Monday 26 October 2015

Scaup at Thornton.

 Three juvenile Scaup were in the central area of Thornton Reservoir today.
 I think they were present this am. They were busy feeding and were viewable from the car park.



Sunday 4 October 2015

Canadian Warblers ID- Help!

.
 I would welcome any help or verification on these birds seen on my recent trip to the St Lawrence.
A. Philadelphia Vireo
 B. Wilsons Warbler (looks bigger in the hand I think)
 C. American Redstart.
 D. Yellow Warbler.


 E. Magnolia Warbler




 F. Yellowthroat.



 G. Nashville Warbler? above and below.




 H. Blackpoll Warbler ? just seems too yellow, above and below.

 I. Yellow Rumped Warbler- dancing to its shadow!
 Same as H above and below.



 J. Palm Warbler ? above and another Yellow- Rumped below.


K. 2 Blackpoll Warblers. These do seem to fit the drabness of immature Fall birds.




They were good fun, but tricky to photograph, at least that is my excuse for some poor images.

Saturday 3 October 2015

Parc Nature de Pointe-aux-Outardes. Well worth a visit.

 A' 2h30 a' l'est de Tadooussac est Pointe-aux-Outardes.
 If you are travelling along the St Lawrence then make sure you visit this reserve.
Horaires d'ouverture- De juin a, octobre, du lundi au dimanche, de 8h a' 17h.
 Great range of habitats and plenty of good bird watching to be had. Also a good place to practice your French!
 Excellent board walks make walking round the reserve a joy and very relaxing.
 Plenty of helpful information boards.
 Great vistas and places to rest and vis. mig.



 Even a clever sundial.
 Long sandy beaches along the St Lawrence.
 Thanks to Denis Cardinal for such a warm and friendly welcome. I was amazed that we could converse so well. Dennis had better English than my French, but we had some good conversations. Something to do with having the same passions!
I am also considering changing my surname. Why can't I been named after a bird!! uummm, maybe
Andy Solitaire!!

Thursday 1 October 2015

Canada Highlights.

 Just back from two weeks traveling along the St. Lawrence, from Montreal in the west as far as Matane and Baie Comeau in the east. Great weather and some wonderful landscapes and wildlife.
Lots of warblers to confuse me. I think it is a Yellow Warbler above. If not, it should be!
 Greater Yellowlegs on the rock pools at Tadoussac, our favourite place.
 Woodchuck.
 One of our targets, Ursa Noir near Sacre Ceur.
 Belugas were seen several times. Great to get a tail fluke.

 Hot Lips below!
 Although not a great photo the image below does show a grey juvenile. Cute!


 On the beach at Matane a very confiding group of Sanderling engaged us. I could have happily spent hours playing with them.






 I was totally "Gripped Off" by Paula , when she found this Hermit Thrush in the garden of our hotel at Baie Comeau. It was attracted out of the shrubbery when the gardener set up his sprinkler. Perhaps this might work on Shetland?




 This bird was with the Hermit. I think it is a juvenile Grey Catbird, but not sure.

 Juvenile Yellowthroat.

 Not sure what this is. Could be a Yellow Throated Vireo, but a tad out of its range. Below is Yellow Rumped Warbler. The only species I felt confident about!
 Another nice find was this Northern Waterthrush, again near the hotel.
 Would create quite a twitch if this was on the garden path at Thornton!
 Unidentified Dragonfly at Point aux Outardes.
 Northern Harrier, Point aux Outardes, one of my favourite places and a great reserve.
 Minke Whales were easy to photograph from shore at Tadoussac.

 This individual was within 100m of the rocks.

 Minke feeding in the tidal race at the entrance to the Saguenay Fiord, Tadoussac.