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Ken McKenna
Box 218 Stellarton NS
B0K 1S0
902 752-7644
kenmcken@pchg.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "James Hirtle" <jrhbirder@hotmail.com>
To: <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
Sent: Saturday, September 02, 2006 8:19 PM
Subject: [NatureNS] Blackbird Flight
Hi James and all
Early this morning on my way to Big I. I encountered a large flock of
Grackles in the Egerton area. This time of year I often encounter a flock in
this area as there are quite a few fields of corn in the area. The flock one
year I think used to roost at night in the intervale of the East River below
my house in Plymouth and at times reached a couple of thousand birds. At the
break of dawn they would leave the roost and head east toward Merigomish. I
am not sure where this flock is roosting this year. I estimated the flock at
500+ but there were probably more birds crossing the road before I reached
them.
Nothing too unusual at Big I. this morning. I tallied just over 60
species. There were 10 species of warbler with MYRTLE (34) and MAGNOLIA(7)
the most common. A male WILSON'S WARBLER was a nice one to see back of
McGee Pond. I tallied 9 shorebird species with SEMIPLAMATED PLOVER (64) the
most common. There were still 31 SHORT-BILLED DOWICHERS present. They have
been there since mid.- August. There were 3 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS with the
flock of shorebirds at the east end of the causeway. Other common birds
were FLICKERS (16), BONAPARTE'S GULLS (100+), COMMON TERN ( 50+) and GREAT
BLUE HERON (37). I caught a brief look at a CASPIAN TERN as it disappeared
out of sight behind some of the Pig Islands. Liz Doull informed me she and
Ann had seen it last night as well.
cheers
Ken
> After a long day at work, I decided to take a walk around the loop of the
> Back Harbour Trail this evening for some exercise and fresh air. On the
> back side of the trail I noted about 20 common grackles. As I approached
> I saw a few other groups of red-winged blackbirds and common grackles of
> similar size. Then a flight began of these birds passing over which was
> great enough that I could hear the wooshing of wings. They kept coming
> and coming and these birds settled into the trees on the backside of
> Lunenburg. I estimated roughly 500 red-winged blackbirds 80 common
> grackles and 50 European Starlings. Definitely and exciting sight to see.
>
> James R. Hirtle
> Lunenburg
>
>
>
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