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Hi there, I've been meaning to send in a report of my Breeding Bird Survey route (North Kingston), and Richard's recent comment about long-term surveys reminded me again. The BBS has operated in Nova Scotia since 1966. It is a roadside survey, consisting of 50 stops, each stop spaced 800 metres apart. The observer watches and listens for 3 minutes, and records every species, and the number of birds, detected. The survey begins half an hour before sunrise, and can take about 5 hours to complete. It is run once a year, in June or very early July, on a day chosen by the observer. Calm dry weather is desirable. Ideally the same observer does the route for a number of years, to help maintain consistency. It is important to remember that it is a survey, providing an index for comparison purposes, and that it does not attempt to be a census - it isn't possible to "get" every bird present. The North Kingston route was first run in 1967, and with some lapses, has been run 35 times. The route begins in Grafton and heads west along Highway 221 for 30+ stops, before heading up Stronach Mountain and over towards the Fundy Shore. The first part, along the valley floor, is through agricultural land at the base of the North Mountain. Mainly I find grassland and open-country species in the fields close to the road, while I strain to hear flycatchers, thrushes and warblers that are further back, in the woodlots behind the farms. A few ponds support Common Yellowthroats, Red-winged Blackbirds and the like. As soon as the road heads uphill, the habitat changes (coniferous trees; dirt roads through deciduous woodland) and the range of birds changes dramatically - boreal forest birds, a greater variety of warblers, etc. A highlight is stop 43, the Margaretsville Ducks Unlimited Marsh. Then the route heads along the Delusion Road to the outskirts of Port George. I ran my route on the fourth of July this year. In the last six years, I have run it three times in mid-June, and three times in the first week of July. Miserable wet unpredictable weather was the usual reason for doing it later; this year was the most frustrating! The day began beautifully, with scattered cloud, no wind, and few troublesome insects. However I had just passed the half-way point when I could no longer ignore the gathering dark clouds ahead. When I arrived at stop 27 the heavens opened, and a major thunder and lightening storm rolled in. Last year I had to stop at one point when rain started; it lasted just 15 minutes, giving me time to open my thermos and enjoy my packed breakfast. Then I was able to carry on. This year, the storm lasted an hour and forty minutes, and I was nearly in despair that the day would be lost, but when the skies cleared I continued the route, and was rewarded with lively birds emerging from cover to sing and feed. The only downside was the sound of water rushing in the ditches, but that didn't interfere with my hearing too much. I have just entered my data and was interested to find that despite the weather and the late date, I found 55 species, which is as high as anyone has ever done. One of the highlights was a Barred Owl, calling at 4:58 just as I was starting the survey. Another highlight was the number of diurnal raptors; a pair of Northern Harriers, a Kestrel, and a Broad-winged Hawk. The fact that my survey extended later than usual into the morning probably made it easier to find those. However when I reviewed my data I found that the most unusual bird I saw, never before recorded on this route, was a Bald Eagle! They are now so common in the eastern end of the Annapolis Valley that one forgets that they aren't regular further west. In fact if you look at the map for the species on the Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas website you will see that it hasn't been recorded at all in many squares in the region. The most disappointing result was the near total absence of Bobolinks. I found only 1, where in the previous 5 years I have averaged about 14. Bobolinks are now a species of real concern. Numbers fluctuate from year to year, of course, but the overall average on this route, going back to 1967, is 33; the highest ever, in 1974, was 80! Here I think the weather and the late date were a significant factor. I was atlassing in the same area in late May and was encouraged by the numbers of Bobolinks which I saw and heard then. However, it has been very wet in June, and I saw large shallow ponds in the fields. Due to the frequent rain, many farmers hadn't cut their hay yet, which should have made things easier for birds that nest on the ground in grasslands. However, I suspect that their nests have been flooded, and that the breeding season has been a loss for many of them. They certainly weren't singing or displaying on July 4th. Interestingly, the Savannah Sparrows, who also nest in hay fields and pastures but I think fledge their young a little earlier, were present in healthy numbers. I found 36, which is above the previous 5 year average of 28. The overall average, going back to 1967, is 40; the highest ever, in 1970, was 95. I would be interested to hear what other BBS surveyors have found this year, especially regarding grassland species. Cheers, Patricia L. Chalmers Halifax
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