Pink-footed Goose

There's been a Pink-footed Goose in the Fredericton area for just over a week. A friend had sent me a picture of it, but it was on private property and it sounded like they wouldn't necessarily want a lot of people around. I let a few birders know in Fredericton though and they've been keeping an eye on the large flocks of geese all week. Yesterday, one of them spotted it at a golf course on the north side. I went in around noon and it was behind the driving range in the Saint John River. Hopefully it stays around so more people can see it!
I'm now up to 212 species for NB and 176 for the year.

Ruddy Duck

There were a lot of ducks in the Woodstock sewage lagoon this afternoon and a great variety at that. I found 15 different species of waterfowl around town, but the highlight was this Ruddy Duck. Its just the second time I've seen one and a first for the county. It stood out from the many Green-winged Teal (similar size) that were around because it kept diving and I noticed the stripe below its eye.

Red-necked Grebe

This is a busy time of year for me, but I try to check my usual spots around Woodstock when I can because you just never know what might be passing through during fall migration. Two springs ago, I found eight Red-necked Grebes in Woodstock so I wasn't that surprised to find two a few weeks ago by the marina. I don't see this species very much so it was a great one to check off especially since I had yet to see one this year. Usually I have to travel down close to the Bay of Fundy to find them and the one time I was down that way back in March, I couldn't find any. I'm pleased to now be up to 174 for the year in NB (previous record, 164).

Sora

Last month I stopped in Waterville in hopes that I could find a Sora. I was fortunate that this elusive species was out in the open right when I stopped. Its the first time I photographed one so I stayed there taking as many photos as I could because I might not see another one for a while!

American Woodcock

I've only come across an American Woodstock a few times. It was great to see it out in the open and it was an experience to watch it strut across the road back in June. I was driving on a back road out towards Kilmarnack and stopped to watch it do its thing. Unfortunately the video setting on my camera wouldn't work, but I did get to snap one photo.

Great crested Flycatcher

Near the end of spring, I did some birding with a friend of mine along the Meduxnekeag River. We actually went out at dawn before the annual bird walk on the Meduxnekeag trails. I was quite pleased to find not just one, but four of Great crested Flycatchers. There were two pairs in two different locations outside of Woodstock. They were very vocal and didn't mind our presence. This was the first time I managed to get a photo of this species.

Green Heron

Back on May 18th, I had a surprise visitor in my backyard. Anytime I walk by a window, I can't help but quickly scan the area for birds. I did my usual scan that day after supper and of all things, there was a Green Heron on top of one of our trees! I got a good look at it with my binoculars and quickly got this poor photo before it was gone. I did relocate it the next day flying overhead towards a marsh. This was only the second time I've seen one and the first time I had no idea what it was. Its always rewarding to be able to spot and identify a species on your own!

Eastern Towhee

I got to see my 201st bird in New Brunswick this morning. Last night I got a call that there has been a female Eastern Townhee coming to feeders at a yard just outside of Hartland. I made the trip up this morning and got to watch it for a good half hour. At first I watched it inside with the owner of the house and later went outside at saw it in this tree (it came out along with a Song Sparrow & Dark-eyed Junco after some pishing) and even got to hear it!

Cooper's Hawk

Yesterday I made a trip to Fredericton and couldn't help put pull over when I saw a large accipiter in a tree downtown. I've been hoping to find a Cooper's Hawk on my own for a while now so I studied it with my binoculars and then took a few different photos to confirm its ID. The rounded tail stood out as well as its flat head. It's been a great to start to 2016 as I've already found 35 species.

Red Crossbill

I was very pleased to find two Red Crossbills today (first is a female, second a male). I've only ever seen them once so it was great to be able to find them again and this time study them for a bit longer. They were on the side of the road getting some grit so I backed up and watched them in the trees for a while before they flew away.