Nova Scotia Quarantine

For the better part of the past month I have been based in Nova Scotia, visiting family. As per the rules of the Nova Scotia government, we were required to quarantine for fourteen days upon arrival. Luckily, we were based along the shores of a beautiful lake, surrounded by boreal forest. Although the birding is slow at this time of year, spending a fortnight away from people and surrounded by trees was good for the soul. 

Mount Uniacke, Hants County, Nova Scotia

To help pass the time and to add some excitement to quarantine, we kept a Quarantine Bird List. Each day we tried to see ten species, and we succeeded every day except for one. Ten species in a day is a modest goal, but one that can be surprisingly difficult at this time of year away from the coast or open water. A spell of unseasonably warm weather opened the lake for four days of our visit, providing the ephemeral habitat needed for a small group of American Black Ducks and a single male Mallard. One morning Laura spotted six Ring-necked Ducks, and by the following day they had increased in number to fifteen. 

Ring-necked Ducks - Mount Uniacke, Hants County, Nova Scotia

We kept the bird feeders well stocked. Mostly they were attacked by voracious Black-capped Chickadees and Blue Jays, but a wandering flock of Evening Grosbeaks would drop in nearly every day. One had to be vigilant around the noon hour, or else risk missing this species for the day list.

Evening Grosbeak - Mount Uniacke, Hants County, Nova Scotia

We lucked out with three sightings of Accipiter hawks. On two occasions a tiny male Sharp-shinned Hawk eyed the buffet of chickadees, and on the last day we watched a Northern Goshawk blast across the lake. The Sharpie obliged us by perching conspicuously in a tree just outside the window. My photos are surprisingly clear, given that I was shooting through glass. 

Sharp-shinned Hawk - Mount Uniacke, Hants County, Nova Scotia

I made it my mission to take a decent photo of the Ring-necked Pheasant pair when they made their frequent visits to the bird feeder. They were extraordinarily wary; one of us standing up from the kitchen table was all it took to send them skittering for cover. One day I managed a few photos with the door ajar. The heat escaping from the warm house mingled with the cold air outside and caused shimmer to appear in my photos, so on a few occasions I snuck around the side of the house with my camera. They were not fooled and high-tailed it into the scrub each time. I guess they know that they are tasty, and do not trust humans. Can't say I blame them. 

Ring-necked Pheasant - Mount Uniacke, Hants County, Nova Scotia

We noted several species of mammals on the property with the most ubiquitous (and cheekiest) being the Red Squirrels. It only took them a few days of scheming before they figured out the acrobatics required to leap onto one of the bird feeders. The bastards! At least they were very cute. We also found a Snowshoe Hare and a North American Porcupine, but you will have to excuse the quality of my photos as they were taken with my phone through binoculars. 

North American Porcupine - Mount Uniacke, Hants County, Nova Scotia

Snowshoe Hare - Mount Uniacke, Hants County, Nova Scotia

Partway through our quarantine the weather turned and fifteen centimetres of snow fell, beautifying the landscape. I'm sure the Snowshoe Hares were happy to have their camouflage work again. 

Mount Uniacke, Hants County, Nova Scotia

Since our quarantine has concluded we have been able to travel a little further afield. I will comment on some of these other highlights in a subsequent blog post.