Morning Report
6:45AM – 10:45AM
Weather: Fog; wind south @ Beaufort 2 increasing to Bf 3; relatively heavy swell with whitecaps; visibility 1 km or less
Observers: Todd Watts
Continuous counting recorded in 15 minute blocks (the standard protocol is 15 minutes of observations followed by 15 minutes of rest)
Seabird counts:
Eastbound 400 Westbound 45 (standard count periods);
Eastbound 188 Westbound 58 (rest/break periods)
Species observed over the bay: Common Eider, Black, Surf, and White-winged Scoters, Brant, Red-breasted Merganser, Harlequin, American Black and Long-tailed Duck, Green-winged Teal, Common and Red-throated Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Black Guillemot, Razorbill, Common Murre, American Herring, Great Black-backed, and Ring-billed Gulls, Black-legged Kittiwake, Northern Gannet
Parked birds: 1 Common Eider, 1 Common Loon, 1 Black Guillemot, 5 Razorbill, 1 Common Murre
Challenging conditions. Very light activity occurred throughout the period, however spotting the birds was not easy. Loons accounted for a bit less than 50% of the migrants. Gannets were constantly in view. With a significant number of loons on the move, I choose to stay into the afternoon with hopes of documenting a big movement. Casual and often distracted counting between 11AM and Noon produced 317 loons.
At Noon, Paul Martin (the afternoon counter) along with Jan and Ray Riddell, as well as myself began the afternoon count. Loon movement soon became heavy. Flocks appeared throughout the viewscape, with the exception of far behind the building. At the end of the day, 4228 loons had been counted. This appears to represent the largest single day movement of loons ever recorded at the point. As is often the case with loon movements, Red-throated Loons far outnumbered Common Loons.
Two Song Sparrows consumed seed in front of the building. Tree Swallows nesting in the observatory box were present.
No raptors were observed.
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: Fog till 3:00 pm and then it cleared to cloudy with visibility moving from 1km to 20km,Beaufort ( Bf)5 ,Winds South ,11 Deg Celsius and seas whitecaps. , Tide Incoming with High at 4pm .
Observers: Paul Martin, Ray Riddell, Jan Riddell and Todd Watts
During Counts:
Eastbound:2190 Birds Westbound:63 Birds
Rest Period Counts
Eastbound 2178 Birds Westbound 171 Birds
Total birds seen East 4368 West 234
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, American Herring Gull,Ring-billed Gull, Double-crested Cormorant, Northern Gannet, Razorbills, Black-legged Kittiwake, Brants, and Greater Black Backed Gull.
Parked; Common Eider (5), Common Loon (3), Double- Crested Cormorant (1) Red-throated Loon (2), Black Guillemot (2), (3),Northern Gannet (2), and Razorbills (5)
There was a significant movement of Red-throated Loons and Common Loons, with the Red-throated being more abundant. From the moment we started the count , we had a constant movement of loons and it didn’t slow down till just after 3pm. We also had a significant movement of Northern Gannets with a lot of immature birds.
3 Song Sparrow at the seed, a couple of American Crows were about and White-tailed deer by the lighthouse. With the large amount of surf it was difficult to spot parked birds but the porpoises were evident.
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