Friday 30 December 2011

Winter Goldeneyes

After seeing a post on NF.birds on Wednesday that chamberlains had goldeneye hanging around and also that there was a female buffel head sticking around i wasn't long heading down Thursday morning.
Even though i didn't get to see the buffel head, i did see some goldeneye and many gulls (not great looks)



I was surprised to see about 15 black headed gulls flying along the shore, they offered some cool photo oops !


So far my bird feeder does not have any action.But I'm sure with in a few weeks it should pick up.I seen a small hawk flying around the Field behind my house chasing little birds so i would assume that, that wont help bird feeder action


Wednesday 28 December 2011

Cape Spear & St.Johns

Today i was able to get out birding with Alvan Buckley and his girlfriend, we started the morning by birding cape spear, at first it was a little dull with not much bird activity but the sunrise was quite nice !


Then the brids began to show them selves, we seen a flock of about 76 purple sandpipers which was a first for me ! It was amazing to see how at home they are right next to a raging sea.


They were moving around the shore and eventually landed not to far from us !



Other things we seen off the point were: 9 Dovekie around the rocks (good looks through Alvan's scope) 17 long-tailed ducks flying around in the open water, 2 white winged scooter that had been seen before earlier in the week ( a lifer for me ) and a first winter Bald eagle that soared right over our heads !
Also there were sea duck hunters in a small camo boat just off the point that i don't think helped out our sea watch !

After wards we headed to the town of blackhead and surrounding areas where we seen a huge flock of about 80 American robins and we also herd a pine grosbeak !



We then proceeded to see if we could relocate the sora that Alvan had found the evening before at Kent's pond.With in 20 Min's of our arrival the soara appeared out of the woods and began to feed and drink just meters away !

I had mentioned that i hadn't seen the cape may warbler that had been hanging around gene herzberg's feeder.So we dropped in there and sure enough it was there feeding on the suet (another lifer for me !) as you can see the day was good and just got better !
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To finish up the day we headed to Nevile's pond in paradise so Alvan could see the Eurasian wigeon that i found was hanging around the area now for a few weeks


Now when my bird feeders start to get action i will post the species that i am seeing !

Tuesday 27 December 2011

The First Of Winter Birding

So far winter birding has been pretty slow for me with school and work Ive been kept busy.
I did get out today with a good friend and i was surprised  at how frozen everything is.
This cold weather has froze up most ponds meaning ducks are forced into the small bodies of open water, this is great for photography because you can get close to birds that you would normally not be able to go so close to !



Today i was able to go to look for the red bellied woodpecker with no success but i also checked Burton's pond in the MUN campus, which was home to many tuffed ducks ! They offerd great photo opportunities


I cant get enough of these play full little diving ducks, they make a very unique sound and have a strange behaviour. I hope too go back and get some more shots of these little guys !

Also today i went out on a little bird feeder shopping spree i picked up what i hope will do me for quite some time


Now tomorrow morning I'm hoping to go birding with some more experienced birders and i will make sure to post what i see ! Merry Christmas !

Sunday 4 December 2011

Posts to come

This i just a quick post of some recent shots i got, Christmas break will soon be here and i plan on posting quite a bit to make up for posts not done......enjoy :)