The season on the water is over, but marine mammals have yet to leave the area! From November 5 to 13, I spend time on the rocks at Cap de Bon-D\u00e9sir (between Les Bergeronnes and Les Escoumins), staring out at sea. Birds and marine mammals: two passions enjoyed simultaneously.<\/p>\n
As far as marine mammals are concerned, here are my observations:<\/p>\n
Several minke whales are still present in our area. For example, on November 7, on a sunny day with a stiff southwest wind, I spot five minke whales and observe (and photograph) a minke whale breaching more than a dozen times! Also present are a handful of gray seals, a few harp seals, four porpoises and, far offshore from the Bon-D\u00e9sir campground, I spot five huge spouts: probably fin whales.<\/p>\n
Now for the birds… and what activity!<\/p>\n
Kittiwakes as well as glaucous, Iceland, ring-billed, great black-backed and herring gulls, a dozen or so lingering gannets, many black guillemots… but it is the sea ducks in particular that have invaded the area: common eiders, long-tailed ducks, red-breasted mergansers, scoters (mostly black scoters). Also worth noting is the presence of several common loons, a few red-throated loons and red-necked grebes.\u00a0Purple sandpipers are present on the rocks and feed at low tide. They are the only shorebirds that winter in Quebec. Note that many birders travel to the Haute-C\u00f4te-Nord region to observe this magnificent species. Below is a video of these birds! You will see these two individuals feeding and preening! For a high quality resolution, click on the gear in the bottom right hand corner of the video and then on 720hd.<\/p>\n
Until next week for more offshore news!<\/p>\n
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