Birding in Canso
by Eric L. Mills,
9 December 2007
Nova Scotia Bird Society
Recently the town of Canso and its surroundings have gained a reputation as premier birding locations in Nova Scotia. This is partly due to the breeding birds, which include species like Boreal Chickadee, Blackpoll Warbler and Fox Sparrow and the possibility that Boreal Owls nest nearby. Many more breeding species could be listed, although the breeding birds are less well-known than are migrants and vagrants in spring and fall.
Located at the eastern extremity of mainland Nova Scotia, Canso receives a remarkable assortment of out-of-range birds, either spring overshoots of species from south of the province, or, in fall, southern or western species that are disoriented and have reverse-migrated or strayed to the north and east rather than to the south.
A selection seen quite recently includes Glossy Ibis, Sandhill Crane, Black Vulture, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Chuck-Will’s-Widow, Say’s Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Pine Warbler, Western Tanager, Summer Tanager, Grasshopper Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Dickcissel, Shiny Cowbird, Yellow-headed Blackbird and Bullock’s Oriole.
It appears that the possibilities are nearly limitless, and although Nova Scotians now pay special attention to the area during the spring and fall migrations, birders can and should take advantage of the location, pristine habitats, and exciting possibilities that Canso offers throughout the whole year.