As usual the day started early, but we were quickly delayed when our key to the Chance Cove Provincial Park gate wouldn't work. I elected to make the 6km trek to the beach, and let the rest of my group check other more accessible areas. I'm happy I made the decision to do the walk because it was a rare day with no wind in the area, making it easy to hear the birds.
Right away I had a couple of male Pine Grosbeaks:
Later down the road were Gray Jays:
A Black-backed Woodpecker was also along the road giving me a nice list of boreal species.
A view of the road that I hiked to get to Chance Cove:
Some highlights from the cove itself include 5 Bufflehead (previous high for the count was 4), and a female Mallard (a new species for the count, believe it or not!) Here's the list of all the species seen here.
The Cape Race lighthouse was visible from the cove:
On my return walk I found a Shrike and a Hairy Woodpecker, both species I had never seen in Newfoundland before. I have more embarrassing ones that I still haven't seen...
Back at Portugal Cove South there were a few neat birds kicking around.
A Red-throated Loon wasn't too far offshore:
Dovekies were plentiful:
And a single Purple Sandpiper allowed a close approach:
A short clip of some of the birds:
