[NatureNS] Stalled spring migration, and its effects

Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 11:19:39 -0300
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
From: Blake Maybank <maybank@ns.sympatico.ca>
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25 May 2011

Many have commented that the spring migration is a trickle, rather 
than a flood.   The weather is the culprit, of course.   But to 
capture the essence of how difficult this weather can be for our 
migrating birds heading back here to breed, I offer you this post 
that was made to Nature NB today, from Machias Seal Island, where 
Ralph Eldridge works as a lightkeeper.

=====================================================
"Wed 25 May

The wind drop and shift overnight seems to have encouraged heavy 
migrant movement.  The movement through here was easily the largest 
this year and one of the largest that I've ever seen.  The fog and 
rain showers prompted lots of fall-outs. There was a good mix of 
species including shorebirds and Gr. Blue Herons.

Thrushes and Catbirds were noted but the mass was warblers. At one 
point, while on the light taking a few photos, I counted 15 warblers 
perched on me comprising 11 species.   They feel odd when they cling 
to your beard or cozy down to sleep in your hair.  A Blackburnian 
Warbler and Yellow Warbler squabbled for several minutes to see which 
would perch on my right index finger, both oblivious to the finger's 
movements as I took photos and made camera adjustments. Evenyually, 
both the warblers lost the apparent prime perch to a male Common 
Yellowthroat. That fellow kept his position for nearly a half hour, 
interrupted only briefly when I had to reach into my pocket a coup0le times."
=======================================================

Cheers,

Blake


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blake Maybank
maybank@ns.sympatico.ca
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blakemaybank/
902-852-2077

Editor, "Nova Scotia Birds"
http://nsbs.chebucto.org

Organiser, Maritimes Nature Travel Club
http://tinyurl.com/naturetravel

author, "Birding Sites of Nova Scotia"
http://tinyurl.com/birdingns
Downloadable Nova Scotia Maps for inside front and back covers:
http://tinyurl.com/mr627d

White's Lake, Nova Scotia, Canada  
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<body>
25 May 2011<br><br>
Many have commented that the spring migration is a trickle, rather than a
flood.&nbsp;&nbsp; The weather is the culprit, of course.&nbsp;&nbsp; But
to capture the essence of how difficult this weather can be for our
migrating birds heading back here to breed, I offer you this post that
was made to Nature NB today, from Machias Seal Island, where Ralph
Eldridge works as a lightkeeper.<br><br>
=====================================================<br>
&quot;Wed 25 May<br><br>
The wind drop and shift overnight seems to have encouraged heavy migrant
movement.&nbsp; The movement through here was easily the largest this
year and one of the largest that I've ever seen.&nbsp; The fog and rain
showers prompted lots of fall-outs. There was a good mix of species
including shorebirds and Gr. Blue Herons.<br><br>
Thrushes and Catbirds were noted but the mass was warblers. At one point,
while on the light taking a few photos, I counted 15 warblers perched on
me comprising 11 species.&nbsp;&nbsp; They feel odd when they cling to
your beard or cozy down to sleep in your hair.&nbsp; A Blackburnian
Warbler and Yellow Warbler squabbled for several minutes to see which
would perch on my right index finger, both oblivious to the finger's
movements as I took photos and made camera adjustments. Evenyually, both
the warblers lost the apparent prime perch to a male Common Yellowthroat.
That fellow kept his position for nearly a half hour, interrupted only
briefly when I had to reach into my pocket a coup0le times.&quot;<br>
=======================================================<br><br>
Cheers,<br><br>
Blake<br><br>
<x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br>
Blake Maybank<br>
maybank@ns.sympatico.ca<br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/blakemaybank/" eudora="autourl">
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blakemaybank/<br>
</a>902-852-2077<br><br>
Editor, &quot;Nova Scotia Birds&quot;<br>
<a href="http://nsbs.chebucto.org/" eudora="autourl">
http://nsbs.chebucto.org<br><br>
</a>Organiser, Maritimes Nature Travel Club<br>
<font color="#0000FF"><u>
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/naturetravel" eudora="autourl">
http://tinyurl.com/naturetravel</a></u></font> <br><br>
author, &quot;Birding Sites of Nova Scotia&quot;<br>
<font color="#0000FF"><u>
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/birdingns" eudora="autourl">
http://tinyurl.com/birdingns<br>
</a></u></font>Downloadable Nova Scotia Maps for inside front and back
covers:<br>
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/mr627d" eudora="autourl">
http://tinyurl.com/mr627d</a> <br><br>
White's Lake, Nova Scotia, Canada </body>
</html>

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