Morning Report
6:45AM – 10:45AM
Weather: Sunny; winds north @ Beaufort 2 shifting to south; calm seas; visibility 38 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)
Typical of light winds and good visibility, a big chunk of the observed movement occurred far out on the bay, near or beyond the limit of 8 or 10x binoculars. Surf Scoter outnumbered Blacks, but not in a big way. A notable increase in loon movement was observed. The observable movement of these birds was small compared to the bigger flights of late season. However, they may have been the largest of the season so far. An interesting little alcid was observed heading west. Hard to say what is was. Probably just an unusually marked guillemot, but maybe worth noting. The Caspian Tern observed today was eastbound.
Seabird counts:
Eastbound 2243, Westbound 71 (standard count periods);
Eastbound 2404, Westbound 52 (rest/break periods)
Species observed over the bay: Common Eider, Black, Surf, and White-winged Scoters, Red-breasted Merganser, Canada Goose, Brant, Harlequin and Long-tailed Duck, Common Goldeneye, Green-winged Teal, Common and Red-throated Loon, Great and Double-crested Cormorant, Black Guillemot, Razorbill, American Herring, Great Black-backed and Ring-billed Gulls, Caspian Tern, Northern Gannet, shorebird species (not Purple Sandpipers)
Parked birds: 1 Common Eider, 8 Black Scoter, 10 Surf Scoter, 60 dark-winged scoter, 3 Harlequin Duck, 2 Common Loon, 1 Red-throated Loon, 1 Black Guillemot, 3 Razorbill, 2 Double-crested Cormorant, 5 Canada Goose
Song and Savannah Sparrows consumed seed in front of the building. A male Merlin was observed hunting at the point.
The woods and fields were not explored.
The NB Wildlife Trust Fund and NB Environmental Trust Fund help support this project.
Todd Watts
Official Counter
Point Lepreau Bird Observatory
Afternoon Report
From Noon to 4:00 PM
Weather: Overcast, .Beaufort ( Bf)2 to 4,Winds South ,8 to 6 Deg Celsius and seas calm to moderate . Visibility 38 km , Tide flooding .
Observers: Paul Martin, Ruth Rogers, Wendy Rogers
During Counts:
Eastbound:3433 Birds Westbound:36 Birds
Rest Period Counts
Eastbound 2969 Birds Westbound 11 Birds
Total birds seen East 6412 West 47
Species observed over the bay:
Common Eider, Black Scoter, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Long-tailed Duck,Common Loon, Red Throated Loon Black Guillemot, Ring-billed Gull, American Herring Gull, Double-crested Cormorant, Razorbills, Harlequin Duck,Northern Gannet, Brants, Red-necked Grebe and Purple Sandpiper.
Parked; , Common Eider (26), Black Guillemot (4), Razorbills (3), Harlequin Duck (6) , Common Loon (2), Double- Crested Cormorant (3) Black Scoter (307), Surf Scoter (187), Red-necked Grebe (1) Purple Sandpiper (6) and Dark-winged Scoter (230)
2 Song Sparrow 4 Savannah Sparrow, at seed.
There was a front moving in, as the day progressed, more and more flocks were on the move, both far out over the bay and flocks moving close to shore.
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