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Outdoor Nova Scotia: Features; an In-depth Look at 'The Great Outdoors' in Nova Scotia!
Birder's Delight If you're a birding enthusiast and hanker for a unique adventure, head to Pubnico in Southwest Nova Scotia. Scores of seabirds inhabit the shoreline and marshes in the area. The Tusket Islands are close by - a unique system of 360 small landmasses. Some are uninhabited while others have fishing shanties and hop with activity during the lobster season. Pubnico is only a half hour drive from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and two ferries linking to Bar Harbour and Portland, Maine. For Information, contact the South Shore Tourist Association (902) 634-884 or the Yarmouth County Tourist Association (902) 742-5355
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Ted D'Eon was a curious child. He always wanted to know about things, especially if it had to do with nature. Birds, fishes, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and to a lesser degree, rocks, minerals, plants and insects - all captured his interest. Then he started to delve more deeply into the world of birds. In 1973, he went on his first Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC), and hasn’t missed a year since! In fact, two years later, he organized a CBC in his home community of Pubnico, NS, which continues to this day. D'Eon has been on countless bird expeditions since those early times, but the project that really stole his heart is one that involves the Roseate Tern.
Part of the thrill was due to the fact that the two tiny islands that make up The Brothers (near Yarmouth, at the southern tip of Nova Scotia) are home to the largest significant population of Roseate Terns in Canada, yet they were hardly in abundance. In 1986 they were listed as 'Threatened'. From his first visit in 1982, D'Eon started to keep an eye on them. He was asked to join the Atlantic Canada Tern Working Group, and a couple of years later, the Roseate Tern Recovery Team was formed and he became an active member. Since then, he's been a self appointed steward for the tern colony. In this role, (and under the direction of the Canadian Wildlife Service and the wildlife division of the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, he’s conducted nest and chick counts, placed special nesting shelters on the islands, and monitoring their use.
The
results speak for themselves. In 1991 there were only 20 Roseate Tern
nests on The Brothers. Gradually, the numbers started to climb. In 1999,
the Roseate Tern was upgraded to the less serious designation of D'Eon says that terns are often confused with gulls. He believes, however, that with some education, "the profile of terns as graceful and energetic and fun to watch can easily be portrayed." He further explains that that the Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) is a slender, medium-sized seabird with a forked tail flanked by streamers. The roseated colour of its under side is rarely visible. It has a black cap, orange legs, and a black bill, which may be reddish at the base. When it is not breeding, its bill and legs are black, and the tail looses its streamers. Atlantic Canada is the northern limit of the Roseate Tern's northeastern breeding range. Like many smart birds, they head south for the winter, down to South America where they roost on sandbars.
On April 28 in 2002, an interpretive panel was unveiled in Pubnico, illustrated with a picture of three Roseate Terns created by artist Azor Vienneau. Much to D'Eon's surprise, the Nova Scotia Bird Society presented him with the original painting in honour of his work and achievements in protecting and nurturing the Roseate Tern colony and his efforts in educating the public. D'Eon continues his work with the birds. "It is important to protect all forms of higher life. It is true that there is an emotional attraction to birds like the Roseate Tern and the world would likely still turn even if they were extinct, but it would not be a better world." D'Eon added that many would mourn the loss of the birds as many now mourn the loss of the Passenger Pigeon, the Great Auk, and the Labrador Duck. "Once a species is extinct, it's gone for good," he said.
Tern Man, Ted D'Eon by Sandra Phinney, first published June, 2004. Designed & maintained by Outdoor Nova Scotia, Liverpool, N.S. BOT 1KO Material protected by copyright. Last revised: June 26, 2004 |
It all
started in 1982. "I remember leaving the wharf at Abbott's Harbour and one
of the crew said, 'I wonder if we will see any Roseates at The Brothers
today?' I never thought much about the remark until we landed on North
Brother and about 40 Roseate Terns presented themselves to us. It was an
exciting moment."
Roseate
Terns are sociable. Liking the company of other birds, they often team up
with other terns and gulls. They prefer to nest in clumps of grass, under
wooden planks, driftwood, and big rocks - places that provide some safety
and shelter. They usually lay one or two eggs, and both parents take part
in family chores, which includes brooding, feeding and general
supervision. Adults are experts in diving, and they feed on small
schooling marine fish. Sometimes the bird submerges completely underwater.
