Morning Report
7:00AM – 11:00AM
Weather: Fog; winds northwest @ Beaufort 1-2; seas unsettled with fairly heavy swell; highly variable visibility ranging from from 100 metres to 38 km
Observers: Todd Watts, Steve Gillis
Continuous counting recorded in 15 minute blocks (the standard protocol is 15 minutes of observations followed by 15 minutes of rest)
Visibility under one kilometre as counts began. Fog moved in and out over the next two to three hours. The fog appeared very patchy, mostly concentrated in the general vicinity of the point. Areas far west of the point seemed clear. Migrating scoters moved inside the fog, at moderate distances through thin fog, at great distance beyond heavier fog, as well as over the top of fog banks. Some very large flocks were only seen for a few seconds as they popped out of the fog only to quickly disappear back into or behind it. Spotting and identification was extremely challenging. Undoubtedly, many flocks of migrating birds were missed. Group sizes topped five hundred. After tallying the counts, I estimate that fifteen to twenty thousand eastbound birds likely passed the point. Of course, there is no way to know how many birds passed undetected. The poor conditions resulted in the majority of birds being recorded as dark-winged scoter. Counts dropped off toward the end of the session as the skies cleared. A first-year male King Eider was observed heading east. Very few eiders were observed. It was the type of the day that could produce a big loon flight, but it is still too early in the season. Very few were seen. A Northern Harrier moved in from the direction of Grand Manan. Spotting parked birds was nearly impossible at times (fog and swell combined to present a major challenge).
Seabird counts:
Eastbound 6441, Westbound 37 (standard count periods);
Eastbound 7097, Westbound 49 (rest/break periods)
Species observed over the bay: Common and King Eider, Black, Surf, and White-winged Scoters, Red-breasted Merganser, Canada Goose, Brant, Harlequin, American Black and Long-tailed Ducks, Northern Shoveler, Common and Red-throated Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Black Guillemot, Razorbill, American Herring, Great Black-backed, Lesser Black-backed and Ring-billed Gulls, Black-legged Kittiwake, Northern Gannet, Purple Sandpiper, Great Blue Heron, Northern Harrier
Parked birds: 13 Common Eider, 150 Black Scoter, 2 Harlequin Duck, 2 Common Loon, 1 Black Guillemot, 5 Razorbill
Song Sparrows consumed seed in front of the building. A couple Wild Turkeys were present. And a bird appearing to be a Merlin zipped past the window.
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: Clear, with variable clouds..Beaufort ( Bf) 1,Winds South West to South, 13 Deg Celsius and seas calm. Visibility 3kim . Tide reversing to low tide.
Observers: Paul Martin
During Counts:
Eastbound: 1295 birds
Westbound: 67 Birds
Rest Period Counts
Eastbound 674 birds
Westbound 6 Birds
Total birds seen East 1969 West 73
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, Brant Geese, Double-crested Cormorant, Northern Gannet, Black Guillemot,Razorbills, Common Merganser and Thick-billed Murre..
Parked; Thick-billed Murre (1), Common Eider (3), , Black Guillemot (3), Razorbills (6), and Common Loon (3)
4 Song Sparrow, 1 crows, Harbor Porpoise and a seal were seen.
The main species moving today was Black Scoter, and Surf Scoter
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 Obseratory