[NatureNS] Owl Survey, Tangier

From: John and Nhung <nhungjohn@eastlink.ca>
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
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Date: Sun, 08 Apr 2012 16:59:46 -0300
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We've seen a barred owl down here in bluebird country on the Wyman Road, on
and off, since early March.  There's a little scattered cutting in the area
but the predominant cover is woods and old fields.

Have heard a couple of great-horned owls in the area, as well.

-----Original Message-----
From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca]
On Behalf Of P.L. Chalmers
Sent: April-08-12 4:36 PM
To: NatureNS
Subject: [NatureNS] Owl Survey, Tangier

	Friday night, with Suzanne Borkowski's help, I surveyed my Nocturnal
Owl route on the Tangier to Mooseland / Moose River Gold Mines Road, on the
Eastern Shore.  We had been watching the weather and Good Friday looked like
the only possible chance for this weekend.  We saw very few birds on the
drive down in the afternoon, either on land or on the water.  We had hoped
to see our first Great Blue Heron or Osprey of the year, but didn't find
either.  However we didn't have the time to do much searching so probably
overlooked some.  When we got to Tangier we were pleased to see a lot of
birds in Pope's Harbour; a flock of about 10 Horned Grebes, in patchy
breeding plumage, was a treat.  There was a lively group of about 20
Red-breasted Mergansers chasing one another around, and a pair of Surf
Scoters.  Red-winged Blackbirds and Grackles were calling nearby.

	The route goes inland through largely coniferous forests with lots 
of rocky lakes and black spruce/tamarack bogs.   Northern Fibre's 
woodchip  plant is in Sheet Harbour, and there is a lot of active forestry
here, including biomass harvesting.  Every year we notice new clearcuts.
After scouting out our route we had supper in Sheet Harbour and returned to
Tangier to begin the survey half an hour after sunset.  The winds had
dropped to less than 10k, as predicted, and it was clear and dry.  American
Woodcock were peenting and winnowing overhead at our first stop, and panicky
Robins were calling.  A little while later the moon rose full.  Late in the
evening, when it was absolutely still, we heard a pair of Loons duetting
from Bear Lake.  Nonetheless I was struck by how quiet it was for most of
our stops; most of the ditches were dry and there was 
no sound of running water.   Perhaps because it was drier than usual, 
or perhaps it was just a bit too cool (+2/+3), no Spring Peepers or Wood
Frogs were calling.  I have yet to hear either this year.

	However some owls were certainly announcing their presence.  At the
first stop we heard  two Northern Saw-whets calling as soon as we got out of
the car, and we found seven more in the course of the evening.  There was at
least one NSWO at eight of the ten stops, for nine in all.  We also heard
two Great Horned Owls.  Most unusually, we did not hear a single Barred Owl.
This is the tenth year that Suzanne and I have run this route, and during
that time we have had a low of three owls, and a high of 16.  Our ten-year
average is 8.6, so this year's 11 was on the high side.  This is the third
year in a row that we have had a large number of Northern Saw-whets, in fact
more of them than any other owl.  I can see that in some ways, clear-cutting
produces habitat more favourable to them than to the larger owls.  Comments,
anyone?

	Patricia L. Chalmers
	Halifax

	
	

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