Encounter

The first week of March provided the usual conditions for this time of year. It felt like spring for a few days, then winter returned. Wind kept us home one day and I didn’t take my camera for two days due to falling snow, using my cell phone for photos instead.

The stream through the salt marsh was flowing again at the beginning of last week. Then the weather turned cold, the stream iced over and the flock of ducks disappeared again. The blue colour of the stream was remarkable that day.

A day later, it was mild again and the ducks were back. Fog in the bay added another element to the usual scene from the bridge.

Ducks were busy the rest of the week, flying around the marsh or chasing others in the stream. The male and female Mallards put on a show as we watched another day.

Along the walkway, I always stop in this area which has a lot of animal activity if it isn’t particularly windy. 

A favourite of the Red Squirrels 

and Bluejays, 

the feeder is filled regularly by walkers to the area.

A favourite photo of the week was a chance photo of a Downy Woodpecker diving from one tree to another in that area.

Meanwhile, on a calm day, the resident Mourning Doves gathered in a tree overlooking the bridge.

Another day, it looked like an American Crow in the foreground and a Common Raven beside it on the bridge railing eating seed. More expert birders can correct me if I’m wrong.

Sometimes the best stories are of the non-photo events. Yesterday, it was snowing again and I left my camera home, relying on my cell phone for photos instead. As I stood in the area near the feeder for my usual few minutes there, I was buzzed by Black-capped Chickadees. The tiny birds expect food from walkers who stop. I didn’t have food with me but they didn’t give up. I could hear their wings all around my head. 

As I held up the cell phone to take a photo, one of the birds landed on the top of my phone at eye level. No photos of course. Such an incredible experience looking into the face of that tiny creature about 30 centimetres away. 

The little bird stayed for mere seconds but I was happy not to have reacted negatively and scared it off. 

It was a memorable encounter and one I will talk about for some time.

Territorial

We enjoy the neighbourhood crows, a flock of five which we see every day. Watching them, we have come to appreciate the birds and observe them everywhere we go. Consequently, we always notice the two crows which consider an area near the end of the boardwalk their home turf.

Recently a Bald Eagle landed in a tree in that area, settling in to watch for its next meal. The two crows weren’t having a eagle in their domain, so they dive-bombed the bird until it left the tree. It circled while the crows watched and then flew out over the bay.

In the bay, the eagle caused a stir among the ducks far into the bay, not visible until they reacted to the eagle. It was difficult to photograph them however.

Meanwhile at the nearby feeder in the crows’ domain, two Mourning Doves fed on seeds at the base of the feeder, oblivious to the danger they had just escaped. The crows had defended the area well.

Several days later, when we arrived at the end of the boardwalk, the crows were nowhere to be seen. A Bald Eagle was settled in a tree top beyond the trail overlooking the bay.

Out on the bay, a flock of diving ducks were feeding, unaware of the predator watching the scene. My husband and I watched for several minutes and when the ducks left the area,

flying out of the bay, the eagle followed.

How fortunate we are to be able to see these animals year round.

P.S.

In the fifth photo you can see the stand of a wind turbine across the Northumberland Strait in New Brunswick. It is rarely visible from shore in Prince Edward Island.

Respite

He sits on the bench along the boardwalk with a bag of peanuts and feeds the animals. They know him well since the snow disappeared and the air is warmer. He enjoys this time, leisurely giving the nutty treasures to Blue Jays and Red Squirrels as people go by, most greeting him as they admire the antics of the animals. 

He doesn’t have much to say because he’s not there for the people. Besides, his hearing prevents him from understanding much of what others say but the animals don’t mind.

While I watched one day, two squirrels scampered away with the nuts, returning quickly to the man, one coming from behind, quickly jumped to the bench and up to his knee. It took the peanut from his hand. He threw a peanut for the other, as he does with the Blue Jays. The man smiled and talked to them as he sat there, relaxed as he enjoyed the setting and the experience.

Around the man, a number of other birds hang out too. A Robin watches from a nearby tree 

as does a Mourning Dove, waiting for any leftovers when the more aggressive animals are done. 

One can hear the efforts of a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker nearby and see it in the tree behind the man and the other animals.

The area is a playground with snacks for the beasts.

For a few minutes in the day, a person sits and communes with nature. During that time, the cares of a troubled world and those in his own life disappear as he feeds the animals, oblivious to all else.

Everyone could benefit from a few of those minutes.

Welcome friends

There was snow in the forecast so we went to the boardwalk in the early morning ahead of the inclement weather. The birds greeted us as soon as we left the car. The American Crows, fewer in number now than earlier this year were in exceptional voice as were the Blue Jays. However, other birds are along the boardwalk now too and they are a welcome sight,

Two Mourning Doves sat in trees near the gazebo. Their cooing was audible above the noisy birds in the distance.

Numerous Black-capped Chickadees are back, hiding in the trees, waiting for walkers to place seeds along the bridge for them. They will feed out of one’s hand as well.

Red-breasted Nuthatches have returned and are ready to feed from one’s hand. However the more aggressive chickadees chase them away.

A single European Starling dropped by to see what’s going on. It is unusual to see one of these birds on its own.

The Song Sparrows have returned. We heard them and recognized their melodies long before we saw them. They are such powerful singers!

Meanwhile out over the harbour, a gaggle of Canada Geese flew by demanding our attention with their conversation as they looked for a place to land.

Can anyone identify this bird? I have never seen it before though I imagine it is common  on the island.

After a winter of crows and jays, these new arrivals along the boardwalk entertain walkers out for exercise and a break from the isolation.