[NatureNS] Notes From Today

From: "James Hirtle" <jrhbirder@hotmail.com>
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2007 01:43:39 +0000
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I was checking on a number of osprey nests that I have nest record cards on. 
  In regards to those birds that have traditionally nested on platforms 
along powerlines, I did not notice until today, that none have chosen the 
nest platforms this year.  I wonder what is up with that?  Only two pairs 
have set up house on platforms and both of those platforms are ones put in 
place, which are not by powerlines.

As far as I can tell and from talking to people, it appears that the bald 
eagle outside of Bridgewater has abandoned it's nest.  Apparently as in 
other years there has been conflict between the bald eagle and ospreys in 
the area.  This likely is the cause.  Of course the nest is very deep and 
there might be young birds within that I was not able to see when I checked 
it.  I shall have to follow up.  It does seem odd though that an adult is 
not closeby if this were to be the case.

The nest at Bayport has a half grown eaglet.  It was healthy looking and the 
adult was on a pole not far away.  The young eagle appeared to be eating 
something.

I was upset to see that another house is being built at Mason's Beach on the 
dune area, next to the other monstrosity that was put up there.  Oh well, I 
just do not know how those houses can pass perk tests and get approval for 
sewage disposal?  I guess we still have a long ways to go to protect our 
beaches and coastal habitat.  If the beaches keep going the way they are 
without protection, it will not be long before Nova Scotia becomes like a 
large proportion of the French Shore of New Brunswick, where one cannot even 
access a beach unless you own a property.   Oh well time will tell as to 
what happens here and how quickly.

On a bright note, I was able to photograph a seaside dragonette today.  
There was only one male present at Bayport when I crossed over the saltmarsh 
area where I saw many last year.

Also on a bright note, off the 103, on the Windsor Road, just after one 
turns onto the road there is a wonderful lumber mill on the right.  If you 
look as you drive by a large sawdust pile has been left and it was pleasing 
to see a colony of 30+ bank swallows actively going in and out of holes in 
the process of feeding young.  I also was told about a woodpecker nest at 
Card Lake, which I checked out today.  It is a hairy woodpecker nest which 
is way up on a birch tree.  One juvenile has left the nest and is sticking 
with the female.  The male is looking after the other juvenile, which I 
observed actually come out of the nest onto a limb and then go back in again 
as it waited for the adult to come with food.

James R. Hirtle
Dublin Shore

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