TI-IRUSHES

American Crow Northern Cardinal Hermit Thrush Common Raven American Robin BLACKBIRDS & STARLINGS GRACKLES CHICKADEES AND TITS European Starling Red-winged Blackbird Black-capped Chickadee Common Grackle Boreal Chickadee WOOD WARBLERS Brown-headed Cowbird Yellow-rumped Warbler NUTHATCHES FINCHES, SISKINS, Red—breasted Nuthatch SPARROWS & JUN COS CROSSBILLS White-breasted Nuthatch American Tree Sparrow Pine Grosbeak Field Sparrow Purple Finch CREEPERS Savannah Sparrow Common Redpoll Brown Creeper Song Sparrow Hoary Redpoll Lincoln's Sparrow Pine Siskin SHRIKES White-throated Sparrow American Goldfinch Northern Shrike Dark-eyed Junco Evening Grosbeak Lapland Longspur CROWS AND JAYS Snow Bunting OLD WORLD SPARROWS Gray Jay House Sparrow Blue Jay CARDINALS & ALLIES UNUSUAL BIRD SIGHTING: by Anne Bergstrom Species observed; RINGED TURTLE-DOVE Streptopélia risoria Observers: Anne Bergstrom and Camille Gallant, Charlottetown Date: Observed on October 25, 2003, 11 am ADT, for about 10-15 minutes, and on October 26,

Optical equipment: Weather:

Location:

Habitat:

Distance: Description:

Experience:

Comments:

2003, at 9 am AST for about 5 minutes.

Bushnell Natureview 10x30; Telstar 7x35

Sunny, about 10 degrees C.

Souris West near Sheep Pond at “Lobster Point Beach House”

Spruce trees, wild roses, some open ground, at Lobster Point across from Souris; dirt road, fine gravel driveway. Bird seen on the driveway both times.

About 10-14 m, observed from several different windows in house.

The bird was seen pecking at grit on the driveway, both times in company with Mourning Doves. It was noticeably and considerably larger and fatter than the Mourning Doves. It was also much lighter in colour, a pale grayish-brown, and had no spots. The black collar at the back of the neck was very clear. Wing tips darker than other feathers, dark bill, couldn’t distinguish eye colour. Windows closed so could not hear vocalizations.

10-15 years as backyard birder, some field trips, enjoy identifying birds from vocalizations. Come from a family of dedicated omithologists. Father was a bird bander, imported mist nets from Japan and sold them. Mother still travels widely for birding, very expert. Brother PhD in omithology, works for US Fish & Wildlife. I am trying to catch up to them.

I tried to get a photo the second day, and made the mistake of going outside and trying to sneak up quietly around the house. All the birds flew off. Later in the day, a group of Mourning Doves appeared, without the other dove. When I return to this location I will keep a lookout and take a photo from indoors if the bird appears.