Nova Scotia Birds A Q11an11rl1Publication otth11 llova Scotia BirdSoci11t1 Winter2011 [The Birds of AUIUIDD] 2 NOVA SCOTIA BIRDS Volume 53, Issue I NOVA SCOTIA BIRD SOCIETY Executive 20 I 0-201 I President Jim Cameron Vice President Terry Boswell Past President Patrick Kelly Treasurer (acting) Gillian Elliott Secretary Patricia McKay Membership Secretary Ulli Hoger Director Chris Pepper Director Kathleen MacAulay Director Tuma Young Director Helene Van Doninck Chair NSBS Sanctuary Trust Bob McDonald Honorary Solicitor Tony Robinson Honorary Auditor Ruth E Smith Formed in 19 55, the Nova Scotia Bird Society is a member of Nature Nova Scotia and Nature Canada. The activities of the Society are centered on the observation and study of the bird life of this province and the preservation of habitat Nova Scotia Bird Society Rare Bird Alert: http:llgroups.yahoo.com/group/NS-RBAI c/o Nova Scotia Museum, Email: [email protected] I 74 7 Summer Street, Halifax, N.S. B3H 3A6 Web: http://nsbs.chebucto.org Bird Society News 4 Inside This Issue: President's Corner 4 Puffin of The Year 2010 5 Book Reviews 6 Autumn Bird Reports 7 Waterfowl 7 Galliformes 11 Loons through Grebes 12 Tubenoses through Cormorants 12 Herons 15 Diurnal Raptors 16 Rails and Cranes 19 Shorebirds 19 Gulls through Alcids 26 Pigeons through Woodpeckers 33 Flycatchers through Thrushes 35 Mimics through Warblers 40 Tanagers through House Sparrows 44 Photo Galleries 9,30,49 Weather & Other Reports 50 Weather - Eastern Annapolis Valley - Autumn 2010 50 Hurricane "Earl" - September 2010 52 Hypothetical Band-rumped Storm-Petrel at Baccaro Lighthouse 53 Ash-Throated Flycatcher and Gray Kingbird at Lanark, Antigonish 54 Upcoming Events 58 Cover, clockwise from left: A BROWN PELICAN, another "Earl" victim, was present briefly (here 9 Sep) along the Saltmarsh Trail across Cole Hbr., HRM, before turning up in distress in Danmouth, where it was captured for rehabilitation. [Photo Mike King] A number of lucky observers got to see the adult male MAGIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD brought by "Earl" 6 Sep to the mouth of Halifax Hbr. [Photo Mike King] The most outstanding bird brought here by "Earl" was this BRIDLED TERN, 4 Sep at Hanlen Pt., HRM. It was a first for Canada, and unfonunately (cont'd next page) A Quarterly Publication of the Nova Scotia Bird Society Volume 53, Issue I NOVA SCOTIA BIRDS 3 NOVA SCOTIA BIRDS WINTER 2011 Editor Blake Maybank THE SPOTTING SCOPE Production Assistants P.A. Mills Welcome to a very busy issue, presenting the birds of Autumn, 2010. But first, a belated thanks, LA Cormier and an apology. Hans Toom very graciously stepped in to do the Tanagers through Sparrows sec­ Records Editor tion for the birds of Spring, when Ian McLaren was indisposed. However, although Ian returned to Lance Laviolette write his section for the Birds of Summer, we neglected to change back the authorship of the Tana­ gers write-up to him. Our apologies. My fault, as always in such cases. Photo Editor Ian McLaren The Autumn of 2010 in Nova Scotia was one of the most exciting, ornithologically, in many years. In addition to the avian largesse courtesy of Hurricane Earl in early September, no fewer than four Events Editor new species were added to the provincial list of birds. (The additions are provisional, at least with Suzanne Borkowski respect to the Nova Scotia Bird Society's Checklist Committee, as it has yet to give its opinion.) Seasonal Bird Reports The four new birds are Greylag Goose, Bridled Tern, Snowy Plover, and Calliope Hummingbird, John Be/bin and while only the goose and the plover were "twitchable" (and consequently seen by many ob­ Wayne P. Neily servers), all were photographically documented. Ulli Hoger Eric Mills Such documentation is aided by the increasing proliferation of modestly-priced digital cameras Ken McKenna that have an increasing array of features rendering them suitable for bird photography, especially Ian McLaren zoom lenses and image stabilizing technology. It's rare, now, for rarities to NOT be photographed, Susann Myers though sometimes the images are still open to interpretation (read Ian's excellent article regarding Chris Field the vagrant flycatchers in Antigonish County). Hans Toom The internet is also aiding the dissemination of news regarding birds in the province, and more and Banner Artist & Line Art Trevor Herriot more observers are now using eBird to report their sightings, and keep track of their life lists. In­ deed, the number of sightings with which our Seasonal Editors now have to contend is growing Other Help exponentially, making their summarisation tasks much more time-consuming. While we certainly Ulli Hoger encourage all birders who are comfortable with using the internet to submit sightings via eBird (go Chris Pepper to eBird.org), the quantity of sightings for commoner species will likely require that "Nova Scotia Bird Reports to Birds" change how it summarises sightings for common species. But there will be more on this in Lance Laviolette the next issue, including a quick eBird users' guide. RR # I ,Glen Robertson, ON K0BIH0 In the meantime, Happy Spring Birding. /[email protected] Blake Maybank Photo Submissions to Editor Ian A. McLaren Photo Editor, NS Birds Biology Department Dalhousie University Halifax, NS, B3H 4} I [email protected] All Other Items to Blake Maybank Editor, NS Birds 144 Bayview Drive White's Lake, NS. B3T IZI [email protected] This mixed flock of "Earl" birds on Hirtles Bch., Lun., includes at least four, Use of any material from NOVA SCOTIA BIRDS requires written permis­ maybe five, species. Can you spot them all? [Photo Blake Maybank] sion from the Editor. departed soon after being found by the photographer and companion, although found and photographed some days later by Cost of the publication of this peri­ odical is partially borne by the Nova a lucky third observer. The nearly black cap and narrow pale fringes on the gray mantle indicate that it was a rarely-seen Scotia Museum. winter adult, which spend their life at sea at this season. [Photo Karel Allard] When searching for the Snowy Plover on Hirt/e's Beach, Lun., 6 Sep, Blake Maybank encountered many other Hurricane Earl waifs, including this saucy BLACK ISSN 0383-9537. SKIMMER. [Photo Blake Maybank] After the hurricane most LAUGHING GULLS were in groups, but this bird at Hirt/e's Beach, 6 Sep, briefly broke away from the crowd. [ Photo Blake Maybank] One rarity is a delight, but a mixed flock of Published four times a year. rarities is a special thrill. This group consisting of a BLACK SKIMMER, a FORSTER'S TERN, and several LAUGHING GULLS, was photographed by Blake Maybank on Hirt/e's Beach, 6 Sep. [Photo Blake Maybank] A number of photographers obtained excellent images of of the province's first SNOWY PWVER, but the honour goes to its finder, who also photographed it, 4 Sep on Hirt/e's Beach, Lun. [Photo Kevin Lantz] A Quarterly Publication af the Nava Scotia Bird Society 4 NOVA SCOTIA BIRDS Volume 53, Issue I BIRD SOCIETY NEWS President's Corner I would like to express how honoured I am to take on the duties of President of the Nova Scotia Bird Society. I am also very humbled as I look around and see all the work being done to further the interests of the society and birds in general. The society can only exist because so many people are willing to contribute so much time and effort as board members, magazine producers, area representatives and all the society members who took the time to send in questions, photos and observations. I am looking forward to meeting as many members as I can and "talking birds". I hope everyone will let me know what they think and see regarding the protection and study of birds in Nova Scotia. I am as close as your phone, mailbox, or computer. The first meeting of the Executive Board in the New Year welcomed two new members to the board; Gillian Elliott and Tuma Young. Gillian was appointed Acting Treasurer to replace Sunetra Ekanayake who stepped down as Treasurer at the end of the year. Tuma was appointed Director and will be working with Terry Boswell on the Membership Committee. On behalf of the society I would like to extend our appreciation to Sunetra Ekanayake for the work she did for the society during the last year. The executive of the NSBS in the corning year will concentrate on two main areas. First the continuing decrease in society membership and second the conservation of birds in Nova Scotia. The executive has formed a Membership Committee which will be chaired by Terry Boswell. Terry along with Tuma Young and Wayne Neily (to date) will be consulting with members and the public to come up with plans to reverse the continuing decline in membership. Any ideas would be appreciated and can be directed to Terry (902)-445-0135 [email protected] or to myself (902) 885-2970 [email protected]. Helene Van Doninck (902)893-0253 or [email protected] will be researching conservation ideas which can be presented to the public to preserve and enhance bird populations in Nova Scotia. Helene would like to hear from anyone who has concerns about bird conservation in the province. All bird protection concerns are important, no matter how small. During the coming months we will be continuing with our plan to have an electronic version of our magazine available to everyone. One advantage of an electronic version is that it will be published in colour. A coloured version will increase the attractiveness and value of our bird photos.