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© by Eric Krause, Krause House
Info-Research Solutions (© 1996)
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Canada Unless Otherwise Designated
Researching the
Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada
Recherche sur la Forteresse-de-Louisbourg Lieu historique national du Canada
FOR THE BIRDS
April 1994
By
Helen O'Shea
Signs of spring have been abundant since March 18. At 2:45 p.m. a wedge of 23 Cormorants flew north-northeast over the town. The same day at 5:45 p.m. a wedge of approximately 20 Canada Geese flew over heading the same way. This sighting was made by Scot and Karen Stevens as well as Donald Cross. Gwen Lunn reported a pair of Common Mergansers at Albert Bridge on March 21. The same morning I saw 6 Black Ducks and 7 Black-Bellied Plovers amid the ice pans at the Havenside Road Barachois at low tide. On March 24 there were 50 of these shore birds feeding in the shallows at the same location. Cliff Peck also spotted these transients. 12 Goldeneyes were out in the harbour along with a pair of Red-Breasted Mergansers.
Pearl Magee reports an American Tree Sparrow at her feeder since March 13. Three Fox Sparrows appeared at her feeder on March 31 and now she has a dozen. A dozen Robins were at Pearl's as well as a pair of Song Sparrows and some Blue Jays.
April first was really a Good Friday. My first Fox Sparrow arrived at the platform feeder in early morning. Shirley Kennedy called to report 2 American Robins on her front lawn. During our walk later that morning we saw a Red-Tailed Hawk soaring overhead and eleven Robins on Millie Creaser's lawn. At 4 p.m. we saw a lone Canada Goose at the Fortress Barachois as well as a dozen Buffleheads.
On April 2, I had 4 Fox Sparrows, 2 White-Throated Sparrows and 10 Juncoes at my feeders. By April 3 the count had increased to 5 Fox Sparrows. Later that day approximately 60 Starlings were feasting at LeMoines' Hill.
There were approximately 40 grackles in the trees behind the homes of Rannie Butts and Dan Joe Thomas on April 4.
REMINDER ABOUT HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS: Early May is not too soon to hang your feeders. The red on the feeder will attract these birds. Research has shown that red dye added to the syrup can weaken the shells of Hummingbird eggs so the liquid should be clear. Remember to change the syrup weekly.
Helen O'Shea
Extracted from © The Seagull, Helen O'Shea, For the Birds