Nature Cowichan

On Sunday, October 13, four birders, Daryl Johnson, Kurleen Wen, Ray Demarchi and Carol Hartwig, conducted a Coastal Bird Survey on Cowichan Estuary North-Khenipsen Road. The beautiful sunny day with excellent visibility afforded the viewing of 14 species including: 950 American Wigeon, 260 unidentified Gull, 33 Double-crested Cormorant, 27 Mute Swan, 16 Common Merganser, 7 Surf Scoter, 3 Glaucous-winged Gull, 3 Northwestern Crow, 2 Hooded Merganser, 2 Horned Grebe, 1 Great Blue Heron, 1 Canada Goose, 1 Belted Kingfisher, and 1 Bald Eagle.

Four observers, Daryl Johnson, Christine Gilbertson, Carol Hartwig and Kurleen Wen, conducted a Coastal Bird Survey on Cowichan Estuary North-Khenipsen Road Sunday, November 10 from 11 AM to 12:10 PM. Visibility was excellent during the high tide and although gun shots were heard, generally the birds did not seem to be too disturbed. There were a total of 16 species that included 835 American Widgeon, 651 Unidentified Gull, 285 Bufflehead, 105 Common Goldeneye, 54 Common Merganser, 43 Mallard, 30 Mute Swan, 6 Trumpeter Swan, 5 Mew Gull, 4 Surf Scoter, 4 Hooded Merganser, 4 Bald Eagle, 3 Double-crested Cormorant, 3 Canada Goose, 2 Glaucous-winged Gull and 1 Horned Grebe.

Hi Birders,
Thanks for the nice evening together birding. I just entered the birds and you were right, Bob, there was no way to record the swallows or even the purple martin on the form even once I asked for the longer form!! I did enter them in the
comments at the bottom of the form, however. I did check out the abundance and frequency of our counts and yes, there are just those blue boxes that don’t really mean much!! I will contact Karen and ask her about that!

So, here is what we saw:
52 Unidentified gull sp, 25 Mute Swan, 9 Great Blue Heron, 3 Belted Kingfisher, 2 Northwestern Crow, 1 immature Bald Eagle, 1 Northern Harrier, 1 Turkey Vulture, 3 Purple Martin, 2 Barn Swallow,
1 Violet Green Swallow, 1 Purple Finch and 1 House Wren.

Hope to see you again birding in the summer!
best, Carol

Hi
Yesterday I met up with 7 or 8 enthusiastic butterfliers and we walked the train tracks at Cowichan Station the weather was spot on and was not long before we spotted our first butterfly a Cabbage White. At the meeting place a Red-breasted Sapsucker was drilling some wells in a large Maple. On the trip we saw and heard many species of birds and some were more co-operative than the leps. Our second species and the one that was the most noticeable was the Veined White, this location being one of the best in the valley for seeing this lovely white.
Ravens called overhead and some with better hearing than me heard Evening Grosebeaks. A Pacific-slope Flycatcher calling was the first of the year for the valley. As we moved on the butterflies became more abundant and Spring Azures, Satyr Commas showed well. It took a while but most participants got to see one of the rarer species a Moss Elfin as it rubbed it’s hind wings together while sitting on a sunny leaf.
Mourning Cloaks put on a good show and I think this is the most number of this species I have ever encountered here. A brief glimpse of what I judged to be a Green Comma was had, but the best I could do was to show everyone what to look for in the book.
I found that the Spring Azures were in low numbers which was a bit worrying as they are usually very abundant here. Sara Orangtips paraded back and forth, no this was not one of the participants but a nice little white with orange tips to it’s wings.
As we returned we ran into Mike Yip and his partner, he was there to try and get pictures for his upcoming book on the butterflies of Vancouver Island
As we neared the end a big battle ensured between rivaling Orange-crowned Warblers and we got nice looks as they showed their wares to each other.
Below is a list of the butterflies that we saw:

Cabbage White # 2
Veined White # 21
Sara Orangetip # 5
Moss Elfin # 2
Spring Azure # 5
Mourning Cloak # 6
Satyr Comma # 9
Green Comma # 1
Comma Species # 5

One of the best April days I have ever had for butterflies from this location. Some of the numbers could be low as leps were going in all directions.

In light of the way some of us looked on our return to the cars I am thinking of re-naming our group the Cowichan Valley Wobblers, it was hot and I think all were glad that it was over even though they all had a great time, I hope?

Derrick Marven

Hi
There are days when you just know that it is going to be an exceptional day.
My day started on a bit of waste land along Cowichan Bay Road where I found a pair of discarded kitchen catchers loaded with empty beer cans, over forty in total, what a start to the day. Then a walk through Hecate Park like I do most days I found a poor Loon laying in the car park, this was no Common Loon but one of those brass ones, I was rich. I was on a roll and there would be no stopping me for the rest of the day.
My next stop was the Cowichan Bay Dock Road where I found a young lady who was eager to accompany me on my morning walk, it was not long before we spotted one of the resident Ospreys who was doing a bit of fishing and soon flew across the bay to join its partner at last year’s nest site.
Barn Swallows had been seen before we met and a single Savannah Sparrow flew down and settled on a partially sunken boat, this was a new bird for my year’s list and you know the old saying that once you’ve seen one then the floodgates open, well two flocks of Savannah’s appeared and flew along in front of us.
Our attention was then drawn to a dark thin cloud that approached from the south-east, this cloud was calling loudly and it was a large skein of migrating geese this was soon followed by many others and this annual occurrence of Greater White-fronted and Lesser Canada Geese continued on right through the day.
A River Otter dove for it’s breakfast and only had time to give us a passing glance.
After saying our goodbyes I headed home for my brekky. It was not long before I got the itch and with the sun coming out Winston and I headed back out to see what we could find. Corfield Road was my next stop and it was here that I found my first Damselfly of the year, a Pacific Forktail freshly emerged to bask on some damp dirt right in front of me.
Later while conducting my daily bird observations in the garden my attention was drawn to a wonderful male American Goldfinch that came into the sunflower seed feeder, it sat on one side while a lovely male House Finch sat the other, what a picture.
Alas it appears that the Crossbills found the lovely weather too irresistible and were not observed, what a treat they had put on for me for a couple of days.
5 species of butterfly passed through the garden today and one fresh Spring Azure sat still long enough for me to get a nice closeup look at it’s under-wing.
The day was not finished yet as nature had another few surprises for me, a flock of 7 Red-winged Blackbirds came flying in and brought with them a female Brown-headed Cowbird, another new year bird for me.
One of the bay’s Ospreys passed over with a nice trout, caught from Quamichan Lake, this was sure to impress his lady friend who was more than likely waiting in anticipation for his return.
Next came a phone call from my good mate Dave who said that a large flock of Greater White-fronted Geese were passing over Mill Bay and that I should look out for them, well it took exactly 8 minutes before I saw them coming over the house. This posed a question if it took 8 minutes from Mill Bay to Duncan how long would it take a flock to fly from it’s California wintering ground until they reached the breeding grounds so many miles north?
As the young lady birder had spoken this morning this is my favorite time of year, one never knows what will turn up next.
We are blessed here on the west coast with a wide variety of nature to watch, so get out and enjoy.

Derrick

Early on a sunny Sunday morning five bright-eyed birders gathered with no time to waste – observations had to be complete by 0904, two hours after high tide. First “waterbird” of the day was a Turkey Vulture, on beach patrol right in front of Ray and Carol’s place. But most of the estuary was calm and almost deserted. Biggest numbers were of Mew Gulls, Buffleheads and some American Wigeons, mostly up where the river opens into the bay. We recorded 17 species and 300 individual birds, both down from the March count. Mallard and Glaucous-winged Gull numbers were way down. Even human activity was absent; the motorized paraglider often seen on this side of the Bay was not out, or at least not early enough for us to count.

Kurlene spotted the still head of a Mute Swan raised just above the tall grasses; could it be on a nest? A presumed mate fed quietly in the water close by. Not exactly an indigenous bird, but anyway, one more species for the day’s count.

Next survey will be Sunday May 12, and it looks like another early morning.
Bob and Carol

Hi Birders
Well spring has arrived with all sorts of weather so I guess it must be April. Rufous Hummingbirds abound and are coming into feeders and stationed along the Dock Road on hydro lines. Chipping Sparrows are making an early debut with one at my feeder and another on Corefield Road.
First sighting of an Osprey was one sitting on a crane in the woodyard in Cowichan Bay on the 9th, but haven’t seen it since so it might have moved on north as this fellow was at least a week early.
3 Red Crossbills came down to my sunflower feeder on the 11th with 2 handsome males showing up the dull green female.
Common Yellowthroats are in full song along the boardwalk at Somenos Marsh and all Swallow boxes appear to have residents with a waiting list already posted.
Coots and Ring-necked Ducks are hanging in around the marsh and a young lady wearing wellies finally managed to find her yearly Wilson’s Snipe in one of the wet fields. I personally bumped into one at the foot of Corfield Road on the 10th as it sat in a puddle. No not a young lady in wellies but a Snipe, it of course took off in it’s zig-zag flight.
A great report from an old birding friend of a group of up to 40 Sandhill Cranes that passed vocally over Cowichan Bay on the 10th and passed right over my house while I was busy cleaning house, so of course I missed them.
A strange occurrence while myself and Winston were walking along Hecate Park a large Beaver was on the beach right below the viewing tower, we are used to having a run in with Otters who like to groom themselves in the bark mulch, but a Beaver is a rare sighting at any time of year in Cowichan Bay. It gave us nasty look and then swam off slowly out into the bay. Not sure if males get shoved out by one another at this time of year or not.
Butterflies are coming out in good numbers and I have heard of at least 6 species being seen around the valley already, mind you as I look out the window at this dreary morning all good butterflies are tucked up in bed.
Many species of Wildflowers are out with Trilliums and Shooting Stars looking wonderful amongst the leaf matter.

Well keep your eyes peeled as it is all happening now.

Proud to be a Naturalist
Derrick

Hi
When you got to go, you got to go, as was the case for the swans and geese this past week with a mass migration from the valley.
Just 47 Trumpeter Swans were counted and even the remaining few looked eager to leave us to go north.
A group of four immatures on Sahilton Road looked strange without their mum and dad to show them the way, but I’m sure they know which way to go.
This week there was nearly as many participants as birds with 8 volunteers ready to do battle. John once again joined us and we had cameras coming at us from all directions. One neat gadget he had was one of those headcams which had a mount with a large sucker on it which was placed in many spots on Christina’s truck although her hybrid Ford looked like it had been attacked by a giant pacific octopus by the time we’d finished. He told us that it could withstand speeds in excess of 150km, but we just fell short of those speeds.
Somenos Lake had a few lingering Ruddy Ducks and a very active Marsh Wren was busy building one of his many nests, we were lucky to get nice close up views as he went about his yearly chore.
A large eagle, thought by me, to be an adult Golden Eagle flew around the base of Mt. Richards and a Northern Harrier glided over fields on Richards Trail.
By the time we got to A&W we knew that it was going to be slow for swans and it did not get much better from then on in.
Yellow-rumped Warblers were heard and seen and a couple of Evening Grosbeaks played hard to see in Cottonwoods at the bottom of Corfield Road.
The four immature swans on Sahilton Road were gone the next day so they just wanted to get a little bit more greenery in their bellies before setting off.
One lucky counter had seen a pair of Cougar kits earlier in the week and it is nice to know that this much maligned animal is doing okay besides all the adversity thrown its way.
Well we wizzed around the route and were on our way down into Cowichan Bay when low and behold we spotted the Kozee Wrap truck parked at the pub, now this was strange as old Derrick had indicated that he would be busy in a Victoria attic and would not be able to come and count birds. The next day I confronted him and he said he was under the pub looking at a job. Now I personally have been found under and behind a pub a few times in my life so I did not accept his lame excuse.
Our day ended on the Dock Road where our last Trumpeter Swan of the season was recorded and to cap off a wonderful day a male Rufous Hummingbird sat up on the hydro wires as we left.

Big thanks this week to Christina (see I do remember your name) who finally lead the group and to all other participants who have made this a wonderful counting season, what would we do without you, your company over the weeks has been a real joy.

Next week when I have had time to recover I will talk more about numbers and the ups and downs of the past season.

Take care and enjoy this wonderful weather

Derrick

Attachments added.
Copy of 2012-13 Winter Swan & Goose countCopy of 2012-13 raptor count

Hi
This is a report for all those who like nature.

Last Thursday while walking the Cowichan River Dike in Cowichan Bay I came across a puddle with something moving in it, but as I got close it stopped; this puddle was really murky so it was not possible to see what was in there, so on my merry way I went. This morning, four days later I walked past the same puddle and something moved again; this time I had my wife with me and she got one end of the puddle while I waited at the other. Her big boots made a swish across the puddle and washed a small fish up onto the side, not sure what species it was but I scooped this little fellow up and put it down in the river to hopefully grow up to be a big keeper.
The question is how did the little fishy get in the puddle in the first place some 10 feet up from the river. Was it a bird that accidentally dropped it, or some little rascal with a net who put it in the puddle? I have read about critters falling from the sky, maybe that’s what happened to him.
The big thing is how long can a fishy stay in a puddle that is passed over by scores of people each day and survive?
I will never know the outcome of this most strange occurrence, I can only think that something good will come from this.

I have been getting reports of Rufous Hummingbirds from some friends who like to rub it in that they got one before me, well mine are to say the least late on arrival and it is now a week later than usual and I still don’t have one.

On Sunday as I finished breakfast I turned to look at my feeders and was blessed to see two male Evening Grosbeaks scoffing up some sunflower seeds, what a wonderful finish to breakfast. Better than any strawberries and pancakes.

Again on Sunday the boss and I went down at mid-day to the Dock Road to check on my swallow boxes and as we crossed the field a pair of Short-eared Owls took off, they were probably roosting in the field and us two ninnies disturbed them. As soon as they became airborne a group of Ravens descended on them and chased them up in the sky where they were met with a Northern Harrier giving them grief, they finally descended and hopefully got back to dozing again.

Finally as we got back to the car a Red-tailed Hawk of the Harlan’s sub-species flew and landed in a Cottonwood close to us for a wonderful view.

Second finally as we came home from the bay at lunch time today a Mourning Cloak butterfly was cruising down Tzouhalem Road.

Isn’t spring lovely.

Until I write again, enjoy, as you never know what nature will throw at me next time.

Now for a snooze.

Derrick

Hi Birders
I am so sorry for the delay in the report, but things have been a little hectic this week, what with filming the swans, digging the garden, getting ready for our wedding anniversary and all sorts of other things that take place in everyday life. Or I could tell the truth and say I plain forgot, so is life in the fast lane these days. anyways enough of this dribble.

The day got off to a great start with 8 birders full of enthusiasm and and this week we were joined by John from back east who wanted to film and record what we got up to as he is interested in Citizen Science and Swans of course, well he came to the right group for this, as we are about as much scientific as you can get. With precision stops and a route that was drawn up under meticulous conditions, reports and data to the highest standards.

What can I say about this week, raptors were down and so were swans, but there was a big change around in swans with many having disappeared and new stock taking their place. 9 Tundra Swans were found, a new high all time record for us, with 8 adults in one location along Koksilah Road east.
A lovely male Eurasian Wigeon was seen on Sahilton Road and Northern Shovellers and Lesser Scaup were on Jim’s pond.
The weather was kind to us with hardly any rain, but the wind was a little nippy and some participants had to be coaxed out of the cars on a few occasions.
A nice female Northern Harrier crossed in front of us in Cowichan Bay and a single Turkey Vulture was seen on Koksilah Road east.
Lots of swallows this week with birds being seen at several locations.
Yellow-rumped Warblers put in a appearance and a wonderful Audubon’s sub-species flitted around at the bottom of Corfield Road, they are so welcome in the spring and bring joy to all who get to admire them.

I’m sure I have forgotten some things, but when I let things go more than a day, they are gone.

This coming Wednesday the 27th see’s the last count for this season, so please if you thought of joining us come along and watch as we go about our business of counting the swans and geese. You never know you might end up on film. Remember the Big Year?

Happy Birding
Derrick

Hi
Just three eager participants this week and big thanks to Kathleen for the driving duties and of course Daryl for her meticulous notes on the spreadsheet.
It is now getting very close to departure time for the swans, the immatures are getting a lot whiter and are harder to find in the flocks and much gesturing can be seen with the adults. They are eager to get north now that the weather has turned for the good and already I have read of birds in Alaska.
Our day started slow with numbers down in the the Somenos area, but Quist’s Farm came through with 75+ swans.
Tom Windsor Road had a flock of 100+ geese but no raptors which I think is a first for us.
Hwy. 18 had a small flock of swans and a few more geese.
By the time we had reached A&W for a rest stop we did not have much for Daryl to tally. This was all to change as we reached Corefield/Sahilton Roads with almost 250 swans and over 200 geese. Now everyone was happy we got some nice closeups of the birds and our numbers were heading up.

It was about this time when one of the female participants dropped a bombshell and informed us that she had lead her husband to believe that the counts continued all year and that she would be gone every Wednesday, when pressed as to what she got up to once the counts finished she became rather evasive.

As we left the Sahilton Road area our star of the day was spotted, a single Turkey Vulture flew out over the fields across the highway and slowly drifted across towards Koksilah Road west.
A new spot was found on Koksilah, but the swans played real hard to see and so a guestimate was made of the numbers.
Between Riverside, Bench and Wilson Roads we added another 115+ swans and then it was off to Dougan’s Flats where some swans that had flown over from our previous spots and joined up with over 140 geese.
Both neck banded swans from previous weeks were seen again this week P927 and 01UK.
Koksilah Road east once again had the major flocks with 170+ swans and 120 geese.

Our Raptor count took a downturn this week, I guess the adults are all getting ready for baby making duties. Although I had seen a pair of immature eagles attacking the heronry in Cowichan Bay later in the week.

As we left the bay our day was done and a few drops of rain started so it was a good time to finish.

Happy Birding
Derrick

PS
I have just received a good report of an American Bittern in Cowichan Bay, this represents a new record for the Cowichan Bay checklist area, only wish i had found it.

Hi Birders
This week saw a major explosion of counters with 9 people in two vehicles moving in slow procession around the route. I brought old Derrick in this week so that we would finish in a timely manner and it was a good move as we were done by 2:30pm.
There are times when birders leave home not knowing what they will find and just now and again you get a real surprise and this week was one of those wonderous times when you experience something you’ve never seen before.
Now I know some would say it would be me making a mistake in identification or missing a few Canada Geese in a few large fields, but no this was a great week for strange encounters.
The first strange happening was a Seal swimming in Somenos Lake, I had spotted it while scanning the far shore and it stayed up long enough for some to get their bins on it. I think this is the first record for a Seal in the lake and can be added to a ever increasing tally of oddballs found in Somenos. Also at this location a Mink scurried across the road while all but one of us was looking the right way.

The second was the first Swallows of spring flying around and over the marsh and lake.

The third and by far the best was a group of Elk numbering near 40 that were lazing in a field for us to admire, it is not often we as birders are afforded such a wonderful sight and we have to thank Kurlene (spelling) for taking us to this wonderful location.

Well I guess I should say something about birds as this is what we were out there for. Good high numbers of Swans this week with 2 Mute’s and 4 Tundra’s being added to our large list. Canada Geese were down, but with me having trouble with my eyesight this week and seeing only those that jumped up and bit me it is no wonder we were missing a few hundred.

Eagles and hawks were about normal and a adult Cooper’s Hawk and a hard to identify Northern Harrier in Somenos Marsh made for some reasonable numbers this week.

Well I think everyone can say that this week was a good one and to all those who were going to come but changed their minds you missed out on some very nice nature.

With just a few weeks of counting left before we retire into summer and our beautiful white birds disappear north to make more swans I would encourage all those out there who thought they would but never did, just do it, life is to short to put things off.

Blessed are those that care about our natural environment.

Derrick

Two counters, one experienced and knowledgeable and one inexperienced, confused and scopally challenged, set off to do the north side of the bay. The weather cooperated and we had a total of 458 birds and 20 species which included 6 Horned Grebes and 2 Gadwall. Again Mallards, Glaucous Winged, Mew Gulls and Buffleheads were the most numerous. The total numbers were down but we figured many had headed north to feast at the Herring Spawn. Admittedly Daryl was the major counter while I fiddled with the scope and tried to sort inshore from offshore, but hopefully redeemed myself by keeping a watchful eye on Daryl as she dangled off cliffs in her dedicated counting. We noted a couple of the Trumpeter Swans acting very “Muteish” in their postures and wondered if they had fooled anyone during the Swan counts as they are being counted from quite a distance. Of course that would only happen if Derrick wasn’t there! We did have a canoe full of hunters paddle through and shortly after some loud blasts echoed over the estuary. Hopefully this didn’t skew our already completed duck count.
Kurlene and Daryl

BOB’S REPORT

Four birders set out along the usual track, without stalwart leader Derrick, but fearlessly facing the prospect of making our own decisions, all day. Daryl led the charge from the back seat. At Somenos Lake, 108 Ruddy Ducks still parked on the calm surface. But Trumpeter Swans, our raison d’etre, were scarce for most of the route, except for the faithful band on the green farmland by the Highway near Mt. Sicker Road. Finally, late in the day, the recorder’s pencil got frantically busy with a windfall of more than 160 swans along Koksilah Road east (north of Bench School) mixed with over 400 Canada Geese. An old acquaintance Neck-band 01UK was in the crowd.

Two adult Tundra Swans could also be picked out. That added to the two Tundras earlier at Bench Road for a respectable total of four for the day. At Bench Road another regular, Blue-band P297, kept its head down at the back of the flock, trying to avoid our notice, but with Kurlene’s thorough knowledge of the back roads, we made a deft flanking movement and had an excellent close view.

The raptor count produced only one Red-tailed Hawk, but 19 Bald Eagles were still on the job, and remarkably, two Peregrine Falcons — one patrolling over winter corn fields, and the other perched in a favorite bare tree.

Without Derrick’s strong guiding hand, the happy-go-lucky team was easily distracted by non-Count observations, like Indian Plum coming strongly into leaf at two sites, and a headless Pileated Woodpecker high up in a tall snag — which on scopal examination proved to be only a large, woodpecker-shaped black hole. Despite Christina’s firm hand on the steering wheel, we may have set a record for “longest swan day”. But all were ready for more next week: –Wednesday, 10 am at the Beverly Street Dog Park, everyone welcome.

Bob

DERRICK’S REPORT

Being waylayed for the early part of the count I headed to Bench Road at about 1:00pm and there I sat waiting, but the counters were a no show, so I headed off to Kelly Road to check out another view for the birds off Koksilah Road west, alas no swans were visible. Back to Bench Road surely the group would be here by now, but no? Where were these eager counters, i sat and waited again, but in the end I thought they must be going so fast they could be in Cowichan Bay by now, so off I went to the Dock Road whereIi walked the dog for twenty minutes and still no counters. By this time my throat was getting dry and my eyes were getting tired so I headed home for a cuppa and a snooze.
Little did I know that these four counters were having so much fun that they were running almost 2 hours late.

I do feel sorry for Bob as he is easily lead and the three woman took advantage of this and kept him out birding to an unholy hour, this poor lad must have been tired and hungry by the time they dumped him out at Beverly Street at 3:45. I do hope Daryl fed Bob some biscuits to keep him going. Too much Indian Plum I think for these ladies.

Next week will see the return of the professional gang and there will be much order returned to the group, none of this staying out most of the day having fun.

Derrick

Hi
This week saw a major drop in swan numbers with just 440 birds being found, where the others were hiding, who knows. We did manage to find two Tundra’s one of which was the neck banded P927 which incidentally thanks to Peggy Smith was seen in Forest Grove OR in January 2010 and in Ridgefield WA in November 2011, thanks Peggy good info. Just shows you how these birds move around the west coast.
Four participants this week, that’s a increase of 100% from last week and big thanks to Kurlene for driving us around in good time.
Eagle numbers were down but Red-tailed Hawks jumped back up again and it is noteworthy how many of the red-tails were in the exact same location as previous weeks. A juvenile Coopers Hawk brought us too a standstill on Francis Street just down from the fisheries building. All in all low numbers for raptors.
Good numbers of Ruddy Ducks were on Somenos Lake and a male Eurasian Wigeon took a lot of finding on Corfield Road.
The weather held off for most of the count which was a good thing as Daryl and Bob who went awol on Koksilah Road west while looking for swans and we had to turn the vehicle around and go look for them, but they did find just under 60 swans at this location.
Many swans were flying around this time and it was hard to know if we had counted them before or not, but we stuck to our rules of not counting birds that were headed into an area that we had not counted yet. Only birds that headed into a previous counted area were added.
The day ended in the rain at Cowichan Bay and it was here that we had our best sighting of the day on the Dock Road, I was counting swans on the far side when Kurlene spotted some shorebirds flying in, it took a while before they showed their heads up out of a dip, but when they did it was 4 Dunlin a common winter migrant, but a hard species to find in the Bay due to all the the little muddy spots spread out over a vast area. They do sometimes sit out on the log booms and if you had a boat close inspection could be had.
Well that was it another count finished and with the last few in sight it will mean another years successful swan and goose hunt under our belt.
Once 5 years have been achieved we can then start making some sense of what we have here in the valley.

Until we meet again

Keep your chin up and a smile on your face.

Derrick