Hi Birders
We wondered when the weather man would finally catch up with us on a Wednesday and today he finally caught us, so 8 counters set out in wet conditions and it appears that some birds like it wet and some not so much. The number of Canada Geese took a nose dive this week and fell way below a 1000, whilst the Trumpeter’s seemed to like this weather and increased. We worked our way north with not much happening around Somenos except a nice Golden-crowned Kinglet that greeted us at the foot of Drinkwater Road. Then at Quist’s Farm the fields were full of gulls and not much else, although about 15-20 Killdeer were hunkered down in the muddy field. Around on Westholme Road we got a few swans, some very close to the road for nice viewing. Richard’s Trail now mostly flooded turned up many waterfowl with good number of swans and geese and large quantities of duckies. The Sparrows in the bramble patches decided it was best to stay down and try to keep dry. We moved on to Herd Road where I was sent out into the rain to count some geese and I was rewarded with several Dusky Canada Geese which I kept to myself as I didn’t want the troops getting all wet.
We then headed down to the Hwy 18 park and ride where for the second week running we found a small herd of Elk, this time they put on a wonderful show for us, with nice clear looks for all to admire. Barry Hetschko has allowed me to show a picture of the Elk which has been attached to this report. Further on up the road we got to see two fields full of gulls, i think i was the only one enthused by this sight and has much as I tried I could not find anything out of the ordinary.
With not much else to count in the north end it was time to go to A&W for a snack, once again we found Bob who I fear spends much to much time in bed as he doesn’t seem to get going until after 11:30.
The counters were fed and watered and so it was off to Boy’s Road where again things were slow, just a few eagles this week and no swans, we crossed over to Sahilton Road and picked up a few Red-tailed Hawks and a Northern Harrier. Northern Pintail and Northern Shoveller splashed away in the flood and a pair of Gadwall thought this was a good idea also and showed their nice white flash in their wings.
It was on Sahilton Road that the star of the day showed for us, as we slowly drove down the road I noticed this large lump sitting on a fallen branch and gestured to Kurlene to stop. Here sitting right in front of us soaking wet was a lovely cock Pheasant, I quickly relayed a message back to Dorothy in the following car on the walkie-talkie. Barry was out like a shot and managed to get a wonderful shot of this prize which sat proud beside the road. Once again Barry has allowed me to attach his memento of day for you all to see, a wonderful shot.
We moved on over to the west side of town but if it was not for a few Bald Eagles and a small group of swans we would have got skunked.
Bench Road was next and about 30 swans sat out in the field, but we were unable to find the Sandhill Crane that had been at this location for a few days, it could have been there sitting out of view, I did check today Thursday, but failed once again.
Dougans Flats held some geese but no swans, even the deer which are seen here had moved back into the forest to stay dry. At the south end of the flats I spotted a white blob sitting on a dead snag and through the scope spied a adult Northern Shrike but sadly it flew down out of sight before all the party could see it.
On we went with not much seen all the way down into Cowichan Bay, the water levels were still coming up and fields were getting saturated. A smidgin of Trumpeters Swans were seen from the Dock Road, but most of the ducks that have been feeding on eggs and salmon out in the estuary have now left the bay with just maybe 500 birds, mostly Bufflehead and Common Goldeneye.
We did stop at the Cowichan River bridge as I had spotted some swans in a field the day before and they were once again out feeding at this location. Lot’s of Bald Eagles sat up in the trees along Tzouhalem Road which added many to our total for the day.
The days count ended and we had just over 270 Trumpeter Swans, not bad for such a wet day.
Thanks to Kurlene and Eric for doing the driving a task not easily accomplished in this weather and to my fellow counters, we made it through the storm.
Derrick