[NatureNS] Update on HRM area rarities

Date: Fri, 01 May 2009 10:17:18 -0300
From: Bob McDonald <bobathome@hfx.eastlink.ca>
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
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Good morning,

Wendy and I set out yesterday after lunch to see if we could track down some 
of the recently reported RBA sightings around HRM.
There were an equal mix of male and female Ring-necked Ducks at Red Bridge 
Pond but no Caspian Tern.  However, my sharp-eyed wife noticed a bird 
perched on a rock way out across the busy street in Lake Micmac.  I thought 
that I could just make out a black cap through the scope so we decided to 
try to get a closer look by proceeding to a lookoff near the parking area 
for the off-leash dog walkers at the west end of Shubie Park.  Sure enough, 
it was the CATE which had waited patiently for the 20 min it took us to get 
there.  The large red bill and bulky frame were diagnostic.
We then proceeded to the marsh beside Point Rd in Lawrencetown but the Great 
Egret reported from there could not be found.  Undaunted, we moved along to 
West Lawrencetown Marsh - strike two, no big or small white birds here 
either.  At Conrad's Beach, in the parking lot, we met Dominic Cormier who 
kindly pointed out the Snowy Egret in the large marsh about 300 m from the 
parking lot and he then told us the location of the Great Egret in Seaforth. 
On to Seaforth then and just past the Community Centre on the right hand 
side was the GREG next to a Great Blue Heron, for an ideal side-by-side 
comparison.
Seldom have we been as lucky chasing rarities as we were yesterday.

The smoke billowing from the forest fires between Herring Cove and Purcells 
Cove was clearly visible from Seaforth.
On a more positive note, the Purple Finches, both males and females, have 
reappeared at our feeders having been absent since late fall.  Yesterday, I 
heard my first sustained song.

Cheers,

Bob McDonald
Halifax 

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