I think we were all excited to get back to Brier Island in May for the first time in 3 years due to circumstances beyond our control. The weekend of May 13th to the 15th promised to be good birding according to the forecast models for bird migration. The weather was mostly favourable except for fog on Friday night and some light rain on Sunday. Apparently the birds didn't get the memo as there were few to be found on any of those days. On the trip there we didn't see a single warbler of any kind but late in the day on Friday we managed to see a few Black-throated Green Warblers and one Nashville in the heavy mist.
There were some highlights however despite the low numbers, one of which was a pair of Eastern Bluebirds in the cemetery where we found a lone male in June the previous year. They were showing signs of potential breeding as they were checking out a nest box but there seemed to be competition with a pair of Tree Swallows which I think had probably staked an earlier claim.
By Sunday there seemed to be a few more birds on the island, a few more warbler species could be found including Redstarts, Common Yellowthroats and Northern Parulas to name a few. I'm always happy when I can photograph Northern Parulas, they are colourful little birds with a lot of character.
There were other notable sightings including a lone Dunlin in breeding plumage and on the way to the island a flock of Purple Sandpipers in breeding plumage which were almost unrecognizable from their more familiar Winter plumage. A pair of Long-tailed Ducks were apparently late hanger-ons , also in full breeding plumage.
Although the birds may have been a little disappointing, the trip and the experience never is. Good company, good food and good conversation and a few memories to last until the next time. The plan at the moment is to do a Fall excursion and hopefully again next May if the stars align.
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