With all the other important items to talk about I almost forgot to to get back to my animal ABC. This is the Pileated woodpecker.  These noisy red crested birds excavate large nests - usually in dead trees. While we may think this is destructive, there are two good outcomes.  They eat a large number of boring insects like termites, and they provide nest cavities for other medium to large birds. This woodpecker is the size of a small crow so it should be fairly easy to spot in the woods.

These birds have a wide range of habitats, from western Canada through to the Atlantic (except Newfoundland). You will also find them in the eastern half of the United States. They have been seen as far North as Whitehorse in the Northwest Territories.

Its call sounds like what you usually hear in the jungle movies. You will easily recognize it should you hear it. Its digging/drumming sound is just what you expect – sounds like banging two hollow sticks together very quickly.

So come to PEI and see if you can spot Woody Woodpecker

Granny ~oo~

You may have seen piping plovers scurrying about on the beach. I never seem to have the video camera with me when I see one running back and forth into the waves.  As the wave goes out, they run towards it looking for fresh food and then they scurry back to avoid the next wave.  I could just sit and watch for hours.

It is easy to recognize a plover by the black ring around its neck.  However the piping plover is often confused with the semi-palmated plover shown on the left – Can you see the difference?

If you do see a plover on the beach, be patient and wait for “feeding time.”  These little fellas are subject to the whims of nature.  Storm Surges often reshape the coast: rocks, shells, animals, etc. Often after a big storm, the plovers have to move elsewhere in search of food sources. Sometimes they even have to look for new nesting grounds. They need a fair amount of beach to set up their nest away from the tide line – and storm surges. So when a storm surge eats away 20 feet of beach, they are desperate to relocate.

The Piping Plover is an endangered species. So please watch for these signs and respect their habitat. This is one of the reasons that animals are not permitted on North Shore beaches in the national parks during the summertime. Dogs foraging about may disturb sensitive nesting areas.

In 2010, conservationists counted 69 plovers on the Island.

The Osprey can be observed in Prince Edward Island.  It colloquially bears the names fishhawk, seahawk or Fish Eagle. I am missing the wing tip in this picture but you can usually identify the Osprey by the 4 “fingers” in the tips. It has reversible toes and scales on its talon that act as fishhooks to help hold its catch.  Remember the Gannet that dives in like an arrow?  The Osprey goes in feet first to catch its meal. I have yet to see one with a fish in its claws but this BBC video shows how much of a struggle it can be to extract it from the water.

The Osprey is often mistaken for the bald eagle.  The Osprey is much smaller but like with the Llamas and Alpacas you would have to see them side by side.  The Osprey also has a white belly whereas the bald eagle is all black (dark colour).

In PEI we are always looking for something to latch onto for symbolism.  So you will find a B&B called Osprey.

Tomorrow, the plight of the piping plover.

Granny ~oo~

Come to Prince Edward Island to look for the Nuthatch.  You will find both the read breasted and white breasted nuthatch in PEI. These little fellas are handy because they eat tent caterpillars. You will most often see them clinging on the sides of trees or performing acrobatic feats on bird feeders – especially the cage type.

After 5 days of rain, and cold weather, things are clearing up here and the weeds are calling.  Perhaps I’ll have longer to explore nature tomorrow.  For now the weeds are calling.

Have a great day

Granny ~oo~

Northern Mockingbirds abound in Prince Edward Island.  Of Course if you hear one, you may not be quite sure.  The mocking bird imitates blue jays very well.  it also imitates thrushes, wrens, and unhappy robins. They are usually pale grey like in the photo but can sometimes appear to have a bluish tint.  They are common all over North America so they are not necessarily a reason to come to PEI. But please do come and enjoy their song . . . even if they are but imitators.

Apparently, they are very smart birds.  Smart enough to make sounds like barking dogs or alarm clocks to help give them a feeling of security.  They also seem to have the ability to spot a dangerous person in a  crowd.  So if a mockingbird attacks someone, perhaps you should head the other way  :-).

so

Granny ~oo~

There are Llamas on Prince Edward Island. On Route 2, just West of Charlottetown, you will see a Llama ranch on the North side of the highway.  On most days, you can see the llamas grazing. There is also a u-pick strawberry patch on the property.  What a quaint combination.  As far as I know, Llamas do not eat strawberries.

If you remember the post about alpacas, you may wonder about the differences. They are both in the camel family and they are both native to South America.

• Llamas are bigger than alpaca.  So if you see the two together you may be able to tell the difference.
• Alpacas have straight ears and the Llama is curved.
• The alpaca I have seen have woolly fur resembling sheep whereas llamas usually have a straighter coat.

I am sure there are many other differences; I am certainly no animal expert. Regardless of the differences, both produce a fur/wool that is very desirable, and naturally waterproof.  Come for a drive in PEI and get some Llama pictures.

Granny ~oo~

From March to October, Prince Edward Island is known as the Great Blue Heron capital of North America. Like most large birds, it is not very graceful landing or taking off.  However a heron is wonderful to see in flight.  They are also quit interesting close up like in this picture.  As long as you move slowly, you can usually get quite close – I think they try to stay more still than us in the hopes we do not see them.

My favourite viewing spots are the marshes along the North Shore.  I often see one underneath the boardwalk leading up to Cavendish Beach.

The Great Blue Heron is the largest Heron in North America with a wing span of almost 6 feet. It makes a sound like a hoarse duck. Once you have heard it, it is instantly recognizable. If you see one in flight, you will recognize it two ways:  the crook in its neck and the feet extending far beyond the tail feathers.

Come to Prince Edward Island this summer and catch a glimpse of the majestic heron.

Granny ~oo~