-3-

Early Spring Arrival Dates, 1978 con'd

Editor's note:

.Species Number Date Location Observer Green—winged Teal 13 April 15 Bedeque Marsh Kathy Martin and Mindy Rouse Blue—winged Teal 1 April 13 Dunk River Mindy Rouse 5 April 20 Roseneath John Wright American Wigeon - April 17 Mount Stewart Bruce Pigot 6 April 20 Brackley Simon Lunn Ring-necked Duck 7. April 21 Wheatley River Simon Lunn Red-breasted Merganser - March 12 West River Bruce Pigot Marsh Hawk 1 April 7 Brackley Simon Lunn Merlin 1 female April 21 York Point Kathy Martin Kestrel 1 March 24 Dunk River Mindy Rouse 1 April 17 Brackley Simon Lunn 1 April 20 Lyndale John Wright Killdeer 2 April 6 Village Green John Wright 11 April 13. Dunk River Mindy Rouse 1 April 14 North Winsloe Geraldine Wilson American Woodcock - April 17 Rocky Point Simon Lunn Common Snipe 2 April 6 Village Green John Wright — April 16 Martinvale Daryl Guignion Yellow legs 1 April 13 Bedeque Marsh Mindy Rouse 1 April 15. Bedeque Marsh Kathy Martin and V Mindy Rouse Ring-billed Gull - April 9 Souris River Bruce Pigot Caspian Tern 1 April 21 Covehead Simon Lunn Mourning Dove 1 April 10 Montague Athol Matheson Common Flicker - April 18 Rustico Island Simon Lunn Robin -. March 31 Cavendish Simon Lunn - April 13 Mount Stewart Bruce Pigot Bohemian Waxwings 6 March 26 Hunter River George Mason Red Winged BlaCkblrd6 March 19 Dunk River Mrs.GeflumdeChbnm - March 30 Cavendish Simon Lunn Common Grackle — March 29 Mount Stewart Bruce Pigot - March 29 Dalvay Simon Lunn Rusty Blackbird — April 16 Mount Stewart Bruce Pigot Purple Finch - April 11 Rustico Island Simon Lunn Fox Sparrow 1 April 8 Green Meadows Daryl Guignion Song Sparrow - April 1 Mount Stewart Bruce Pigot 1 April 3 Head of Montague John Wright

The above spring bird arrivals are the earliest dates submitted to

me. If you have earlier records I would be pleased to receive them. Bald Eagle Hot Spot Bruce Pigot from Mount Stewart sends this report of his eagle sightings:

On On On On

an of

"In the last month I have March 25 I saw an adult.

seen Bald eagles at Mount Stewart.

April 2 I saw three immature eagles.

April 15 I saw an immature April 16 I saw an immature

In addition George Morse adult eagle at his home on Mount Stewart marsh."

eagle. eagle.

at Head of Hillsborough told me of seeing April 9. It was headed in the direction

leaves the ground and a few warm,

Some Early Woodland Wild Flowers

Mayflower or Trailing Arbutus may be found as soon as the snow

sunny days encourage blossoming.

It-is found in neglected pasture land, open woods, and light soils throughout the province and varies in color from almost white to a

fairly deep pink.

Color seems to be affected by sunlight with the deepest pink found in areas touched by the sun.

This plant is