One of my favourite places to visit a number of times each year is Bell’s Pond near New Glasgow.  The pond is a beautiful spot that is hidden away in the hills.  One can access the pond either from Route 13 or off the New Glasgow Road on Campbell’s Road.  It is a fairly large pond and the Hunter River flows through a small section of falls and rapids below the pond.  As such, it is a magnet for birds throughout the year. 

Lupins and Spillway 

Spring and summer, it is always a good spot to watch for Warblers and a great selection of other migrants.  In the area recently, I dropped by to check to see if some Eastern Kingbirds I had seen in past years might have returned.  I was driving down the clay road from the New Glasgow Road when I heard an uncommon call.  To my delight, it turned out to be a Baltimore Oriole.  Both of these birds are not very common on PEI. 

Preening Baltimore Oriole 

Later I was able to locate able to see the Kingbird as well as a variety of warblers, Alder Flycatchers, a Red-eyed Vireo and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet.  Not a bad little stop. 

Eastern Kingbird Portrait

And don't forget to drop by in the fall, as that is when you might see migratory waterfowl, including Hooded Merganser.

Text and Photos by REArvidson

Ron Arvidson is an Artist and Teacher as well as an avid Birder.  Ron is also an Administrator for Birding on PEI and his photos may also be seen www.facebook.com/pages/Birding-on-PEI.

Cornwall Lagoon

One of favorite choices to visit at this time of year is the local sewage lagoon.  Local lagoons often attract a variety of birds and enable us to view them closer than they normally might be seen.  Birds that might be seen include ducks, swallows and a number of song birds.  With these birds present, you may also see the birds that prey on them.

Swallows are often attracted to lagoons as they are often the sight of a variety of insects.  One can often observe them as they swoop across the water or as they rest on nearby wires, fences and trees.

Swallows

Waterfowl often find these lagoons as a source of food (don’t ask) and as a spot that is relatively protected.  One can often find them with young and you can see the families.

Families

When visiting a lagoon it is often wise to be on the watch for a merlin or an eagle as they are attracted to the areas where other birds are present.

Some of my favourite Lagoons are: 

Hyde Park in Cornwall

Mount Stewart

Borden-Carleton

Overview of Cornwall Lagoon

Overview of Cornwall Lagoon

Overview of Cornwall Lagoon

Text and Photos by REArvidson

Ron Arvidson is an Artist and Teacher as well as an avid Birder.  Ron is also an Administrator for Birding on PEI.