Hi,

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).]

Hi!

I've usually lived near one of the Great Lakes.

I have always wanted to see a Puffin. I've only seen them on film or in photographs. Are they quite common on the coast? Do they keep the colour on their bills all year round or do they have a "dull" time of year?

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As the Happy Moments Roll,

Pastor Andrew

Lorelei's husband, Dedreic, is giving us a slide presentation on sea-birds at Vespers this evening tieing it in with creation which should be interesting.

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In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

That's an excellent idea for my next "power point" sermon. I've done the stars, today I'm doing "Gems From the New Jerusalem." Looks like my search engine will be emitting some smoke this week.

I'd love to hear how the "seabird" presentation goes.

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As the Happy Moments Roll,

Pastor Andrew

Good morning & happy Sabbath "A".

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Edward F. Sutton

Hi, Pastor Andrew!

Puffins live on coastal islands usually in large colonies. They go there only to breed (~3.5 months) thus spend the better part of the year at sea. Witless Bay Ecological Reserve in Newfoundland has the biggest population of Puffins in Canada with about 250000 pairs. Machias Seal Island 18 km off the coast of Maine and 18 km South of Grand Manan Island of New Brunswick has about 4400 pairs. They are other areas in the Maritimes where you can see them, but I am not sure how numerous they are.

They have their colorful bill for the breeding season. The big colorful portion falls off and they have a much smaller pointed black bill.

The largest seabird colonies in this area are protected by the federal government. In NF you can only see the birds from the tour boats. At Machias Seal Island, a limited number of people can actually go on the island, sit in the blinds, take pictures and observe the birds.

Puffins are a very interesting little creature to observe behavior. They are very social. If you do get the opportunity to see them in person, you won't be disappointed.

Lorelei

[This message has been edited by Lorelei.Grecian (edited November 11, 2000).]

Thank you for that account of Puffins Lorelei! I'm proud to be a Canadian and be able to be the country that hosts those magnificent species of bird.

Wouldn't it be wild if there were Penguins up here too?!

By the way, hi Ed! It's Sunday now. Sorry to miss you on Sabbath. I tend to act like a firefly in these forums, flickering in and out to do my "enlightening."

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As the Happy Moments Roll,

Pastor Andrew

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I am correcting some spelling errors, most likely typo errors before Cathy does it.

[This message has been edited by Daryl Fawcett (edited November 12, 2000).]

Since we are talking about puffins here, I thought I would add it as a picture icon as you can see here in this post.

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In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

Great Daryl!

I just hope all of these personal requests for graphics don't become an electronic albatross...Just wait for my picture!

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As the Happy Moments Roll,

Pastor Andrew

Hi, Pastor Andrew!

My husband is actually going to travel to south America to be a lecturer on a cruise ship that tours the islands of Antarctic and sub-antarctic. He leaves this Sunday and is gone for six weeks.

He is holding back his excitement because I won't be going with him, but I know he will be thrilled to see the southern species that are similar to our Auks here in the North. He is hoping to see the King, Chinstrap, Adélie, Gentoo and Macaroni Penguins. I am sure he will have lots of pictures when he returns.

I will encourage him to share his adventure with us here on the Bird Watcher's forum.

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Lorelei:)

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5

Hi, Pastor Andrew!

Do you get any incidental gull or waterfowl species in Ontario? I know here on the east coast we get a few species from Europe when the wind blows a gale.

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Lorelei

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5

[This message has been edited by Lorelei Grecian (edited November 13, 2000).]

Hi Lorelei!

I'll ask some more experienced bird watchers around here about this.
I have found some quite interesting species in our waters, especially around Christmastime.

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As the Happy Moments Roll,

Pastor Andrew

Hi, Pastor Andrew!

Have you seen any caspian terns? They are the biggest tern species and they nest around the Great Lakes.

I hope to hear of some of the species you have around at Christmastime.

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Lorelei:)

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5

I may have seen some around Niagara Falls when I lived there.

Once I saw three terns at the edge of the falls, not flying backwards or forwards (there was quite a headwind). They seemed to be enjoying the scenery as they stood still in the air.

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As the Happy Moments Roll,

Pastor Andrew