Canvasback

It turns out there is a duck even more rare than a Redhead in the lagoon here in Woodstock, a Canvasback! I just returned from there and got to actually spend time studying it with my binoculars and got much better pictures. The picture below isn't the greatest as it is very cloudy today and I didn't want to scare it away, but there is enough to confirm its ID. I appreciate the feedback of a few great birders (Gilles Belliveau, Joanne Savage and Dwayne Biggar) that initially made this suggestion after the picture I posted yesterday. Their guidance helped me know what to look for when I returned today. 

Canvasback

Yesterday I made a quick stop at the sewage lagoon in Woodstock. I was pleased to find a bright male Redhead! It is a first for me so I went back again early this morning. It was still there (it was actually the only duck present). I didn't get much of a picture due to the mist coming off the water, but as you can see there is enough there for a positive ID.

I plan on going back there tomorrow and definitely again on Monday. December 1st is the start of the Winter Bird List for New Brunswick so it would be great if it sticks around at least until then!

*Turns out, this was really a Canvasback! Some other great birders noticed features of Canvasback rather than a Redhead in this poor photo. I returned today to confirm the ID and will post a better picture in my next post.

American Tree Sparrow

The American Tree Sparrows have arrived in my yard. I had just one last week, but yesterday there were three. The Dark-eyed Junco's are around on a daily basis as well. I have had a high of twelve so far this winter.

Overall yesterday, it was a sparrow afternoon. A Song Sparrow has been sticking around these last few weeks of November. There were actually two yesterday and I was also surprised to see a White-throated Sparrow. We had quite a bit of snow (probably at least 25 cm) and by the time it stopped at noon, that's when all the sparrows showed up.

Northern Cardinal

This female Northern Cardinal was at my parents house this afternoon for a few minutes. It is the best picture I've managed to get of one in quite a while (I wasn't even outside to get this clear shot, it was through the window!). Since spring, I've seen one almost every month but they don't stick around very long so it can be a challenge to capture a decent photo.

Lesser Scaup & Bohemian Waxwing

The sewage lagoon in Woodstock still has a nice variety of waterfowl even though it is nearly December. I'm hoping a few different species stick around for the Christmas Bird Count which begins on the 14th next month. There were eight Lesser Scaup still there and this male was close enough to the fence for me to get a decent picture.

Some of the typical winter birds have arrived in Woodstock. I had my first American Tree Sparrow and Evening Grosbeak of the winter just last week. I also found a dozen Bohemian Waxwings just up from the lagoon last weekend. There are of reports of Pine Siskins, Gray Jays, Pine Grosbeaks, Common Redpolls and White-winged Crossbills across NB so there should be a much better variety of birds compared to last winter!