Barred Owl

Hello Everyone
I had an unexpected guest as we sat down to eat supper last night. A BARRED OWL sat in my tree and then flew to my clothesline post looking for his supper. Here is a couple of snapshots i got before he flew away.

Two Mink

Hi Everyone
Well i survived my exams last one was today yay!Hopefully i can get out for a good hike this weekend to see what is in the area. As the ferry was pulling into the slip yesterday two minks scampered after each other running up the slip and then onto the beach. Some turkey vultures have been in the area along with an eagle.

Hike to Northern Light

Hello Everyone
What a gorgeous day! To bad i had to stay in for most of it studying exams, oh well...I did manage to hike to Northern Light and back and sighted lots of black-capped Chickadees in the alders picking at the cones. I got a picture of one hanging upside down on an alder and it had a band on its leg! Might have been one of the birds we banded this year at the Brier Island Migration Banding Station at Northern Light! Also sighted an immature Bald Eagle fly by and Eider Ducks, 2 Buffleheads and 2 Goldeneyes. Blue jays , and 10 white-winged crossbills were heading to Northern light. They would circle then head back in towards land again. Will post a picture of the chickadee with a band as soon as i can.
At my feeder a tree sparrow and the usually male pheasant was putting the run to the crows. Guess he figured they are eating his food to much!
Hope everyone got a chance to enjoy the day.

Stormy weather

Hi everyone
Well we got more snow with a mixture of rain today. At my feeder i sighted 4 hen pheasants and one male pheasant along with Blue jays and a chipping sparrow. In the trees nearby i sighted 5 Robins, to bad it wasn't a sign of spring but i think we have a long way to go before we see that! The wind has really picked up and the lighthouse horn has been going so i guess we are in store for more snow this evening. Time to go in and sit by the wood stove, goodnight everyone and stay warm and safe!

Brier Island Bird Sightings

Hi Everyone
Got a chance to hike around Brier Island today. At Gooseberry Cove i sighted a Red-tailed Hawk, Black Ducks,Bald eagle and Northern Gannets flying by. At Western Light down camp road a group of Black-capped Chickadees went through calling to each other. Pond Cove the road still had a bit of snow on it which was interesting driving my car through. Good thing there was tracks to follow! Lots of kelp on the beach, 10 crows, and 2 hen pheasants. In the village Blue Jays, Starlings, and common grackles.

Bald Eagles

Hi Everone
WHile waiting at east ferry for the Petit Princess 2 adult Bald Eagles soared by. Rafts of Eider ducks in the passage and in tiverton near the wharf was 7 Red-necked Mergansers. Hopefully i can get out for a good hike this weekend and see whats around in Brier Island.

Wildlife sightings

Hello Everyone
Well we survived our first storm of the new year and after alot of shoveling and cleaning up our islands are none the worse for wear! Today while traveling down digby neck i sighted a coyote crossing a large snowy field. It looked like it was tracking something it certainly had its nose to the ground hurrying along. Also a male pheasant ran across the road in front of me and a red tailed hawk was in the air hovering over something it must have sighted in the snow. When i got home i got out of my car and sighted an owl perched in a tree in the back yard. I ran into the house to grab my camera but alas he flew away before i could take its picture. Couldn't tell what kind of owl it was but it looked to be about medium size.
Rafts of eiders floating in petite passage, also some common mergansers.
Well thats all the nature reports for today, have a good evening!

Storm Daze....

Hello Everyone Well our Island has certainly had its share of snow, wind and sleet. A storm blew in on New Year's Day and the snow hasn't stopped since! Topped with very high tides reaching up to 28 feet, islanders worried about flooding in there basments. My husband was out driving when he capture video of the sea washing over the lower wharf and also another video of the water going through the salt marsh in irish town by the bridge.Will try to post when it is compressed. It made for some interesting weather watching! I did managed to see some ducks on the 2nd in the marsh. Today the sun has been out and the snow has been melting creating lots of water on our roads. Many people are still digging there way out and as i type their is huge fluffy snowflake falling down steadily. Glad i got my son back to college on New Year's Eve, the roads are probably terrible.