Hi birders
Our second count of the season was a very slow affair, just four of us took part this week, myself, the Swarovski sisters and Deb. Although there was much to talk about on many items in the vehicle, which i have to say was admirably driven by Christina, nothing appears to have caught my ear so no juicy bits of information.
As usual around Somenos we had many Geese and up near the Forest Museum pond we saw our first two migrant Trumpeter Swans. Somenos Lake had about 10 Ruddy Ducks and a good bunch of geese. It was hard with the wind to look through the scope as the tears run down my cheeks. It was time to get back in the warmth of the vehicle and head north. A couple of Bald Eagles were added, but it was not a good day for our raptor birds, guess they were all back hiding in the trees.
We hit Quist’s Farm and were treated to more new arrivals of swans, with a score of them in the field 16 adults and 4 immature. 3 more swans were had along Westholme Road before we headed off down Richards Trail. 30 more swans were counted although with the birds keeping close to the hedgerow we had to count them from the far east end of the valley, not the best of views
It was not easy to see most birds out in the fields because of all the John Koury for mayor signs which have sprang up all over North Cowichan. It amazes me how someone who preaches fiscal restraint can spend thousands of dollars advertising to reign over the smurfs of Cowichan.
Back onto the trail we had a nice group of geese along Hwy 18 and then we hit the wall as it really dried up, we were sidetracked along Sahilton Road by Hydro crews as the windstorm had decimated the lines along the road, but once we got around the lads we had a wonderful closeup look at a adult Coopers Hawk.
From here around to Dougans Flats we were bird-less and it was only by chance that i spotted 3 more trumpeters hiding down in the grass and 250 geese trying to be invisible behind some Cedar trees.
I have to admit we were suffering and all our spots lacked any feathers let alone a bird, so around to the Dock Road we found our selves where 3 more Trumpeters were seen and only 2 of these I think were migrants the other being the resident bird. We could not find any Mute Swans, i think they must have been up Khenipson creek keeping out of the wind. Dave Aldcroft reports a good group of over 20 down in Mill Bay and the next day I had the family group with 6 immatures along the Dock Road in Cowichan Bay, so you see it is a real hit and miss and choose the wrong day and you can get skunked.
I am sorry for the delay in my report but I have only just been allowed back upstairs to retrieve my laptop, I must remember not to accept gifts from lady birders.
That’s it folks a slow day with better ones to come
Derrick