FOR THE BIRDS

NOVEMBER  2005

By

Helen O'Shea

Sightings 

Bill O’Shea watched a mature Bald Eagle perch atop Black Rock on August 31.

Bill and I watched 5 Whimbrels fly near Black Rock at the Fortress site on September 4.  These birds made several appearances throughout the month of September. 

After Hurricane Wilma 

In the wake of Hurricane Wilma and another storm that came up the Eastern Seaboard there were some rare sightings. 

Susann Myers called on October 26 to report an American Avocet in winter plumage near the Lartigue House (Fortress Association Gift Shop) on the Fortress site.  I drove over there and was in time to watch this bird near the building.  It drank from a puddle on the waterfront and sifted through seaweed.  At 16:00 it was last seen flying toward Rochefort Point over the pond behind the Fire Hall.  That same day I saw a Greater Yellowlegs and one Tree Swallow by the King’s Bastion pond.  There were 5 Tree Swallows at the bottom of the Administration Building Road.  There were Barn Swallows and a Cliff Swallow hawking for insects on the site.

Susann could hear Black-bellied Plovers and also watched a Killdeer. We watched 3 Common Terns and 5 other terns at the Fortress Barachois.There was also a female Pintail Duck amid a dozen American Black Ducks.  It was still very windy and 10 degrees.

October 28 was a cloudy day and 10 degrees.  Coming out along Route 22 we watched a Red-tailed Hawk soaring near Catalone.

Susann Myers was on a scaffolding at the de la Valliere house on the Fortress site when a Yellow-billed Cuckoo landed beside her.  This was the same bird I saw later in the afternoon on Route 22 below the Visitor Centre.  There were 5 Common Terns, a Greater Yellowlegs, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers at the Fortress Barachois and 3 Tree Swallows on the hills below the Visitor Centre.

October 29 there were 5 Sanderlings, 3 Tree Swallows and I Barn Swallow at the Fortress Barachois.  On the harbour side of the Havenside Barachois there was a Franklin’s Gull in the gravel area.  Bill and I watched this bird through the binoculars and the spotting scope.  We had to retrieve extra bird books to make a sure identification.

While walking near Arlie’s parking lot a low-flying Barn Swallow swooped about a foot above my head as it chased insects.

I saw a Tree Swallow flying over Route 22 near Catalone on November 1. 

The Saga of the Turkey Vulture 

Friday October 28 Bill and I observed a Turkey Vulture soaring at the Louisbourg town limits at 13:00.  (We had returned earlier in the month from a visit to Cornwall, Ontario where Turkey Vultures abound.)  It perched in a tree in front of the Burkes’ and 4 Crows were landing in the tree near it.  We drove up Pearl Magee’s driveway and brought her down to the road, but by then the Turkey Vulture was gone.  People working at Johnny Drolet’s house watched the bird being chased toward Havenside by the Crows.  About 15:45 I saw the Turkey Vulture between Lorway and Jerrat’s Brook as I headed up toward home.  That weekend, October 29and 30, Donald and Margie Cameron looked out on more than one occasion when they heard a commotion of Crows to see the Turkey Vulture behind their home and circling over Riverdale Street.  Ian Harte saw the Turkey Vulture early the next week.  Pearl Magee saw it heading toward Havenside on November 1 early in the morning as Walt Marsden’s shed was burning.  At 13:30 I watched a Turkey Vulture soaring over the field near Mira Road. 

American Avocet 

This bird is a large, slim shorebird with a very slim, upturned bill.  This and the striking white-and-black pattern on the wings make it unique.  In winter plumage the head and neck are pale gray and the long legs a steel gray colour.  This bird breeds in south western Canada and winters from the southern United States to Guatemala.  It’s normal habitat is on beaches, flats, shallow lakes, prairie ponds.  (Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Birds)  This bird feeds by sweeping its head in a side to side motion. 

Franklin’s Gull 

This gull is medium size and is the only gull that undergoes two complete molts each year.  Thus the plumage is always fresh.  This bird has black legs and a black bill.  It has a dark half-hood and a whitish hind neck.  The underwings are always clean white and there are three white spots on the black tips on the primaries.  (Sibley Guide to Birds p.210) 

Turkey Vulture 

These birds are nearly eagle-sized.  When overhead note the great 2-toned blackish wings (flight feathers paler rimming the wing).  It soars with wings slightly dihedral (shallow V); rocks and tilts unsteadily.  The mature bird has a small naked red head but the young birds have blackish heads.  Food: carrion.   (Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Birds) 

To feed or not to feed this winter? 

With the various reports of avian flu is it safe to feed the birds at feeders through the winter months?  Finches, chickadees and other small birds that feast on niger seed show no signs of contracting this disease and so far it has yet to reach North America.  I know that I shall take special precautions when handling feeders and dealing with areas of possible contamination around the feeders.  It is an individual choice. 

Enjoy your winter birding and have a great holiday season.

Helen O’Shea

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

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