Backlog

I just noticed how long it is since I posted so here is a photo filled post with comments as appropriate.

Daniel’s Head, CSI has been interesting recently with a flood of Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Western Sandpiper.

The gulls are pretty straightforward to identify but the sandpiper is one of those species you have to luck into and have some idea of the features to look for. I have looked at thousands of Semipalmated Sandpipers recently, looking for westerns but then, in that peculiar way that birding has, one shows up with just two Semipalmated Sandpipers for company.

Here are some shots of the Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Above, they were not all adults.

Here is the record shot of the Western Sandpiper.

Shorebirding has been very good locally, especially on Cape Island where careful approach can get you just a few metres from the birds.

Dunlin are moving in, here are a mixture of Dunlin shots.

Stilt Sandpipers have been pretty common recently with up to three using roadside pools by d’Eon’s fishing supplies on CSI. More than one of the quicker motorists passing by have had to brake hard as birders have stopped to check the pool.

Here are a few more shorebirds from around CSI.

Semipalmated Plover.

Least Sandpiper.

Sanderling.

White-rumped Sandpiper.

Least Sandpiper left, Semipalmated Sandpiper right.

American Golden Plovers have been consistently around Cape Island and there has been a single Buff-breasted Sandpiper present on the last two visits.

At home I found a good use for an inherited Bell satellite dish, a bird table. The Blue Jays love it and I get the satisfaction of watching them crap on Bell, marvelous.

Warblers have been passing through, mostly at Cape Forchu it must be said. They are not always easy to snap, here are a few attempts. I’ll not bother naming them, you are clever people.

A couple of visits ago Ronnie d’Entremont and I came across this Clay-colored Sparrow, just a few days after I had one in the yard.

Visiting Yarmouth always means a trip to Cape Forchu or Chebogue Point. Last week we’d just left Chebogue when Ronnie called, he’d found a Western Kingbird. We did a perfectly legal U-turn and go there just as it flew back in. I got a shot but it’s not great.

I’ve been seed baiting a couple of spots along Daniel’s Head, so far only Savannah Sparrow but hopefully a passing Dickcissel will find it.

While snapping gulls my tired camera produced the following images showing two frames in one.

Flycatchers are slipping away as autumn cools down. Pity really as there are so many insects around. Here are snaps of an Eastern Kingbird and a Least Flycatcher.

Recently Mike MacDonald called me with a Little Blue Heron in has yard, it posed beautifully.

Finally, we on CSI have our own road signs warning people of birders ahead!

Right, that about wraps it up. I’ll try to keep on top of things, especially as we are down to less than 10% of the bathroom reno to complete, then the world is my byvalve.