Cambridge Bay Disappointment

On July 23rd,1996 I Received a phone call from Yellowknife.. It  was from an obviously distraught person who booked in fifteen bird watchers from Europe.The problem was that the person who was in charge was in Yellowknife and the group were already in Cambridge Bay. He asked if I knew anyone who could help out until he arrived the next day.

Most of the people were professional photographers from Germany and a few from Japan. I told him it would cost him but I would help. I always feared about situations like this. Because it would tarnish the image of our hamlet and all of Nunavut. I went to the Arctic Inn and met with the group. Some were already gone on their own but the majority were still there.

I explained the situation and told them I was a resident and knew the whereabouts of the birds that lived in the area. The group seemed to be satisfied and after a quick survey of their needs I found that all the group were looking for a Orange Throated Loon., Mute Swan and a Falcon . All these birds were found near or on Pelly Mountain. This mountain was really an esker about 800 feet high and accessible by a bus I hired.

The bus driver apologized for the condition of the bus as it had not been used for months. They all piled in and away we went. I tried to talk over the noise of the bus which had no muffler and I pointed out some points of interest.Muskoxen were in evidence and all the people suddenly wanted to take their picture. Some of the people had cameras that were huge and had to be supported by tripods.

I warned them about staying well out of their way as they could be nasty if they feel threatened or their young get close to them. Some listened some did not. After about an hour I motioned them back to the bus and they managed to get moving again in what seemed like hours.We travelled the road to Pelly Mountain and we parked the bus and set out walking. Most were unhappy with the idea of walking the mile or so to the mountain top[ so decides to explore any number of small and large lakes in the immediate area.

We decided to use the time discovering what makes the tundra so spectacular. The summer flowers, the variety of birds and small and large animals abound and everyone became excited at the viewing of a family of caribou. Three thirty was the time when everyone was to back at the bus and most were.However three were not and we found out that they got lost on the wrong side of a lake and had a long painful trek back. We bumped and grinded our way back to the Inn and all I could hear was how wonderful the countryside was. I did my part and was ready for the tour guide next morning. He came under the heavy hand of a disgruntled bunch and paid the price. For me I wanted cash for the bus driver and a top notch visit for his clients.

He was useless but got through the few days when the community gave a short demonstration of local drum dancing and throat singing. We withdrew his permits for future visits as a tour guide and apologized to the clients who thanked me for helping them to have a good photo shoot.

Sparrow Family

Every year we are hosts to several families of sparrow who live in the bird houses we erected years ago. These are the most common of the birds in our area next to robins and are really interesting to watch. The have a unique social  behaviour that leads me to believe that they have a definite communication code with other sparrow families in the vicinity. 

They all live in pairs and each member of the family share in the work of building their nests. They share the house cleaning and gathering of food. When they have their babies and are attacked by blue jays or blackbirds they set up an alarm and all the sparrows in the area come to their aid.

It is really fascinating to watch the feeding of the young. Our one family has four young ones and this morning I observed them being fed by three different adults. 

This particular bird house has fostered more than score of families during the past ten years. We love to hear them singing their songs outside of our window at 3:30 am and end when the sun goes down.

Very soon these young ones will have to leave the nest and that is another display of tough love as the adults have to literally drag some of the reluctant chicks out of the safety of the house to fly on their own. Mother nature sometimes permits we mortals a look into the reality of bringing up young ones and we can learn plenty from the birds. I probably will write something about our little friends next year as they do impact our lives in a very positive manner. We are all for the birds I suppose.

Nature's Patience

We have many birds around our home but the most visible are the robins. This year as usual we have several nests in our trees.Usually the robin has three babies or more but this year we have one robin with only one chick.

This little mother has lost it's mate and the one chick stays pretty well within the confines of our front yard. Yesterday was a beautiful day and the baby robin took this occasion to perch in our Japanese Maple tree. It sat there all day and when nightfall came it remained there. Theresa and I checked at 11.pm and it seemed to be ready to stay there all night.

This morning when I checked at 7 am there it was in the same place. It began to rain and in fact pour but the little bird stayed fast in it's position. Finally the mother showed up and tried to coax it down with no success. The mother made numerous visits to feed the chick but as of now it remains firm in that location.It reminds me of the pole sitters of old who would sit on a pole for great lengths of time.

Nature has instilled great patience in the birds but this one takes the cake. We will watch and observe if the mother robin drives the chick off the branch or continues to feed it from that location.

Eagles 3, Owls 2

During the last nine years we have been watching several pair of eagles nesting and raising their young. One pair has just hatched their seventieth young ones and the other pair have been having some trouble with establishing their territory.

This pair of eagles built a nest in a beautiful tree and had success in hatching two chicks. The next year the nest took was taken over by a pair of Great Horned Owls. The following year it was eagles again  and this year the owls were there to raise their two chicks. Owls are notorious for being lazy and avoiding the work of building a nest. They steal a ready made nest from eagles or other large birds.

We are always surprised that eagles will give up their nest to owls, but they do. This year it appears to be a good year for the nesting birds but there are some problems with water levels for wading birds. When we keep score for that second nest we have it: Eagles 3 and Owls 2.

Busy Season For The Birds

The next few months are busy ones for the birds in Florida. Ownership for a good nesting space is fought over by the Florida Bird named Mocking Bird. These little birds fill the air from sunrise to sunset during the nesting period. We usually have two nests in our trees. Since they are very territorial their nests are on different sides of the house. They  have many different songs and imitate the songs of other birds.

At the golf course where there are great ponds for water birds we see numerous evidence of the mating game with Wood Storks, pelicans,ducks, Ibis and egrets all using the same space to carry out their ritual courting dances.In a way it is like spring as new life comes into focus and trees join in with fresh leaves and flowers.

The weather is very predictable with temperatures nearly the same every day and the dry season has begun in full force. With the dry season comes the fire season and warnings are numerous about safety.We are fortunate to have so many state parks and preserves available for the public. Most are free and well used. Care was taken to make land available for the preservation of special species of wildlife and vegetation.

It is interesting that in a state with so much water care must be taken to conserve water. Strict restrictions are in force to command respect for these rules. I received a warning because I had a sprinkler on at 1.15 am. I was unaware of it being used but I will be more careful from now on. A stiff fine would result in a second offence.

Today we are travelling a ways to meet with friends for lunch and it is a treat to observe the birds that inhibit the area where we go.

The Owl and The Eagle

We have been watching over this one nest for nine years. It has been used mostly by eagles but for a while it was rented out to a great horned owl family. This year the occupants appeared to be the eagles. However an owl has taken a stance that she would love to have the nest as well.

The other day we observed the mother eagle sitting on eggs as she has been for some time. There perched five feet above her was the great horned owl. The owl looked as if she would take the nest as her own if the eagle moved. The male eagle was away hunting but I know on its return there will be a fight for the ownership.

I would bet on the eagle maintaining ownership but we will see during the next few days. The owl is a fierce bird and will try to intimidate the eagle but the huge eagle will win out in  the end . I wish to see the owl find suitable accommodation in the near area so we will have the benefit of watching her raise her chicks in harmony with the neighborhood.

Mocking Birds

The Mocking Bird is the Florida State bird and is such a vocal on you cannot miss it early in the morning with it's many greetings. We have not seen a Mocking Bird here at our home since we came down in October. This is unnatural as we usually have two nesting couples in our trees.

This morning as I lay awake at 6am I heard the distinct call of not one but several Mocking Birds. I  hurried outside with my camera and discovered what all the fuss was about.The birds traditionally used our light pole as their morning perch. This morning a squirrel was sitting there and causing trouble.  The squirrel made a move to leave but IT on the wire was no place to fight off an attack from an angry Mocking Bird.

I watched for a while and took a few pictures but all the time I was so happy to see the return of our nesting couples. They have already scouted the close by trees for a nesting location. We will have the pleasure of waking up to their call for the next months ahead.

Seagull Rescue

One evening while in Yarmouth Theresa and I drove to the waterfront and walked the boardwalk along the shoreline. This is a busy working area and many boats were unloading catches of herring and mackerel. As we arrived on the waterfront we passed a group of three boys who were yelling and appeared to be up to no good.

We stopped and approached the excited young fellows and they blurted out their problem. They were hyper and pointing to a fish unloading device saw the head and one leg of a seagull. The seagull must have gone down the chute to get some food and got caught.

The boys were frantic and tried to climb up to help the bird but could not reach it. They shouted encouragement and as the bird struggled it made some headway to freedom.One boy climbed a ladder and made a banging noise ant the bird struggled more vigorously and cleared a wing. These boys were fully engaged in the rescue and as the bird made a final thrust it fell about twelve feet to the pavement. The boys thought the worst but the seagull caught its breath and stood stunned but alive.

The boys moved closer and the bird ran away and finally flew to a nearby island. What impressed me was the concern shown and the compassion expressed for this seagull.

What we thought was a bunch of boys getting into trouble turned out exactly the opposite. This event made our walk on the boardwalk memorable and as we passed go we received a happy ending to a bird rescue.

Robin Red Breast

A robin made a nest on a vine covering the outside chimney. She was civil for a while but during the last days she was the robin from hell. Every time we approached the nesting area she would dart from her nest and from a height bomb us.  She was relentess and followed me for some distance continuing to fly at my head until I was well out of her area.

I never wished to make her nervous or worried but I have to cut the grass, whipper snip and generally walk in the back yard. I never realized that robins, especially this tired and small mother could be so protective.

Some blackbirds came close to the nest this am and without warning she drove them not only away from the nest but out of the yard. She has been feeding what I thought was a brood but on closer contact I see that she has only one chick left in the nest.

With the ground so dry and hard the birds who eat worms are having a tough time. I was watering my beans and peppers yesterday and she was right in the water from the hose and showed no signs of being scared. I watered a large area so she could provide for her chicks but she doesn't return the favour. She is relentless in protecting that one last chick.

I took a picture of the nest and chick and for once she was not around. I really admire the instinct that drives her to the actions of self preservation. I should call her Robin Hood and stay out of her way.

Eagle Count

After a week of counting eagles in the Southwest Florida it appears that the number of chicks will be down from last year. The count for Lee County is not complete but there seems from our vantage point that our county will be about the same. We observed  two large and old nests for eight years and every year they produce two chicks except one.

This morning Theresa and I went to see the nest where one chick was weeks late in hatching. The little one has taken wing and that is good. The second nest has two chicks which will be ready to go on their own by late April. This is the first year we saw such a difference in the time of hatching. We also read that this is not unusual and there can be quite a difference in hatching times even in the same nest.

We have one empty nest very close to us and we hope that the eagles will take up housekeeping there next year.

Two years ago Great Horned Owls took over an eagle nest and hatched two babies much to our delight. .The nest of doves which we watched for some twenty days was destroyed in a moment when the young we born. We never witnessed the event but Blue Jays were close by for several days. Nature took its cruel course and we were happy to be away when it happened.

Observing nature and loving the birds can be very rewarding and here in our area there is a wonderful opportunity to do just that.

Morning Bike Ride

Early this morning I had to attend the dentist for the second day in a row and came home with a sore jaw from a lengthy root canal ordeal. What better way to wait for the freezing to leave my face than a bike ride (actually a rum would be better but at 10.30, NO!). Theresa and I had a day without wind so we proceeded to travel a little further than usual.

We took a shortcut through the Catholic church and passed the trail for the Stations of the Cross. There on the tenth station was a beautiful ( and saintly) hawk. It was not afraid so I took several pictures. It's partner was close by spying a squirrel for lunch. We observed the pair for a while and they got bored with our company and flew off giving us the loudest screeches for interfering with their hunt.

We travelled to the eagle nest and there was the baby and it's mother. It is unusual for them to go back to the nest once they are forced to leave. The canal beside our place was so peaceful that Theresa took a picture. There were no alligators here today

As we arrived home there was this young Ibis on the road beside our house. It was a bird day for sure and I forgot about the freezing in my face.

Our Doves Are Surviving

The nest of doves are keeping a nest right outside of our bedroom window. Such good parents so far as the nest is never left unattended. There are many nasty birds who would love to get those little eggs. Bluebirds have been keeping a close watch over the nest as are the blackbirds. So far the expecting parents are weathering the storm.

We are enjoying the event but will be sad if the doves are driven off the nest before the chicks are born. Nature is like that so be have to expect the bad with the good.

Bicycles And Doves

Part of our daily routine is to bike around the area every morning. The only negative factor is the wind. For some reason we have been blessed with strong wind every day. If you get out really early you may miss the worst of it but by 9am you can count on the wind factor.We try to map out our ride by having the wind on our back coming home.Some times we do not plot our course and pay the penalty.

Yesterday our neighbor came along with us to see the eagle families and we were fortunate to see the baby eaglets in one nest with its mother and a small eaglet in the other nest. They are quite an attraction and we have two nests very nearby so we count them as our eagles.

This morning I was awakened by the cooing of doves. This in normal but this am the cooing was very close. As I got out of bed I noticed this pair of doves making a nest right outside my window. They were busy constructing a nest. Doves are the worst nest makers of all the birds. When completed the nest is simply a pile of twigs placed between branches of a tree or even on the bare ground in full view of the world. These doves will be with us for a while and should give us some entertainment. Dove babies are ugly but in short order they become the beautiful birds that they are. Doves may not construct the best houses but they know how to fill them. They are one of the most abundant of our birds here. This in spite of the fact they are regularly killed by the hawks and owls.

Yesterday I had a pleasant visit by phone with a long time friend from Pembroke who is recovering from surgery and learning to walk again. It is these little happenings that make life interesting and worthwhile.

Fly Away On Young Wings

Today Theresa and I had the privilege of once again seeing our young eagles fly away. As large or larger than their mother this young eagle took the final step and flew from its home 70 feet in the air to become commander of the whole sky. Black as the ace of spades and with a wing span of over five feet this bird becomes larger than life. After months in the tree resort with parents who offered protection, food and tough love it was time to leave its place out on a limb and join its kin as master of the skies.

Every year we watch this family and as of now we have seen #17 and #18  leave the nest and become magnificent symbols of America and the whole bird world. I marvel at the strength of these birds and one time one came up behind Theresa and I as we were biking and from ten feet away as they passed overhead they had a wash like a small plane.

When the young eagles leave the nest for their first foray in the heavens they are like all young children and speed, glide, dive, tumble and with sheer power burst on the scene which will be their home for many years. I never  tire of this yearly scene and once again I was in a special place as I watched this wonder of nature.

Birthday Special

In our family we always celebrate birthdays, but this date is special because three members of our clan have the same birthday. February is a big month as we celebrated two of the clan had milestone numbers as 20 and 25 are quite special when you are a university student.Normally Theresa and I are in Florida for these special days but this year we were happy to be present.

Although this B'day was for  Darcy,  the others will have their celebration at a later date with family. Our birthday girl is in second year university studying to be a world leader and has so far been involved in making a difference for less fortunate people. She is a traveller and comes back with wonderful stories about far off places and makes us all motivated to do the same. This year to be involved she has taken a dog to be socialized for the guide dog program which is centered in Oakville. I just wonder what that young dog will learn by attending class or more particularly during the off hours.

This will be the second last family gathering before we leave for Florida so it was a great occasion for picture  taking and getting caught up on all the latest news. For Darcy on her 20th, it brought memories flooding back as I had the good fortune of having shared many times with her as a very young child. I have to say she was special but spoiled then, and special today but less spoiled because she has definite goals to achieve and so much to do.

Sounds of the Night

Last evening was a perfect time to listen for the sounds of the night. There was a small moon presence so the sky was dark except for stars that stood out because of the low humidity. The sound that dominated the air was the crickets. It seemed like every cricket was chirping and there were plenty. In the early evening the cicada's gave up there singing and closed out a day where their voices dominated the neighbourhood. Every few years these large insects come in numbers and for a few weeks they make their presence known. This was one of those days.

As the sun went down the day birds gave their last tweets and became silent. We have some song sparrows which persist right up to sunset and they do have a lovely song. Our cardinals call out with their loud demanding voice and answering calls keep them in contact with their brood.The noisiest of our local birds and probably one of the most beautiful is the Blue Jay. We have many and this time of the year they seem to come in flocks or at least in numbers as they begin to call in the morning and you can trace their location long after they leave by their shrill calls. This evening they were absent from our immediate area but I could hear a few off in the distance.

The local bus and a few motorcycles interrupt the tranquility of our back yard but only for a moment. Some chickadees were fluttering in the apple tree and were selfish with their few weak tweets. Usually as night falls we hear them in the still air.

Everything seems to go quiet at the same time as with a signal that says it is time to go o bed. We have these vines that grow out of control along our fence line and on the sides of our home. They become home to birds who come for the berries which the vines produce and a safe place to roost for the night. This evening all is still except for the sound of the berries dropping from the vines caused by the roosting birds. The sounds of the night return to reality and the cars and trucks travelling on the QEW take over and provide us with that white sound we no longer head. Mosquito's buzz and make us realize it is time for we to take cover in the comfort of our home.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Gold Crested Night Herons

You don't have to be a bird watcher to appreciate natures wonders when it comes to these feathery creatures.Birds are one of the wonders of nature and have captured our imagination since time began. On a recent travel adventure Theresa and I had a new experience with birds that were unfamiliar to us. Close to where we were staying there was a rookery of Gold Crested Night Herons. These birds are large and very colourful. You would expect to see them wading in shallow water looking for food.

We came along at nesting time and watched, fascinated at the ritual of these birds building their nests in a huge Australian Pine. In this tree were at least 15 pairs of these birds each with a area staked out and in the process of building a fragile nest. With their bills ,more appropriate for scooping good than building they walked along thin branches picking these 10 long pine needles. They brought them back to what would become a nest and together put some semblance of order to what I saw as a messy  bunch of needles.

The only bird which made a poorer nest is the dove who are the worlds poorest home builders.After we watched this rookery taking shape I left with a greater appreciation for these birds and only prayed that the eggs and young would survive the ordeal of spending time up there among the pine needles.