I don’t have as much budget for petrol as many of my birding friends, however I live near a migratory point (Hartlen Point), and so do my parents in Cape Breton (short driving distance to Donkin).  And so although I cannot visit the banana belt (CSI) as often as I would like, I still make out like a bandit and am getting my share of great birds for sure.

It is the time of the year to be jealous of all your bird friends and they of you, and to want to be in several places at one time.  While visiting Cape Breton this week I frequently wished I were back in Eastern Passage, and some of my friends wished they were here.  And so it goes during fall migration!

Alas, my two present targets have eluded me and one my current nemesis at that.  The Hudsonian Godwits escaped me in Cape Sable Island a few weeks ago, and now I’ve missed them on 3 separate attempts this week in the Morien to Glace Bay region.  Last year I didn’t get my Buff-breasted Sandpipers either and it looks like I will miss them at Donkin as I only have one tropically windy day left on the island.

Although Saturday I intend to bird through the Framboise/Forchu area (thank you for this tip and ongoing Cape Breton inspiration David McCorquodale) and up to Point Michaud before returning to the Halifax area.  Shorebird season is short and exciting so even if I miss my targets it is all to be enjoyed to the fullest.

Cape Breton birds are ridiculously under-documented.  And there are tons of great birding experiences to be had on this island.  Many very knowledgeable birders have lots of local knowledge to share should anyone want to sit them down and record it before it is lost.  Like most things the world seems to stop at the causeway.  I hope more inroads will be built to connect the birders and in particular I would like to see representation on the board again from Cape Breton to the NSBS.  Skype and Facechat are wonderful technologies that are one way to bridge the gap of distance.  As a Cape Bretoner who is now a mainlander this has always been something I’ve tried to tackle in various organizations.  It would be really cool too if someone could get a student to put some historical records from some of these fantastic birders handwritten records and heavily notated field guides into the eBird database even.  Okay stepping off my soapbox now and on to the wonderful birds here on the island and a thank you to the good folk who have made, are are still making such efforts past and present.  Ian McLaren for certain!

Shorebirding in the Cape Breton and Richmond counties is pretty amazing and for me it’s nice to see birds in good numbers that I don’t see more than a few of at home, such as these Ruddy Turnstones.

There is so much coastline that is easily accessible and where there are people they are easy going and friendly and engaged with nature for the most part.  I have had a great time walking with my dog on leash who has met other friendly dogs and met people who have lived here all their life, moved here from away, or are just visiting all with varying knowledge of birds and all interested in learning a little more.

I do hope the island never gets over developed and keeps rich in habitat and attracts visitors who appreciate nature and a slower pace of life.

So all this being said, on my hunt for shorebird rarities (have not even spotted a Bairds yet) I have been striking out for the most part but did find 3 rare non-shorebirds today that were completely unexpected and self found.  And one a lifer to boot!

In Lingan today I found a juvenile Little Blue Heron in a small pond with two Lark Sparrows flitting about in the same spot.

juvenile Little Blue Heron – Lingan, CB, NS September 1st, 2016

Lark Sparrow (one of two seen) Lingan, CB, NS September 1st, 2016

And then when I did my last unsuccessful scout at Schooner Pond for Buff-breasteds I happened upon a group of sparrows making a call I did not recognize.  I noticed they were sort of dark capped and had smooth unstreaked breasts.  I tried to snap some evidence as they quickly made their way through the bushes into the marsh not to be seen again mixed in with goldfinch and songs.  And good thing I’m a quick snapper because my little friend with the bright pink beak turns out to be a Clay-coloured Sparrow.  The photo is horrendous but I cropped it out here so you can at least get the ID if you are a birder who is interested in that type of thing.

Clay-coloured Sparrow – Sept. 1st Schooner Pond, Donkin, CB, NS

Worthy of note is the large number of Great Blue Herons in the area.  Particularly in Port Morien where I counted a minimum of 39 in one view two days ago and certainly there were many more.

Mostly I’ve just enjoyed the birds in some places that are recently discovered for me as birding really encourages you to get to know your own homeland inside and out.  Today was in fact my first visit to Dominion Beach if you can believe it and Macy and I had a lovely walk on the boardwalk checking for shorebirds.

spacey Macy at Dominion Beach

Macy my fine birding companion in training at Dominion Beach

Here is a little collection of my favorite sightings from the past few days.  Nothing too spectacular, but I think all of us nature lovers appreciate the fact that the shorebirds don’t visit for long and it is a natural wonder to be savoured.

Happy Fall Migration,

Angela & Macy (bird dog in training)

what it’s like to bird with an on leash dog – do you see the Ruddy Turnstones beyond those ears?

Growing up in Cape Breton I was always in nature as a child, playing and exploring in the woods surrounded by critters and solitude. The birds were always there but I only noticed a few such as my little cross-country ski companions, the Black-capped Chickadees. Mammals were more worthy of my notice until recently. I never missed a hare or deer in the woods on an adventure, nor was I ever frightened I would encounter a problem with a coyote or bear. The woods have always been the place I feel safest.

As a fairly new birder I’ve made an effort each time I’ve come back to the island to visit to explore a new area and get to know the birds that have been here all along and just caught my attention.  My online quest led me to some interesting material written both by and about this marvelous lady, Bethsheila Kent. And so several months ago I dropped her a line to ask if she could suggest some areas in Victoria country to explore, and much better than hoped she said let’s go birding next time I’m home. And so finally today we had a good ole Cape Breton girls bird day along with my friend Alicia Penney.

The weather was iffy right into our start but we pressed on and thankfully so. The rain was the worst starting out and ending filled with warmer than expected temps and many wonderful birds in the middle. We covered quite a bit of territory in Baddeck and Nyanza and Alicia and I absorbed all this wonderful local knowledge which was not just about birds but flora and fauna, and general great conversation.

Our first birds of the morning were a mated pair of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers who are an uncommon but local and favorite migrant of Nova Scotian birders. It was a treat to observe them at close proximity and watch them harvest sap and listen to their mew like calls.

New to me birds are always a treat and it was wonderful to observe a group of Cliff Swallows for the first time. I had the opportunity to see the difference in flight from the Barn and Tree Swallows I commonly see as we had a good long showing from them. Alicia was able to observe a number of new to her birds, one of which was a wonderful sighting for all of us. A pair of Blue-winged Teals dropped in to one of our stops as we arrived and did not stay long but were clearly visible and enjoyed by all. Had we arrived 5 minutes earlier or 5 minutes later we would not have seen them. These serendipitous moments are a joy of birding indeed.

I was also able to get my best sighting to date of the Boreal Chickadees who are shy, charming, and downright adorable.

Many Warbler species, Vireos, and Flycatchers surrounded us at almost every stop. In Big Harbour we were fortunate enough to watch a pair of Red-eyed Vireos courting and generally enjoying a life perhaps fit for a king and queen, as they flitted bout the bushes on the Bras d’Or Lake.

We also had a lovely show from a solitary Cedar Waxwing and a myriad of Ring-necked Duck pairs.

pair of Ring-necked Ducks

Such a lovely mix of species surrounded by great company and some of the best scenery in the world couldn’t get better you would think, but a sandwich and sweets at the Herring Choker didn’t hurt the cause one bit.

Thank you ladies I look forward to our next Cape Breton girlie bird day!

Happy birding,
Angela

PS – Macy sat this one out but yesterday she helped me find a bunch of Ovenbirds down the road from Mom and Dad’s place.  She’s getting pretty good at this!