Monday, June 13, 2016: Cape Breton National Park
Nova Scotia
Middle Head Rock
This one and 1/2 hour hike over rocky, "rooty," and wet terrain to get to these rocks was well worth it. A lone Canada Goose was nesting there as were many Herring Gulls, Black-legged Kittiwakes, and Great Black-backed Gulls. American Crows were ever-watchful for unattended eggs and/or chicks. Various warblers, sparrows and chickadees were singing in the forest as we hiked through to the rocks.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Song Sparrow
All "puffed up" for the cold
They have a relatively complex song of various trills and clear notes with a slightly husky quality and gentle rhythm that is very pleasing to listen to.
Their song is so intricate that other birds like mockingbirds, catbirds and Brown Thrashers are not able to effectively imitate it.
Canada Goose
The lone goose nesting on the rock.
American Crows
They are very intelligent birds who have been taught to mimic the human voice. They can even count and work out solutions to simple problems and are fascinated with and collect shiny objets such as keys, rings, tin foil, pop tops, etc.
This species has been greatly affected by the recent introduction of West Nile virus to North America. Infected birds usually die in less than a week and in some areas the loss of crows has been very substantial.
Since American Crows are the only crows here, we don't have to compare voices with Fish Crows to tell the two species apart.
They are omnivorous, eating a wide variety of prey items - always on the look out for a stray chick or egg at a nesting colony.
Great Black-backed Gulls
This huge gull (our largest and bulkiest) was originally described by Linnaeus in the 1700s and still bears its original genus and species name, Larus marinus.
On their nests
Only one egg
Most had two or three chicks
Mama is preparing to regurgitate a fish meal for her youngsters
Presto!
The chicks seem always hungry
Signs that bring a smile:
On a Septic Tank truck - "Yesterday's meals on wheels"
Signs
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