[NatureNS] Willow Flycatchers

Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:40:09 -0300
To: NatureNS@chebucto.ns.ca
From: Angus MacLean <angusmcl@ns.sympatico.ca>
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Willow Flycatchers appear to like the Valley and have been recorded 
here for a number of years. A number of years ago (8?) they were 
found in Avonport. There were a few involved & undoubtedly nested. 
Sherman Williams showed us the area & he may have something to add 
about nesting (if he is not away). Unfortunately the area was cleared 
soon after for a (cottage?) development.

Other than that I found two Willows in the Grafton Square last year. 
Only one stayed (for about a month); the other, not in appropriate 
habitat, did not tarry.  Bernard Forsthye said he had one at Starr's 
Point & another in the Gaspereau area in the last two years of 
atlassing. The longest stay was 3-4 days. Two mornings ago in the 
Murphy Lake Square, I had one singing. However this is along a wood 
road which is extremely rough, so much so that even with a van, I was 
happy to escape without losing the transmission or something equally 
as vital. Needless to say I will not be checking that one out for 
nesting possibilities.

As for the Belleisle ones, I'm sure Joe Nocera (with Natural 
Resources at the time) said they had nested as he kept a close eye on 
them during the early summer. (He had been doing a Bobolink study
reinforcing the need for the farmers to leave hay fields uncut till 
mid July. This was in the original agreement between the farmers & 
Natural Resources but needed data to convince the farmers. So when 
you see those uncut fields at Belleisle, compare them to other areas 
and thank Joe Nocera for his work!).
Angus

At 12:36 AM 25/06/2010, you wrote:


Hello Pat and Sydney,

    It appears that you have both happened upon what is probably the 
most reliable spot in the Maritimes for Willow Flycatcher.  One has 
been (apparently) on territory there for at least four years now, and 
has been reported annually on NS-RBA and/or NatureNS, with yours 
being the first reports for this year, as far as I recall.  Sharon 
Hawboldt of Belleisle was the first to identify it there, at least as 
early as 2007, and added it to the list for her Bridgetown atlas 
square.  Ian Roseby of Wilmot also observed it that first year.  In 
2008, I observed it (I'm presuming that it was the same one), and 
noted it singing in the Granville Centre square.  Unfortunately, none 
of us has been able to spend enough time there in one season to 
confirm nesting or even confirm territory or a pair.  Hope that you 
will be able to do that,  I'm fairly sure that there was a pair there 
in 2008, but was not able to observe both at the same time.  Although 
observation at the same spot in successive years suggest not only a 
pair on territory, but successful nesting, they do not meet MBBA 
criteria for either.

Cheers,


Wayne P. Neily

Tremont, Kings Co., Nova Scotia

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