[ValleyNature] ducks, geese, eagle/raven nests,

[James W. Wolford]

MAR. 17, 2010 - Another in a long series of Sunny, warm Spring-like  
days -- high predicted today of 13 C., but, according to my car, it  
was already 12 C. by noon.

At the Noggins/Greenwich BALD EAGLE NEST, the presumed "owners",  
adult male and female (difference in size easy in binoculars), were  
both standing on and in the nest.  But still no apparent incubation- 
like behaviour.

At North Grand Pre (Long Island), at the south edge of the trees in  
Evangeline Campground (s. of E. Beach), an adult bald eagle was lying  
in/on the nest in apparent incubation posture.

I tried to scope the bald eagle nest on Boot Island (off ne. Grand  
Pre just east of The Guzzle), but the large distance plus distortion  
from heat waves prevented me from even seeing the nest.  I'll have to  
check it again on a cooler overcast day.

No interesting birds seen or heard on the Grand Pre dykelands, other  
than a single red-tailed hawk and singing song sparrows.

MAR. 19, 2010 - Continuing incredible Sunny & warm (12+ C.) weather  
(overdue for a late wintry setback?).  Lots of bird sounds in my yard  
this morning, including a crowing cock pheasant, woodpecker drumming,  
several song sparrows singing, same for white-throated sparrows,   
blue jays calling, etc.

With this weather I just HAD TO do a drive around to eagle nests and  
local ponds to look for ducks and geese etc:

Noggins/Greenwich eagle nest: 2 ad. bald eagles in and adjacent to  
the nest;

most of the smaller ponds are open or opening now;

Canard Pond -- 3 m,f prs + 2m n. pintails, a m,f pr of Am. wigeons, 2  
m green-winged teals, plus lots of black ducks and fewer mallards;

Harris' Pond in Canning -- nearly totally free of ice, no water birds  
at all except 4 Canada geese on lawn of house just west of pond, and  
3 cock pheasants;

Habitant River in Canning -- 11 + 6 Canada geese + 135 more at  
Aboiteau east of town;

Van Nostrand's Pond (Starr's Point, e. & n. of Pt. Wms.) -- 4 ring- 
necked ducks (1 m,f pr + 2 m);

Starr's Point (Cox's pig farm) -- 1 ad. bald eagle on river-mouth  
nest, and 1 raven in the nest on the metal grain elevator?
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Cheers from Jim in Wolfville
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