[NatureNS] Sandy Cove Rd. Warblers (Belated Report)

Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2017 22:16:52 -0300 (ADT)
From: "plchalmers@ns.sympatico.ca" <plchalmers@ns.sympatico.ca>
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
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Return-Path: <naturens-mml-owner@chebucto.ns.ca>
Original-Recipient: rfc822;"| (cd /csuite/info/Environment/FNSN/MList; /csuite/lib/arch2html)"

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    I had a remarkable though brief encounter with a movement of warblers last week.&#160; I apologize for the late report.
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    Last Sunday, 27 August, was a day of unsettled weather; sun, cloud, and bursts of rain at several points.&#160; I decided to chance it and arrived at the Sandy Cove Road (near Ketch Harbour) at about 4:45 p.m.&#160; Just as I reached the forested height of land before the downhill slope to the cove, I heard a flock of chickadees with other small birds.&#160; When I got out of the car I realized there were a great many other birds, all moving about.&#160; Many of them were sallying forth out of the trees to catch insects - I even saw a Red-breasted Nuthatch do this, not its usual feeding behaviour.&#160;
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    I became aware of a cloud of tiny insects in the air - I continually wanted to brush them away from in front of my face.&#160; They weren&#39;t biting, but they felt like mist in the air.&#160; These were minute, the size of black flies or smaller, with long rather than round bodies, clear wings, and an amber head.
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    Most of the birds were quiet, except for the Chickadees (both species) and the very abundant Common Yellowthroats.&#160; Many of the birds were flycatching, and as I watched they gradually moved across the road, following the insects.&#160; This lasted about half an hour, and in that time I saw and identified about 50 warblers of ten species.&#160; I glimpsed&#160; but did not identify at least as many more.&#160; There were so many that I felt almost anxious that I couldn&#39;t identify them all, and I wished one of my birding companions were with me to&#160;share the experience.&#160;
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    Species seen included Common Yellowthroat (dozens), American Redstart, Cape May (at least 9), Northern Parula, Magnolia, Bay-breasted, Blackburnian, Yellow, Yellow-rumped (all rather fluffy youngsters), and Black-throated Green Warblers.&#160;&#160; There were no vireos or flycatchers with them, which I thought odd.
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    After a while the drift of insects was over, and all that remained were dozens of Common Yellowthroats in the alders.&#160; They weren&#39;t part of the movement.
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    Down at the cove I found two Solitary Sandpipers,and some peeps,&#160;but lacking a scope, missed the Baird&#39;s.&#160;
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    As I began my return I noticed another little drift of insects and a burst of activity while I was still on the flat, alder- lined part of the road.&#160; Here were more Cape Mays, American Redstarts, the first Chestnut-sided I&#39;d seen today, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, and Black-throated Green Warblers.&#160; Again they gradually moved across the road and out of sight.&#160;
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    Other noteworthy birds seen included a flock of Blue Jays and 3 Grey Jays, which sounded the alarm when a Merlin appeared, and at least five Northern Flickers.&#160; I will submit a full list to Ebird.
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    Cheers,
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    Patricia L. Chalmers
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    Halifax
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