July 9th - 18th - Quoddy Link Marine

After a slow start to the season, bird activity in the West Isles area of the Bay of Fundy is starting to pick up. In recent days there have been groups of several hundred gulls feeding in the typical areas of tidal upwelling around Deer and Campobello and the Head Harbour passage area. BONAPARTE’S GULLS are the most recent arrivals to the area and I have seen a few groups of 50-100 birds. The BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE chicks on Whitehorse Island appear to be doing well. We have counted up to 10 chicks but there is likely more that we can not see. It is interesting to note that 6 of these chicks are in three nests that are all within a small area of cliff. It seems to be a safe spot that has escaped the predation from the other gull species and the ravens that often visit the island to raid the nests. The herring and black-backed gull chicks are nearly full grown and beginning to test their wings for the first time. We have been seeing small numbers of RAZORBILLS and BLACK GUILLEMOTS on each visit and have even seen a few ATLANTIC PUFFINS near the island as well.

The two bald eagle chicks on Spruce Island are still in the nest but now are very vocal and beginning to pump their wings and jump from one side of the nest to the other. We have even seen them perched on branches outside the nest and we expect them to fledge any day now.

Sightings of interest by day:

July 11th – An adult PEREGRINE FALCON was seen perched in the tower on MacMaster island.

July 17th – 6 ATLANTIC PUFFINS near Whitehorse Island

July 18th – First NORTHERN GANNET of the year sighted off South Wolf Island

We also have just announced the day for our Pelagic tour, which will depart at 9AM on Sunday, September 27th. For more information and to reserve your spot please call the Quoddy office at 529-2600

Cheers,
-Nick