BIRD NOTES

Well, this week I planned to write on the red-bellied woodpecker as one continued at the residence of Barbara McLean in Lunenburg and I had one show up at my place in LaHave.

Some weeks I struggle for a topic bird to write about. This week I could write on four or five species.

I had originally intended to write on the blue-gray gnatcatcher this time around, but hopefully that will be my focus bird in next weeks column.

On Nov. 1, I received a phone call from Kevin Lantz saying that he had found a ruddy duck at Kingsburg Pond.

Rare geese show up every year in the Truro area in October.

Most of what I'll be writing about occurred between Oct. 14-22. Locally, it again was a quiet period overall.

It is that time of year when things slow down.

I was away to Toronto in the Scarborough area from Oct. 1 through 5. I had good birding while there.

Eric Mills texted me Sept. 13 to let me know that he had found an immature common gallinule and a pied-billed grebe at Kingsburg Pond.

On my field trip to Brier Island on Sept. 12, I got to see an American golden plover.

I was birding at Cherry Hill Beach Sept. 9 and was busy photographing some sanderlings and herring gulls when I noticed a tern fly by me.

I spoke with Sue Beaver Sept. 4 and was advised that she and Ron Hrushowy of Garden Lots had an American woodcock coming to their yard. I had heard one this year, but had not actually seen one, so when Sue phoned to let me know that the bird was back on Sept. 7, I went to see it.