[NatureNS] Wheatears and unwise prognostications

Date: Mon, 18 Sep 2006 16:57:15 -0300
From: iamclar@dal.ca
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All:

This season has been highlighted by, so far, five N. Wheatears, matching the NS
fall totals for 1994 and 2001.  But these have been earlier than almost all in
previous years. The early influx, as noted a couple of weeks ago on the NF-NL
bird-records site, may trace to intense northerly wind flow in late August that
deflected birds bound for Europe(or N Africa for wheatears) southward from
northern Nunavut or Greenland. SW Newfoundland has also had at least 3 Com.
Ringed Plovers to date.

At minimum, we should be scrutinizing Semipalmated Plovers more closely (NF-NL
postings stress their paler back tones as an alert), so look up the subtle
field marks. Stretching it even more was a wagtail-wish by someone on the NF-NL
site.  Maybe a little bit less outré is the thought that winter might produce
a Fieldfare or, even better, a Redwing. That may depend on the rowan berry (Mt.
ash, dogberry) crop in Newfoundland.  If it's like that in NS, which I can't
remember seeing in such profusion, such goodies may never get here.

So, a heads-up for Cape Bretoners (especially) and all coastal birders.

Cheers, Ian McLaren


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