Rare Bird Alert! A King Eider (male) was spotted this afternoon by Paul Martin at the Point Lepreau Bird Observatory
Morning Report
7:30AM – 11:30AM
Weather: Cloudy. Showers into mid-session; NE winds @ Beaufort 2; seas relatively calm; visibility 5 to 30+km
Observers: Todd Watts
Continuous counting recorded in 15 minute blocks (the standard protocol is 15 minutes of observations followed by 15 minutes of rest)
Only a few hints of migration during the first hour. Activity developed during the second hour, increasing into the third and fourth as precipitation ended. The majority of migrants arrived in fairly large flocks, appearing at irregular intervals, which is observed in the counts (far more birds during the rests). Parked birds were few. However, several rafts of eider formed. The largest contained more than one hundred individuals.
Seabird counts:
Eastbound 723, Westbound 152 (standard count periods);
Eastbound 1712, Westbound 33 (rest/break periods)
Species observed over the bay: Common Eider, Black, Surf, and White-winged Scoters, Red-breasted Merganser, Brant, Harlequin, American Black, and Long-tailed Ducks, Common Goldeneye, American Widgeon, Green-winged Teal, Common and Red-throated Loon, Black Guillemot, Razorbill, American Herring, Great Black-backed, and Ring-billed Gulls, Northern Gannet, Purple Sandpiper
One Snow Bunting plus three or four Song Sparrows consumed seed placed in front of the building.
The woods and fields were not explored. No raptors were observed.
The NB Wildlife Trust Fund and NB Environmental Trust Fund help support this project.
Todd Watts
Official Counter
Point Lepreau Bird Observatory
Saint John Naturalists’ Club
Afternoon Report
Noon to 4:00 PM
Weather: Cloudy , winds from the North West,Beaufort ( Bf) 3, 2 to 4 Deg Celcuis and moderate swell. Visibility 38 kim .. Tide was High at noon and then receded.
Observers: Paul Martin
During Counts:
Eastbound 2535 birds Westbound 76 Birds
Rest Period Counts:
Eastbound 726 birds Westbound 35 Birds
Total birds seen 3372
Species observed over the bay:
Common Eider, King Eider, Black Scoter, Surf Scoter, White winged Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Harlequin Duck, Long-tailed Duck,Common Loon, Razorbill, Glaucous Gull, Iceland Gull, American Herring Gull, Brant Geese, Great Black Backed Gull, Northern Gannet, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Great Cormorant, Double Crested Cormorant, Black Duck, Common Golden-eye, Northern Shoveler and Purple Sandpipers
A Snow Bunting and 1 Song Sparrow were out by the seed, 3 crows flying nearby and a couple of porpoises and a seal were seen.
During the last count cycle a large raft of scoters and eiders landed just West of the observatory, over 400 birds with the King Eider male in breeding plumage being amongst this raft. The King Eider was at one point parked directly out front allowing me to get some photos. What a great way to finish the day!
This project is supported with funds provided through the NB Wildlife Trust Fund and the NB Environmental Trust Fund
Paul Martin
Official Counter
Point Lepreau Bird Observatory