Name: Bethsheila

Posts by naturewalks:

    Earlybirds

    June 8th, 2011

    My first clue that the weather would finally warm up was the overnight influx of wood warblers found early of the morning of May 27. Since that time, more species have returned to make each day of birding a joy.

    The 27th was a prelude of what was to come with yellow-rumped, yellow, magnolia, black-throated green, northern Parula, black and white, common Yellowthroat, chestnut-sided and American Redstart kicking off the wood warbler season.

    In addition to those lovelies, both red-eyed and blue-headed vireo had returned and both Swain’s and hermit thrush were singing on territory and ovenbird were calling loudly from wet, mixed woods. Ruby-crowned kinglet were calling that morning as well, but not yet singing. That didn’t begin in earnest until June 1. The most pleasant surprise, however, was a single brown thrasher, a species oft-seen in the years of living in Ontario and this was my first Cape Breton encounter with this large ground forager since returning home! Since May 27, more wood warblers have returned to our area including eastern palm, blackburnian and blackpoll.

    Flycatchers appeared quite suddenly June 1 with olive-sided, yellow-bellied, least and alder in suitable habitat. Lincoln’s sparrow often appears late but this year it returned by June 1 as well and was singing on territory immediately upon its arrival. Of course, there is little that compares to the haunting and simple song of the white-throat but the Lincoln’s always makes me stop and listen.

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    nature notes

    May 4th, 2011

    A warm hello to anyone who may read this, my very first ever blog post. It is my intention to use this space to share what’s happening in Cape Breton’s natural world and any comments, you, the potential reader may have, will be gratefully accepted.

    Coltsfoot

    Spring has come onto the Island and slowly, every so slowly, things are beginning to happen. Continuing cool temps and little sunshine have hampered early bloomers such as Eipgea Repens, better known as Trailing Arbutus or Mayflower, Nova Scotia’s provincial flower, from budding but Coltsfoot, never afraid of the cool and damp, made its appearance several weeks ago in protected areas of towns and villages. it is just now appearing along roadsides and in the wilder places. Daffodils and Narcissus have begun flowering in wild and landscaped places, a lovely shot of yellow in an otherwise drab, early-spring landscape. Hardwoods are budding but it will still be some time before leaves begin to unfurl.

    Ring-neck Duck

    Not really a negative for me as I am an avid birder and this is the very best time of year for observations of inbound migrants. Indeed, a recent field trip out here in Victoria county, south of Smokey, provided some excellent sightings of returning bay ducks including Green-winged Teal and Ring-necked Duck. The mating American Kestrel were a treat, to be sure, as were the 4 Common Snipe wheeling above the calm waters of the Bras d’Or. The family of American Bald Eagle provided an excellent photo op for, not only the field trippers, but interested island-visitors who stopped on the roadside to find out what it was we were all focusing on with binocs and scopes. The best sighting, personally, was all-too brief – a Chimney Swift spotted by a member of our group and quickly identified by its unique flight pattern. A lifer for me! Our group observed or heard a total of 37 species on a route that took us from Nyanza to Big Harbour then on to South Gut St. Ann’s and included the season’s first Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Tree Swallow, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Swamp Sparrow (heard but not seen). Not bad for the end of April!

    White-tail Deer

    Other nature notes: 4 White-tailed Deer crossing the highway a few weeks back. I am relieved to report they were a little thin from the hard winter but their coats were thick and glossy which means they were able to cope with the incredible snow-load experienced in this end of the country. Spring peepers have begun to sing and a few Wood Duck and n. Leopard Frog were also heard while combing the country-side for our feathered friends.

    Until next time – B. Kent

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