Birds of Duncan Reef

About the middle of August shorebirds begin to migrate through the Duncan Reef area. The reef is the only hospitable piece of coastline when the birds round Chebucto Head and see Eastern Head in the distance. This time of year with favourable south-easterly winds the kelp heaps pile up along the shoreline and ripen in the sun hosting maggots and kelp flies.

When I arrive here gulls, crows and ravens often keep back many of the shorebirds. They scatter when I sit down in my favourite rock nook but soon all the birds return sometimes within 3 metres of my feet.

This activity and feeding will continue through December with the mix of birds changing from shorebirds to sparrows, including Ipswich Sparrow, Snow Buntings, American Pipits, Longspurs and Horned Larks. From time to time falcons and hawks will course in from the trees and scatter the feeding flock, but they soon return.

Duncan Reef

DuncanReef

Whimbrels with Sambro Island and Eastern Head in the Background

Whimbrel

Ruddy Turnstone

Ruddy Turnstone Ruddy Turnstone Ruddy Turnstone Ruddy Turnstone Ruddy Turnstone

Savannah Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Savannah Sparrow

Spotted Sandpiper

Spotted Sandpiper Spotted Sandpiper Spotted Sandpiper

Common Raven

Raven Raven

Least Sandpiper

Least Sandpiper Least Sandpiper

This Least Sandpiper is in an attack posture. For some reason these birds like to squabble with each other despite the abundance of good eating.

Least Sandpiper Least Sandpiper

Another Least Sandpiper in attack mode.

Least Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Ruddy Turnstone Ruddy Turnstone Ruddy Turnstone Ruddy Turnstone Ruddy Turnstone Ruddy Turnstone Ruddy Turnstone Ruddy Turnstone

The unidentified morsel in this Ruddy Turnstone's bill is a common bill of fare.

Ruddy Turnstone Ruddy Turnstone Ruddy Turnstone Ruddy Turnstone Ruddy Turnstone

Great Black Backed Gull

In an usual display of bravado the Great Black Backed Gull nips at the tail feathers of the Common Raven, a risky move I think.

Ruddy Turnstone

Ruddy Turnstone Ruddy Turnstone Ruddy Turnstone Ruddy Turnstone Ruddy Turnstone

This is my favourite photo of the batch.

Ruddy Turnstone and Least Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone and Least Sandpiper