Morning Report
7:30AM – 11:30AM
Weather: Cloudy; NE winds @ Beaufort 3; seas relatively calm (some swell and chop); visibility 30+km
Observers: Todd Watts, Nancy and Dennis Muelhauser
Continuous counting recorded in 15 minute blocks (the standard protocol is 15 minutes of observations followed by 15 minutes of rest)
Activity slowly developed this morning. As has been the case each morning so far this season, Black Scoter far outnumbered other migrants.
Seabird counts:
Eastbound 884, Westbound 97 (standard count periods);
Eastbound 1143, Westbound 38 (rest/break periods)
Species observed over the bay: Common Eider, Black, Surf, and White-winged Scoters, Brant, Harlequin, American Black, and Long-tailed Ducks, Common Goldeneye, Green-winged Teal, Red-breasted Merganser, Common and Red-throated Loon, Black Guillemot, Razorbill, Great and Double-crested Cormorant, Northern Gannet, American Herring, Great Black-backed, Iceland and Ring-billed Gulls, Purple Sandpiper, Bald Eagle
Parked birds: Common Eider (roughly 100), Black Scoter (roughly 250), Canada Goose (1), Long-tailed Duck (3), Harlequin Duck (6), Black Guillemot (3), Razorbill (3), Red-breasted Merganser (5), Great Cormorant (1), Common Loon (1), Red-throated Loon (3), Purple Sandpiper (70 on the rocks)
An adult Peregrine Falcon consuming an American Woodcock was spotted in the intertidal zone quite near the observatory. Two adult Bald Eagles interacted overhead. A second-year Bald Eagle was observed moving in from the water (possible migrant).
Birds consuming seed: Two Song Sparrows
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: Cloudy with sunny breaks , winds from the North East swinging to the East ,Beaufort ( Bf) 4, 1 Deg Celcuis and moderate swell. Visibility 38 kim . Tide was High at noon and then receded.
Observers: Paul Martin, Burke Korol
During Counts:
Eastbound:550 birds Westbound: 37 birds
Rest Period Counts
Eastbound 256 birds Westbound 82 Birds
Total birds seen 888
Species observed over the bay:
Common Eider, Black Scoter, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Harlequin Duck, Long-tailed Duck,Common Loon, Red-throated Loon Black Guillemot, Razorbill, Common Murre, Ring-billed Gull, American Herring Gull, Great Black Backed Gull,Iceland Gull, Great Cormorant, Horned Grebe, Northern Gannet and Purple Sandpipers
1 Song Sparrow by the seed, 3 crows flying nearby and a couple of porpoises and a seal were seen.
There wasn’t a lot of movement, a couple of flocks of Common Eider, Black Scoter and groups of 7 Red-throated Loons. Quite a number of birds seen were parked (term used for birds swimming) today.
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