FOR THE BIRDS ~ JANUARY 1998

We should keep track of our "best bird" sightings for 1998 and fondly remember the "best bird" sightings of 1997.

1997 was memorable for the Swallow-tailed Kite reported by Sheila Fudge. Sheila also reported the immature Little Blue Heron at the Havenside Barachois. I was lucky enough to see a Pied-billed Grebe in that Barachois and a Baltimore Oriole on a trip to P.E.I.

We had a large group of dedicated birders taking part in the May, North American Migratory Bird Count and again during the Christmas Bird Count on December 20. To all who participated and to family members who offered moral support I give you thanks.

Many of you received Christmas gifts of Peterson’s Field Guide to Eastern Birds and other tomes dedicated to bird-related information. Use them in good health.

Perhaps you read the article in the Chronicle Herald of January 9^th that mentioned a woman who uses 4,000 pounds ( 2 tons ) of bird seed each year. Personally that amount seems excessive. Of course she is feeding flocks of 100 plus Starlings and Mourning Doves.

Cliff Peck told me the other day that he has a flock of 30-40 Rock Doves (Pigeons) that land in his yard. These are members of the same flock that are on the roof of the Cranberry Cove, in Millie Creaser’s yard and on Donald John and Margie Cameron’s feeders and roof. You also see them on the roof of the small house next to Everett and Greta Beaver’s home. Jim Steylen’s flock of fancies is independent and I have never noticed the two flocks meeting in common territory. His pigeons stay near Upper Warren Street and circle as far as Huntington Avenue.

Jean Bagnell called earlier this week to report that she and Dodie had a Philadelphia Vireo at their window feeder and also on the suet feeder. The physical appearance of her mystery bird is very distinctive and she hopes to photograph him. The white line over the eye is distinctive as well as the yellowish colour underneath and the black legs. These birds usually winter near Mexico, but our strange weather would not rule out oddities this winter. Hopefully I will have more updates on this bird and may get a chance to observe it.

Gary Peck has been observing a flock of Buffleheads in the Barachois below Gerrat’s Brook whenever there is open water. We have also observed up to a dozen Oldsquaw, 7 White-winged Scoters, 12 Black Guillemots, 3 Barrow’s Goldeneye, a couple of Common Loons, numerous Black Ducks, Common Goldeneye, and many Red-breasted Mergansers in Louisbourg Harbour. So far, we have seen nary a Grebe. Please report your Grebe sightings. I love their fancy little jump and dive motion when they go after fish.

Black Guillemot colour variation is fascinating. It ranges through combinations of white, black and grey. Don’t be misled by the book that gives one winter and one summer colour. colour variation is fascinating. It ranges through combinations of white, black and grey. Don’t be misled by the book that gives one winter and one summer colour. colour variation is fascinating. It ranges through combinations of white, black and grey. Don’t be misled by the book that gives one winter and one summer colour.

My feeders are attracting Swamp, Chipping, White-throated and Song Sparrows as well as 4 Pine Warblers, 5 Blue Jays, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped and Boreal Chickadees and Pine Siskins. I also have 15 Slate-coloured Juncoes and up to 29 Mourning Doves. Every now and then there are 12 Evening Grosbeaks. My favorite American Goldfinch is one with a crest of feathers standing straight up on the top of his head. It looks like he was in some sort of accident and had a piece of his scalp lifted up. Whatever caused this weird appearance?My feeders are attracting Swamp, Chipping, White-throated and Song Sparrows as well as 4 Pine Warblers, 5 Blue Jays, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped and Boreal Chickadees and Pine Siskins. I also have 15 Slate-coloured Juncoes and up to 29 Mourning Doves. Every now and then there are 12 Evening Grosbeaks. My favorite American Goldfinch is one with a crest of feathers standing straight up on the top of his head. It looks like he was in some sort of accident and had a piece of his scalp lifted up. Whatever caused this weird appearance?

Sylvia Trimm still has White-winged and Red Crossbills at her feeder on Milton Street. Jean Bagnell had White-winged Crossbills and a Yellow-rumped Warbler.

Susann Myers provided me with a list of participants in the Christmas Bird Count. There were 27 field observers in 13 parties as well as 18 observers watching feeders and yards. 66 species were seen on count day. Special thanks to all the participating observers—Sandy Anthony, Jean Bagnell, Gertie Betts, Philip Burke, Cathy Brousseau, Diane and Bill Bussey, Eddie Bussey, Margie Cameron, Dr. Rev. Donald Campbell, Peter Chiasson, Dr.Carol Corbin, Barc and Dorothy Cunningham, Ken Donovan, Sheila Fudge, Ian Harte, Cyneth and Gordon Hutt, Shirley Kennedy, Gerry and Elizabeth Lalonde, Carlton, Nicholas and Gwen Lunn, Miles and Walter MacDonald, John Willie MacInnis, Minnie MacLeod, Mona MacLeod,

Dr. David McCorquodale, John McKay, Pearl Magee, Cathy and Francis Mailman, Geraldine and Hugh Metcalfe, Florence Miron, Susann Myers, Helen O’Shea, Lee Anne Reeves,

Gulls -If your wish is a nervous breakdown, you could always decide that gull-watching will be your hobby. Following is a basic chart to help identify adults of several local species. Immature gulls are more difficult and are usually some variety of mottled brown.

White-winged Gulls - Adult

Glaucous Gull 26"-32" 26"-32" Glaucous Gull 26"-32" Glaucous Gull 26"-32"

- large chalky white gull with a light gray mantle, narrow yellow ring around eye, unmarked primary wing tips

Iceland Gull 23"-26" GullIceland Gull 23"-26" Iceland Gull 23"-26" Iceland Gull 23"-26" Iceland Gull 23"-26" Iceland Gull 23"-26"

- pale "ghostly" gull the size of a herring gull, grey mantle, whitish or pure primary white wing tips, narrow red ring around eye

Ivory Gull 15"-17" GullIvory Gull 15"-17" Ivory Gull 15"-17" Ivory Gull 15"-17" Ivory Gull 15"-17" Ivory Gull 15"-17"

- small gull, all white with black legs,

black bill with yellow tip

Great Black Backed Gull 28 "-31" 28 "-31" Great Black Backed Gull 28 "-31" Great Black Backed Gull 28 "-31"

- large gull with entire back coloured black with flesh coloured legs

Lesser Black Backed Gull

- entire back black but Herring gull size and yellow legs

Herring Gull 23"-26" Herring Gull 23"-26" Herring Gull 23"-26" Herring Gull 23"-26" Herring Gull 23"-26" Herring Gull 23"-26"

- grey mantle with primary wing tips black with white dots, yellow ring around eye, pink legs

Ring Billed Gull 19" 19" Ring Billed Gull 19" Ring Billed Gull 19"

like a small Herring Gull with black ring on bill, yellowish legs

Black-Legged Kittiwake 17"

- grey mantle and black wing tips ( no white), yellow bill ( no marks), black legs