Ram Island, June 18 - Puffins, Guillemots and Razorbills

Atlantic Puffin

Black Guillemot

Razorbill

This is the first time I've been to Ram Island although I've wished to since I started birding . Thanks to David for taking Bill and me on such short notice.
 There is quite a thriving colony of Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills and Black Guillemots nesting there. Not to mention the Cormorants and Common Eiders.

Eastern Kingbird

This bird was hanging around the same pond for a few days picking dragonflies and other insects from the surface of the water.
June 4, Little Harbour NS

Cedar Waxwing



I have mostly seen small flocks of Cedar Waxwings this Spring but this was a lone bird and quite approachable. I saw him/her try to eat a cranberry at one point
but I'm not sure if it was able to swallow it whole which is what it was attempting to do.
June 4, Little Harbour NS.

Northern Parula

Northern Parula is one of the most common and smallest of our warblers. They seem to be quite attracted to apple trees, at least that is where I tend to find them to photograph
 most often. May 28, 24 and 27 respectively. East Jordan.

Magnolia Warbler and Apple Blossoms

I enjoy taking photos of birds when the trees are in blossom. It can be a challenge getting clear shots with the bird unobstructed by the flowers and foliage.
May 28, East Jordan.

Red-eyed Vireo



These shots were taken on consecutive days, May 27 and 28 at the same location. They may be of the same individual although there were several in the area.
In the top shot he was singing away at close range. The song is very musical if not a bit monotonous. East Jordan.

Ovenbird



Many people are amused by this bird's name which they get from the shape of the nest that they build. A dome shaped structure with a side entrance.
They appear to have eyes that are too big for their stature, I expect it's because they spend much of their time foraging on the ground
amongst the leave litter under the canopy where the light is usually poor.  It can make them hard to photograph as well once the trees are fully leafed out.
May 26, East Jordan

American Redstarts

This male (top) and female (bottom) were photographed the same day in the same area. They may have been a
nesting pair. May 24, East Jordan

Chestnut-sided Warbler

This is a bird I haven't had many opportunities to photograph but it's one of my favorite warblers.
May 24, East Jordan

Great Blue Heron

The flight shots are from May 21st at Hemeon's Head while the standing shots were taken at East Ragged Island on May 2.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - female

This bird has taken possession of one or both feeders and takes exception whenever another bird tries to approach, whether male or female.
May 20, East Jordan

Swamp Sparrow

These were taken about two weeks apart in the same location of what I assume is the same bird. May 31 top and May 14 bottom, East Jordan.

Brier Island 2015 - May 15 -17

This year is the 30th anniversary of our first trip to Brier Island in 1985. The weekend started out well as one of the first sightings was of a flock of several Northern Shovelers including one female.
Interestingly if not embarrassing is that it was 30 years ago since I saw my first and last Shoveler.

 

The Shovelers were on Digby Neck, when we finally arrived on the island there were good signs that there would be lots of birds to see. Among other birds it seemed like there was a Gray Catbird in almost every thicket.

 

The feeders in town had a lot of activity, one feeder had a pair of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks.

 

As usual many people had put out oranges for the Orioles and there were several moving from one yard to the next.

 

After two days of relatively nice weather, Sunday arrived with heavy rains and lightning. Rather than sit under a leaky tarp Carmen and I decided to take a drive to see if we could add to our list for the weekend. After adding Yellowlegs and a Willet Carmen noticed another bird in the marsh. I recognized it immediately as an Ibis, likely a Glossy. It turned out there were six in total and I attempted to get a few shots in the rain.

 

Since Mark and Gretchen (and baby Lucy) were still at the campsite we drove back to let them know about the Glossy Ibis. By this time the rain was letting up and after returning to the marsh I took a few more pictures.

 

Another interesting thing about this sighting is that it was 30 years ago when I saw my first Glossy Ibis on the very same day I saw my first Northern Shoveler. Not a bad way to end our weekend. Mark and Gretchen did stay an extra day and added a few notables including a Northern Waterthrush. Among other sightings for the weekend were both Summer and Scarlet Tanagers as well as a Red-bellied Woodpecker. Looking forward to year 31.