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John and Andrew, Brenda and Bill Thexton counted 19 harlequin ducks there yesterday, I heard from them. Not to outdo John... Cheers from Jim in Wolfville ---------- From: john belbin <jbelbin@ns.sympatico.ca> Reply-To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2006 19:45:57 -0400 To: Naturens <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca> Subject: [NatureNS] 17 Harlequin in Port George Well, it looks as if the number of Harlequin Ducks at Port George is increasing nicely. There is a fine little group there at the moment. I saw a lone female feeding near the reef at Cottage Cove and another about halfway down to Port George, both very close to shore. When I stopped at the lighthouse it was bonanza! A tight group of 15 birds, 6 females and 9 males were a little way out. Then they flew up and came in for a rest on a weed covered rock very near to where I was sitting in the car sheltering from the wind. I tried to slowly set up my camera without spooking them and had just got everything organized when one of those brain-dead miniature poodles ran down the beach barking its fool head off and scared them all back in water and out of camera range. Why can't you find a hunter when you need one? The conditions just before lunch were less than ideal, grey and overcast with a vicious though relatively warm wind from the south that had the car vibrating up and down, and the scope very hard to handle except out of the window. The near shore area varied from dead calm at Cottage Cove to white caps at the first bend in PG. Further out it was quite rough. The reef was occupied by 21 seals, 10 Greys and 11 Harbours. There were also 55 Common Eiders, 4 Red Necked Grebes, 18 Surf Scoters,4 Red Throated Loons, 4 Red necked Grebes plus a few DC Cormorants, White Winged Scoters and Common Loons. I was surprised to see a Bonaparte Gull enjoying the breezes, but after a few good looks it flew off and I couldn't find it again. Over at MARGARETVILLE things were much more exposed and as you must get out of the car to see anything the viewing time was very limited. I managed to spot 3 Long Tailed Ducks and heard several more. There were also 8 Common Eiders, 2 Red Necked Grebes, a Common Loon and a Red Throated Loon. As I fled out of the village a flock of at least 50 Robins flew across the road. Let's hope the wind dies down soon that you can really see what is out there.
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