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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
March 1996
By
Helen O'Shea
PARTIAL
ALBINISM IN BIRDS The commonest form; complete or partial albinism within local parts of the body which may involve certain feathers only; it is often symmetrical and each side of the bird may show white feathers in the same pattern. The absence of melanin (dark coloring pigment) from the eyes, skin, or feathers. A patch of abnormally white feathers on a normally colored bird may also be caused by an injury, a physiological disorder, or dietary or circulatory deficiencies at the time the feathers are developing. The sudden appearance of white feathers in some birds that are normally dark may be caused by shock. Totally albino birds have all-white feathers, pink or red eyes, and very pale or white feet, legs, and bill. The eyes appear pink because in the absence of color pigment in the irises, the blood in the eyes shows through. Adult birds that are total albinos are very rarely seen in the wild (especially small or medium-sized ones). They are more easily detected and selectively eliminated by predators. The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds. John K. Terres, p. 11. |
Pearl Magee reported a Redpoll with a white head with a red spot on it on February 20.
Florence Miron saw a crow with a white head in a tree on the side of the highway. Several other crows were on the roadside. She and Sheila Fudge were on their way to Sydney on February 20. The sighting took place near Florence MacMillan's.
I was speaking with Cathy Murrant of Port Morien on February 28 and she mentioned that several photos had been given to her to corroborate sightings of albino or partial albino birds.
My first sighting of a Dovekie was off the Government Wharf on February 11. It was swimming near the Coast Guard boat. Since then we have seen one off Havenside Road on March 2 and also off the Government wharf on several occasions.
Jean and Dodie Bagnell saw a huge flock of White-Winged Crossbills the week of Feb. 14.
"White-Winged Crossbills breed in the boreal forests across northern America and Eurasia. Breeding in any area is erratic, depending on seed crops of spruce, fir, and larch. Crossbills feed their young on partially digested conifer seeds, as they do not require insect food for breeding, they may be found nesting in all months of the year. The main breeding efforts in the Maritimes being in January to April and July to October." Atlas of Breeding Birds of the Maritime Provinces, Anthony J. Erskine p.207 A female White-Winged Scoter was off the Government Wharf on Feb. 16 and on Feb. 18.
Anywhere from 12 to 27 American Black Ducks (February 18 & March 3) have been seen below Bobby Burke's on Havenside Road.
Sam Vardy reported a large otter at the Fortress Barachois on February 23. Wallace Barter had earlier reported an otter in this location. Ray Dollimont saw a seal on the road near the Lighthouse on Monday, February 19.
Linda and Tom Kennedy of Catalone reported a pair of Loggerhead Shrike, and pair of Redpoll, a White-Throated Sparrow, a Song Sparrow, a Vesper Sparrow and numerous Purple Finch, Juncoes and Black-Capped Chickadees at their Catalone feeder on February 19.
Donald Cameron told me about the partridge that dines below the feeders in his yard. The birds were very scarce at the feeders by February 25 although the crows were wheeling, tumbling and soaring. Warm weather had convinced the crows they should pair up and get ready to nest. Pearl saw a crow flying overhead with twigs in its beak on February 26.
I saw 2 Ruffed Grouse on the road by the Visitor Centre on February 25. I saw my first male Spruce Grouse on the road by the water tower on March 1. I was standing within eight feet of the colourful bird and he had frozen in place.
Theresa and Ken Hann called on February 16 to report 40 Cedar Waxwings in trees beside their house. They also had 9 Blue Jays.
Madelaine McLain had 20 Mourning Doves in her yard on February 17.
Diane MacLean reported the female Northern Cardinal at her feeder on February 28. It had been in her yard February 17.
While walking on March 1, I saw 20 American Goldfinch eating gravel at the side of the Administration Building road and 2 white hare. There were still large numbers of White-Winged Crossbills, Pine Siskins and Boreal Chickadees.
With the high winds of March 4 we saw a lot of ground feeders. I had 2 Song Sparrows and 16 Juncoes under my feeders as well as large numbers of Siskins and Goldfinch.
Susann Myers saw approximately 80 Bohemian Waxwings in the swampy area across from Black Rock at the Fortress site eating berries and fighting the winds of March 4.
On March 2, I saw an Icelandic Gull and 2 Common Loons at the Government Wharf. There were 12 Oldsquaw in the harbour and a Dovekie.
Winfred Bates called on March 6 to tell me about sighting a male Pheasant on the road below his home on Commercial Street. The winter was obviously good to the Pheasant.
LOUISBOURG HERITAGE SOCIETY SPONSORS GUEST
SPEAKER: ZION HALL,
MARCH 27, 1996 at 7:30 PM Cathy
Murrant
The author of Birding Cape Breton's
Historic East
Will Speak About Attracting and Identifying Birds
|
Remember to call Helen O'Shea with any bird sightings at 733-2873.
* WATCH FOR FOX SPARROWS.
THEY ARE USUALLY HERE BEFORE EASTER *
Helen O’Shea
Extracted from © The Seagull, Helen O'Shea, For the Birds