Morning Report
Weather: Cloudy with some rain and snow showers, becoming sunny; northwest winds @ Beaufort 3-4; relatively calm seas with developing whitecaps; visibility fair to good
Observers: Todd Watts, Ian Stead
Continuous counting recorded in 15 minute blocks (the standard protocol is 15 minutes of observations followed by 15 minutes of rest)
Today was the first day/morning of my regular season at the point, which will run through May 7.
Movements observed this morning could be described as light. Peak movements occurred between 8 and 10AM. Few birds parked off the point.
Seabird counts (7:30AM – 11:30PM): Eastbound 796, Westbound 86 (standard count periods); Eastbound 623, Westbound 104 (rest/break periods)
Species observed over the bay: Common Eider, Black, Surf, and White-winged Scoters, Canada Goose, Brant, Harlequin, American Black, and Long-tailed Ducks, Common Goldeneye, scaup species, Common and Red-throated Loon, Black Guillemot, Razorbill, Thick-billed Murre, Great Cormorant, American Herring, Great Black-backed, Ring-billed and Iceland Gulls, Northern Gannet, Purple Sandpiper
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
From Noon to 4:00 PM
Weather: Cloudy at start /Clear skies by 2pm winds from the NW,Beaufort ( Bf) 5 to Bf 4, minus 1 to 2 Deg Celcuis and whitecaps to moderate swell. Visibility 38Km. Tide was dropping with Low Tide being at 3:56pm.
Observers: Paul Martin
During Counts:
Eastbound: 25 birds | Westbound: 54 birds
Species observed over the bay:
Common Eider, Black Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Red-breasted
Merganser, Harlequin Duck, Long-tailed Duck,Common Loon, Red-throated Loon, Black Guillemot, Razorbill, Great Cormorant, Ring-billed Gull, Double-crested Cormorant, Black-legged Kittiwake, American Herring Gull, Bald Eagle, Common Murre and Purple Sandpipers
3 Song Sparrows were present at the seed out front of the observatory and a Merlin flew in and gave chase to the sparrows.
Overall there wasn’t a lot of movement, many parked species, but some movement of Black Scoters and Common Eiders.
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