Birds at Bay of Fundy's Grand Manan Island

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Date: Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:46:57 -0300
From: Roger Burrows NatureNB
Subject: Grand Manan & White Head birds, inc. GYRFALCON, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, PHILADELPHIA VIREO, BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, PRAIRIE WARBLEWR & LARK SPARROWS

September 25
Grand Harbour 17:45-18:35
Great Blue Heron, 290 Canada Geese, 8 Red-breasted Mergansers, 55 Black-bellied Plovers, Greater Yellowlegs, 2 Ruddy Turnstones, 2 Red Knots, adult LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER (identified by plain terials and narrow white tail bands), Belted Kingfisher

Thoroughfare Road 18:40-19:10
2 Great Blue Herons, juvenile Northern Harrier, immature Peregrine Falcon, 30 Black-bellied, 2 Amerion Golden & 6 Semipalmated Plovers, 2 Whimbrels, Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated & 3 White-rumped Sandpipers

September 26

Ingalls Head 07:35-08:15
Great Blue Heron

White Head Ferry 08:15-08:45
19 Double-crested & 4 Great Cormorants, 198 Common Eiders, Black-legged Kittiwake, 6 Black Guillemots

White Head Island 08:45-12:45
8 Great Blue Herons, Green-winged Teal, 13 Common Eiders, immature intermediate GYRFALCON, immature "tundrius" Peregrine Falcon, female Merlin, 16 Semipalmated Plovers, Greater Yellowlegs, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 10 Northern Flickers, 2 Eastern Phoebes, PHILADELPHIA VIREO, 3 Boreal Chickadees, 6 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, 9 wood-warblers, inc. Northern Parula, Nashville, Black-throated Blue & immature PRAIRIE Warblers, 2 Chipping Sparrows, 2 adult LARK SPARROWS, first fall White-crowned Sparrow

White Head Ferry 13:00-13:30
39 Double-crested & 2 Great Cormorants, Great Blue Heron, male Surf & White-winged Scoters, 29 Common Eiders, 3 Razorbills, 10 Black Guillemots

Also seen: a MONARCH, EASTERN BLACK SWALLOWTAIL, PINK-EDGED SULPHUR &  EYED BROWN Butterflies

Roger Burrows
Ingalls Head
Grand Manan

Photo Credit Long-billed Dowitcher: wikipedia.com

Quoddy Beauty through the eyes of a Paleontologist

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The Salt Marsh is an Ellipsis

... we ... have a long history of respecting salt marshes, and of utilizing their resources for food and fibre. And now we recognize the marshes as natural filters, as nurseries for fish and other marine creatures, and as places where we can examine the boundless complexity of life.

More here: http://ancientshore.com/2009/09/28/saltmarsh/

Fireweed behind the pond at Whale Cove

The amazing 2009 continues to amaze me

I hope this is the right address now :)

Cheers,
Danielle

---

From: danielle.m.dion(at)hotmail.com
To: artmackay.ilqw(at)blogger.com
Subject: The amazing 2009 continues to amaze me
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:33:51 -0300

Hey all the readers of I Love Quoddy WILD!, it's Danielle from Quoddy Link.  I am sorry for my lack of posts to this blog but I am very happy that Art took it upon himself to share our posts with all of you.  We have had such an amazing season and it's certainly not over yet.

Some highlights that I want to point out....humpbacks, we have documented 29 humpbacks so far in our little part of the Bay of Fundy, which is the most that we have recorded since we have been doing photo-ID in 2005.  Some of the highlights so far have been:

- 2 mother and calf pairs...Colorado and her 2009 calf as well as Siphon and her 2009 calf.
- Tornado, a female first sighted in 1988 is a regular of Stellwagen Bank, even an adopt-a-whale with the Whale Center of New England and we documented her on the Wolves Bank on September 17th.
- right now we have 7 whales that we have seen this season that are going to be put up for naming next spring, I will do a post on the blog when the season end and we'll have to put our thinking caps on!
- return visits of old favorites like Cork, EKG and Quarternote always makes the trips extra special.

Right whales....as I'm sure all of you know we had a number of right whales work their way closer to us for about 2 weeks.  There were about 10 individuals that we recorded between South Wolf and Campobello and there were 40-50 individuals that were behind the Wolves by 1-5 miles depending on the day (the T-J stated they were all between the Wolves and Campobello and that was not accurate).  The rights have moved back into the open Bay of Fundy, in the Grand Manan Basin and on September 13th we did a very special right whale trip that took us 40 miles from St. Andrews where we spent our morning surrounded by an estimated 75-100 North Atlantic right whales.  We encountered 3 SAG's (surface active groups), some mom/calf pairs as Boomerang, Boomerang was born in 1995 and is the calf of 1503 and the grandcalf of Baldy! We saw Baldy earlier this season with her 2009 calf off East Quoddy Head Light! Boomerang is a calving female...we didn't see a calf with her yesterday...but three generations of mom's in the same family...so incredible for a critically endangered population.  What has impacted me most this season is spending time with right whales...and the scarring and injuries that I have seen.  You know, I have read books, seen pictures, read scientific articles but nothing really prepares you....it has deeply effected me, but it was something that I really needed to see to understand even more the fight that these whales face.

I know a lot of the talk this summer has been about the whales so close to home, and for about 3-4 weeks we had fin whales, humpbacks,  minkes and rights (for about 1 week) right close to Campobello Island.  The humpbacks have moved offshore to their more traditional feeding grounds off the Wolves and as I mentioned earlier the rights are in the GM Basin but there are still finbacks (we had 3 off East Quoddy yesterday on both tides but it was the first time we saw them inshore in about 5 days).  If next season proves to be anything like this season I hope all of the boat traffic can be a lot more respectful of the whales, these animals deserve at least that from us.

Sorry again for not checking in with everyone at I Love Quoddy WILD!  The whales have kept me very busy at night with ID and sorting through photos and videos.

Cheers,
Danielle
Quoddy Link Marine

Premier Shawn Graham restates NB's position on LNG in the Bay of Fundy's Head Harbour Passage

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Cobscook Bay, Head Harbour Passage, and West Isles - Tim Foulkes Photo

Canada Controls Head Harbour Passage.
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/opinion/article/805900
Premier Shawn Graham
Commentary

I am writing to clearly restate the Province's position with respect to the proposed Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals in Passamaquoddy Bay.

The province's position remains unequivocal: we oppose the proposed locating of an LNG terminal in Passamaquoddy Bay because of its impacts on New Brunswick.

Our environment would be negatively affected, the tourism and environment-based economy of the region would suffer, and the safety and security of the region could be compromised.

There are more than 6,000 New Brunswickers who live along the LNG vessel transit route, some within 800-1,000 meters. As Premier of New Brunswick, I have a sovereign and legal duty to ensure that the interests and concerns of our residents are taken into account and defended by all appropriate means as these projects move through all regulatory processes.
The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is one such process.

We remain fully engaged as an intervener at FERC in order to ensure that the Commission and its staff are fully apprised of New Brunswick's position and the negative impacts that would accompany the proposed facilities in Passamaquoddy Bay.

As an intervener in this process, New Brunswick has a forum to submit evidence to the Commission emphasizing these impacts.

In preparing our recent extensive submission to FERC, we assembled detailed information from 10 different government departments which, taken together, present a powerful picture of how New Brunswick would be adversely affected by LNG facilities being located in Passamaquoddy Bay.

However, our submission to FERC does not mean that we recognize that agency's authority over these New Brunswick issues.

This fact was clearly stated in our recent letter to FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff which accompanied our submission. "[T]he impacts and issues identified in this report fall squarely upon New Brunswick and are within the jurisdiction of my province to review, analyze and address. It is not within the scope of the Commission's authority to address and/or propose mitigation for these impacts and issues... We will be the sole and final decision-makers in assessing how to best protect our people, economy and environment."

Furthermore, as it has also been clearly stated in the past, the Province of New Brunswick does not recognize any authority of FERC over Canadian waterways and FERC itself has recognized its limitations in this regard.

Decisions on where ships are allowed to transit fall within the jurisdiction of the Government of Canada alone.

Canada's current and historical position is also clear: LNG tankers would not be permitted to navigate the Canadian waters of Head Harbour Passage.

The recent conference of the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers held in Saint John was an excellent example of regional neighbours working together for the common good.

While our strong relationship with Maine should not be interpreted as support for LNG terminals in Passamaquoddy Bay, we will continue to cooperate on energy projects in the Northeast which will benefit citizens of both jurisdictions.

Premier Shawn Graham represents the riding of Kent.

Comments (1)

Excellent. Together with the recent statement from Ottawa by Greg Thompson and the continued stance of local politicians at St. Andrews and elsewhere around our Quoddy Region, this solidifies the position that has been in place for two years or so.

Congratulations, this was really needed at this time as Maine and US politicians make their position clear to THEIR constituents and the broader public. Unfortunately, their public pronouncements have contained incorrect statements that have created the wrong impression. To reiterate the Canadian stand at this point was vital.

I agree, when we work together we all win ... provided we stop the bullying and ALL treat the needs of our partners with respect and understanding. This has not been true during the course of this LNG debate. Hopefully things will change and we can, together, recognize the real value of Head Harbour Passage, West Isles and Cobscook Bay; an international treasure as seen at ilovequoddywild.blogspot.com

Art MacKay

Small Scale Windpower works for Maine Veterinarian

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Chester man installs own windmill
Turbine will power office, farmhouse

By Nick Sambides Jr.
BDN Staff


CHESTER, Maine — Joseph Nesin looks forward to 30 years of free electricity.

A 50-year-old veterinarian and ardent environmentalist, Nesin installed a Bergey XL 10-kilowatt windmill to power his office and adjoining farmhouse, sitting the three-blade turbine atop a 140-foot steel tower on his Pea Ridge Road property earlier this month, he said.

“It’s a way of producing electricity cleanly. That was my motivation,” Nesin said Saturday. “My motivation was to get power with the least environmental impact possible.”

His goal won’t come cheaply or immediately. Counting all expenses, the windmill cost Nesin about $60,000 and will take about 10 years to pay back the investment, Nesin said.

But the turbine has a 40-year, maintenance-free life span. As long as he balances his electricity needs against available winds, it should generate enough to power his home and business year-round, even during those wind-free summer days, he said.

“It looks like it’s going to be an even break,” Nesin said. “If I don’t get enough power from it, Bangor Hydro will still supply me. I am still hooked in with them.”


Read the entire article here: http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/122796.html?utm_source=BDN+News+Updates&utm_campaign=22b088110c-RSS_MORNINGUPDATE_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email

Photo Credit: wikipedia.com

Flappin' Flippers at Bay of Fundy's South Wolf Island

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The crew and passengers on the Quoddy Link Marine cruise to the Wolves yesterday saw a spectacular show as a group of humpbacks breached, rolled, played and flapped their flippers. The photo below is only one of many of Danielle's great whale photos for the day. See the rest at: http://quoddylinkmarine.blogspot.com/2009/09/another-day-with-incredible-humpbacks.html

Art
**********************
From Danielle's blog:


Then an adult whale (might have been Colorado or maybe Notchy) and Colorado's 2009 calf started to flipper slap. The pectoral flippers of humpbacks are incredibly long, up to 1/3 their body length. You can see the size difference between the adults and the Colorado's calf's pectoral flippers, it was so sweet to see both of them slapping their pecs at the same time!!

Bay of Fundy's Seascape Kayaking Tours in the finals for Parks Canada Award

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Greetings,It has just been announced that Seascape Kayak Tours is one of three finalists for the Parks Canada Sustainable Tourism Award, presented by the Globe and Mail. 

Read all about this and other news, including a new trip to Baja, upcoming Costa Rica tours, yoga and paddling combos, and much more in our Fall 2009 Newsletter at this link: http://www.seascapekayaktours.com/media-center/newsletter/

Frances Figart
Director, Marketing and Communications
Seascape Kayak Tours Inc.
40 NW Harbour Branch Rd.
Richardson (Deer Island), NB
Canada E5V 1S1
Toll free 866.747.1884
frances@seascapekayaktours.com
www.seascapekayaktours.com

Harlequin Ducks at Bay of Fundy's White Head Island

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Date: Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:01:07 -0400 (EDT)
From: NatureNB
Subject: Harlequin Ducks

I wasn't going to post from Grand Manan during my tour this week, but I was quite surprised to find two male Harlequin Ducks on White Head Island near the lighthouse yesterday afternoon. Seems quite early to me.

Peregrine Falcons all over the island.

BD

Gyrfalcon at Bay of Fundy's Grand Manan

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Date: Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:07:09 -0300
From: Brian Dalzell, NatureNB
Subject: Gyrfalcon @ Grand Manan

I just watched a large, darkish GYRFALCON cruising on the wind in front of my place here at Grand Manan. The wind is blowing a steady 25 knots from the north, with gusts to 40+ knots. It caused  quite a lot of consternation among the local crows, and I'm sure it could have nailed one if it so desired. Last I saw it was headed for Castalia Marsh. Earlier this afternoon I had a HERMIT THRUSH feeding unconcernedly in the back driveway, picking up moth larvae blown out of  overhead birch trees. Fall is here!

Brian Dalzell
Bancroft Point

And the Mystery Vine is ...

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Sean Blaney wrote:
Hello Tim and Rick,

This is an exceptionally robust colony of Fallopia cilinodis (=Polygonum cilinode), Fringed Bindweed. The shape of the basal lobes of the leaves (truncate, or sort of "squared off") is a useful distinction in comparison to Fallopia scandens (=Polygonum scandens). The latter species is relatively uncommon in NB, being found only in quite rich floodplain soils and very
rarely along the margins of saltmarshes on the Northumberland shore. The bright red stems (which are not always present, especially when the plant is in low light) are useful in distinguishing the plant from non-flowering Hedge Bindweed (Calystegia sepium), which is remarkably similar in general growth form and leaf shape. A close examination of the nodes, where the leaves join the stem, would reveal a fringe of hairs encircling the stipular sheath (called an ocrea in this family). That is also distinctive for the species from all other similar plants, and it is what gives the species its common and scientific names. Fringed Bindweed is a generally fairly common to common species throughout the province and is native to our region. It occurs in a variety of habitats but does well in clearcuts, forest openings and floodplains.

Cheers,
Sean Blaney

Sean Blaney, Botanist & Assistant Director
Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre
PO Box 6416, Sackville, NB. E4L 1G6. 


Photo Credit: Tim Foulkes

Parasitic Jaegers and Storm-Petrel at Bay of Fundy's Head Harbour Passage

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Date: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:41:18 -0300
From: "Chardine,John [Sackville]" NatureNB
Subject: Parasitic Jaegers, Deer Island

I was out on the water yesterday (22 Sep 2009) in Head Harbour Passage (no phalaropes seen), and saw several Parasitic Jaegers (Labbe parasite). One observation was of three birds together, and I'm sure there was at least one more in the area. On several occasions we watched them attempt to kleptoparasitise Bonaparte's Gulls (Mouette de Bonaparte) as they fed on small herring.

Also saw a single Leach's Storm-Petrel (Petrel Cull-Blanc).

----------------------------------------------------------------
John Chardine
Research Scientist, Marine Ecosystems
Science and Technology Branch
Environment Canada

Photo Credit: Wikipedia.com

Downtown Deer at Bay of Fundy's St. Andrews-by-the-sea

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The benefits of being pestered into sunrise dog walks. A doe and her fawn at the college aquaculture facility across the street, not particularly upset by us. It's been a bumper year for
fawns in town.

Steve Tinker

Birds at Bay of Fundy's Grand Manan Island -Sept 22 - 23

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Date: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:28:13 -0300
From: Roger Burrows - NatureNB
Subject: Grand Manan birds

September 22

Grand Manan Ferry 17:45-18:45
56 Greater & 60 Sooty Shearwaters, 148 Black-legged Kittiwakes

September 23

Ingalls Head 07:55-08:25
3 Great Blue Herons, 14 American Black Ducks, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, 2
American Pipits

Ox Head & Long Pond Bay beaches 08:30-09:05
39 American Black Ducks, 2 Merlins, 18 Semipalmated Plovers

Grand Manan Bird Sanctuary 09:05-09:45
15 American Black Ducks, 2 American Wigeons, 2 Blue-winged & 12 Green-winged
Teals, 3 female Ring-necked Ducks

Roger Burrows
Ingalls Head

Grand Manan

Photo Credit American Wigeon: wikipedia.com

Whales and Fulmars at Bay of Fundy's Grand Manan Island

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Date: Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:32:58 -0300
From: Laurie Murison -  NatureNB
Subject: explosion of fulmars

Roger Burrows will no doubt give a full report of our trip today - just 5 of us out for a leisurely sail. We were hoping the strong wind would hold off longer but it didn't so we came in early. I took the day off from recording but was helping Roger with his list.

The most notable thing was the arrival of northern fulmars everywhere. I stopped counting at 50 but we saw many more after that. There was one  flock with 14 sitting together and bird after bird in flight.

The right whales were well to the east but 20+ fin whales were still off White Head Island. They have been there steadily since the beginning of  July.

Laurie Murison

Grand Manan, NB

Golden Eagle at Southern Head - Bay of Fundy's Grand Manan

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We saw a magnificent Golden Eagle soaring at eye level at the Southern Head cliffs on Grand Manan yesterday. Magic moment.

jay


Photo Credit: wikipedia.com

South Polar Skua at Bay of Fundy's Grand Manan Island

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Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:24:41 -0300
From: Roger Burrows, NatureNB
Subject: Grand Manan birds, inc. dark morph SOUTH POLAR SKUA

September 19

Castalia Marsh 09:20-09:50
Great Blue Heron, 15 Common Eiders, Least Sandpiper, Belted Kingfisher

Grand Manan Ferry 11:20-13:00
5 Greater & 24 Sooty Shearwaters, Common Loon, 5 male Surf Scoters, 3 Pomarine & 2 Parasitic Jaegers, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulla, 14 Black-legged Kittiwakes, 2 Black Guillemots

Grand Manan Ferry 13:30-14:30
24 Greater & 102 Sooty Shearwaters, Ring-billed Gull, 12 Black-legged Kittiwakes, Black Guillemot

September 20

Boat Trip from North Head 07:45-13:45
120+ Sooty & 30+ Greater Shearwaters, Manx Shearwater, 95+ Northern Fulmars, 300+ Wilson's & 5 Leach's Storm-Petrels, Common & Red-thro Pomarine Jaegers, dark morph SOUTH POLAR SKUA (uniform dark brown with white wingflashes and white at vent), adult Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Black-legged Kittiwakes, Razorbill, 5 Atlantic Puffins

Roger Burrows
Ingalls Head

Photo Credit of South Polar Skua: wikimedia.com

New Bay of Fundy Right Whale Mom's and Calves off Grand Manan

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Laurie Murison of Grand Manan Whale and Seabird Research Station on Grand Manan has been reporting her sightings of Right Whale mothers and calves in the Grand Manan area this summer. Go to Adopt Right Whale News for all the details.

Art

***********************

• Another great grand calf for Kleenex

  

  posted by LDM at Adopt Right Whale News - 1 week ago

  The New England Aquarium saw #2123 and her calf today after the team dried out from heavy rain and wind as a storm moved through the area this morning. #2123 was born in 1991 and this is her fourth calf (2...
• 

  Another entangled calf

  

  posted by LDM at Adopt Right Whale News - 1 week ago

  We had the Calvineers out today. We didn't find Calvin and her calf but hey were happy with the right whales we saw. The Calvineers are grade 7 and 8 students from the Adams School in Castine, ME. http://w...

   
• 

  Baldy's calf from 1985 and Baldy's grand calf

  

  posted by LDM at Adopt Right Whale News - 1 week ago

  We had an absolutely gorgeous, calm day on the Bay of Fundy. When we finally arrived in an area of right whales, it was so calm that the loudest things were whales breathing, after we reminded our passenge...
• 

  Calvin and her calf

  

  posted by LDM at Adopt Right Whale News - 1 week ago

  We were fortunate to find Calvin and her new calf September 10th. At first Calvin was by herself, having been feeding and also rubbing in the mud some 180 m below and then she reunited with her calf who al...
• 

  Entangled mother released

  

  posted by LDM at Adopt Right Whale News - 2 weeks ago

  September 4th saw the successful disentanglement of a right whale mother named Mavynne. She had been in the Bay of Fundy on August 28th but Friday morning was spotted by recreational fishermen and reported...
• 

  Baldy's eighth baby

  

  posted by LDM at Adopt Right Whale News - 2 weeks ago

  Baldy's eighth baby suffered through an entanglement in presumed fishing gear sometime during the migration from Florida to the Bay of Fundy. Already seen by the New England Aquarium research team, Quoddy ...
• 

  Calvin and her second baby are in the Bay of Fundy

  

  posted by LDM at Adopt Right Whale News - 2 weeks ago

  Calvin was spotted in the Bay of Fundy by the New England Aquarium research team September 2 with her second calf. Calvin and a number of other right whales were well above the Grand Manan Basin where they...
• 

  Slash off the Wolves

  

  posted by LDM at Adopt Right Whale News - 2 weeks ago

  On August 30 a courtship group of right whales was spotted off the Wolves, an island group between Grand Manan and Blacks Harbour, just off the ferry route. A number of right whales have moved in to that a...
• 

  Where are the right whales?

  

  posted by LDM at Adopt Right Whale News - 3 weeks ago

  It has been an unusual summer with few right whales in the deep waters of the Grand Manan Basin. Over the last few days, 40+ right whales have been found east of the southern Wolves, an island group that y...

  
  
• More right whales have arrived

  

  posted by LDM at Adopt Right Whale News - 5 weeks ago

  The weekend had more right whales arriving in the Bay of Fundy, with an estimated 40 or more along a narrow stretch. Prior to this, the New England Aquarium had photographed and/or identified 33 d...
• 

  Baldy's calf

  

  posted by LDM at Adopt Right Whale News - 1 month ago

  Baldy was seen in the Bay of Fundy August 9th by the New England Aquarium research team during their regular surveys. Baldy's calf has been injured and has marks across the head and also on the tail stock....
• 

  Slash and calf

  

  posted by LDM at Adopt Right Whale News - 1 month ago

  August 9th, the New England Aquarium research vessel found Slash #1303 and her calf in the Bay of Fundy during their regular surveys. This is Slash's sixth calf. Slash last had a calf in 2005. She is oft...
• 

  Radiator entangled

  

  posted by LDM at Adopt Right Whale News - 2 months ago

  We just learned from the Atlantic Large Whale Entanglement Network that Radiator was seen on July 18 towing a round yellow buoy south of Nantucket Island off Cape Cod, MA. He was seen from a charter vessel...
• 

  Right whale mothers and calves arriving

  

  posted by LDM at Adopt Right Whale News - 2 months ago

  We have had two reports of mothers and calves in the Bay of Fundy, one report was on July 15 by two of our researchers while they were doing a plankton tow in the Grand Manan Basin. The other was on July 1...
• 

  Baldy, Mother of the Year

  

  posted by LDM at Adopt Right Whale News - 4 months ago

  Photo caption: Mother and calf touching – While on the calving grounds off of Florida and Georgia,, calves and mothers are nuzzling, touching and nudging continually over the first couple months of life i...

Mystery Vine at Bay of Fundy's Simpson Hill

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Here is something new to be seen in the wilderness on Simpson Hill. (Just starting up Yellow Jacket trail from branch to Cedars trail)

The first photo is an overall view of the vine that has "taken root" near the broken top of a very tall  (30 ft) stump of an old poplar tree (second photo) which is leaning over so that the tendrils of  the vine have descended to the ground along the trunk of a fir tree, last photo.

These are not Tarzan compatible but could be fun for fairies, pixies, etc. I have not been up this part of the Yellow Jacket trail since early spring, but feel that this must be all one seasons growth!

It does not have any nasty razor wire type barbs like some vines from the deep south, so am inclined to leave it, even if it is an invasive species. Who knows what forest critters may be enjoying it?

Any ideas?

Tim