt Sandpiper at Hartlen Point this afternoon (Sept 21/09). I have downloaded a photo to the shorebird album. Rita Viau Subject: Golden-winged Warbler From: "David Currie" <david_currie AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:16:37 -0300 Hi all... I happened to meet Fulton near the golf course at Hartlen Point at about 5:00PM this evening. He said he had had a female Golden-winged Warbler earlier so he graciously walked all the way back to "Back Cove" by the willow tree to help me find it. We did. He initially saw it at about noon today with a Chestnut-sided Warbler, Red-eyed and Blue-headed Vireos as well as Golden-crowned Kinglets and BC Chickadees. It was with the same group at 5:00. Other warblers in the area were Ovenbird, Canada Warbler, Blackpoll and Nashville. Dave Currie Dartmouth Subject: FWD: Black-throated Gray Warbler From: "Blake Maybank" <accentor AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Sat, 19 Sep 2009 16:23:38 -0400 Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:39:11 -0300 From: Subject: Black-throated Gray Warbler I found a moribund BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER early this morning on a small offshore island near Bon Portage Island. It had apparently struck the guy wires of a radio tower. Also found several dead Blackpoll Warblers and a Red-eyed Vireo. Put the warbler in a box, hoping it might recover, but it was dead within an hour. Appears to be a hatch-year male. Amazingly small, not much bigger than a Golden-crowned Kinglet! Brian Dalzell Forwarded by: Blake Maybank White's Lake, Nova Scotia maybank AT ns.sympatico.ca "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" author, "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia" http://tinyurl.com/birdingns Downloadable Nova Scotia Maps for inside front and back covers: http://tinyurl.com/mr627d Subject: Warbling Vireos From: "David Currie" <david_currie AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Sat, 19 Sep 2009 16:07:04 -0300 An early morning trip to Chebucto Head/Duncan's Cove area today with Fulton and Azor rewarded us with at least 5 Warbling Vireo's at Duncan's Cove and a few Baltimore Orioles. There wasn't much for variety of other warblers as the cold temps and wind kept things pretty much hidden. The exception was the many Yellow-rumped and Blackpoll Warblers almost everywhere we stopped. Dave Subject: Solitary Sandpipers and an Upload of Photos From: Hans Toom <htoom AT hfx.eastlink.ca> Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:39:03 -0300 The best shorebird beach between Chebucto Head and West Pennant is Sandy Cove's little 50 metre wide beach. It is especially productive when the kelp heaps have had time to ripen. My nose is the best indicator of good shore-birding at this place. This midday the highlight was a pair of Solitary Sandpipers, plus several Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpipers, Semipalmated Sandpipers and Plovers. I photographed a Whimbrel at Hartlen Point beach the other day and was impressed by the massive size of this bird's bill, especially at the base. The bubble of water the bird was carrying with the bill added to the largess of the appearance, but nonetheless I can't recall seeing one with such a sturdy bill. Hans http://www.pbase.com/snahmoot/image/117434979 _________________________________ Hans Toom Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada Website: http://hanstoom.com _________________________________ Subject: Buff-breasted Sandpipers and Baltimore Oriole From: Hans Toom <htoom AT hfx.eastlink.ca> Date: Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:07:04 -0300 There were 12 Buff-breasted Sandpipers at Hartlen Point Beach this morning. Also in the area were at least 30 Ruddy Turnstones and several Semipalmated Sandpipers and Sanderlings. A surprise was a Whimbrel which posed very nicely for photographs, at a discrete distance of course. Yesterday and today there was one Baltimore Oriole at Duncan's Cove. Warblers in the area were Yellow-rumped, Common Yellowthroat, Palm, Blackpoll, Magnolia and Black-and-White. Hans _________________________________ Hans Toom Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada Website: http://hanstoom.com _________________________________ Subject: Black Vultures, Brier Island From: "Eric Mills" <e.mills AT dal.ca> Date: Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:51:36 +0000 Bernard Forsythe reports two Black Vulltures with Turkey Vultures near Western Light this morning. A good number of all the regular raptors plus TVs during the day today on strong N winds. Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device Eric L. Mills 286 Kingsburg Road RR#1, Rose Bay, NS B0J 2X0, Canada Subject: Black Vultures, Brier Island From: "Eric Mills" <E.Mills AT Dal.Ca> Date: Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:51:36 +0000 Bernard Forsythe reports two Black Vulltures with Turkey Vultures near Western Light this morning. A good number of all the regular raptors plus TVs during the day today on strong N winds. Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device Eric L. Mills 286 Kingsburg Road RR#1, Rose Bay, NS B0J 2X0, Canada ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NS-RBA/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NS-RBA/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:NS-RBA-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:NS-RBA-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: NS-RBA-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Re: Snowy Owl on Cape From: Joan Czapalay <joancz AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:03:00 -0300 This just in from Aileen Smith in Barrington Passage: " Julie (Smith) & I went over to the Hawk Light on the 6th (she'd never been there--I'd only been there with you and others a few years ago). We spent the afternoon, and it was wonderful" ..."even saw a snowy owl and a Rose-Breasted Grosbeak near the "forest". " Seems early for a Snowy; perhaps it is a resident now??? Cheers, Joan Subject: Sabine's Gulls From: "David Currie" <david_currie AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:21:26 -0300 In talking to the operator of the shark charter this morning, they did have more Sabine's Gulls on September 13th (not sure of number) The photos I posted on Yahoo are on the second page of the Gull and Tern section. The site used to show recently added photos but I notice that didn't happen this time. Dave Subject: Sabine's Gull From: "David Currie" <david_currie AT ns.sympatico.ca> Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2009 07:55:12 -0300 Hi All.... Art Gaetan who runs the shark catch and release charter from Eastern Passage photographed two Sabine's Gulls on Saturday Sep 12, 2009. I posted his photos with his permission on the Yahoo NSRBA group. He told me they stayed near the boat for 8-9 hours lounging there with the other gulls and shearwaters. Dave Subject: White-eyed Vireo and lots of warblers From: Hans Toom <htoom AT hfx.eastlink.ca> Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:57:29 -0300 After our evening walk along Bald Rock Road, HRM, Laura and I came home to a micro fallout of warblers on top of our house and property including a White-eyed Vireo and several species of warblers. This morning at Duncan's Cove, HRM, there were lots of warblers and at least eight Gray Catbirds. This area is very active, especially with Blackpoll Warblers and Palm Warblers. Hans _________________________________ Hans Toom Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada Website: http://hanstoom.com _________________________________ Subject: RTHummers and more From: "rachelhoogenbos" <rachelhoogenbos AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:58:11 -0000 Sept. 10 and 11, Cape Sable Island and Barrington Trail. My neighbours, Bonita and Warren Nickerson (804 South Side) still have hummingbirds coming to their feeders regularly (all females, mostly immatures),visitors welcome. I saw a female RTH feeding on the Jewel Weed along the Barrington Trail Sept. 10. Also lots of assorted Warblers along the trail and 1 Gray Jay. The Doctor's cove end of the trail was very rewarding, many more people use the trail on the other side where it runs behind the stores etc to the old ferry landing. Still, a good place to get in some easily accessible birding. Cheers, Rachel