Early Spring Shorebirds - Least Sandpipers

                                                                    Least Sandpipers

 In early May we begin to watch for the early shorebird migrants.  On May 11 we were birding along the Bay of Fundy shoreline.  One interesting place is in St. Andrews at the Blockhouse.  There we were walking on the long red sandstone point jutting out into the bay.  Shorebirds were scarce since it was early for their migration.  However, we did find 3 Greater Yellowlegs sleeping with bills tucked under their wings.  On the return we noted a movement on a dark clump of seaweed covered sandstone out of the water.  To my surprise it was a group of well camouflaged shorebirds.  On close examination they were Least Sandpipers and the more I looked, the more I saw.  At first I saw 4, then 5, then 7.  They were sleeping.  Obviously the shorebirds on that point had recently arrived and were resting from their long journey.  It was amazing how well the Least Sandpipers were concealed by their resemblance to the seaweed.  The photo above shows them as they became active.  We don't often see a group of only Least Sandpipers.

                                                                Least Sandpiper

For more information on the Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) including migration and life history, search this blog for 'Least Sandpiper'.  The breeding plumage of the Least Sandpiper is more rufous in colour than the non-breeding plumage which is more grayish.  Notice in the photo above the rufous showing on the cheek patch, secondary wing feather tips, and breast streaking.  In the topmost photo above you can see that some individuals are more rufous than others. They will soon all be changed into their breeding plumage.

Least Sandpipers are our smallest sandpiper (15 cm).  They prefer inland bodies of water, sandy riverbanks, and the upper edges of estuaries.  Their rufous plumage camouflages them well for these types of habitats.  Mudflats and grassy marshes covered with dead and water-soaked vegetation matches their mottled feathers.  That is why we don't see them on sandy beaches but rather on tidal creeks and edges of salt marshes.  

                                                                        Least Sandpiper

The above photo shows the clear white belly and deep yellow legs of the Least Sandpiper.  These sandpipers forage by walking along and picking up food items from the surface of the ground or shallow water.  Sometimes they will probe the mud with their bill.  Preferred foods are crustaceans, insects and snails.  Their diet varies with the season.  During migration they feed mainly on amphipods and isopods.  In the spring along the Atlantic coastline they will join other shorebirds and feed on the eggs of horseshoe crabs.  

                                                                        Least Sandpiper

The male Least Sandpiper displays for the female on the nesting ground.  He approaches the female leaning forward with the tail uplifted while raising his wings over his back.  For his display flight he circles the area alternating glides and flutters while singing.  I have never heard any vocals from this species other than the high pitched kree.  The nest is built on the ground near the water in a clump of grass.  The male starts building the nest but the female soon takes over and completes the task.  The nest is a shallow depression lined with grass, leaves and moss.  The four pale buff eggs are blotched with brown and are incubated by both adults.  The female sits at first for the night and early morning with the male taking over for the day.  Later the male does most of the sitting.  The young are precocious and leave the nest soon after hatching.  Both adults nurture the young but as they get older the female leaves and the male continues to feed and care for them until they can fly which is about 14 to 16 days after hatching.  They are on their own after that.  

Least Sandpipers migrate in flocks (as seen in the group resting at St. Andrews mentioned above).  Our eastern Canadian flocks sometimes migrate nonstop over the ocean to northern South America.  Those from the interior of the country migrate over land and probably make periodic stops to rest and feed.  Many winter in the southern US.  

Population numbers for this species are not as vulnerable as some since they are not totally dependent on important stopover sites.  Although their numbers are down, their population is not currently facing any known threats.

Wintering Field Sparrows

 

                                                Field Sparrow  [Bev Schneider Photo]

In late March it was reported that friends in Mactaquac had Field Sparrows coming to their feeders.  Early photos of these birds had been posted on birders' media and had caused some confusion about identification.  It was requested that I go and try to get better photos of these birds.  According to the home owners, there originally were 3 individuals of the same species feeding regularly all winter.  At the time of my visits there were only 2 individuals.

On March 31, 2023, it was a raw winter day, windy and cold.  I stood hidden in the bushes at the back of the house waiting for the Field Sparrows to appear.  They regularly fed on the ground about 10 metres from where I was hidden.  I must have been well camouflaged because a Song Sparrow appeared from under the porch and started singing from a bush no more than 3 metres from me.  That was a treat!  The crows and jays were very active in the many trees in the area and along the river which was close.  I could hear Evening Grosbeaks and for a considerable time the flock came in to feed.  About 45 birds were in the trees and on the ground.  Mainly they were excited about their spring song which sounded so good to my winter ears.  

At one point a lone sparrow made a streak from under the porch, into a nearby bush  and then disappeared.  All became quiet again.  Soon the reason became very evident.  A Sharp-shinned Hawk flew in and perched within 5 to 6 metres of me.  He, too, did not know I was there.  That surprised me.  After it left unsuccessful in its hunt, things slowly returned to the normal chatter and activity.  

                                        Sharp-Shinned Hawk [Bev Schneider Photo]

Now, I was sure where the sparrows were spending their time.  The porch was elevated about 2 to 3 metres and enclosed underneath with rick-rack.  The Song Sparrow had come from there and returned at least twice in the 30 minutes or more I had stood there.  Eventually it was from there that the Field Sparrow emerged.  

                                                Field Sparrow  [Bev Schneider Photo]

My target species had now appeared and it was very wary.  I found that interesting since the Song Sparrow was so unaware.  It gave me only seconds to get a photo.  A few quick photos of a moving bird on two occasions was all it offered me.  As you can see above and below, these are all my P900 could manage that day.  Never-the-less, the photos are enough to confirm the identity of these visiting winter sparrows.  I do not know if I have photos of one individual or both.  

Let us review the field marks of this species so we can rule out the earlier proposed identity as a Clay-colored Sparrow.  The sparrow I was seeing had a definite white eyering, a long tail, a pink bill and pink legs.  Its breast was a clear light gray with no streaks.  The back was striped, there was rufous on the crown and behind the eye.  There was also rufous on the nape.  Those field marks make it a Field Sparrow.  I was able to rule out Clay-colored Sparrow based on these features but carefully checked the nape as well.  In the Clay-colored Sparrow the nape is gray.  This bird showed some rufous on the nape.

The other rule outs are Chipping Sparrow and American Tree Sparrow.  The Chipping Sparrow has a black line behind the eye and a shorter tail.  The American Tree Sparrow has a bicoloured bill and a dark spot in the middle of its breast.   The bird in question was definitely neither of these species.  

                                Field Sparrow Showing Rufous on Nape [Bev Schneider Photo]

                Field Sparrow Showing Rufous Behind Eye and Pink Bill [Bev Schneider Photo]

See below for an excellent photo of a Field Sparrow taken by Jim Carroll.  I believe that photo was taken in the fall.  Note how much more rufous this individual looks in fall plumage.  The white eyering is very prominent and see the buffy-orange on the sides and breast.  Also note the lack of streaks on the breast.

                                            Field Sparrow [Jim Carroll Photo]

Field Sparrows are a rare migrant to New Brunswick.  A few have been found here in summer but it is very rare in winter.  To have 3 of them overwintering is very rare.  Thank you to the home owners for keeping the survivors fed throughout the winter.  It is the appearance of rare species like this that keeps birding so interesting.

A Difficult Identification of a Winter Hawk - Let's Learn

 

                                               What Is This Hawk?  [B Schneider Photo]

                                           Another View of the Same Hawk  [B Schneider Photo]

On December 31, 2022 in the afternoon we saw a hawk near route 105 in the Keswick area, York County, which was being harassed by crows.  It was perched about 4 metres off the ground in a maple tree and was intent on what the crows were doing.  That gave me an opportunity to photograph from the car.  Assuming that it was a lighter coloured juvenile Red-tailed Hawk, we drove on to check other birding areas.  When I downloaded my photos later that day I knew this was possibly something else.  It did not look like a Red-tail, so what was it?  I knew some Red-shouldered Hawks had been reported from the province and was not totally sure what a juvenile Red-shouldered looked like.  It certainly looked like a buteo and I ruled out a juvenile Broad-winged because we 'don't have them in winter'.   At least, that is what we birders have thought for many years.  It looked like a smallish buteo but I had nothing to compare it with so wasn't totally sure of its size.

I returned to the area and could not refind the bird.  I sent the photos to my local birding friend and he thought it was a Red-tail but noted the lighter head.  The next level of help came from another of our well-seasoned birders.  He was unsure but ruled out Rough-legged and was hoping for more photos which would show more of an open wing.  He was asking also if I could give an accurate estimate of size.  Both of these were difficult.  No more photos were available.   He was seriously wondering about juvenile Broad-winged Hawk. 

What to do?  I really wanted to know what this hawk was.  I felt an accurate identification was important for our NB records.  So, I moved to another level of expertise in our province.  All the input we could get was valuable.  After studying the photos carefully he ruled out Red-tailed and Rough-legged immediately and leaned toward juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk.  His reasons seemed valid.  First, it looks similar to the immature Red-shouldered Hawk that was in Saint John in the winter of 2019, noting also that the markings on first-winter Red-shouldered Hawks can vary considerably.  Second, referring to Richard Crossley's,  Crossley's Guide to Eastern Birds, it notes that the juvenile Red-shouldered is very similar to the juvenile Broad-winged and it often has evenly spaced heart-shaped streaks.  Crossley also says that the Red-shouldered juvenile has pale areas above and below the eye.  Both these features are seen on the bird we are trying to identify.  However, since the identification is still uncertain, it was suggested I seek the help of our chief hawk birder, Todd Watts.  

The plot gets deeper and more interesting!  So, we have the possibility of either a juvenile Red-shouldered or a juvenile Broad-winged.  After close examination of the photos and referring to many hawk identification texts  (and many hours of hawk identification experience) Todd points out the following for our consideration.  Referring to the photos of our mystery bird, note the lightly marked underside of this individual.  The barring and streaking is mostly limited to the flanks.  This is typical of immature Broad-winged and uncommon in Red-shouldered.  The heart-shaped markings occur on both Red-shouldered and Broad-winged  but they are evenly spaced on the Red-shouldered juveniles which they are not on our mystery bird. 

Todd searched dozens of photos from the Macaulay Library, Cornell Lab or Ornithology,  and submits two as shown below.

                    Juvenile Light Morph Broad-winged Hawk [Macaulay Library]

                        Juvenile Light Morph Broad-winged Hawk [Macaulay Library]

According to Todd, our mystery bird shows many similarities to the above photos of juvenile Broad-winged Hawks.  The heart-shaped spots (although not really diagnostic) are not evenly spaced.  Also similar to the photos are the distribution of the underbody markings, the head markings and the general colouration.  One of the Macaulay photos shows a pale forehead and the other does not.  A pale forehead is common in juvenile Broad-wings but not always present as in the second photo above and in our mystery bird.  Todd notes a mid-throat streak on our bird which is not shown in either of the Macaulay photos.  However, mid-throat streaks occur regularly in Broad-winged Hawks.  

Todd concludes that the mystery bird is a juvenile Broad-winged Hawk.  He sent my photos to one of his hawk identification teachers and his reply was affirming; "In my opinion this is unequivocally a hatch-year Broad-winged Hawk".

So, Broad-winged Hawks here in winter?  In local parlance, who knew?  This certainly was my first thought and I have been birding for many years.  According to our NB Winter Bird List kept by Gilles Belliveau, we have had confirmed Broad-winged Hawk sightings in winter for the last 5 out of 6 years.  And these were juveniles! So what is going on?  This appears to be a recent phenomenon of which many of us are not aware (including me).

What we do know is that juvenile Broad-winged Hawks are very intimidated by the crossing of large bodies of water.  We also know that large flocks are seen circling around southwestern Nova Scotia in the fall.  One might assume this is because they are afraid to cross the Gulf of Maine into southern Maine.  By the end of September and early October most of the adult Broad-winged Hawks in their migration have reached Texas.  What is happening to these flocks of juveniles?  Are the juveniles that we are seeing here in winter stragglers from these flocks that can't seem to find their way south?  

The final destination of these flocks of juvenile Broad-wings is a mystery.  According to Todd, they are rarely seen at New England hawk watch sites.  Are these Nova Scotia flocks breaking up with some managing to make it back to New Brunswick?  How well will they winter?  Todd believes that most of them will not overwinter because of their wasting of fat stores trying to find their way.  Adding to that the tough conditions that winter presents and I expect very few over-wintering juvenile Broad-winged Hawks make it into spring.  Broad-wings are not accustomed to our winters!

This has been a fascinating exercise in hawk identification.  Thanks you to the birders which offered help.  In addition to what I learned about juvenile buteos, I learned that things are changing here for overwintering hawks.  Birding can become complex at times and collaboration often solves difficult identification problems.  

What is a Brewer's Sparrow?

                                                       Brewer's Sparrow [B Schneider Photo]

 What is a Brewer's Sparrow?  That question was asked many times by NB birders after its presence was announced from Quispamsis about 10 days ago.  I can guarantee everyone had to look it up in their favourite bird guides.  The Brewer's Sparrow had never been seen in New Brunswick before.  No wonder birders were shocked and excited.  It became a 'lifer' for almost everyone who saw it.

A small, streaked, faded-looking sparrow appeared at the feeders of a new NB birder in January,  2023.  Being a new birder, she called for help.  It was quickly identified as a Clay-colored Sparrow until our more expert birders started scrutinizing its appearance.  After just 2 or 3 days, and checking with other experts, it was announced that this was indeed a Brewer's Sparrow.  Brewer's, Clay-colored and to some extent, Field Sparrows are very similar Spizella sparrows.  One needs to look very closely to differentiate a Brewer's from a Clay-colored especially when the bird is out of 'context', i.e., out of its normal range and habitat.  

                                                Brewer's Sparrow  [B Schneider Photo]

The Brewer's Sparrow (Spizella breweri) is a small-to-medium sized sparrow (13-15 cm long).  It is the same size as the Clay-colored but smaller than the Song and Field Sparrows.  It is a member of the Passerellidae family.  It was discovered in 1850 by John Cassin who named it in honour of the Boston physician and naturalist, Thomas Mayo Brewer.  Its original range was thought to be western North America in sagebrush country but in 1925 a montane race was discovered in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.  That led to the two distinct races of this species, the sagebrush-dwelling race (breweri) and the montane race (taverneri).  This has led to two nominate groups of this species, the Southern race and the Northern or Timberline race.  These two groups are sometimes listed as subspecies; Spizella breweri breweri for the sagebrush group and Spizella breweri taverneri as the montane group.  Time will tell what the taxonomists will do (if anything) with these two groups.

The Brewer's Sparrow is the drabbest of North American sparrows.  I will describe the taverneri race as having broader black streaks on its back, a darker gray breast with more contrast between gray breast and white belly, a slightly longer tail, and a shorter, stubbier bill.  For the rest of this description, I will be discussing the breweri race which our visitor represents.  The Brewer's Sparrow shows a faded brownish gray overall appearance. It looks small with a long tail and very striped.  Its breast is washed all over with a light gray.  It has a brown cheek patch which is not heavily outlined, a white line under the cheek patch and a dark malar stripe.  The eye has a weak complete white eyering.  The crown is brown streaked with a weak central line.  The nape is gray streaked.  The back is streaked gray brown and there are two weak wing bars.  The legs and feet are pale pink.  The bill is short and pink with a dark tip.  

                                                        Brewer's Sparrow  [B Schneider Photo]

Both genders have similar plumage.  The appearance in summer is affected by wear on the feathers and fading from the sun.  Juveniles look much like the adults but are more streaked and buffier in colour.

This species is so similar to the Clay-colored Sparrow that it is no wonder it was mistaken at first.  The Clay-colored Sparrow has a white central crown stripe, a gray nape, and distinct dark borders to its cheek patches as well as dark whiskers.  

The ranges of the two races of Brewer's Sparrow are different.  The winter range of both races overlap in southern Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, California and northern Mexico.  The summer ranges are different.  The breweri race breeds over most of the western part of the US east of the mountains in sagebrush and scrub habitats.  The taverneri race breeds in summers in the north in brushy habitat at treeline in mountains in Canada (Yukon and NW British Columbia) and eastern Alaska.  The Brewer's Sparrow does wander sometimes out of its range.  According to 'Sparrows & Finches of the Great Lakes Region and Eastern North America', it has been recorded in Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan.  It has been accidental to Massachusetts (Bent).  

The photo below shows the crown stripe and the weak eyering of the Brewer's Sparrow.

                                            Brewer's Sparrow  [B Schneider Photo]

Brewer's Sparrows eat mainly insects and have been shown to be useful controllers of crop pests.  Studies have shown that they eat plenty of plant lice, caterpillars, spiders, beetles, ants, and wasps.  Their diet includes mainly weed seeds in winter.  

Brewer's Sparrows act very secretive around their nests.  They will stay on the nest until the last second and then flair up and quickly disappear in the vegetation, often running along the ground.  They build their nest very close to the ground (less than 1 metre) but not usually on the ground.  The nest is made of dry grass stems and roots and lined with small rootlets, fine grasses and animal hair.  It is supported on the loose vegetation around it.  The average inside diameter of the nest is 50 mm with a depth of 30 mm.  The female lays 3 to 5 bluish glaucous eggs which are speckled and splotched on the large end with dark browns or gray.  The female incubates the eggs 11 to 13 days.  The young fledge in 8 or 9 days and the young depend on the adults for food and protection for several days.  There are often 2 broods per season.

                 Brewer's Sparrow Nest [Source Life Histories of North American Birds by A. C. Bent]

The Brewer's Sparrow is usually quite silent on its wintering grounds except for a tsip call note.  On the breeding grounds it is very vocal uttering long series of trills and buzzes.  Some notes are high and melodical while others are long and buzzy like its cousin, the Clay-colored Sparrow.  They sometimes engage in flock trilling.  On listening to its song on my electronic device, I wish we had them here in summer so we could listen to them!

The drab coloration of this species of sparrow and its shy manner account for its not getting much attention.  I wonder how well we would know it even if we lived in the west or southwest.  However, in migration it does migrate in large flocks.  In times past it was regularly seen in flocks of 50 or 100 individuals.  It has been seen wintering in Texas accompanied by White-crowned Sparrows, Black-throated Sparrows, Vesper and Savannah Sparrows.  At other times these large flocks have been observed to spend a lot of time bathing.   Quoting from Bent, p. 1213, these sparrows 'seem to be spending most of the forenoon hours every day in the mesquites along the overflow ditches, thoroughly wetting the plumage in the shallow streamlets and then perching in the green canopied branch-work above to preen at great length.  Sometimes such bathing parties would be perfectly quiet save for the sound of fluttering wings.  Then again certain individuals would break into prolonged singing...'

The Brewer's Sparrow has declined in some parts of its range due to habitat loss.  It is also vulnerable to cowbird predation.

As of today, February 6, our Brewer's Sparrow visitor is doing well, having survived -35ºC temperatures with high winds two days ago.  

A Good Day Birding

 

                                                                Green-tailed Towhee

On January 3, a day in which the weather was balmy with almost no snow, a friend and I drove the 2-plus hours to Sackville.  Several rare birds including a mega rarity had been reported from there.  Our trip down was uneventful for birds with mainly crows and ravens added to the list except for a Gray Jay which flew across the road in front of us.

At Sackville we missed the exit from the highway and went beyond to the first turn around and came back to where we saw a group of cars parked on the side of the road. That was the clue to where the rare Green-tailed Towhee might be.  It had been reported from the marsh behind the local high school for about the last 3 weeks.  We parked on the side of the big highway, got our gear ready and walked about 100 yards on a very good trail to where three people were gathered.  Having someone ahead of you who already knows where the bird is located is a big help.

                                                            Green-tailed Towhee

The habitat was a  large fresh water marsh with edges growing up in sedges, rushes, grasses and some bushes including red osier, wild roses and alders. Near where the bird was usually found was a gazebo which was heavily laden with full bird feeders. The bird was obviously being well taken care of.  The Green-tailed Towhee was far from home.  It would normally spend summers in the interior area of western US and it would winter in Mexico.  

Approaching quietly with as little disturbance as possible, we set up our cameras and waited with the other people pointing unobtrusively to where the bird was apparently hiding.  We stood there with anticipation waiting for it to appear.  After about 20 minutes a beautiful adult Green-tailed Towhee showed itself as it fed in the ditch among the reeds and bushes.  What a photographic opportunity!  That was the mega-rarity we had come for.  We were able to quietly watch it for about 10 minutes before it returned to hiding.  On the way out was a beautiful White-throated Sparrow.  My friend was able to pick a few rose hips to feed her birds at home while I identified the Speckled Alders we walked past.

                                                                          Great Egret

The next species on our rare bird list for the trip was a Great Egret that had been hanging around the marshy and pond areas of town for over a month.  Checking birding Facebook sites from the day before we knew it had been feeding near St. James Street at the retention pond.  As we were searching for the area another friendly birder led us to the proper area and the best place to park.  Thanks, Gary!

                                                                        Great Egret

There was a large pond in that area with a wonderful network of trails.  We walked along quietly for 100 metres and I spotted the tall white bird hiding among the cattails.  Moving along further gave us a good view as it started wading and feeding.  A Great Egret is no longer super rare here but one in winter certainly is.  This individual appeared to be doing well but one wonders how long it can survive when the ponds freeze over.  

The third rarity was a Yellow-breasted Chat which had been feeding fairly regularly at a feeder in town.  The feeders of this house were visible from the street.  We sat in our car and watched the feeders three different times during the day but did not see the rare visitor.  Also missed that day was a Northern Mockingbird which also was in town.  We did not know where it was hanging out so we did not try to see it.  We were sorry to miss it though.  

                                                                    Yellow-breasted Chat  

                                                                    Northern Mockingbird

After such good birding in town we drove to the ‘official’ marsh, the Tantramar Marsh where we traversed muddy roads looking for whatever birds we could find.  That did not disappoint.  We saw many Ring-necked Pheasants who were feeding in barn yards, in the yards of houses bordering the marsh and in other border areas.  A few Mallard ducks rounded out our list on the marsh.  We saw an Iceland Gull along one road.

                                                            Ring-necked Pheasant

                                                                        Iceland Gull

With time and daylight fleeting we headed for the highway and the long drive home.  That ended a very good outing and a great day birding.

Mactaquac Christmas Bird Count 2022

 

                                                    Red-tailed Hawk - Immature

The Mactaquac Christmas Bird Count was held on January 1, 2023.  New Years Day is the traditional time  to hold this count which has been done for the last 35 years in a 24-km circle extending from Keswick to Upper Kingsclear and French Village to Granite Hill.  The weather was bad this year so the numbers of birds counted were a bit low since a lot of the small birds remained in hiding.  The temperature ranged from 2ºC to 4ºC and it rained all day with at least 60% of the day experiencing heavy rains.

Thirteen people braved the weather and covered their sectors.  Conditions made it tough to get out of the car as much as normally happens.  Three people recorded the birds at their feeders that day.  The group collectively spent 29 hours and covered 480.5 km on the roads.  These brave citizen scientists deserve a big 'Thank You' for their contributions that day!  See below for a list of the birds seen.

Canada Goose	2
Mallard	17
Gadwall	6
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)	2
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) B	11
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) B	8
Sharp-shinned Hawk	2
Red-tailed Hawk	5
Rough-legged Hawk	2
Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) B	4
Wild Turkey	43
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) B	1
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) B	5
Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) B	11
Rock Pigeon	266
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) B	20
Red-bellied Woodpecker	1
Downy Woodpecker	9
Hairy Woodpecker	9
Pileated Woodpecker	1
Gray Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) B	2
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) B	74
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) B	188
Common Raven (Corvus corax) B	10
Black-capped Chickadee	154
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) B	9
White-breasted Nuthatch B	12
Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) B	1
European Starling   (Sturnus vulgaris) B	637
American Tree Sparrow (Spizella arborea) M	19
Song Sparrow   (Melospiza melodia) B	1
Dark-eyed Junco   (Junco hyemalis) B	27
Northern Cardinal	6
Pine Grosbeak   (Pinicola enucleator) B	4
American Goldfinch   (Carduelis tristis) B	13
Evening Grosbeak	79
Yellow-throated Warbler	1
duck sp.	1
Finch spp.
Gull spp.	1
Total No. Birds		1664
Total No. Species		36
Seen during count period -
No. Participants	13
Mammals
.White-tailed Deer	29
Muscovey Duck (domestic)	1
Pigs running loose	6

This was a raptor year.  8 Bald Eagles, 5 Red-tailed hawks, 2 Rough-legged hawks, and 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks is a generous number of raptors.  They certainly were coping with the weather.  The count shows a paucity of small birds.  There hasn't been a big movement of finches into the area yet this winter and the results show it.  There was a lot of open water so it is surprising to see low numbers of waterfowl.  The European Starling count is very high because in our sector we saw a murmuration of Starlings.  There was a huge flock flying as one body rolling and turning in the sky close to us, a beautiful sight.  We estimated 500 birds in that group. 

                                                                    Rough-legged Hawk

 

The Yellow-throated Warbler was seen at a feeder and is a rare vagrant to this area from the south-eastern US.  It should be wintering in Florida, Mexico or the Caribbean Islands. About 25 to 30 of these individuals have been seen here since 1975.  This one will depend on feeders for its survival.  

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is notable and reflects the minor movement of this species into the province this fall from its normal habitat in the south-eastern US northward to about Massachusetts.  

                                                            Yellow-throated Warbler