Seabird-watching - 11/10/00 10:23 PM
I am new to this forum. I actually like to read the postings and think about how I have had similar experiences. What better place to start being involved than in talking about nature. We don't need any background in anything but life to know about nature. So here goes...
I am originally from Nova Scotia, moved to Newfoundland in 1995, then New Brunswick in 1999. My interest in the great outdoors has always been there, but it was when I met my husband, Dedreic, in NF, that I found someone to appreciate it with.
The first time I took notice of birds (besides the squawking blue jays that woke me up frequently)was when I first saw shorebirds feeding on invertebrates in the piles of wrack on the shores of Bon Portage Island of the southern tip of Nova Scotia. It is simply amazing how they fatten their little bodies so quickly for the long flight ahead. I am surprised they can get off the ground. I think what caught my attention was the larger numbers that shore birds tend to travel in. Easier to detect than one little bird.
The first summer I was in NF, my husband was hired to be a field assistant on a sea bird colony in Witless Bay. I never thought a whole lot about it. He showed me pictures and the birds were cute, but it wasn't until the next summer that I went to the the island with him for 5 days...WOW! What an exciting experience. There were thousands of birds- puffins, murres, petrels, gulls, razorbills, kittiwakes! He actually lived with the birds. I was quite impressed. Now that was birdwatching.
There were so many fascinating things about the birds. The distinct sound of each species, their flight patterns, the nest location, the communication between pairs, defending their nests, social behavior, the precious chicks, food-begging by chicks, etc.
And the pictures came alive. It was fun to sit and try to get a picture of a puffin with a capelin in it's bill.
Dedreic and I have since left NF. We managed to get in some seabird watching by going on boat trips, but it's not quite the same as living with the birds.
Fortunately Dedreic has taken up research again on the colonial seabirds, this time on Machias Seal Island in the Gulf of Maine. His species of interest is the Razorbill Auk. Some say the Razorbill is the King of the Colony. They are pretty spiffy looking birds. I have spent five days on this island. Most of same species again plus terns. They are pretty protective of their nests. And there are lots. I have had the chance to handle the birds during banding. It's amazing to hold them and feel how warm they are. They don't particularly like being handle. They are so alive. Isn't that just wonderful!
I can honestly say that I have learned to enjoy nature more from seabird-watching. The thrill of watching the behavior of these cleaver little critters, for me is still greater than looking for different species of the much smaller passerines, but if I spent enough time watching I am sure the appreciation would also arise with them. I just find them a lot harder to find as they flit around so much and blend in. They too are beautiful though. One day I'll have backyard I can enough them from. For now I'll enjoy Islands.
Alas, if anyone else has interests in sea birds I would love to hear about them.
Lorelei 
[This message has been edited by Lorelei.Grecian (edited November 11, 2000).]
