Morning Report
7:30AM – 11:30AM
Weather: Cloudy; south winds @ Beaufort 3-4; unsettled seas; Good visibility (limited to about 20km)
Observers: Todd Watts, Ian Stead, Wendy Smith
Continuous counting recorded in 15 minute blocks (the standard protocol is 15 minutes of observations followed by 15 minutes of rest)
Heavy early season movements of Black Scoters were observed this morning. This movement might have been a record for the date. Eider movements were light. Brant were observed repeatedly in groups of two to forty. Some of these birds were moving left and right. Migrants as a whole were near and far. Activity seemed to be backing off toward the end of the session.
Seabird counts:
Eastbound 3466, Westbound 67 (standard count periods);
Eastbound 4404, Westbound 68 (rest/break periods)
Species observed over the bay: Common Eider, Black, Surf, and White-winged Scoters, Brant, Harlequin, American Black, and Long-tailed Ducks, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Green-winged Teal, Common Goldeneye, scaup species, Common and Red-throated Loon, Black Guillemot, Razorbill, Common Murre, Great Cormorant, American Herring, Great Black-backed, and Ring-billed Gulls, Northern Gannet, Purple Sandpiper
No birds were observed consuming the 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
Afternoon Report
From Noon to 4:00 PM
Weather: Cloudy , winds from the South to South West,Beaufort ( Bf) 4, 2 to 5 Deg Celcuis and whitecaps to moderate swell. Visibility 4.5Km changing to 18km. Tide was High at noon and then receded.
Observers: Paul Martin, John and Nancy Middleton, and Kim McCormick
During Counts:
Eastbound: 2154 birds Westbound: 42 birds
Rest Period Counts
Eastbound 2784 birds Westbound 230 Birds
Total birds seen 5210
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, Red-necked Grebe, American Herring Gull, Canada Geese, Brant Geese, King Eider, Great Black Backed Gull, Common Golden-eye, Black Duck and Purple Sandpipers
Though there was seed out, strong South winds kept song birds hidden, though there were a number of crows present in the area.
It was a day of quite steady movement and then short periods of waiting, was difficult to count parked birds due to both activity of birds in flight and Southern swells.
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