Not much to report on the 50dor from Day 16... I went looking for the kelpish thing and didn't see it (Port Stanley) and was pretty much bored out of my mind... I eventually threw an entire garbage bag worth of bread into the harbour (at once) and watched the gulls go crazy... But once it was over (didn't take long) - I was bored again..
I did see some things (Barn Swallow) but not enough.... Not enough...
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So how is 50dor looking?
Thursday: - strong SW winds AGAIN! This weather is rarity weather... Not epic rarity weather, but rarity weather indeed... Not sure how much time I'll have to bird, but maybe get somewhere (river? local?)
Friday - north winds caused by high pressure - perfect weather for a vulture fight... And vulture flights (big ones) can bring Swainson's... Instead of going to seacliffe to see one, I'll be intoxicated... Which is why I'm not doing a big year ;)
Saturday - south winds again!? I'll be recovering in order to go out again Saturday night... whoops.. probably won't find much on day 18/19 of 50dor..
Sunday - STRONG south winds again!? wow.. might as well just go birding anywhere.. Lakewatch somewhere, pelee, Niagara river.. check the woods for something funky! Tis the season..
Monday/Tuesday - too far in advance to really tell the weather....
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Current sea Ice -- -where's the ice??
2012:
2011:
2010:
Who really knows, but maybe the lack of Ice can bring the James Bay watchers some Short-tailed Shearwaters and Ross's Gulls?!
Tracking some Ross's gulls right now with satellite transmitters. Still pretty far north, but closer to Newfoundland than Ontario. Still, you never know! However, both species would be far more likely if there was MORE ice to push them down south. I wouldn't hold my breath for either anytime soon, although Ross's gull is way more likely, and Ivory gull even more so.
ReplyDeleteHey Mark, do you guys have any links online for the tracking of these birds? I feel like I remember looking at some Ivory Gull stuff on the sea turtle website... Would be fun to follow along! (and if you ever need any additional photographers for your high arctic research, let me know ;) !!)
DeleteI was thinking (totally lacking and facts, precedents or reason) that the lack of sea ice may give them more time to wander further afield, and once the ice finally forms - then they'd be forced southwards into areas they've never been before.. Kind of the fun part about the blog, is you don't really have to make any sense - up until someone like you comes along with actual knowledge!
Brandon
Not on a website YET, but eventually we will get some links up. Ivory gulls from Svalbard are still transmitting online (I think?)- should be easy to find. Ivory and Ross's from Canada are under the radar for now. I will, however, be sure to let you know if birds start drifting down to the great lakes :)
ReplyDeleteAs far as shearwaters go, there are probably considerable numbers still staging in the Bering Sea right now, but they are heading south to breed. We've seen tens of thousands heading NE past Barrow in late September, but virtually none after the first week of October. I doubt they even make it into Canadian waters period, let alone as far as Hudson Bay. In theory, a true vagrant would be more likely (I suspect) in late summer when a young bird might get lost and follow open water and good food further east than normal. Of course, telling it apart from a Sooty is a different matter altogether! I still wonder about your James Bay sighting....
By now, general productivity through much of the Canadian Arctic is super low, and whatever birds are still up there are stacking up like crazy in what will soon be polynyas where strong currents are keeping local productivity high. Despite what the ice maps say, a lot of what looks like open water is probably starting to slush up, and even if it is 100% clear, there is very little food left in the surface layers.
Looking forward to seeing the online version!
DeleteI'm out the door right now, but I'll have to do a better reply the next time I get online......
Brandon
I'll be content with a Black-browed Albatross.
ReplyDeleteIt's going to happen! Nov 18, 2012!
DeleteI think you meant to say October 24, 2012 !!!!
DeleteWho are you kidding?
Long range forecast for Oct 24 is south winds! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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