What a turnout for this count, it took a long time to sort out who was going in what car and in the end 11 birders set out in three cars. We had photographers in one car and a couple of snowbirds from Edmonton in another and of course the professional counters in the lead car. Before we left the Somenos area we had been treated to Northern Pintail, Gadwall and just under 150 Canada Geese. A Marsh Wren was well photographed at the rest stop along the highway and the Red-winged Blackbirds were already on territory singing up storm, could it be spring already. Out on the lake a group of 70 Ruddy Ducks are hanging in.
At Quist’s Farm a large group of 150 Canada Geese were seen and along towards Crofton Road we had over 70 Trumpeter Swans who’s numbers resembled last weeks count as did many locations this week. There was a single dead adult swan at Quist’s, who knows how it died, hopefully old age. Westholme Road had 18 Trumpeters and then we hit the wall until we hit Hwy 18 where over 30 swans and 126 Canada Geese were found. A little, possibly female Sharp-shinned Hawk was up in the trees off Drinkwater Road and a group of 70 Canada Geese were just down in fields near Somenos Road.
At this point in my report I know that sometimes I hear lots of good and sometimes totally useless information as we ride around our route, such was the case last week when it was brought to my attention that men with big bellies make make better lovers, I was always told that men with bald heads were best, but the husband of the lady that told me this tale is not that well endowed, with hair that is, go figure. I can assure you that you heard it here first, with leg bands and neck collars and feathers it is the much maligned male birdwatcher that holds the title of best lover. He can identify a female of the species from hundreds of yards away.
We hit A & W for our break and a lively chatter insured, before I broke it up and we headed off over to Boy’s Road where a few eagles were counted. Their numbers are starting to go down now as breeding pairs set up territory and others head north for the herring spawn. We cut across on Modeste Road and we were treated to a wonderful group of Swans and Geese right next to the cars, over 200 swans and just under 100 geese which had 3 Cackling Geese hiding in their shadows. We then hit Sahilton Road where a pair of adult Bald Eagles sat together right over the road, Kurlene opened the sun roof and a few snaps were taken of a pair of eagle bottoms, I suggested that we shut up the roof quick just in case one let fly with a spray of whitewash. Further down the road a male Eurasian Wigeon which has been down there for about 4 weeks obliged our Edmonton friends with a lifer and I hope a few pictures.
Our next few stops failed to find much and so we hit Bench Road where a nice group of just over 80 Trumpeters were down in the field and along with them was the Sandhill Crane back on location where it was first found. Another surprise way down the field was a neck collared swan and it was possibly 01UK who was spotted by our good friend Peggy the week before, alas it was too far away to confirm the number.
Dougans Flats added a few swans, but this year this area has not seen the birds of past counts, mainly due to hunting and the model flying fraternity.
St Catherine’s Road had a nice assortment of swans, but they were playing hide and seek around a group of trees, I’m sure we missed a few but still added another 50 to the total. We failed to find our visitors their California Quail who have been at this location many times. Koksilah Road east added another 60 swans before we took the road down to Cowichan Bay to finish the count. The bay is really starting to thin out with birds as time moves closer to migration with just the Buffleheads and Common Goldeneye showing in numbers.
That was it, the rain held off and we all went home happy, although a little late again, oh well when your having fun, time doesn’t matter.
Derrick