Hi
With only one participant willing to brave the weather, I was dragged screaming and kicking from my sick bed to accompany old Derrick along for the count.
To say the weather was bad, is I think an understatement, let’s say it was the worst we’ve ever had on a count by far. With the truck in either 4 high, 4 low or 2 wheel drive we sloshed and squelched our way around the route. The road was flooded up on Hillbank Road, but along Richards Trail no snow, guess those winds blowing up the mountainside from the banana growers in Maple Bay would not allow the white stuff to enter the area.
Some of the highlights were a Merlin on Westholme Road and a Peregrine Falcon eating prey on Cowichan Bay Road above Dinsdales Farm.
Trumpeter Swans were about average for this season and the Canada Goosies numbers went up a bit.
Their was a great sighting of small Greater White-fronted Goose seen at the corner of Beverly and TCH, seen through splatterings of snow and sleet and two Cackling Geese. I’m sure there could have been more, but you could only have the window open for 5 seconds at a time.
Best of all was saved for Koksilah Road east where we were treated to hundreds of geese with top spot going to 26 Great White-fronted Geese and at least 40 Cackling Geese.
I find it hard to type while huddled back in my comfy bed.
There will not be a count next Wednesday the 26th as the holiday rest period kicks in and the following week will have us in a rest period after the Duncan Xmas Bird Count. I will add the numbers in from the count on the 1st January as not to leave a gaping hole in count.
Our next count proper will be on January 9th, let’s hope for some sunshine.
Derrick
under the blankies.