FOR THE BIRDS

January 1995

By

Helen O'Shea

Until the first snowfall there were not a large number of birds to watch at my feeders.  Instead, we spent a lot of time at the Havenside Barachois, around the Government Wharf, and the wharves at the bottom of the Louisbourg Motorhome Park.  On Boxing Day we saw 11 Black Guillemots, 9 Black Ducks, 3 Common Goldeneyes, a male and female Common Merganser and two Loons.  December 27 we drove to the Lighthouse and saw a Dovekie, and 9 Oldsquaw.  12 Black Ducks were in the Barachois at Gerrat's Brook.  December 30 we saw 2 Black Guillemots off the Government Wharf and 3 off the Boardwalk.  We also saw a Loon and 5 Oldsquaw.   Off Kennelly's there was a male Goldeneye and in mid-harbour a seal.  During a drive to the Lighthouse on December 31 we spotted a Dovekie and 2 Oldsquaw.  There were 7 Black Guillemots off the Government Wharf. 

January began with an exciting sighting of a Pine Warbler at my feeder.  He arrived with a large flock of Goldfinch.  Cathy Murrant and Dave MacCorquedale on Information Morning confirmed that Pine Warblers often winter over.  Susann Meyers and Gordon MacLean confirmed that they have also sighted them this winter.  Pine Warblers prefer sunflower seed and suet.  They are larger than Goldfinch, have a brighter yellow throat and breast which has vertical streaking.   

On January 8 we had 50 Goldfinch at the feeder, two Mourning Doves (which have been around since mid-December), and two Boreal Chickadees.  On our travels around the Harbour we saw 2 male and a female Common Mergansers.  We also saw 3 Black Guillemots, a Loon, a Grebe, and a pair of Common Goldeneyes. There was a large flock of approximately 80 Starlings that landed on the phone lines at Havenside.   

Susann Meyers had a large flock of Goldfinches.  Evening Grosbeaks were in her yard until Christmas.  A Robin appeared January 2 and pays several visits daily.  It has been eating the berries from the vines surrounding her porch.  Since it is slim and has a brightly-coloured breast, it does not appear to be a Newfoundland Robin.  When it lands at her feeder she feeds it blueberries, halved grapes, peanuts, cut up apple and soaked raisins.                         

Dovekies, also known as Little Auks, sometimes appear in Atlantic coastal waters after an on-shore gale.  Usually they are seen at the edge of the sea.  If forced to land ashore, dovekies are unable to take off and need help getting back to the sea since they cannot walk.  Dovekies are black and white and no bigger than a man's fist, but size has little to do with their ability to survive in northern seas and one marvels at their sturdiness.  Vast numbers of them breed at the base of coastal cliffs in frigid north Greenland. (Chronicle Herald, December 30, l994.)                                              

The Common Goldeneye is a crow-sized, chunky, round-headed diving duck.  It is often seen in small flocks and is more numerous in the East than the similar Barrow's Goldeneye. The adult male has a glossy, dark green head with round white patch near the base of short bill.  The breast and sides are white.  The back is black.  The white areas on the wings and on back are visible in flight.  The females have a brown head, gray back and sides. 

During the holiday we met Gerry Lunn who is now living in Halifax.  He is involved in birding and asked if there would be much local interest in having a Christmas Bird Count in this area in 1995.  This count usually takes place sometime between mid-December and the first of January.  The count gives the Nova Scotia Bird Society and idea of what the wintering populations are of different bird species.  It provides an idea, over the long term, of the bird patterns. 

If anyone has an interest in participating in a count and would like more information, I would appreciate a call.  In turn I can request more details on the procedure from Gerry Lunn and area birders who have more experience. 

One final note. There was a flock of about 12 Ring-billed Gulls at the Havenside end of the harbour for a few days. They must have been passing through on their way south. And, if you happen to be around the end the the Government wharf, keep an eye out for a Herring Gull with an injured foot. We've been watching him regularly for about three weeks. He stands by balancing on his good right foot. In spite of the injury he seems to be in good shape. 

As the winter progresses I hope to hear of more sightings. Call me at 733-2873. 

Helen O’Shea

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

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