[ValleyNature] harlequins, soft frog calls, etc. -- was Horned Grebes etc

[James W. Wolford]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: john belbin <jbelbin at ns.sympatico.ca>
> Date: April 15, 2009 5:32:43 PM ADT
> To: NatureNS <naturens at chebucto.ns.ca>
> Subject: [NatureNS] Horned Grebes etc
> Reply-To: naturens at chebucto.ns.ca
>
> I had to spend a few hours in Middleton at the science fair, so as  
> soon as possible I paid a visit to Port George and the  
> Margaretville area.
> The conditions at 2pm were ideal: high tide - sunny skies - dead  
> calm - warm. That's the first time I could say that this year!
>
> PORT GEORGE
> 2 adult Horned Grebes were feeding close to shore in full breeding  
> plumage. Those orange-red necks and striking yellow head patches  
> were amazing when you are only used to seeing them in winter drab  
> colours.
> A little further along a Red-necked Grebe tried to haul itself out  
> of the water onto a rock. What a performance! Lots of slipping and  
> sliding and wing flapping and chin banging before the deed was  
> done. You could almost hear it cursing!
>
> There were a total of 10 Harlequin Ducks, all in male-female pairs  
> and widely separated.
> 2 Long-tailed Ducks surprised me, I would have thought that they  
> would be long gone by now.
> A single Red-Breasted Merganser male glowed in the sun and showed  
> off his hairdo.
> A lone Purple Sandpiper stood absolutely still on a rock and gazed  
> at the water like an Uppity Canadian tourist.  Other sightings:-
> 33 Surf Scoters
> 29 Common Eider
> 3 White Winged Scoters
> 8 Common Loons
> 3 Red Throated Loons
>
> MARGARETVILLE D.U. POND
> 2 Hooded Mergansers
> 2 Ring Necked Ducks
> 1 Wood Duck
> 1 Northern Flicker
> Lots of soft frog calls
>
> MARGARETVILLE
> 14 Black Scoter, half of them sleeping
> 2 Surf Scoters
> 5 White Winged Scoters
> 17 Common Eiders
>
> It was a great day for comparing close relatives under ideal  
> conditions - lets hope we get more of them.
> John Belbin

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