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Wednesday 5 May 2021

Birds of the park

It stood there alone, surveying the scene, a lone sentinel on an eroded promontory. One could easily miss it with the naked eye but a walk along Orby Head and a camera lens helped bring it into focus. A Great Cormorant kept a silent vigil in a place where many Double-crested Cormorants usually gather. It looked regal more than lonely there and doesn’t move as I watch for several minutes.





A few weeks later, Double-cresteds were at the same location at Orby Head. The crests on the sides of their heads are obvious on these males.





During our first visit to the park in early April this year, we had a picnic under a maple tree which had several Black-capped Chickadees busy flitting around its branches. Unlike our experience of chickadees in more recent days on the trails, these chickadees were silent.





We hear woodpeckers in the trees around the Grove every time we visit. On one occasion, I saw this Yellow-bellied Sapsucker on a nearby tree, more exposed than usual. It looks like its markings were painted on. 





It flew away and within seconds a mature Bald Eagle flew overhead. 


Common Grackles on the railing to Cavendish Beach were noisy, stopping briefly after doing aerial acrobatics, both gazing skyward.





Gulls in the waterways of the Homestead Trail soar on the wind. We recognized a Ring-billed Gull among them.





We’ve seen pairs of Mallards in the national park in several areas, including MacNeills Pond, Cavendish Grove and on the Homestead Trail. A pair was hanging out with the gulls.


Red-winged Blackbirds love Cavendish Grove with all the bulrushes/cattails there. The males are chatty and like to sit in nearby trees and survey their domain. The females are more elusive. This male shows a hint of red.





Finally, it could be sad news about the geese in the Grove. The goose which was nesting on an island in the pond is off the nest and there aren’t any goslings. 





This nest looked rather exposed to us, compared to those on a similar island in previous years. We fear the worst happened. The last time we visited, twice during the day we watched the proceedings, hoping to see goslings. This pair could be the couple which hung out in this location by the pond before nesting began.





Meanwhile at the opposite side of the pond, a goose and some mallards appear to tolerate each other. 





My husband and I enjoy the birds every time we visit the national park on Prince Edward Island.




30 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

It's always been a treat for me to see a red-winged blackbird -- love them!

Martha said...

What a beautiful collection of bird photos. I always really love seeing birds of all kinds too.

William Kendall said...

Beautiful photos.

photowannabe said...

Delightful "Eye-Candy". I love your photos of the different birds.
Oh so sad about the Geese. I wonder what happened.
We have some large Blue Jays and robins flitting around our backyard. I think they are getting drunk on the new growth on our Mulberry and plum trees.
My camera just can't take a decent picture of them.
Love yours though.
Sue

Bill said...

What a great day to be out and about enjoying your feathered friends. Super photos, Marie!

Elephant's Child said...

Fabulous sightings thank you.
I mourn for the geese and hope they found somewhere more to their liking (and yes I know I am an optimist).

Helen said...

We regularly see cormorants, but of course none of your smaller, delightful birds. I loved seeing them against the blue sky. The woodpecker is well camouflaged in this setting.
A great photo of the posing Common Grackles. [What a funny name!]

Ruth Hiebert said...

Bird watching is such a fascinating hobby.

Tanza Erlambang said...

I know well "Black-capped Chickadees," its sound "sad" when temperature drop during winter in my backyard....

I never seen "Double-crested Cormorants" in nature... enjoy to see them.

Have a great day.

Red said...

Surprised that a goose nest would be destroyed as they are fearsome birds.

The Furry Gnome said...

Nice pictures Marie!

Debbie said...

i am not sure if i have ever seen a great cormorant, this one is quite impressive. i do see the double-cresteds, they are abundant in this area!!

the yellow-bellied sapsucker is gorgeous and your image of it is spectacular, it is a woodpecker i do not see here!! the empty nest is such a sad sight, too bad!!

Joanne Noragon said...

That is a beautiful yellow bellied sapsucker.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I so enjoy seeing your bird shots Marie, the Chickadees are so sweet, the woodpeckers fabulous! It's a tough old world out there for newly hatched birds and young animals, survival of the toughest really ✨

Ginnie Hart said...

You bird watchers always intrigue and amaze me, Marie. In fact, I sometimes wonder if that's a hobby waiting for me in the wings? Maybe! In the meantime, I love that you know their names and can tell us so much about them. Thank you. It inspires me.

Oh, and btw, my husband of 21 years often called me his "little chickadee." :)

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Thanks for this interesting and entertaining visit to Cavendish and its birds. The woodlands should be full of warblers, flycatchers etc at this time of the year too. Are Piping Plovers breeding in that area?

DJan said...

I love seeing all these wonderful birds. It sure does look like that nest was ravaged by a predator.

Catarina said...

The beautiful birds of the park !!!

That woodpecker is quite handsome!!

Goldendaze-Ginnie said...

That Great Cormorant is regal indeed !

I thought you might get a kick out of one of my blogger's comments on my son's poem about his father's workshop. It was from a female who does a lot of projects away from home and she posted that she was tired of her tools disappearing so she spray painted them all PINK. Problem solved !

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Beautiful pictures
It is sad to see the empty nest. I don't know if they try again like some birds.

Anvilcloud said...

You are both observant and descriptive.

peppylady (Dora) said...

I have a thing about birds. Even for a creative adventure I would like to do a bird(s)
Coffee is on and stay safe

At Home In New Zealand said...

What a great place to see birds. I love the markings on that woodpecker :)

baili said...

these are splendid and mesmerizing sights dear Marie !

we see such sights on geographic only ,how lucky to be able to have such exuberant life in abundance around you :)

now i leave you part of me with you so every time when you witness this splendor i can feel the warmth here :)

outstanding images!!!

John's Island said...

Hi Marie, Of all the blogs I follow there are not many where I enjoy going back and looking at posts more than once. Just now I went back and looked at all of your posts to the beginning of April. You really do an excellent job with Island Musings. Thank you so much for sharing a part of your life on PEI with us. Happy Mother’s Day to you and kind regards from Seattle. John

Shammickite said...

Another lovely exploration of Nature and Spring! Isn't it terrific to get out and enjoy the weather now that everything is warming up a bit!

Liz Hinds said...

You take such wonderful photos!

Mage said...

Look at all those wonderful birds. We have a more limited variety here half way up the point.

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

I am always fascinated by photos of birds especially close ups! My photography and equipment doesn't allow for close ups unless I am on top of the bird. I am enjoying your beautiful photos and your beautiful writing.

Rose said...

I wish I lived where I could see cormorants! I am fascinated by them...maybe because I have so seldom seen them.