Cedar WaxwingThe Cedar Waxwing is widespread in Nova Scotia and gregarious. We have annual visits by this elegant bird at our multiflora brambles and occasionally if we are lucky the Bohemian Waxwing. The waxwings are in my opinion the most elegant, akin to Audrey Hepburn, of birds. They breed locally in the coastal boreal forests of the Duncan's Cove Nature Reserve. Cedar Waxwing
Eastern Wood-PeweeThe Eastern Wood-Pewee is a favourite woodland flycatcher of mine. The cry of "peee-a-weee" is a haunting reminder of our wild places, of our mature deciduous and mixed forests. Sadly, its in decline thanks to our farmers. The Eastern Wood-Pewee could easily be renamed the Yellow-bellied Wood-Pewee. Eastern Wood-Pewee
Wentworth FallsWentworth Falls is also known as the Bridal Falls. I've photographed these falls, high water and low, winter, fall, spring and summer. The area around the falls has lots of bird life to add melody to the rhythm of the falls. Wentworth Falls
Summer TanagerI had excellent equipment photographing this bird but sometimes there is a price to pay for low light and shooting through a window. This Summer Tanager is not yet totally red but the contrast of colours green to red is striking nonetheless, perhaps more attractive than the all red adult male. The bill of this species is a trade mark. The lack of depth of field is evident with the body in focus but the slightly turned head out of focus. Summer Tanager
Common GallinuleThe Common Gallinule is an annual regular visitor to Nova Scotia. It crosses the border from its nesting sites in New Brunswick's marshes. This elegant bird has over sized feet for walking about on lily pads. Common Gallinule
Pennant PeninsulaWe are fortunate here in the Halifax area to have such spectacular scenery easily accessible. One of the best trips in the clockwise direction is the Pennant Peninsula Loop. Start at the Dingle, thence to Purcell's Cove, Ferguson's Cove, Herring Cove, Portuguese Cove, Chebucto Head, Ketch Harbour, Sandy Cove, Sambro Head salt marsh, Sambro salt marsh, Sambro Harbour, Crystal Crescent Beach Provincial Park(one of the best places to visit for scenery and wildlife in Nova Scotia), and finally West Pennant Point. This completes the first of two loops. The second loop continues to Long Lake Provincial Park(great for swimming), East and West Prospect, West Dover, Peggy's Cove and back to Jerry Lawrence Provincial Park. This trip will exhaust anyone. Pennant Peninsula
White-breasted NuthatchThe White-breasted Nuthatch is a nifty bird that displays a lot of unusual poses as it forages for edibles. Like the Red-breasted Nuthatch the White- breasted Nuthatch is a yard and feeder bird although less common. White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted NuthatchThe Red-breasted Nuthatch is a common yard and feeder bird. It's a bird I've not tried to photograph extensively but this year will be different since all the parks are closed. I will be doing a lot more backyard nature photography. Fortunately we also have a bog with orchids on our property. Red-breasted Nuthatch
Red-headed WoodpeckerI have seen but never been able to photograph successfully an adult Red-headed Woodpecker. They are extremely hard to find and rare in Nova Scotia. They are in decline in the New England states. The Red-headed Woodpecker must have a specialized food source, unknown to me, that is also in decline. This is almost certainly due to some human activity. Red-headed Woodpecker
Pectoral SandpiperThe Pectoral Sandpiper is a common medium sized shorebird arriving early and leaving late. It is easy to identify by its dove like bill and sharp cutoff to the chest markings. It is also easy to photograph when found and often poses beside other shorebirds. Pectoral Sandpiper ......with Least Sandpiper on left.
Black GuillemotThe winter Black Guillemot is easy to photograph this time of year as it fishes near wharves. Wait for it to dive and then get your camera ready since it often surfaces closer but only for a short time. The summertime and winter garb of this alcid is stunning especially the bright orange-red feet and legs. Black Guillemot
OspreyThe Osprey is the provincial bird of Nova Scotia. The population has revived after suffering through human stupidity, the reckless use of DDT. It's success is partially due its long life span. Osprey
White-winged DoveThe White-winged Dove is an annual regular, not rare. The absence of spotting on the back and the much larger bill mark it as a White-winged Dove not a Mourning Dove. We have had several visit our feeders over the years. It is relatively tame and easy to photograph. White-winged Dove
Red-bellied WoodpeckerThe Red-bellied Woodpecker is uncommon but a confirmed nesting species in Nova Scotia. I've had them at my feeders and seen them in the local boreal forests. On a separate and interesting note we had our first Pileated Woodpecker this morning. This species prefers mature deciduous forests or mature mixed forests so having it here in the boreal forest near the coastal barrens is unusual and a treat. Red-bellied Woodpecker
Compendium of Rare Bird Visits to Nova ScotiaThis post is a compendium of rare bird visits to Nova Scotia that I have personally recorded. This compendium does not include all my photos of rare birds but only those that have identifiable photographs. Rare birds are those that do not visit annually or are new to the province. Currently there is no rare bird reporting mechanism in Nova Scotia. There are local circles of people who do not distribute sightings province wide but share information only within their own groups. The existing Rare Bird Reports, disseminated by Cornell Labs, is a cluster of annual regular visiting birds or uncommon birds. Some of the photographs herein are crummy but one gets what one gets and more often than not the bird is distant and photographs are severe crops. Bean Goose This goose was a provincial newbie. It hung about a golf course but alas was not motivated to migrate so probably perished when the colder weather arrived.
Crested Caracara This is the national bird of Mexico. I have seen the bird in three different locations.
Eurasian Kestrel This extreme rarity is a visitor from Europe and Asia and is much larger than our continental kestrel.
Fieldfare This is another extremely rare European and North Atlantic visitor. It was very cooperative as it wintered successfully with the assistance of a crab apple tree.
Greylag Goose This example of a very rare Eurasian goose is believed to the first confirmed wild bird to visit Nova Scotia although pot-bellied likely domestic kin have been reported at other times.
Ivory Gull A few visitors from scattered arctic breeding colonies have appeared in Nova Scotia. It is without doubt the best looking gull I have seen.
Lewis's Woodpecker This is an extremely rare visitor from our Canadian west coast, a shirt distant migrant usually.
Little Egret This egret is easily confused with the Snowy Egret or juvenile Little Blue Heron at a distance.
Loggerhead Shrike I found this bird during the early morning. Thankfully it was calling, an ear splitting screech. It remained in this area for about 36 hours and was confirmed by others. I have blown up this photo and with a lot of editing the bird can be identified as a Loggerhead Shrike.
Louisiana Waterthrush
This is a mega rare bird with some variants confused with the more common Northern Waterthrush. As always, photograph and then examine the diagnostic details.
Mountain Bluebird I never did find my socks after first seeing this bird in southern Manitoba. This Nova Scotia example stayed near a motel on the south shore for several weeks.
This is another one of my many birds that only showed itself before sunrise. I had good equipment and a tripod but alas the distance and poor light compromised the images.
Northern Wheatear I have seen this northern breeding thrush several times including a sighting of three together but none posed for me so its the old story of cropping and enlarging.
Painted Bunting This is only my second Nova Scotia sighting of this bird. The first one was an overwintering female photographed through a window.
Pink-footed Goose I've encountered and photographed this goose three times.
Redwing I've only encountered this European thrush once in twenty years in Nova Scotia. This bird was severely harassed by Nova Scotia birders and photographers.
Spotted Towhee This is another mega rare western visitor. It stayed for most of the winter at one location where feeder food was plentiful.
Western Reef Heron I actually chased this bird in Newfoundland unsuccessfully and then it shows up in Nova Scotia. Unfortunately, I used a mirror based catadioptric lens. I learned my lesson on that trip and I have never used that type of optic again. This was the first confirmed visit to Nova Scotia, although as always what isn't seen isn't reported.
The next two photographs were with a conventional optic, all glass.
White-faced Ibis Interestingly when I lived in Manitoba the White-faced Ibis was the common bird whereas the Glossy Ibis was the rare bird, opposite to Nova Scotia.
Red-headed Woodpecker This woodpecker is in decline in the New England states and Nova Scotia. My example does not have its marvelous all red head formed yet.
Marbled Godwit
Black-necked Stilt
Kentucky Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
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