I found and photographed the Louisiana Waterthrush yesterday at the third cobbly beach, Crystal Crescent Provincial Park. This beach has always been productive for overwintering birds such as Pipits, Lapland Longspur, Snow Buntings and Song Sparrows. The rotting seaweed fosters the growth of maggots and kelp flies. My photographs of the Louisiana Waterthrush are distant and cropped.

This bird is extremely rare, indeed it is the first one I've encountered in Nova Scotia in 16 years, although I have seen them previously in Southern Ontario.

Louisiana Waterthrush

Louisiana Waterthrush Louisiana Waterthrush Louisiana Waterthrush Louisiana Waterthrush

The beach is highly utilized by overwintering Pipits, sometimes in company with the Louisiana Waterthrush.

American Pipit

American Pipit American Pipit

American Pipit

Migrating American Robins congregate here as well, although I've never seen one overwinter.

American Robin

American Robin American Robin American Robin American Robin American Robin

American Pipit  American Pipit American Pipit American Pipit

Ipswich Sparrow  Ipswich Sparrow Ipswich Sparrow

Ipswich Sparrow

​Meanwhile back home at Portuguese Cove the White-winged Crossbill still visits daily.

White-winged Crossbill

White-winged Crossbill