SMALL MAMMAL JUMPING: by David Seeler

Last evening on July 9‘“, while outside, Inoticed a small mammal "jumping"in the grass as it moved across the lawn towards the house from our shed.

After a bit I realized it was not one of our "squirrels" as it was too small. I went back and it seemed to disappear - but just before I turned to leave a juvenile ERMINE (Short-tailed weasel) poked its head out of the “hose winding set" to look at me. It was quite curious and did not seem to be too perturbed that I was 2 feet away. I went in to get a small dish of water, but upon my return it was gone. Where it would come from is beyond me - but I half expect it is under our shed.

EVENING GROSBEAKS: by Sherron Foulkes

We have a great number of Evening Grosbeaks at our feeder. This morning (on May 28‘“), we watched as the males and females seem to be feeding each other. We had observed this before but thought they were adults feeding the young. However, we don't think the young would be full grown yet so it may be adults courting. It is quite interesting to watch as the male is very aggressive to other males who come near.

(Editor ’5 Note: adapted from a PEI Birder’s List Server May 28‘” , 2004 release)

CANIERON’S ISLAND BIRD BANDING STATION: by Donna Martin

On June 1“, 2004, we had an interesting day banding today with a few migrants still being picked up. We will be shutting the station down on Thursday of this week. The weather has not been great for banding this spring with a lot of wind and extremely cold days. Most migrants are carrying no to very little fat and they seem to be foraging later in the morning. I'm not sure what they are finding, as insects are scarce, even mosquito's are non existent. Today we captured two male blackpolls, three male Magnolia Warblers, two male American Redstarts, three male Common Yellowthroats, three Yellow-rumped Warblers, two Yellow Warblers, Hairy Woodpecker, Common Grackle, two female Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, one male Ruby-crowned Kinglet, along with three new returns, two Song Sparrows and a White-throated Sparrow. We saw four Purple Finches, lots of Tree Swallows, Eastern Kingfisher, American Black Ducks, Hairy Woodpecker, flickers, and we heard Swainson's Thrush. On Friday, we had a pair of Common Loons on the North side of the island. They were calling. It was exciting to hear as I have never heard loons calling here before. We did get lots of pictures which I hope to post at a later date.

On June 2nd, 2004, Dan Kennedy was down both today as well as yesterday. He was of great help and identified Common Loons of the north side of the Island. Today we saw six Semipalmated Plovers and three Semipalmated Sandpipers along the shore. This would be our first sightings of shorebirds since we started, as we have been looking for them every time we have been out banding.

I just thought I would drop a quick line at let you know that I started the migration monitoring on Cameron Island in mid-August. I have only got eight banding days in, but the birds are definitely on the move. I have banded 105 birds, with last Thursday and Friday being interesting days. Northern Wterthrushes and Wilson's Warblers were on the move. I captured 15 Northern Waterthrushes and 6 Wilson’s Warblers, although I counted over 30 Wilson's on the Island foraging in small flocks. I have also picked up a few flycatchers, a Blue—headed Vireo, few woodpeckers, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds along with Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, and a few warbler species, Black and white, Magnolia, Black-throated Green, Parula, Yellow, Common Yellowthroat, Mourning, and Myrtles. Some birds seen to be passing through early this year, I wonder if they know something we don't. I am finally seeing a few shore birds also. Something to note is that Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows have not been heard or seen this year, but have been heard, seen and captured over the last two years during this time period. I will keep watching and listening for them. Hope everyone had a great summer.