[NatureNS] Annapolis French Basin Trail birds

From: "JPercy" <jpercy@auracom.com>
To: "Naturens" <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
Date: Sun, 20 May 2007 22:16:38 -0300
Precedence: bulk
Return-Path: <naturens-mml-owner@chebucto.ns.ca>
Original-Recipient: rfc822;"| (cd /csuite/info/Environment/FNSN/MList; /csuite/lib/arch2html)"

next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects


The French Basin Trail in Annapolis was extremely active this evening 
(Sunday). Most notable:
- a glossy ibis on one of the islands
- 8 male (and 1 female) wood ducks in the adjacent sewage lagoon - hopefully 
some of the other females were in the four nest boxes installed this year.
- 4 fox cubs - on the same embankment where there was a den a couple of 
years ago - but a little further to the northwest - den entrance clearly 
visible from trail) - no sign of parents. Cubs completely oblivious to us 
only 20 feet or so away.
- pair of Canada Geese crossed the trail with 6 goslings in tow and swam off 
into the pond (at least two other pairs still nesting on the islands)
- several pairs of ring-necked ducks
- green winged teal (male)
- dozen or so cormorants (DC), one on the nearby salt marsh which appeared 
to be injured - unable to fly but scrambled towards the water
- a pied-bill grebe; there is also a reliable report of a floating 
(anchored) nest with an adult sitting on it, but I didn't see that.
- hundreds of tree swallows on the wing and three or four dozen perched on 
an old dead tree overhanging the water (Hitchcock would have loved it!)
- a dozen or so buffleheads
- red winged blackbirds and grackles - lots
- a beaver has been attacking many of the trees around the trail.
- 3 muskrats
- and a deer was beside the highway close to the entrance.

A visitor from Halifax who walked the trail with us was impressed with all 
the natural activity in and around the marsh - "This place is amazing!!!!" 
he exclaimed.

Jon Percy
Granville Ferry 

next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects