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Saanich and serendipity : birding the Swartz Bay to Victoria route on Vancouver Island – February 2018

BEYOND, Birds, British Columbia, Canada, Travel

Following a wonderful work conference in Vancouver last week, I took the opportunity to visit Vancouver Island for the first time over the weekend.

The quest for the perfect birding location not too far from downtown Van began last fall and I quickly narrowed it down to the Victoria region after consulting the Birding in British Columbia website.

A few years ago, I spent the day with a great birder in Las Vegas, Je Anne, who taught me to study the birds of the area you are visiting in advance and this has always stuck with me.

Along the way I’ve also learned not to wish for birds, but to look for what is expected in an area for the habitat and season.

Victoria is quite warm compared to the rest of British Columbia and migration comes earlier, although by and large I wanted to tick expected species not native to Nova Scotia such as the Chestnut-backed Chickadee.

Last year I birded Stanley Park after the conference and was most disappointed that I could not locate a Black Oystercatcher, and believe it or not, a Chestnut-backed Chickadee.  So, the wish list starts there.

By Vancouver standards, quite a bit of snow had fallen overnight, and the city looked just beautiful from the Skytrain.

The bus ride from the train to the Twassen Ferry was quite messy as they didn’t plow, and we got a little stuck at one point but it was no big deal.  Besides, we passed a group of Trumpeter Swans in some flats on the way and it was the first lifer of the trip so I knew I was on track.  My co-worker who was also heading for Victoria, was underwhelmed by this sighting as is often the case with non-birders.   We birders are used to this and shan’t be discouraged…LOL

Once we boarded the ferry I left my bags inside with my fine friend and went outside in search of feathered ones.  I dipped on a few Alcids that I believe I missed by about a week, so I have a reason to return I suppose.

Rhinoceros Auklet and Ancient Murrelet were the two who got away.  But I did pickup many Pacific Loons in the pass, which was pretty amazing but sadly no photos as there were so many birds I couldn’t figure out who to shoot.

From the ferry I headed for the car rental place which turned out to be right on the road I’d been told to visit for Eurasian Skylarks.  As predicted they were fairly easy to hear, and just as impossible to see.  Next.

I had my heart set on finding Canvasback Ducks but believe I missed them by days.  With a heavy heart I set out to leave the Viaduct Flats but as I approached my car I heard the Robins making a ruckus and looked up to see the biggest Fox Sparrow I’ve ever seen high on a branch.  Wait a minute, is that a Northern Pygmy Owl?  Holy binoculars batman that is amazing!  Backlit, Robin-sized, and perched high my shots will not be NatGeo quality, but I’ll take it.

On that note, the pressure I put on myself to achieve great photos in these circumstances is ridiculous.  Riding around by myself to marshes and flats nobody who lives in the area even heard of with hardly time to stop in each place, overwhelmed by the songs of new to me birds, and changing lighting conditions, it is what it is.  I must accept that a photo shoot is a very different beast.  This is birding, and it’s all about doc shots.  Some turn out not too badly and maybe someday you get to have a bit of time to do a shoot with a favorite down the road.

Anyway, I sort of thought that was good enough for one day and was thinking about calling it a day and trying to formulate a plan for the morning.

I got it in my head pretty early on that the Martindale Flats would be the mecca of my birding time, so when I saw a large sign on the highway for Martindale Road I couldn’t resist putting in some more birding time before supper even though I’d skipped both breakfast and lunch.

Serendipity for the second time that day as I met two of the best birders from the area, Daniel and Michael, who gave me a little tour of a local hotspot in the flats and helped me located a flock of Western Meadowlarks, Golden-crowned Sparrows and Brewers Blackbirds after looking over my list.

Mike and Daniel

Golden-crowned Sparrows

I did eventually head off for supper with a new major nemesis on the brain.  Damn you Barn Owls, this is not over!

Sunday morning, I decided to start early right on the property where I was staying.  The habitat at the Swartz Bay Farm and the end of Land’s End Road near the ferry is nothing short of amazing.  Landed four lifers (here is my list) before I finished my morning coffee!  As well the sheer quantity of songbirds on the property is amazing and there was only one small feeder that may not have even had food in it.

There were several birds I could not identify on site that eluded me.   One was grunting and sounded large so possibly a ground/game bird?

One bizarre large sounding loud alarm call in the brush with the Towhees I never did identify.  I’ve never heard anything like it and nothing came to mind, although perhaps to locals it would be familiar.  I like a good mystery, so I’ll be back (or maybe for now I’ll just stalk other people’s eBird reports as it’s long drive from Nova Scotia).

I heard one song I would call Townsend’s Solitaire but won’t list it as I can’t be certain and didn’t locate the bird for sighting.  Heard the Vireo scold call several times so would assume it was a Hutton’s Vireo but won’t list that either.  Both are expected migrants for this time of the year, so I would not think either out of the question.  The one bird I heard very distinctly that is not expected and rejected by eBird is a Black-throated Green Warbler.  However, that is a bird I know by ear unmistakably so if it was not present then a mimic bird such as a Starling must be up to some tricks (and that is something that does happen for you non-birders).  Again, nothing like a good mystery.  I’d be delighted to see some eBird reports for this area.  Perhaps get permission to bird the property as the people who run the inn are very nice.  As well the little walking path by the highway across the street continues to be very birdy.  I can’t make it back until next year at best, but it was great to be fully immersed in the music of songbirds.  Overwhelming at first, things started to make sense as I put sightings together with songs and eliminated species and did some detective work.  My spring ears aren’t even on yet as it’s the dead of winter in Nova Scotia, so I am pleased with how things turned out overall.  Learning regional birds takes time so it’s coming along slowly for my British Columbia lists.

I had a free hour and a half for birding before meeting a good friend for lunch in Sidney, so decided to check out the Saanichton Spit.  It took me a long time to find it but it was really worth the effort.  Much of what I expected to see was not around this week (the theme of the weekend) but I got good looks at some Western Meadowlarks and was greeted by a group of 18 Northern Pintails and a number of very nosy Anna’s Hummingbirds so left pretty happy.  Next time I will dedicate more time to this area and it’s spectacular habitat.

Western Meadowlark

Anna’s Hummingbird

I put an end to land-bird hunting for this trip and devoted the afternoon to search for shorebirds and seabirds.  Much dipping ensued but that is not always bad as you know.

The Black Turnstones and Surfbirds were both to be an easy catch, alas neither made an appearance.  I figured at this point I’d narrow things down to my one shoreline nemesis, the Black Oystercatcher, and was prepared to put in the rest of the time before my flight for a look at one.

As I ran out of places to search at Cattle Point, a nosey group of River Otters popped up on the rocks and that was so wonderful I thought that was the end of gifts from the universe for the day.

River Otters - Victoria, BC

River Otters

No sooner did I put the keys in the ignition did two Oystercatchers pop into sight right in front of my car.  Hopped out and got my photos before they flew up alarmed and back out of sight.

Honestly, at this point it’s all gravy so I took a little stroll down at Turkey Head and saw yet another Black Oystercatcher, but this time much closer.

Black Oystercatcher - Victoria

Black Oystercatcher

Overall a pretty great day, and as often happens to me the minute I got in the car and started driving it started raining hard.

That is always my signal that the little portal to the birding heaven has closed for the day.

Get it where you can I say, we all need a little bit of wonder in our day.

Sixteen new to me birds for this weekend included:

  • Black Oystercatcher
  • Northern Pygmy Owl
  • Trumpeter Swan
  • Chestnut-backed Chickadee
  • Bushtit
  • Eurasian Collared Dove
  • Eurasian Skylark
  • Red-breasted Sapsucker
  • Red-shafted Northern Flicker (ours in Nova Scotia are the same, only Yellow-shafted)
  • Bewick’s Wren
  • California Gull
  • Golden-crowned Sparrow
  • Pacific Loon
  • Pigeon Guillemot
  • Western Meadowlark
  • Brewers Blackbird

Favorite photo of the weekend is not the sharpest, but it makes me smile.

Golden-crowned Sparrow with a sleepy friend

Thank you, Mother Nature, for being most agreeable, and to all the lovely people I met along the way.  Until we meet again…Happy Birding.

  • Angela

when no kill doesn’t mean no kill – death and accountability in rescue

Barks, BEYOND

An incredibly sad tale ending in a dog’s death was articled in the Herald this week.  My heart just breaks in two reading stories like that and it’s the second dog killed by another dog that’s been reported this month.

First off, let me reiterate that my current line of thinking is that socialization is more important that training.  I’m meeting dog aggressive dogs all over Atlantic Canada these days.  Something is up with this for sure as dogs are social creatures and by default get along just fine.  Humans are mucking the whole thing up with shock collars and prong collars and lack of general dog knowledge.  Sorry I had to say it.  I even encountered someone in my neighbourhood a while ago who was correcting his dog for smelling another dog’s butt and trying to make it go nose to nose.  Thankfully he owns a marshmallow dog, they can make the bad dog owners seem like they can take credit for an unshakeable great temperament somehow.

For the portion of the population who do not own marshmallow dogs, some skill and education in dog behavior is necessary to raise a good canine citizen.  A very smart dog behaviorist I know says it take two years of work with your dog to get the dog you want.  So that means two years of vigilance to properly raise a puppy, and two years of effort to shine up your rescued dog.

Anyway, a dog that is unfriendly to other dogs will rarely do serious damage.  Most “dogfights” are all noise, with a healthy dose of snapping, growling, and knock downs but rarely draw blood.  A real dog fight that draws blood is scary and dangerous to dogs and humans.  Again, most dogs are not like this.  Most people have dogs who are simply not properly socialized or have had bad experiences that cause them to be frightened, or bully other dogs.

So, when I hear an actual animal shelter manager say something like we have no control over dog fights between dogs we have adopted out in response to a dog death, my heart sinks into my belly

http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1501475-shelter%E2%80%99s-dog-screening-questioned-after-fatal-enfield-dog-attack

As of the time this dog fatally attacked another dog, he had already been failed four times by human society.

1 ) by the breeder – nobody who facilitates a puppy being born into the world should ever allow them to go to an unsuitable home – nobody should put profit above the welfare of animals – nobody should allow dogs with aggression problems have puppies – and all puppies should be properly raised and socialized starting with the breeder’s premises – the best lessons a puppy learns should be from it’s furry family for a good early start

2) 1st owner – neglected to deal with serious issues this dog had – a qualified behaviorist should have been consulted – if the dog was this dangerous euthanasia may have even been recommended – as it stands now that is probably what is in store for this poor soul anyway

3) the shelter – animal shelters and rescues should simply not adopt out red flag dogs – if the dog came into their care exhibiting this level of aggression rehabilitation can be considered but more likely euthanasia is appropriate – and in my opinion that is the job of the owner, not the shelter so take some responsibility please for your pet’s behavior – do not let aggression continue to increase in intensity – at first signs it needs to be dealt with or it becomes pretty much impossible to curb – there is only management of serious aggression – which would certainly mean this dog was not to be in contact with other dogs – I don’t know what the screening process of the Moncton SPCA is either but hopefully they did NOT knowingly adopt out a dog that had the propensity for this level of violence – and sorry but to chalk this up to a “dogfight” you have no control over is PURE bullshit

4) second owner – read above – this dogs was NOT to be in contact with other dogs – perhaps the seriousness of this was not made clear – perhaps the shelter didn’t tell you the dog was actually able to inflict damage, not just be a bully and posture with dogs and make a bunch of noise – there is a huge difference – either way it makes little sense as the story reads why you would allow that dog to have the opportunity to attack another dog this way – and for you again to say it’s just a dogfight and nobody can control that?  Sorry I call bullshit again.  Certainly, much of the fault lies on the shelter for a bad placement though as you could not provide a safe environment for a large, aggressive dog (who could?).

I expect this poor Mastiff that has been failed four times is already dead.  His young life filled with confusion and violence.  Who likely should never have been born.  My heart breaks this tortured soul who never had a chance to be happy in this world.  I would really like to know who was responsible for him coming into the world.  Blood is on your hands.  Especially with a giant breed dog litters of puppies are not to be taken lightly.

My heart breaks for this poor husky who was torn to pieces and died.  My heart breaks for the owner whose beloved pet was killed violently.

There is every reason to expect that dogs are evaluated and homed properly by rescues.

Sadly, there are some bad rescue groups putting aggressive dogs into homes in Atlantic Canada (and many great rescue groups too of course).

Please do your research when adopting a dog.  And for that matter, when buying a puppy.  Because raised improperly, a dog can become a liability.

Many amazing dogs come from rescues and shelters.  Almost everyone I know has a wonderful rescued dog.  Some have problems and quirks to work through, but aggression is rarely one of them (and never that level of severity) and never to be taken lightly.  It is extremely irresponsible of a rescue group or shelter to send a dangerous dog out into the community.

My hope is the Moncton SPCA did not understand the issues this dog had.  And my greater hope is that the shelter, and all shelters and rescues in our community are looking to this as a lesson and consulting with professionals and behaviorists for advice and screening recommendations.

Most dogs can be saved.  Most responsible rescues are “low kill” which means they save every animal they can and only euthanize for serious aggression or illness.  Nobody who is doing things right can be “no kill” because unfortunately by the time a dog is surrendered to a shelter or rescue it has already been failed many times.  It’s their last hope.  Some of them are out of chances.

Spay or neuter your pet please.  We need less of these stories.  We need animal shelters and rescues to be for emergency only and have the resources to do things properly so tragedies like this can’t occur.

Because this time, no kill was anything but no kill.

RIP to all the dogs who lost their lives due to the fault of humans.

a little early summer Cape Breton birding

Atlantic Canada, Birds, Canada

It’s a tradition for me to come down to Cape Breton each summer to go swimming with my nieces, and see my best girlfriends.

This is the 3rd year I’ve incorporated some birding into the mix, and Cape Breton is definitely a favorite place to bird for many reasons.  Now that I’ve adopted a busy Border Collie things don’t always go as planned, but I will say I am not bored at all.  Eh em.

I set reasonable birding goals for myself for the week to allow for Border Collie playdates, and achieved the first goal on Tuesday morning when I was finally able to photograph a Mourning Warbler.  Not my best work, but still delighted to have them.

Macy and I near got carried off by the giant horseflies to get these shots, but eventually discovered that Atlantick spray repels these flying monsters.

Anyway, here is Mr. Handsome.

Realistically, there will be very little birding time but last night I enjoyed a mecca birding evening on a Bird Island Boat Tour.  Thank you David McCorquodale for organizing a few of us for this fabulous time, perfect suggestion!

And since I won’t top that this week, and have run out of time anyway, I will leave you with some highlights from last night’s magical evening.

My favorite shot is of the very common, Double-crested Cormorants.  I follow my friend Paul’s advice to “shoot everything” and take what I get.  Often we overlook things in pursuit of the rare bird but there is beauty in all of nature.

Double-crested Cormorants

And really, there could never be too many puffins right?

 

Bringing home the bacon.

a perfect April day in Stanley Park, Vancouver

BEYOND, Birds, British Columbia, Travel

My camera (left the bins at home since my super zoom doubles as a scope) had come out of checked baggage with a blurry viewfinder and the idea of spending the day birding in British Columbia with no optics loomed over me like the rain clouds.

The first two days in Vancouver were spent with my coworkers from RC Pets (the best pet company in North America and the best coworkers too btw!) and they took us on an amazing tour of the Sea to Sky highway and up the Sea to Sky Gondola.  I was frustrated with the camera of course but managed to nab my first lifer of the trip, a Steller’s Jay.  We also heard the amusing calls of the Sooty Grouse under the suspension bridge.  Groups of small chattery birds flew by several times but without my zoom I couldn’t figure out what they were.  My guess best guess would be Mountain Bluebirds based on impression but I’ll never know.  Guess I better go back someday!  The snowshoe hikes looked like great fun in fact.

Steller’s Jay

It was sad to leave my coworkers and friends but also fantastic to have an upcoming day to myself.  I headed to English Bay for the evening after a fabulous farewell supper with some of the gang.

A White-crowned Sparrow singing loudly outside my window at the Sylvia as my alarm went off inspired some hope.  I decided I had to do something about this situation.  I phoned my other half back home and we googled the prices of cheap binoculars.  As I contemplated picking up a $50 set at London Drug just to make the day somewhat worthwhile the suggestion was made to google “blurry viewfinders”.

White-crowned Sparrow

The clouds parted as I located the diopter on my camera and corrected the view.  On with room service, shower, and Stanley Park then!  Whew!

Greeted by Canada Geese, Glacous-winged Gulls, and Northwestern Crows I made my way along the beach in English Bay toward this glorious urban haven.

Northwestern Crow – a little different that our American Crows back home on the East Coast

Glaucous-winged Gull (my first lifer in English Bay!)

Glaucous-winged Gull – we don’t have these on the East Coast – not the lack of black on the wing tips – the distinguishing feature from our Herring Gulls

Northwestern Crow – courting behavior – I had a little crow porn outside my window at the Teahouse at that…oy!

Armed with my wish list of lifers (and 2 down already!), the Spotted Towhees loudly and immediately checked themselves off my list.

Stanley Park is known for it’s hummingbirds, and although I’m not a huge fan the Rufous Hummingbirds were a bit of a showstopper admittedly.

Rufous Hummingbird male

Rufous Hummingbird female

Having done my homework for the time of year the coastline seemed the better bet, so I followed the sea wall dreaming of Oystercatchers and Canvasbacks along the way.

Although they never appeared, hundreds of Barrow’s Goldeneyes accompanied me throughout the day, along with an initial greeting from a pair of Horned Grebes in breeding plumage.

Barrow’s Goldeneye male

Barrow’s Goldeneye female

Woodland birds called along the way and took me on marvelous diversions into the old growth forest for at least half of the time.  The Pacific Wren were the highlight of my adventure and with some patience I got a marvelous show from one of these teeny songsters.

Pacific Wren - April 13, 2017 - Stanley Park, VancouverThe easiest bird on my checklist (Chestnut-backed Chickadee) managed to evade my sightings, although I did hear them all over it never seemed important to track one down for a photo.  As well my Eagle sightings were both Bald and neither Golden, but this was a day for wandering and not twitching.

Lost Lagoon was full of Wood Ducks and I also got a nice show from a Fox Sparrow.

Wood Ducks - April 13, 2017 - Stanley Park, Vancouver

Fox Sparrow - Stanley Park - Vancouver - April 13, 2017

My outdoor classroom for the day was filled with song, wonder, and lessons on habitat.  An old-growth forest is like nothing else on this earth.  Back home in Nova Scotia there we have very little of it (please consider supporting the Nova Scotia Nature Trust), but in the pockets that still exist our equivalent woodland birds and critters are just as happy.

Trusting that nature would take care of me I trekked the kilometers through the park and when I thought I could take no more, the Teahouse oasis appeared.

 

Another scan of the seawall didn’t net the results I had hoped for but the Pelagic Cormorants appeared, and a solo Harlequin Duck put on a lovely show alongside a pair of Green-winged Teal.

Pelagic Cormorants

Harlequin Duck - April 13, 2017 - Stanley Park, Vancouver

Sore feet snuck up on me, and the perfect path took me into the middle of the park to avoid the long sea wall trek. A sheltered oasis of stream and marsh greeted me in the Beaver Lake area of the park.  Great Blue Heron fished for minnow in the creek and Swallows snatched insects amidst the waterfowl.

Great Blue Heron - April 13, 2017 - Stanley Park, Vancouver

My camera battery died as I meandered out of the park but not before a Pileated Woodpecker appeared who let me so close I was able to get this video on my phone without the need of any zoom.

A perfect day in Stanley Park.  I will return.

of wood and warblers : musings on my upcoming 3rd spring migration season as a birder in Nova Scotia

Atlantic Canada, BEYOND, Birds, Canada

Warblers are among the highest prized things with wings for the avid birder.  And they call them wood-warblers for a reason.

I’ll be heading into my 3rd migration season as a birder with a bit of a heavy heart as I’ve recently become aware of the full extent of the clearcutting that is happening in Nova Scotia.

As well that a 13-mill consortium called Westfor has their eye on the Western Crown Lands which have been described  as “the last great wood basket” not committed to pulp companies, which will effectively destroy the last of our forests here in the province.

To enjoy spring migration to the fullest, brushing up is always recommended.  So, partially to encourage some discussion about the preservation of mixed, multi-aged forest in Nova Scotia, and partly as a little research project for myself to prepare I spent much of today studying the breeding habitat of Nova Scotia wood-warblers.

Of the 40 Wood Warblers that have been recorded in Nova Scotia, 22 of them breed here both currently and historically.  Two have been added to the list recently but one (Yellow-breasted Chat) was certainly incidental and the other (Pine Warbler) could be the beginning of an expansion of breeding territory to come in future years.

My lifelong love of walking in the woods, and back-country canoe camping in recent years, have proven to be a great foundation for studying our wood-warblers first hand.  While writing this today I realized that I’ve observed a great deal of warbler behavior and habitat in my two short years of birding.  And I’ve had some amazing mentors in these two years, I must admit and am so thankful for your guidance (you all know who you are and you are awesome).

There is still much to learn (this is a living work and I’m definitely at the beginning end of things) so I’ve referenced the following materials extensively today:

to compile the little spreadsheet below at the end of this post.

Someday I hope to write a book at which point I’ll work on more detailed citations, but for today I had time to write a blog in hopes it will inspire a few people to dig deeper into this issue.  Emails with corrections are always welcome and appreciated!

Anyway, basically our beloved wood-warblers drop in during spring migration, disperse into appropriate habitat, breed, and then flock off in the fall migration.

The NSBS hosted a presentation by Donna Crossland last Thursday evening  where I learned there is not much left of less than 1% of our old growth Acadian Forest left (it was about 50% in pre-Colombian times, and 15% in the 1950s) and even the remaining younger, multi-aged  (not clear-cut) Acadian forest is in grave danger.

Most of Nova Scotia’s working forest is clear cut.  We are on a 55-year cut cycle, far too short to maintain the Acadian forest which should be selectively harvested (not clear-cut), and trees such as red spruce, hemlock, and sugar maple allowed to grow to 150 years of age (or more).  The Nova Scotia government promised to reduce clear-cutting, and has done no such thing.

(thank you David Patriquin for the clarification of our forest compositions)

Aside from soil erosion leading to potential coastline erosion, and the release of carbon into the environment (remember plants remove carbon dioxide from the environment into the soil) imagine the horror for the birds and other animals who lose their homes, and inevitably perish.

Basically, if we keep chopping down their homes they will have nowhere to breed.  They are increasingly showing up to find their habitat and food had been destroyed which is a problem for both the present and the future.  My focus here is on the wood-warblers but many other bird species require the very specific habitat of the Acadian Forest such at the Black-backed Woodpecker, and the Nothern Goshawk to name just two.

Anyway, as I reflect on my last two years in birding I am reminded that you have to do a bit of work to find some of the most prized wood-warblers.  Well it’s not work for me at all to walk in the woods, but it’s something not many people seem interested in doing these days somehow.  All my favorite magical forests are old-growth forests and largely Acadian it would turn out, with Keji being one of my most treasured places to spend time.  I’ve also greatly enjoyed walking in the Thomas Raddall provincial park, the Abraham Lake Nature Preserve, the Mount Uniacke Estate park, the Herbert River Trail, and the woods around my parents’ house just to name a few.

I remember looking up so high in the trees to spot the singing Blackburnian Warbler in Mount Uniacke Estates park and realizing this now scarce habitat explains why they are not always easy to find in Nova Scotia.

Blackburnian Warbler (new to me today) June 1st, 2016 Mount Uniacke Estate Park

It occurs to me now why many of the seasoned birders frequently comment there are “no birds anymore”.  Migration season used to be a very different experience here in Nova Scotia apparently.  And that is very sad isn’t it?

Someone needs to do something and I agree with Donna Crossland who suggests the birders are the perfect people to spearhead the cause.

Simply put, clear-cutting is short sighted and harmful to wildlife.  We deserve a sustainable forestry industry in Nova Scotia that is guided by good science and education, and stewarded by forestry experts, not lumber executives.  And now that I know we are sending all this biomass to China and Turkey I am steaming mad.  We are chopping down all our forests for a cheap buck and sending it away in little wood chips.  Nothing to be proud of, indeed.

I don’t know much about the South Shore forests, but I do know the “banana belt” hosts some of the best birding opportunities in Nova Scotia and the birders down there are hopefully ready to chase Westfor right out of town.  I’ve not done the warbler run in Yarmouth but I’ll bet that strip on Thomas Road and Jerry Road is all old-growth forest, and it’s probably on the chopping block (literally). (I have found out since I posted this from Alix d’Entremont that the area I mention in Cape Forchu is not old-growth in fact but the Quinan and Great Barren Lakes Reserve and also Sporting Lake are likely the last stands of old-growth forest in South Western Nova Scotia.)

As a little aside, maybe we only hear of protecting the Boreal Forest because the Acadian Forest is pretty much already gone?

I digress, but basically we have two types of wood-warblers that visit Nova Scotia.  We have the “vagrants” who don’t belong here really, and certainly don’t breed here.  They are the ones who have us scanning multi-flora behind funeral homes and other odd places during migrations or fall outs, and making the non-birders wonder what the heck we are doing.  Then we have those 22 warblers who come to Nova Scotia specifically to make babies and fly off with them in the fall.  They go in two waves, the parents and new birdies typically not together.  It is a joy or nature everyone should witness so please consider getting involved and engaged with this issue.  In my opinion land conservation and activism is one of the best places you can donate your money or your time in our province.

I smile as a remember some of my favorite birding moments have involved fledgling birds, specifically warblers.

Anyway, look through the list for yourself and decide what you think is worth protecting.  And remember, these are the canaries of our proverbial coal mines because if they are in danger, so are we…

“I’m like a bird, I’ll only fly away I don’t know where my soul is, I don’t know where my home is” – Nelly Furtado

Wood Warbler Breeds in NS historically Breeds in NS currently Prerred Vegetation
American Redstart yes yes alders tall shrubland garden shrubbery
Bay-breasted Warbler yes yes (in decline) tall conifers
Black-and-white Warbler yes yes broad leafed and mixed woodlands
Blackburnian Warbler yes yes tall conifers
Blackpoll Warbler yes yes cool, damp spruce
Black-throated Blue Warbler yes yes broad leafed mature woodland stands
Black-throated Gray Warbler NO no
Black-throated Green Warbler yes yes mature mixed but also broken fir and spruce
Blue-winged Warbler NO no
Canada Warbler yes yes broad leafed trees / shrubs / dense understory
Cape May Warbler yes yes (in decline) tall Spruce
Cerulean Warbler NO no
Chestnut-sided Warbler yes yes shrubs / raspberry / forest edge
Common Yellowthroat yes yes scrubby brush / cutover / marsh
Connecticut Warbler NO no
Golden-winged Warbler no no
Hermit Warbler no no
Hooded Warbler NO no
Kentucky Warbler no no
Louisiana Waterthrush no no
Magnolia Warbler yes yes open woodlands / balsam fir
Mourning Warbler yes yes dense deciduous shrubbery woodland edges
Nashville Warbler yes yes open woodlands and shrublands
Northern Parula yes yes mature forests uses old man’s beard for nests
Northern Waterthrush yes yes damp mixed woodlands alder and cedar
Orange-crowned Warbler no no
Ovenbird yes yes Blue-bead Lily under the Broad-leafed trees
Palm Warbler yes yes low conifers / bog / shrubs
Pine Warbler no (NB yes) one nesting in Truro 2010 recorded in the 2nd breeding atlas – also thought to be breeding in Miller Point Peace Park in Bridgewater and in Oafield Park near Enfield for a few years now pine
Prairie Warbler no no
Prothonotary Warbler no no
Swainson’s Warbler NO no
Tennessee Warbler yes yes (in decline) spruce/fir for the budworm
Virginia’s Warbler no no
Wilson’s Warbler yes yes shrubland early forest succession
Worm-eating Warbler no no
Yellow Warbler yes yes urban gardens / shrubbery / old fields / streams / marshes
Yellow-breasted Chat no 1 probable” record in NS during the second atlas dense shrubbery with a preference for blackberry
Yellow-rumped Warbler yes yes dense spruce cover and bayberry for food (wax myrtle)