[NatureNS] Cucukoo-White Point birds

From: Marg Millard <mmillard@eastlink.ca>
To: naturens <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2010 12:04:13 -0300
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Original-Recipient: rfc822;"| (cd /csuite/info/Environment/FNSN/MList; /csuite/lib/arch2html)"

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A  nice day here on the south shore. At the moment it is a bit cloudy but it 
looks to be clearing shortly. There have been a lot of small birds moving 
through at tree top level. I know I've had a number of American Goldfinches, 
more than 20 at a time and then a group of sparrows various. I haven't ever 
seen them move that way before. There were songs and white throats. They 
were the ones I knew for sure. There were others but what I can't say the 
back yard was crawling with them just about dark last evening.
I have had a Blue Jay hanging fairly close to the feeder looking very timid, 
always alone and leaves to sit in the ash tree when other birds come in, to 
return when the others leave. Yesterday afternoon it was here, I am assuming 
the same bird with that air about it, but it had absolutely no tail. Not 
just missing feathers but no tail at all. How long before the tail grows 
back? It was still on the feeder when it was dark outside and we turned on 
the outside light. I haven't seen it all today. There is again a solitary 
Blue Jay there today but it has a lovely long tail and doesn't seem to be 
near as timid.

Treat of treats, we have a cuckoo! I thing maybe a black billed but it is 
the big quince by the driveway or in the border beside it and I just cannot 
get a good look. Definitely a cuckoo. When the yellow billed ones were here 
a few years ago I got the impression of red but with this bird, I haven't 
any such impression. It has been out on the lawn and I don't think it has an 
eye ring, eyes seem very dark. Initially I thought there was an impression 
of and eye stripe but that may have been a shadow from the twigs beside it.

What we are missing are the woodpeckers. I haven't any at all nor do I hear 
any. Anyone else notice fewer? I was overrun with them the past few years 
and now none. I feel abandoned.
Lots of yellow Rumped Warblers out and about.
Oh and we have a white breasted Nuthatch back again. It has been checking 
out the swallow house over the grapevine taking in what appears to be a few 
twigs. Maybe a hidey-hole from stormy weather or a future nesting sight? It 
is eating grapes, or at least puncturing them
Enjoyed the call in show on CBC Friday, Ian.
Question: How do seals bang stones together? I was walking at Beach Meadows 
the other day; the beach behind the old school and this sound was in my head 
and after awhile it came to me the seals which are regularly in a ledgy area 
there were doing something with rocks underwater and it was sounding in my 
head like if I knocked two stones together underwater. I've seen otters 
doing things like that but unless they were rolling them about, I can't see 
how seals could. The sound was an actual striking sound though not a 
roll.......suggestions anyone?
Marg Millard, White Point, Queens
http://MargMillard.ca 


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