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