Mark Dennis
@markcdennis.bsky.social
A birder and writer living in Nova Scotia. You can find my books at the evil/convenient Amazon. I'm anti stupidity and lean left, not religious. Follow the science and watch Corner Gas.
Bruiser time, the Glaucs are finally arriving. This meaty 1CY was at my regular fish plant on Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia today. #Birds #Birdwatching #Birding
January 31, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Bruiser time, the Glaucs are finally arriving. This meaty 1CY was at my regular fish plant on Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia today. #Birds #Birdwatching #Birding
Both formats of my new novel, Mirovina, are now available from Amazon. It's actually book three in the series, as I first introduced the leads in another novel, The Chaser, one of my Nova Scotia Birder Mysteries. #Booksky #Books #NovaScotia
January 31, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Both formats of my new novel, Mirovina, are now available from Amazon. It's actually book three in the series, as I first introduced the leads in another novel, The Chaser, one of my Nova Scotia Birder Mysteries. #Booksky #Books #NovaScotia
I just published my latest novel, Mirovina. Details in the panel. #Books #Booksky #NovaScotia #Authors
January 30, 2026 at 8:40 PM
I just published my latest novel, Mirovina. Details in the panel. #Books #Booksky #NovaScotia #Authors
My first three Nottingham mysteries in one eBook. The first in the series, Coldhearted, was inspired by being fired by an American company. I put the smiling manager in a -40 freezer (in the book), it didn't go well for her. Cathartic. At Amazon. #Books #Booksky #Nottingham #Authors
January 30, 2026 at 1:28 PM
My first three Nottingham mysteries in one eBook. The first in the series, Coldhearted, was inspired by being fired by an American company. I put the smiling manager in a -40 freezer (in the book), it didn't go well for her. Cathartic. At Amazon. #Books #Booksky #Nottingham #Authors
First time the Turkey Vultures have fed at the fish plant in the ten years I've been visiting, almost daily in winter. Currently the snowiest winter her since we moved here. Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
January 30, 2026 at 1:23 PM
First time the Turkey Vultures have fed at the fish plant in the ten years I've been visiting, almost daily in winter. Currently the snowiest winter her since we moved here. Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
If a player gets arrested and deported while playing in the US during the hopefully relocated world cup, can the coach replace him or will they be considered collateral damage? I checked the FIFA handbook and see nothing to cover it.
January 29, 2026 at 8:06 PM
If a player gets arrested and deported while playing in the US during the hopefully relocated world cup, can the coach replace him or will they be considered collateral damage? I checked the FIFA handbook and see nothing to cover it.
We get one or two Thick-billed Murres most winters, usually in February. Currently we have at least five locally, including one from the yard (3rd ever). Time to check all the wharves. The image is an older one used to illustrate. Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
January 20, 2026 at 12:38 PM
We get one or two Thick-billed Murres most winters, usually in February. Currently we have at least five locally, including one from the yard (3rd ever). Time to check all the wharves. The image is an older one used to illustrate. Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
As I was in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, today I caught up with a wintering Snowy Owl. This bird is living on a busy wharf and tidying up the large rat population nicely. Hopefully it will be left unmolested by people who might think 'trophy'. Sadly, they still exist. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
January 18, 2026 at 9:45 PM
As I was in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, today I caught up with a wintering Snowy Owl. This bird is living on a busy wharf and tidying up the large rat population nicely. Hopefully it will be left unmolested by people who might think 'trophy'. Sadly, they still exist. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
Quite prescient my first Nova Scotia birder mystery, The Frigatebird, has a tale about a European Robin wintering in a greenhouse in Digby county, and now there's one in Montreal. I have seven novels in my series in both eBook and print format from Amazon. #Birding #NovaScotia #Booksky #Books
January 16, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Quite prescient my first Nova Scotia birder mystery, The Frigatebird, has a tale about a European Robin wintering in a greenhouse in Digby county, and now there's one in Montreal. I have seven novels in my series in both eBook and print format from Amazon. #Birding #NovaScotia #Booksky #Books
The colder spells seem to have bought more Kumlien's Gulls south. At least 35 at one of my regular fish plants on Cape Sable Island NS. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
January 14, 2026 at 6:23 PM
The colder spells seem to have bought more Kumlien's Gulls south. At least 35 at one of my regular fish plants on Cape Sable Island NS. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
After waiting for the roads to be decent, it seemed that only our corner of the province was suffering, we went to New Glasgow for the first Nova Scotia Tufted Titmouse. Afternoon 1, no, frozen. Day two, no, snow, gales and -16C. Today, yes, -13C and calm. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching #NovaScotia
January 6, 2026 at 7:44 PM
After waiting for the roads to be decent, it seemed that only our corner of the province was suffering, we went to New Glasgow for the first Nova Scotia Tufted Titmouse. Afternoon 1, no, frozen. Day two, no, snow, gales and -16C. Today, yes, -13C and calm. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching #NovaScotia
When there's a provincial first Tufted Titmouse four hours away and the Banana Belt where we live won't play nice.
January 3, 2026 at 2:48 PM
When there's a provincial first Tufted Titmouse four hours away and the Banana Belt where we live won't play nice.
New Year tomorrow, can't wait. Have a good one everybody. Let's hope 2026 brings all the things we hope for, even if, in a perfect world, some are things you'd never want to wish for. I ended up with 279 for the year, my average since 2015 is 283. Must try harder. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching.
December 31, 2025 at 7:29 PM
New Year tomorrow, can't wait. Have a good one everybody. Let's hope 2026 brings all the things we hope for, even if, in a perfect world, some are things you'd never want to wish for. I ended up with 279 for the year, my average since 2015 is 283. Must try harder. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching.
Just when you think we're done with avian surprises in 2025, up pops a Varied Thrush in a birder friend's yard. A Shelburne County and Cape Sable Island tick, photo taken in terrible light due to freezing rain. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
December 29, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Just when you think we're done with avian surprises in 2025, up pops a Varied Thrush in a birder friend's yard. A Shelburne County and Cape Sable Island tick, photo taken in terrible light due to freezing rain. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
A patient Cooper's Hawk ignoring juncos and waiting for a fat Mourning Dove. Nova Scotia. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
December 22, 2025 at 7:26 PM
A patient Cooper's Hawk ignoring juncos and waiting for a fat Mourning Dove. Nova Scotia. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
I missed this Marbled Godwit on my island, Dec-1st, so was delighted when it showed on a CBC count at the other end of the county yesterday. Lousy light on our shortest day and at range, but #250 for Canada in winter. Heading out to look for a N. Waterthrush today. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
December 22, 2025 at 11:56 AM
I missed this Marbled Godwit on my island, Dec-1st, so was delighted when it showed on a CBC count at the other end of the county yesterday. Lousy light on our shortest day and at range, but #250 for Canada in winter. Heading out to look for a N. Waterthrush today. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
CBC count week is up today. The previous two days were yuk with wind and snow. Of the missing species to look for, I found three: LBBGull, Common Merganser and three Pine Warblers together. My personal count week score was 74 species, not bad considering. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
December 17, 2025 at 7:54 PM
CBC count week is up today. The previous two days were yuk with wind and snow. Of the missing species to look for, I found three: LBBGull, Common Merganser and three Pine Warblers together. My personal count week score was 74 species, not bad considering. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
I got a decent first hour on CBC day, yesterday, then the weather turned and made it difficult for all concerned. My day total was 50 species, which wasn't bad. Naturally one I didn't get on the day was at my feeders this morning. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
December 15, 2025 at 1:01 PM
I got a decent first hour on CBC day, yesterday, then the weather turned and made it difficult for all concerned. My day total was 50 species, which wasn't bad. Naturally one I didn't get on the day was at my feeders this morning. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
Christmas bird count day for me tomorrow, hoping to repeat a find I made when counting west of Montreal a good few years ago. Great Grey Owl would be a dream bird for all in NS, not holding my breath though. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
December 13, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Christmas bird count day for me tomorrow, hoping to repeat a find I made when counting west of Montreal a good few years ago. Great Grey Owl would be a dream bird for all in NS, not holding my breath though. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
The last twitchable Gyr in Nova Scotia, February 2017. I don't think there's been any more since, but as eBird obscures the records I can't be sure. No reason to do that in Canada, but we don't drive the thing so there you go. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
December 13, 2025 at 12:00 PM
The last twitchable Gyr in Nova Scotia, February 2017. I don't think there's been any more since, but as eBird obscures the records I can't be sure. No reason to do that in Canada, but we don't drive the thing so there you go. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
Only my second ever Shelburne County American Coot today on Blanche Peninsular, year bird #278. My first was at Stodmarsh, back when everything was in black and white. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
December 6, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Only my second ever Shelburne County American Coot today on Blanche Peninsular, year bird #278. My first was at Stodmarsh, back when everything was in black and white. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
Nova Scotia's first Common Shelduck appears to be part of an arrival with a further five in Newfoundland, three shot. This bird is near Canso, Guysborough County which is one of the birdiest, and least birded, areas of NS. Prov #392 for me, a snowy back drive though. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
December 5, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Nova Scotia's first Common Shelduck appears to be part of an arrival with a further five in Newfoundland, three shot. This bird is near Canso, Guysborough County which is one of the birdiest, and least birded, areas of NS. Prov #392 for me, a snowy back drive though. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
When you're out winter listing, birding in winter with an edge, it's the chance of finding things like this Black-throated Grey Warbler (which I did) that has you making random stops and chattering the bushes. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
November 29, 2025 at 12:15 PM
When you're out winter listing, birding in winter with an edge, it's the chance of finding things like this Black-throated Grey Warbler (which I did) that has you making random stops and chattering the bushes. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
Chasing birds in winter might seem a bit facile but it dilutes the winter and sets you up for spring. Sometimes you even get to see birds like this Say's Phoebe, rare in NS, on Boxing Day. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
November 29, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Chasing birds in winter might seem a bit facile but it dilutes the winter and sets you up for spring. Sometimes you even get to see birds like this Say's Phoebe, rare in NS, on Boxing Day. #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching
The winter listing season starts Dec 1 to the end of Feb. For those not in the know, in Canada we start going for lingering birds for our winter lists, it gets you out. This Vermillion Flycatcher was a great tick a few years ago, hoping to add to the 233 I have in NS. #Birds #Birdwatching #Birding
November 29, 2025 at 12:08 PM
The winter listing season starts Dec 1 to the end of Feb. For those not in the know, in Canada we start going for lingering birds for our winter lists, it gets you out. This Vermillion Flycatcher was a great tick a few years ago, hoping to add to the 233 I have in NS. #Birds #Birdwatching #Birding