Thy-colored Heron on Brier Island.

I had the great fortune to watch a try-colored heron, a green heron, and a slew of others last weekend, May 23-24 on Brier Island. This Island is a must for birders in Nova Scotia.

Zoe Lucas looking for Sable Island birds.

Shannon and Joyce, the Wilderbeats, hanging with a falcon.

An osprey lighting down on top of a tall spruce tree. -Ben Stone, The Zuppa Circus Theatre Co

Prize winners!

Getting the Point(s) Prize: Heather MacLeod, (17.5 points.)

“I think I'm a diehard birder now!” –Heather MacLeod.
*This prize is for the birder who gets the most points based on the points system in the bird list.
Prize-Eton wind up radio/ charger/ flashlight from MEC

Not Getting the Point(s) Prize: Allen Richardson, NS Power. (Thanks for being such a great sport, your efforts are greatly appreciated.)
*This prize is for the birder who gets the least points based on the point system in the bird list. (Hint: Not a sought after prize)
Prize-Audubon bird call from FTB Nature shop

The Birder with the Most Prize: Joanne Bernard, Alice Housing. (11 species from the list.)

“I must say that for a city girl who hates anything to do with outside and nature, I really enjoyed this and I am glad I tried something outside of my comfort zone. I even bought a couple of birdfeeders and now enjoy them on my deck…” –Joanne Bernard
*This prize is for the birder who tallies the most species on the list, but not necessarily the most points.
Prize-Thayer birding software from FTB Nature Store

The Birder with the Least Prize: Costas Halavrezos, Mar. Noon, CBC. (It was a tight race, thanks for all the support.)

“I know there are loons in Lake Micmac… but perversely, they've stayed out of sight when I've been there. And after all these years of lovingly caring for their likenesses on the one dollar coin...some gratitude.” –Costas Halavrezos
* This prize is for the birder who tallies the fewest species on the list, but not necessarily the least points. (Hint: Not a sought after prize)
Prize-Winged migration DVD from FTB Nature Shop

The Longest Spring List Prize: Sandy Greenburg, Razzmatazz. (41 species in total.)
*This prize is for the birder who sees the most species. We encourage birders to keep a list of all the birds they see, not just the 20 on the list.
Prize-$25 Gift certificate FTB Nature Shop

CO2 not for U Prize: Nick Wilkinson, Gypsophelia. (Biked over 300 Km douring the challenge; saw most of his birds on his biking ventures.)
*The birder with the smallest carbon footprint.
Prize-Eton wind up radio/ charger/ flashlight from MEC

The Dubious Twitcher Prize: Phlis McGregor, Arts reporter, CBC. (Phlis had some tough competition from John Dunsworth, but counting birds at the Museum takes the cake.)
*The birder with the most dubious sightings.
Prize-Binocular flask from Sweet Janes

The Extreme Birder Prize: John Allen, Propeller brewery.

“It was a fantastic trip and made all the more interesting by my new found pastime (though since I did my best work sitting on a raft with a beer in hand, I think it was still technically “bird watching” as opposed to birding).” John Allen talking about his rafting trip down the Colorado River.
*The birder who went to the most extreme lengths without ruffling any feathers.

Prize-Pelican waterproof case from MEC

The Photography Prize: Andrew Younger, Counselor & Zoe Lucas, Sable Island
*The birder who takes the best picture of a bird during the Challenge.
Prize-Hair cut from the Foxey Moon Hair Gallery. (A. Younger's Plovers, & Z. Lucas' Ipswich Sparrow.)

The For Our Birds Prize: Susan Leblanc-Crawford, Zuppa Circus.
1. talking all the time about the challenge (not difficult for me...)
2. I became a member of the EAC (finally!)
3. I sent a Facebook message about the challenge with links to the EAC's website and the list of things people can do to help the birds to the Zuppa Circus group - 723 members!
4. I posted info on the Zuppa Circus Facebook group, and on our website
5. I am about to write to Howard Epstein, my MLA....
“Thanks so much for asking me to be a part of the challenge! It has been really great, and I am totally excited to continue birding and to learning more about birds in Nova Scotia... I had a great time watching and marveling at the diversity of the species.” –Susan Leblanc Crawford.
*The birder who does something for the birds during the Challenge.
Prize-Acupuncture treatment, Frank Taussig

Mr. Lahey Goes Birding

Hi
See link for article on Challenge:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/ArtsLife/1122242.html

Also came across a raven's nest in Point Pleasant Park--in the white pines just at the bend in the road at the bottom of the hill. You can hear the raucous young.

Saw a pair of terns fishing in the entrance to the Harbour. God, they're elegant birds.

Finally, saw a bright orange Baltimore Oriole this weekend. The birds are back.
Mark

State of the birds. (video)

Check out this inspiring and beautiful video on "the state of the birds" in the USA... http://www.stateofthebirds.org/

More birding on Facebook...

Great birding site on Facebook http://tr.im/birds Have a look.

John Allen floating down the Colorado.

"I am just back from a great trip to Arizona and a rafting trip down the Colorado River with some friends, including an experienced birder. Some of the species seen were snowy egrets, great blue herons, mallard, bufflehead, goldeneye and teal ducks, violet green swallows, yellow warblers, a peregrine falcon, and California condors (really really big). It was a fantastic trip and made all the more interesting by my new found pastime (though since I did my best work sitting on a raft with a beer in hand, I think it was still technically “bird watching” as opposed to birding). "

Nancy Vanstone, new neighbors

Here is a picture of the blue jay nest that sits safely on Nancy's back deck; you'll soon have baby b-jays to enjoy... As for the Challenge list Nancy wrote, "This morning I did get the white throated sparrow... a raven... if only a falcon would swoop down over my deck this afternoon!"

Thanks Nancy, good luck with your new neighbors and with the rest of the Challenge.

Sandy Greenburg of Razzmatazz...

"...saw a common loon ... My backyard has yielded lots of American goldfinches and two white throated sparrows."

Lindsay Jones article in the Weekly News

http://www.halifaxnewsnet.ca/index.cfm?sid=249074&sc=608

State of the birds report.. watch it!!

http://www.stateofthebirds.org/

Bird Superstitions

Chained to this desk as I am, I'm not getting to go out looking like the rest of you lucky ducks (yes,that was deliberate. There will be more bad puns, brace yourself)... so my contribution is just some fun side-interest things.

Don't pigeon-hole me, I do other stuff too!

Has anyone seen an albatross? Did you know they carry the souls of dead mariners? You'd think the pelican could carry more. Just saying.

Blackbirds nesting on your house are good luck. Starlings nesting in your vents are a nuisance... trust me, I've got experience with that one.

Bird flying in the house means a death will happen... or bad luck (I suppose death could be considered bad luck)... or a wedding is on the horizon. Depends on whose grandma you listen to.

Learn more fun bird folklore and superstitions:

http://www.shawcreekbirdsupply.com/folklore_superstitions.htm
My favourite on this page: "Valentine’s Day was thought to foretell the occupation of one’s future husband. If the first bird a girl saw were a goldfinch she would marry a wealthy man. A bluebird signified poverty. A black bird foretold marrying a clergyman. A robin told of a sailor, a woodpecker an old maid."

I would personally think a woodpecker should indicate a carpenter, but I guess that's just me.

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/bird_superstition
"Children will grow a pimply face if they touch a wren's nest." Especially if it's full of chocolate bars.

http://www.birdnature.com/may1898/birdsuperstitions.html
"Great numbers of Jay or Missel Thrushes feeding upon the berries of the hawthorn betoken the approach of a very cold winter, and their Grackle-like calls bring fear to the heart if the meal be low and the peat be scant in the little tenants cabin." Note the garrulousness of this site... the text is apparently from 1898, before the Great Internet Word Shortage of the 2000s.

Happy Birding!

Simple, very helpful birding instructions.

http://bit.ly/Nvnud

Zoe Lucas, Sable sightings...

"... I saw the first Common Terns (>30) on May 3rd, near the Sable Station south beach colony and near the East Light colony, and 3 Barn Swallows near the west ponds on May 4th."

Joanne Bernard and the osprey nest.

Joanne Bernard: "... at brunch in Bedford, the waitress noticed me reading my bird books and told me about this nest which is situated up by the new Wal-Mart in Bedford. " Yes, it is an osprey nest, and if you look closely you can see the mother osprey's head poking out of the top of the nest.

Talking with the birds.

As I walked down the hill to pick up my kids from a neighbor’s house last evening I heard a great beautiful racket… I followed the chirping to a swampy hardwood stand along the side of the road and came upon a flock of at least 50, maybe as many as 100 or more, American goldfinches. I stalled for about 15 minutes and soaked it up. There were also some very happy looking chickadees, nervous morning doves and grackles.

Amazing happenings: As I left the house I looked up to find the blue jay I was hearing, there it was and just beneath it on the same tree was a crow, both looking right at me, and the blue jay screaming for my attention. After 5 to 10 minutes of exchanging pleasantries, (in blue jay language,) I started to walk away, and looked over my shoulder to watch the two of them fly off together to another tree further back in the woods. The crows have been talking to me for months now, I talk back; we follow each other around in the woods. Do crows and blue jays hang out together? Is it possible that my friend the crow was introducing me to its friend the blue jay? It is possible that I am enjoying them and reading too much into their actions. Please send me your thoughts on this; I’ll keep you posted as this relationship develops.

Red-winged blackbird.

I saw a red-winged blackbird out around Seaforth on Sunday, that's 6 of 21. There were also quite a few great blue herons in the shallows by the side of the roads.