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Wednesday, 11 November 2020

Hawks, Larks, Muskrats - Brier Island - Fall 2020

 Since 2020 has been a year unlike any other,  we didn't make it to Brier Island this Spring for the first time in many years. When we did finally make it in late September we were not disappointed. While the number of bird species may have been down, just the experience of getting there and having lots of photo opportunities made it all worthwhile, at least from my perspective. Some of the highlights were the number of hawks on the island, mostly Sharpies, but others as well.


Here is a sample of the Sharp-shinned hawk photos from the trip.




Other hawk species included Red-tailed, Merlin, Kestrels, Harriers and this juvenile Broad-wing.



Besides hawks there were a few Horned Larks on the beach.




There was also a family of muskrats putting on a show in the pond at pond cove. They were going up toward the beach and grabbing what I guess were purple asters and then dragging them into the pond to feed. 


Other notables included flocks of pipits, several warbler species, some whale sightings and this Yellow-bellied Sapsucker that wanted to return continually to the lone apple tree at our campsite despite our presence. It appears the tree has been frequented in the past by sapsuckers as well if the number of holes bored in the tree are any indication. Some were bleeding sap while others had healed. 


Well that's all I have to share for now. Until next year...