Interesting Dowitchers

 Renews Beach is definitely an interesting spot to bird. Sometimes it is crawling with little birds, sometimes it's not, and sometimes it offers up extremely rare delights. Earlier this week the areat was quite calm. I did see a flock of about 20 peeps flying about as I first drove by the beach, but when I returned later they were gone.

 What I did find were three very tame Short-billed Dowitchers chowing down on whatever mixed in with the fresh seaweed.

 They stayed put as I walked down the beach. Of course, there were the typical yellowlegs, about 20 I think. Of those I can confidently say 6 of them were Lesser Yellowlegs.

 A lone Ruddy Turnstone was flipping stones looking for a meal.

 Just to make sure I hadn't missed anything, I walked down the road to the bridge. As I went, I was surprised by another lone Dowitcher. It bolted as soon as I got near. Why was it alone? Why was it so skittish?

 I got these pics in the hopes it might turn out to be a Long-billed Dowitcher. Unfortunately, I have since learned it would take more than these shots to confirm a Long-Billed.

I share this info in the hopes that anyone traveling down that way and has the knowledge, to check out the beach for a lone Dowitcher. Maybe there is a surprise there.

Birds of Prey at or near Cape Spear

 Over the last week it has been important to look up when at Cape Spear. This morning I was caught completely off guard. What a shame because this American Kestrel was so perfect, but my camera settings were not.

 I was looking at a congregation of Flickers on a light post when they suddenly took off. As they moved out of view this Kestrel moved into view. It was early in the morning and my camera settings were geared for the dim light in and among the trees. I couldn't get a focus on this bird, so I just cranked up the shutter speed until the camera would lock on. Anyway, it was a treat to see a Kestrel  so close to home.

 Last week this Merlin was much more cooperative. First it flew straight at me as I was just walking out in the open from Cape Spear Path. I was stunned.

 It circled around for a while and stayed a couple of minutes which gave me plenty of time to adjust for sky shots.

 It really put on a big show.

 Two days ago this Northern Goshawk was hunting over the ground just before the walking path. It paid no attention to me, and went on about its business.

Overlapping the presence of the Goshawk another bird of prey flew by. This one didn't stay and flew straight out over the water. Is it the Merlin I saw earlier? Could it be a Peregrine? That, I will never know.

Southern Shore - September 3

 Just can't help myself at this time of the year. Knowing the birds are moving makes me move. The first head-snapper of the day was this pair of Hooded Mergansers. Usually, I don't stop at the ponds before La Manche, but as I drove by I saw white on the head of a duck. Definitely not a Ring-necked Duck that breed in this pool. I stopped. It was clear by the beak these were mergansers, but not a typical look. These did not show a fanned head. I wondered if they were moulting.

 The most challenging bird of the day was this flycatcher. It has been deemed an Alder Flycatcher, but I am still not quite convinced this is what it is. Could this possibly be a first-record Acadian?

 It is much less common to see an Alder at this time of the year, and the overall impression of this bird when seen was not an Alder. I didn't hear it call at all. It just "popped" on the branch because of it bright white belly.

 This bird appeared so much bigger than the usual empidonax flycatchers. Again, maybe because of its bright white color.

 Whether it is an Alder or something else will probably never be known for sure.

 With good weather and good birds, I find myself in places where the flies are the thickest. Naturally, fly-eating birds are going to congregate where the flies are bountiful. Every one of them bit me.

 I found a large flock of warblers at Hell Hill. I stayed with the flock for a long time looking for something out of the ordinary. They just aren't here yet.

 The Black-throated Green Warblers were the most plentiful of all warblers seen during the day. However, it was this beautiful male Common Yellowthroat that took the prize.

 By 11 a.m. most of the birds on Bear Cove Point Road were gone. I consider myself  lucky to get really nice views of both the male and female of this species.

It is exciting to wonder what the days ahead may have in store for us here in Newfoundland. Great birds driven off  the beaten path make for happy days for the birders of this province.

Cerulean Warbler

 Like clockwork, I routinely check several spots at this time of the year. Rarely am I disappointed. In fact, today I was pretty contented before I got to the bus shelter. I had seen four raptors at Cape Spear, and the sparrows were thick as thieves.

 I checked several places on the way back from Cape Spear and was happy to see a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Black and White, Blackpoll and Common Yellowthroat.

 Anything beyond that was gravy. Indeed, it was!

 My first glimpse of the Cerulean Warbler was not a knowing look. At first, I thought I was seeing a pale Black and White Warbler. Soon enough, the bird stepped out into the open.

 I have to tell the truth. I did not know what I was looking at. I had never seen a Cerulean Warbler before, and I didn't have my guide book with me.

 I watched it and followed it as it moved among the leaves. Periodically, I was rewarded with a clear view.

 How exciting it is to have an unknown, new bird in front of me. I looked and looked gathering detail.

 The most striking feature was the blue. In some light, it look really, really blue. In some light, it looked greenish blue. So interesting.

 Wing bars were prominent, and the bird was small. The tail looked short. There seems to be a strong eye-line, but the field guide does not show that.

Now, how do I let people know? There was no phone service in the area. I moved around a lot looking for a hotspot, but nothing.

 I stayed with the bird for more than 30 minutes to get all of these pictures. Then, I rushed home to post the sighting.

 As I look at the discussion group NFBirds, I realize it has been quite a while since a Cerulean has been spotted on the East Avalon. I have said it so many times: You just never know what will pop up. The key is to go looking and keep looking.

This last shot shows the white tail marks. 'Tis a joyful time of the year.