Turkey Vulture, Attempted #2
Last week was back to the grind—seven days of work and responsibilities. Despite the busy schedule, I managed to add two new species to my list. One afternoon, on my way to the car, I heard an Evening Grosbeak calling from about half a kilometre away. Perched high above the surrounding trees, its distinct call was unmistakable. The next day, I came across a Red-breasted Nuthatch, casually tagging along with a mixed flock of White-winged Crossbills and Golden-crowned Kinglets.
After the work week, I finally had a few days to target some species here in Labrador, the “Big Land.” My top priority? The elusive Turkey Vulture still being reported in Charlottetown. Although I was off on Monday, I decided to make the journey on Tuesday to optimize my chances.
Late last week, I also heard about a Snowy Owl near Grassy Point, one of my favourite places for a sea watch. With the help of the coastal trail system, I decided to turn this into a hike—a 10-kilometre trek to L’Anse au Clair on the stunning Labrador Pioneer Footpath. The walk was beautiful, but there was no Snowy Owl to be found. However, I did get distant views of a flock of Bohemian Waxwings as they flew into some stunted forest.
Tuesday: Mission Turkey Vulture
I was out the door by 5:20 AM, heading for Charlottetown, a three-hour drive away. The Turkey Vulture had been reported only in the mornings, so I made sure to arrive at sunrise. I staged myself at various vantage points around town, scanning the skies for any sign of movement. Finally, at 11:00 AM, there it was—gliding gracefully over the middle of town and right over my car! Jubilation! This was a species I couldn’t count on later in the year, so seeing it now was crucial.
With the Turkey Vulture ticked, I had to decide where to head next. Goose Bay it was! The drive would take about five hours, but there were a few target birds I hoped to find along the way.
Once back on the highway, I was treated to an incredible sight: another Northern Hawk Owl! This time, I spent nearly 10 minutes watching it as it perched, scanning for prey. Moments like this remind me why birding in Labrador is so special.
The drive to Goose Bay continued with eyes peeled for Willow Ptarmigan and Spruce Grouse, both often seen along Route 510. Just before sunset, two Willow Ptarmigans flushed from the roadside as I passed—another tick for the list!
Wednesday: Birding Happy Valley-Goose Bay
The next morning, I explored Happy Valley-Goose Bay, one of my favorite birding spots in Labrador.
Most of my morning was spent walking the Birch Island Boardwalk, a hotspot for bird activity. Red-breasted Nuthatches, Black-capped Chickadees, Boreal Chickadees, and plenty of finches filled the air with sound. My ears, however, were tuned for the drumming of woodpeckers. Birding like this requires patience—walking a little, listening, then repeating—turning a 30-minute stroll into a whole morning.
Eventually, my patience paid off. Three-quarters of the way around the trail, I heard the unmistakable sound of a woodpecker hard at work. It took a few moments to pick up the direction, but after heading off the trail toward the sound, I found myself at the base of the tree. There it was, way up near the top, hammering away, a Black-backed Woodpecker!!
CBC did a timely interview of me the very moment I was watching this woodpecker. You can listen to it here.
The rest of the day was spent searching for more birds around Goose Bay, ticking a Peregrine Falcon, #86. By late afternoon, it was time for the long but contented six-hour drive home.
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