Nova Scotia Birding Trip

Fieldfare

On Sunday, February 8, 2 friends and I went to Nova Scotia to see a rare bird.  A FIELDFARE had been coming to a yard in Apple River, NS.  This is another mega-rarity for birders.  We found it feeding on apples still on the tree in their front yard.   

The Fieldfare is a bird normally found in Europe and Asia.  It breeds in northern Europe and Asia and winters in central and southern Europe.  It is also found in Greenland and Siberia.  Its preferred habitat is woods and woodland edges in summer and open country, fields, and agricultural areas in winter.  Being a thrush, it is related to our American Robin and looks somewhat like it, although just slightly bigger.  We heard it vocalize and it sounded a bit like our robin but was more like a "shak-shak-shak".  It has a gray head, nape, and rump and red-brown on its back and wings.  The breast is orange or sometimes buff with black arrow-shaped spots.  The belly is white.  It is a striking bird and a delight to see.

In the pictures below you can see some of its multiple colours.  It was very actively feeding as you can see.

Also at the place where we found the Fieldfare, there were very active feeders with lots of bird activity. There were the usual Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, Downy Woodpeckers, Starlings, American Goldfinches and also Pine Siskins and Common Redpolls which are shown below.

Pine Siskin

Common Redpoll

We stopped at a couple of active farms en route where there was much bird activity.  There we found crows along with a group of gulls.  These included Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Ring-billed Gull (one only), and Iceland Gulls.  Shown below are a 3rd winter and a juvenile Iceland Gull.  These gulls winter here and usually spend their summers in the far north.

3rd Winter Iceland Gull

Juvenile Iceland Gull

We also found some interesting winter finches at these farms.  Horned Larks come here in the winter and spend their summers in the far north.  Lapland Longspurs do the same and these two species often hang out together.  They like to feed on the ground and eat seeds and insects.

Horned Larks

Horned Larks

Lapland Longspur

PETA & Chips or Should Aquariums Serve Their Exhibits Cousins As Food?

 This in itself strikes as total hypocrisy to an organisation that espouses the rights of animals and speaks for “all the fish in the sea” but then decided to kill other species in proxy of their rights.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is not adverse to running campaigns that do very little to further animal welfare or conservation. The most recent example can be found in a letter these self-publicists wrote to the U.K.'s National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth.  The story was picked up by the Plymouth Herald and under the headline: "Plymouth's National Marine Aquarium Defends Decision to Serve Fish in Restaurants after Complaints from Animal-Rights Campaigners" the newspaper reported PETA's complaint regarding the ethics of fish being served to customers in the aquariums cafe.

PETA’s Dawn Carr's letter on behalf of “all the fish in the sea [sic]” stated:

“The National Marine Aquarium advertises itself as a place where people can cultivate an understanding of and admiration for sea animals. Yet after inviting people to look on these glorious, fascinating animals in awe, it's odd that your café then invites people to stick a fork in them..."

Further it claimed that:

“... the seafood in your cafés is made from living sea animals who treasured life and were needlessly subjected to pain and fear..."

The aquarium rightly pointed out that all the fish served in their food outlets come from  recognised sustainable sources. 

It further stated:

“All fish and seafood served in the aquarium cafe is ethically sourced and MSC compliant...We have a robust purchasing policy in place that is proactive in sustainable and seasonal fish, ensuring we maintain the highest levels of sustainable fish sourcing practices possible.”

Dr David Gibson the aquarium's Managing Director further added that the aquarium aims to educate consumers on how best to source and eat fish and seafood responsibly.

“We’ve also spearheaded a number of initiatives, including helping Plymouth to win the world’s first Fish2fork Blue Fish award and our current campaign for Plymouth to become a Sustainable Fish City.”

So should aquariums not feed their customers fish?  Data collected in 2012 found that 2% of those surveys in the UK identified themselves as vegetarian with less than 1% reported following a vegan diet – a lifestyle that is promoted by PETA. (Source: The Vegetarian Society).

Ironically, some of those who identify themselves of vegetarian also admit eating fish as part of their diet. Further the number of people identifying as vegetarian seem to have declined slightly over recent years.

One interesting demographic from 2007 found that the highest number of vegetarians/vegans (7%) were found to be 16-29 year old females. Now while many of these people have sincere beliefs in being vegetarian (for reasons of health or ethics as regards the rearing and killing of animals) it does not necessarily follow that they would support some of the extreme positions of groups such as PETA - for example their opposition to animals in aquariums and other zoological collections. Nonetheless, these are exactly the people PETA pursue as they believe they are more easy to indoctrinate to accept this groups own brand of animal rights ideology.

Going back to the above-cited data it is clear that vegetarianism in the UK is not representative of the general population with the majority consuming animal proteins (fish and/or meat) as part of their diet. Therefore, it would seem that there should be no issue in aquariums serving fish (or other animal protein) in their restaurants any more than it would be for them to offer vegetarian options so to be inclusive to all their customers.

Moreover (and as pointed out by the aquarium themselves) it would appear that an aquarium could be an obvious place to educate the public on fishing which would include issues of overfishing and the use of sustainable fishing techniques.

However, those who follow the behaviour of groups such as PETA are fully aware that this organisation really does not have any commitment to real animal welfare or conservation.

As an organisation they have been found guilty of annually killing large numbers of unwanted pet animals that could have been re-homed. This in itself strikes as total hypocrisy to an organisation that espouses the rights of animals and speaks for “all the fish in the sea” but then decides to kill other species in proxy of their rights. Moreover this is an organisation that has huge amounts of capital that could be used to re-house animals that have been abandoned but chooses not to do this.

One final point to ponder is that PETA admit they are absolutely against animals being displayed in aquariums and zoos. Yet when they wish to target aquarium visitors to further their vegan agenda they engage in a rather bizarre argument were the 'beauty and fascination' of the animals exhibited in the aquarium is of positive benefit.  Which seems to suggest they metaphorically want both their fish and eat it.

Winter Birds

Snow Bunting

Birding has been especially difficult this winter with the heavy snows and deep cold.  It has been difficult to get around and at many times not safe to be stopping along the roads.  It does, however, make the feeders more active.  Birds need food to survive this extreme weather.  They need more energy to keep their bodies warm.  And, often the natural food sources are covered with snow and ice.  

Above and below we see a Snow Bunting.  There are small to large flocks flying around our province feeding on weed seeds from plants poking above the snow or on seeds blown by the wind.  I have seen flocks ranging in size from 5 to 150 this winter.  They move around a lot and when the flock flies it looks like snowflakes.  Sometimes when it is very cold the snow buntings will burrow in under the snow to keep warm; a good idea!

Snow Bunting

Sometimes we are lucky enough to see Horned Larks flying in flocks during the winter.  They like open areas and are sometimes found around active farms.  They are about the size of the snow buntings but have yellow on them and sport feather tufts on their head if seen closely.

Horned Lark

Our feeders are very active with Black-capped Chickadees, American Goldfinches, White-breasted Nuthatches, Mourning Doves, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, Crows and Ravens.   We have a special feeder for the crows and ravens and they wait everyday for their meal.  

Common Redpoll

This winter we have an eruption of Common Redpolls.  They have been coming to our place to feed with the other finches.  We also had a rare holdover from summer, a Robin who has been hanging around feeding on whatever natural fruit it can find in our trees.  I hope it makes it through this cold spell.  We are putting out fruit for it but it does not seem to be able to find it.

American Robin

American Robin

Vesper Sparrow

There is a Vesper Sparrow [Pooecetes gramineus] that is over-wintering at Notre Dame, north of Moncton, N.B.  This is unusual but the bird seems to be doing well.  It is at the home of a birder who has provided a favourable habitat and lots of food.  So, the chances of it making it through the winter are good.

Vesper Sparrow

The Birds of New Brunswick An Annotated List lists the Vesper Sparrow as a rare, summer resident and a migrant; casual in winter.  It states that the population is in decline mainly through loss of habitat which is cultivated and uncultivated fields, grassland and fallow fields adjacent to farmed areas.  Its range is across Canada, south through the United States and into Mexico.  It feeds on insects during the summer, spiders and other small invertebrates.  It eats mostly seeds in the winter.  It feeds mainly on the ground.  

The Vesper Sparrow is a  large sparrow, mainly streaked grayish brown in colour.  It has a long tail which shows white outer tail feathers mainly in flight.  It is pale underneath with fine streaking.  It has a prominent white eyering and sometimes shows a spot in the middle of its breast.  It has chestnut-coloured patches forward over its wings (lesser coverts) but these are often not visible.  It is similar to the Savannah Sparrow but the Savannah has a shorter tail with no white outer tail feathers and a much less distinct white eyering.

The name of the Vesper Sparrow suggests it sings only at night but it actually sings throughout the day like other sparrows.  Its song is similar to that of the Song Sparrow but is more musical and starts with two pairs of notes.  According to Thoreau, it sounds like, "here here there there quick quick quick or I'm gone".  Sibley describes it as "too too tee tee chidididididi swiswi-swiswiteew".

In the first picture below note the overall grayish brown colour and the streaking.

Vesper Sparrow

The photo below shows the chestnut brown patch in front of the wing.  This is not always visible.

Vesper Sparrow

In the photo below note the white outer tail feathers and the fine streaking on the sides.  The white eyering is distinctive.

Vesper Sparrow

This sparrow is a delight to see.  When May comes, look for it in over-grown fields near active farms or on the edges of blueberry fields.

Plein Air Painting at Wellfleet

In September I attended a 5-day Plein Air Workshop in Cape Cod, MA.  It was put on by Jennifer McChristian, an award-winning plein air painter.  It brought together 12 enthusiastic artists from all over the northeast.  To see Jennifer's work, go to jennifermcchristian.com.

Jennifer Teaching Me [Photo by Bruce Newman]

The workshop was centered around Wellfleet, a small fishing port on the north shore of Cape Cod.  On the first day we met at the Wellfleet Preservation Hall, a century-old building which had been restored in the last 15 years from a Catholic church which had fallen into disuse and disrepair.  The first day was filled with lectures, displays and demonstrations which were useful to orientate, instruct and motivate us.  

The remaining four days were structured the same.  We gathered at a designated place in the morning and usually spent the morning watching Jennifer do a painting demonstration.  This was very informative and useful for our endeavours later.  In the afternoon we all did our own paintings, under the careful eye of Jennifer.  She was available to give us whatever help each of us needed to execute the painting of whatever individual composition we had chosen for the day.  Jennifer's husband, Ben, was always with us, acting as administrator, gopher, porter or whatever was needed.  He took very good care of us.  

Jennifer provided us with a materials list in advance.  She was very good at outlining her methods of composing and executing the painting.  She uses a few different colours and it was interesting to watch her work them into an interesting painting.

One interesting place we went to paint was the Truro Vineyard on Cape Cod.  This was a large vineyard which was well set-up for visitors.  We got to paint whatever scene we chose, whether it be rows of grape vines, large wooden wine casks, historic buildings, or the many tourists enjoying the place.  For me that was the highlight of the workshop.  

Truro Vineyard

I have attached 3 of my paintings.  Each of these was done on site, standing at an easel totally under outdoor conditions which usually were sun, wind and the occasional shower.  Each had to be finished in 2 to 3 hours.  It was a learning experience and I learned a lot.  I met new friends and watched what I consider a master at work, Jennifer.  

Abandoned Boat House, Cape Cod

A Wellfleet House From Across the Marsh

Sun Dogs

Sun dogs are a natural phenomenon which can occur any time of the year but are more prevalent in winter.  They have been visible in the skies above Fredericton at least twice recently.  

Sun Dog Fredericton 8 Jan 2015 

Sun Dog Fredericton 14 Jan 2015

Sun dogs are more prevalent in winter for two reasons.  Because it is so cold, there are often ice crystals in the atmosphere.  The other reason is the low angle of the sun making them more visible from the surface of the earth.

Light passing through ice crystals is refracted and splits up into rainbow colours making the sun dog.  The dog itself is curved because the visible spectacle is usually in an arc around the sun.  That makes another dog on the other side of the arc which sometimes can be seen.  In the two cases above, we could only see a single dog.  In both pictures above the curvature is apparent.  The reddish part of the refracted light is on the inside of the arc, i.e., on the side closest to the sun.  

Why do we call them 'sun dogs'?  Etymologists are not certain but it may be from an old English term for mist, dag.  Others believe it is from Norse mythology where a constellation of two wolves chased the sun and the moon.  The proper name for them is parhelia (parhelion singular).  Other names include mock suns or phantom suns.

Mactaquac Christmas Bird Count

Common Redpoll

The Mactaquac Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was held on January 1.  Eleven dedicated volunteer birders spent the day travelling the highways, walking the fields, woods, and roads in their sectors and recorded the species and numbers of birds found.  

CBCs are a huge contribution to citizen science which is conducted every year between the dates of 14 December and 5 January.  We have been doing it in the Fredericton area for over 50 years and the Mactaquac count, in particular, for over 15 years.  Please see a previous post on this blog on Dec. 22 for more information on how CBCs are conducted.  

Following are the results of the 2014 Mactaquac CBC.

The following graph shows how this year's results compare to other years.

This shows that for this year's count we saw an above average number of species but a below average total number of birds.  It also shows that the total number of birds has been declining over the period that these data have been taken and that the number of species has remained relatively stable.

Why was the total number of birds low this year?  We do not know for certain but we can speculate.  It was a very open winter at the time of the count.  There was very little snow and quite a lot of open water.  The water below the dam and at the fish hatchery was open.  And, so were some streams and wet, muddy areas.  There was an average cone crop and there was a below average amount of natural fruit present.  This would disperse the birds.  Fewer birds were at feeders and concentrated around other food sources and small open water holes.  This would decrease the numbers of birds seen.  The stable number of species might mean that the birds are here but we just did not see some of them.

However, the data might also show that our results are significant and that bird numbers are actually declining.  That is the value of Christmas Bird Counts!  The data from all over North America will be compiled and checked by the experts and they will be able to study changes in our bird populations.

Thanks to all who participated in this count and to the many people along our routes who allowed us to come on their properties to count birds.  Thanks also for tolerating our frequent stops along the roads.