Morning Report
7:00AM – 11:00AM
Weather: Clouds and Fog; winds west to northwest @ Beaufort 1-2; seas developing some swell; variable visibility ranging from from 150 metres to 35 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)
Visibility was roughly 20 km at 7AM. By 9AM, it had reduced to as little as 150 metres before beginning to move out before 10AM. Activity was heaviest before the fog moved in. Many of the scoter flocks were quite high. Some groups raced around the corner, while others were very distant with many between. Hardly anything parked, which continues to concern this observer. Surf Scoter accounted for roughly half of the dark-winged scoters identified to the species level. However, the nature of the flight, as well as the counter being alone resulted in the majority of scoters being recorded as dark-winged. 480 White-winged Scoter were recorded. Eiders and loons were few (loon numbers should begin to spike a bit next week).
Seabird counts:
Eastbound 5328, Westbound 116 (standard count periods);
Eastbound 4414, Westbound 69 (rest/break periods)
Species observed over the bay: Common Eider, Black, Surf, and White-winged Scoters, Common and Red-breasted Merganser, Brant, Harlequin, American Black and Long-tailed Ducks, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, scaup species, Common and Red-throated Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Black Guillemot, Razorbill, American Herring, Great Black-backed, and Ring-billed Gulls, Northern Gannet, Great Blue Heron
Parked birds: 11 Common Eider, 5 Black Scoter, 3 Harlequin Duck, 2 Common Loon, 3 Razorbill, 2 Double-crested Cormorant
Song and Savannah Sparrows as well as a single Dark-eyed Junco consumed seed in front of the building.
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
Saint John Naturalists’ Club
Afternoon Report
From Noon to 4:00 PM
Weather: Overcast till 3pm then clear skies, Beaufort (Bf) 2, Winds NE changing to SE, 11 Deg Celsius and seas calm. Visibility 38 km. Tide Low to reversing.
Observers: Paul Martin
During Counts:
Eastbound: 2496 birds
Westbound:74 Birds
Rest Period Counts
Eastbound 1059 birds
Westbound 37 Birds
Total birds seen East 3555 West 111
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, Great Black Backed Gull, Brant Geese, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Greater Scaup, Black Guillemot, Razorbills, Caspian Tern, Harlequin Duck, Northern Gannet, Iceland Gull and Red-necked Grebe.
Parked; Harlequin (4), Common Eider (27), Black Guillemot (4), Razorbills (4), Common Loon (1), Harlequin Duck (4) , and Black Scoter (23) a
2 Song Sparrow, 4 Savannah Sparrow, 3 crows, and a seal that was slapping the water like a beaver does, guessing it’s a territorial thing, or maybe mating.
It was steady movement of scoters up to 3pm, mainly large flocks quite far out.
After 3pm, movement slowed but Common Eider and Double-crested Cormorant picked up.
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