Feathered friends

The salt marsh which is sometimes a pond along the boardwalk is changed again. A recent storm removed the seaweed and sand which provided a dam at the mouth of the pond. Now the pond is gone and a stream is back in its place. You can see the opening to the harbour in the photo.

The poor American Black Ducks which call the area home don’t have enough depth to swim in places. Now we see them on the beach most days. Another storm is required to wash seaweed and sand back into the opening in the natural dam. I hope the ducks get their home back in their favourite condition soon.

Late in March, a pair of Kildeer were back in the marsh area. A pair hung out there last summer. Could they be the same birds? 

One day recently, this Hairy Woodpecker was interested in the senior taking her photo. 

The American Robins were back on the island during the last few days of March.

A Black-capped Chickadee landed on the bridge while I was there. I placed my hand in my pocket and the little bird flew around my head. I imagine it expected some food.

Mourning Doves like to pick seeds off the bridge when there aren’t any walkers around.

Dozens of Song Sparrows sing their greetings all along the boardwalk. Several were busy on the bridge collecting seeds one day. These tiny birds have powerful voices and their songs fill the air.

Tree Sparrows continue to visit the bridge as well.

A Red-winged Blackbird  finally stood still long enough for me to photograph him. We have heard their chatter for a few weeks.

The Blue Jays along the boardwalk are always talkative. Their voices dominate any choir.

A Herring Gull 

and a Ring-billed Gull 

are from a flock of various gull species enjoying the harbour these days.

The harbour/boardwalk area is an avian paradise despite the cold so far this spring.

At the wharf

On a weekend in the middle of December when the wind was particularly high, the dredge boat, tow boat and barge which had been working in the harbour at Summerside, were tied up at the wharf. They left the next week, their work completed.

It was difficult to take photos of the vessels since they were in a secure area but I took a few photos from the shore. The tow boat, Atlantic Tamarack, was small compared to the barge and the dredger.

This area is home to the marina as well, which sits between a popular tourist area known as Spinnaker’s Landing and a breakwater. 

The colourful shops of Spinnaker’s Landing are always busy in the summer. 

The marina is empty, the boats all ashore for the winter. 

However, every summer, the area is alive with marine activity when the recreational boaters tie up there. 

Ice was forming in the marina in December, though into the second week of January, the harbour has yet to freeze. 

The harbour ice at low tide

The ice in the harbour at Summerside, Prince Edward Island this time of year is fascinating.

 

During our last walk there this week, ice was left behind by the retreating tide, aground and fractured. 

 

Pans of ice are piled on each other in places and have a hint of red colour from the island sand.

 

They abut the shoreline near the range light and the beach along the inner part of the harbour. 

 

The ice stands out against the red rock which prevents erosion along the shoreline.

 

Meanwhile, further out in the harbour, along the shipping channel, there is open water. 

 

The port has been busy this week ahead of the freeze up of the Northumberland Strait.

Soon all will be frozen for another winter.

The freeze

It doesn't take long. A few days of freezing temperatures and the harbour at Summerside, Prince Edward Island begins to freeze over for another winter. It won't be long now!