Day 23: dedicated to the most important building

Hey guys! Now that I'm all up to date on past blogs, it's time for a new update. Lots of cool sightings and events over the past week! First exciting tidbit of news: n=2! Hurray! New bird singing the foreign stimuli! He is also aggressively squeezing his way in between three other adult male territories, and I must say, he is doing a fine job oppressing his elders.

Other exciting events: migration is finally in full swing around here! Seems like the poor weather and strong north winds were really backing up large groups of birds. But this week we had at least 3 full days of lovely sunshine and south winds, allowing for lots of new birdies to pass through! Highlights for me so far have been: scores of yellow-rumped warblers in beautiful summer plumage, lots of white-throated sparrows (songs that remind me of home!), black-throated blue warblers, and a couple lifer warblers for me including black-throated greens, Blackburnian's (now officially my new favourite warbler!!), and a hooded warbler! He was entirely out of his range, but I'm sure glad he made the mistake of coming to Kent Island.

Yellow-rumped warbler showing off his pretty colours

Hooded warbler!! So gorgeous!

So, since it's a rainy, foggy day and I have no intention of walking around the island, I'll take some time to tell you a little about the facilities here at the field station. As you may know (or may have guessed from my earlier mention of hauling water for dishes), the island does not have basic plumbing. It does have two cold-water sinks in the dorm, one in the mudroom for teeth brushing/hand washing, etc., and one in the kitchen for rinsing and drinking water, etc., but that is the extent of it. So that means all hot water either comes from a pot on the stove (it's a gas stove, so it heats up quick!), or from the hot water tank outside, which is solar powered (in fact, all power here is acquired through solar panels). It also means that there are no toilets or showers. Hence, my frequent shower updates (and infrequent showering). So yes, outhouses only. Here's a photo of the main 'two-holer':

Complete with wooden 'occupied' flags, and doors that don't actually close

Almost spa-like relaxation awaits. Note the actual bullet holes in the back wall

Also, note that this is the stall without the toilet seat. I couldn't show you too much luxury or you might get jealous. And no, there is no locking mechanism on these doors, which is why the flag system is key. At least you get a nice view of the outdoors while you sit! I believe there has historically been an outhouse bird list, for birds seen whilst using the facilities! So far my outhouse bird list consists of Herring gulls, American crows, SAVS, and Leech's Storm petrels if you count audio! Don't worry, I'll keep you updated on my outhouse bird list, because I know you're dying to know.

Since this already getting to be a long post, and obviously the outhouse deserved at LEAST this much time and blog space, I will save the rest of the virtual field station tour for another post!

And please, everyone take the time to appreciate your toilet today, for me.

I'm a Song sparrow, I feel under appreciated...