Bohemian Waxwings

I've seen Bohemian Waxwings in three different locations in the past two weeks; Nackawic, Lindsay and in my neighbors yard (Woodstock). I got a few close up shots of the flock in my neighbors yard as they allowed me to stand quite close. Here is one of the pictures from yesterday.

Northern Shrike

At the beginning of the year, I had a Northern Shrike in my backyard just for a few seconds. There were nearly 100 American Goldfinches feeding away, but suddenly they all flew away. I looked up and at the top of one of my trees was a shrike. It wasn't there long enough to get a picture, however I did get one today. I was on my way to Houlton, and happened to see this one before I got onto the highway just outside of Woodstock. 

Gray Jay, Ruffed Grouse

I finally got a picture of a Gray Jay this week. My grandfather passed away last week so I went for a drive a few days ago to get my mind of things. It was perfect timing as I came across five Gray Jays all within the same area.

I had only ever found a Gray Jay once up until then and with five around, I had plenty of chances to get a decent picture. As I kept driving, there was a Ruffed Grouse right beside the road since it was so mild out. I didn't even have to get out of my car to get a picture of it.

I have started the year of well finding 28 different species so far. I ended the year at 162 so my goal will to find more than that this year!

Horned Lark, Woodstock Christmas Bird Count

I participated in my first Christmas Bird Count for Woodstock on December 31st. Charles Graves and I ended up finding 22 species. Here is my ebird checklist; http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S16150134

Woodstock was divided into 3 areas. We met together at the end of the day to discuss our findings. Today I went for a drive to go look for some of the species I haven't seen for a while, or at all, since I knew where I could look thanks to our meeting. One of the groups found some Horned Larks so I was pleased that they were still there today so that I could check that species off of my life list. 

Black Guillemot

I managed to add 3 more species to my life list; Red-throated Loon, Iceland Gull and Long-tailed Duck. This time of year, it has been challenging to find anything new around Woodstock so I travelled to the St.John area to find those three.

Gilles Belliveau helped me a great deal by creating a map of a number of areas where I could try to find a variety of species I have yet to see. I had never been around Maces Bay or Dipper Harbor and really enjoyed spending time around these fishing communities.

Here is my picture of the day, a Black Guillemot that I found in Dipper Harbor.

House Finch, Snow Bunting

I have neglected to post for quite some time now. I had been finding quite a few new birds every week or so over the summer, but that slowed down significantly from September up until now.

There is more activity in my backyard lately compared to what I have been finding around Woodstock. I had a House Finch come for a few days for the first time not too long ago. It was actually the first I had seen in NB as well.

Over the weekend, I did happen to find around 20 Snow Buntings along the St.John River. There have been reports of them showing up around the provinces and I finally got a picture of this species. Hopefully I'll get one of the bird up close sometime as this bunch wouldn't stay still for very long.

Solitary Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper

I came across a great place where I thought some shorebirds might show up a few weeks ago. Its called Lane's Creek. The creek runs into the Saint John River and found two Great Blue Heron there and some Double-creasted Cormorants there and made a mental note to go back there again.
This afternoon I found five Killdeer, a couple Solitary and Spotted Sandpipers, three Greater Yellowlegs and three Least Sandpipers. I was quite surprised to see so many shorebirds in Carleton County.