[NatureNS] Redpolls etc

Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:48:10 -0300
From: Eleanor Lindsay <az678@chebucto.ns.ca>
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
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iamclar@dal.ca wrote:
> All:
>
> It's good that several have reported on the attenuation of the Redpoll season -
> I'll want such information when I write the spring report on Tanagers to House
> Sparrow in "Nova Scotia Birds." Let us know when you see your latest ones - it
> would be interesting to see if there's a S-to-N pattern of last sightings.
>
> Yesterday morning I stopped briefly to drink my Tim's at the harbourside beach
> at Hartlen Pt., and was struck by the number of Iceland Gulls still hanging
> about. There were 24 in all, including a few seen further up the harbour.
> Interestingly, almost all were seemingly in first-cycle (first winter) plumage,
> except for one clear second-cycle bird. Most had a considerable amount of pale
> pinkish at the base of the bill, one with an almost Glaucous-Gull-like amount.
> Also, most of them seemed to have very white primaries, none with "Kumlien's"
> obvious gray. Could this recult from winter bleaching, or were there possibly
> some "true" Iceland Gulls among them?. Probably not answerable.
>
> All best, Ian McLaren
>
>
>
>   
My last redpoll sighting was 2nd April; since then grackles have arrived 
and two other less common birds of note (for my patch) have been a fox 
sparrow and a male red wing blackbird. Also one tiny bird (smaller than 
a chickadee, more like kinglet size, but colour seemed wrong; I was 
quite close to it and didn't dare move for fear of disturbing it - could 
only get a clear view of the back, a warm, uniform 'milk chocolate' 
brown with no obvious markings of any kind and a short tail; I think 
there was a hint of creamy lightness at the throat. Any suggestions?
Missing are purple finches, nuthatches and song sparrows.
Spring peepers first heard in my area on 18th April - and in my pond the 
next night.

Eleanor Lindsay
Seabright,
St Margarets Bay

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