FOR THE BIRDS

February 1996

By

Helen O'Shea

The past month has been an exciting time for birders with the variations in weather encouraging birds to come to the feeders. 

We have had huge flocks of White-Winged Crossbills both in the woods and in town. On  Saturday, February 3 there was a flock of at least 150 Crossbills in the trees behind the homes of Murray Billard, Ian MacIntyre and John Cann on Lorway Street. Betty and Millan Beaver had 7 Crows below their feeders and at least 75 Starlings on the power lines beside their home. The snow that day encouraged at least 200 Purple Finch, Goldfinch, and Pine Siskins to come to dine at my feeders. I also have a resident Song Sparrow and White-Throated Sparrow. 

Diane MacLean and Roger Wilson are sharing the female Northern Cardinal at their feeders.  Diane, Madelaine McLain and I have frequent visits from the Brown Creeper. Diane has a pair of Downy Woodpeckers at her feeder. 

Cliff Peck called on Tuesday, January 23 to report a Robin in his yard.  Gary and Emily Peck had seen 15 Robins at Simon's Point January 21 and also heard an owl in the woods.

Joe Burke reported 2 Robins at Mainadieu near the Fishermen's Museum the same week. 

Our back yard had an unusual visitor this year.  Kevin drew my attention to the Ruffed Grouse on January 18.  He was eating berries from a bush in our backyard. He was back on January 26.  Patrick noticed him jumping approximately one foot off the ground to munch berries and eventually he flew up and perched on the branches to continue eating. 

Gwen and Carlo Lunn saw a Red-Necked Grebe in the harbour below Havenside Road on February 2.  We have been watching him move from one side of the Harbour to the other since January 14.  He is often off the Government Wharf.  There has also been a Hooded Merganser near the Government Wharf since January 20. 

Jenny Whynott has huge flocks of House Sparrows at her feeder and in the bushes.  January 15 she had at least 100, while Lloyd and Doris King had at least 100 Starlings on their lawn. 

On January 8, Bill and I saw a Northern Goshawk circling the fields and trees from the Marconi Picnic Area to the Fortress Compound Road.  We also saw a flock of 50 White-Winged Crossbills sawing their way through the cones on the trees. 

Our harbour is teeming with birds.  20 American Black Duck is an average number to see when both flocks are together.  On January 14, I saw 60 American Black Ducks - many below Bobby Burke's house. We also have seen up to 14 Oldsquaw Ducks in one flock, 3 Lesser Scaup (Jan.14) and 6 Icelandic Gulls. On January 28 we had incredible surf with 100 km. winds. I spotted a Common Goldeneye and 3 Glaucous Gulls off the Government Wharf.

There was a dead Harbour Seal at the Fortress Barachois for at least a week.  He was a feast for a Great Black-Backed Gull who was standing off all comers.  By the time the carcass was at least a week old the bird was gargling seawater between beakfulls. He would have a bite, and then be blown across the ice (Jan.28) to open water where he would swish his head and beak around in the water.  He would then rush back to the seal and chase away other approaching gulls. 

We have seen a Red-Tailed Hawk over the back roads and along the Sydney-Louisbourg Highway. 

Darryl Peck saw a Bald Eagle by Catalone Gut while he was digging worms on January 18.  The same day Bill O'Shea saw one over the Compound Road.  Wonder if it was the same bird? 

Carlo Lunn called to report spotting a Pileated  Woodpecker on February 1 near Harvey and Mona MacLeods' on the Louisbourg highway.  It flew beside the road and landed in a dead tree.  This is a black crow-sized woodpecker with a flaming red crest.  The great size, sweeping wingbeats, and flashing white underwing areas are distinctive. (Peterson) 

Darren and Denise Lavin have Golden-Crowned Kinglets, Juncoes and Purple Finch in the trees beside their home on Huntington Avenue. 

The end of January I had a Common Redpoll at my feeder.  By February 3, I had three - including a part-albino one with a white patch on the underside and a distinctive white V from the shoulders to mid-back.  Glen and Marie Malay had one at their feeder the same day.  Then, while walking the Bypass, Bill and I came upon a small flock of a dozen Common Redpoll.  We also saw large numbers of Pine Grosbeaks, White-Winged Crossbills, and Pine Siskins in the gravel at the side of the road. The grit that they pick up aids in digestion and gives them necessary minerals. 

Graham Skinner reported large numbers of Pine Grosbeaks in the woods on February 5. 

Cyneth and Gordon Hutt report approximately 30 Cedar Waxwings eating berries in the hawthorn trees on the late Mrs. MacDonald's property. One day they counted 22 on the wires and watched them cuddle together against the cold. They have replaced the Bohemian Waxwings of December. They have had 3 - 4 Partridge eating berries and Slate-Coloured Juncoes and Purple Finch on their platform feeder. There were 2 Robins on February 5 & 6. 

Look for Black Guillemots off the Government Wharf and on Havenside. 

Remember to let me know about your sightings. 'Til next month.

Helen O’Shea

Extracted from © The Seagull, Helen O'Shea, For the Birds

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