Hi Birders
Not sure what we have done to deserve the weather we have been subjected to this week, wind, rain, even a bit of sunshine, but nothing stops the swan and goose counters. Five hardy souls set out from the dog park and it was not long before we started counting geese with over 150 before we had left Somenos Marsh. As two of us fought our way through the wind and rain at the foot of Drinkwater Road I suddenly saw a strange bird on the water just off the end of the floating viewing platform, lucky for the two of us it was the Red-throated Loon still lurking from last week. It took one look at these rain sodden specimens and dove never to be seen again, I guess it headed into the willows which were knee deep in water. Daryl had noticed that the bird had a slight hint of red on the neck.
A quick stop at Tim’s to get rid of one of the cars, we were on our way north, much tugging and fondling was taking place in the back seats as we headed up the highway, these seatbelts sure cause a lot of trouble for those with much too much clothes on.
Surprise surprise no swans or geese at Quist’s farm just a few forlorn immature Bald Eagles sitting on the ground. Onwards we pushed with wipers working overtime, but all we could add was another 90 geese before the halfway mark.
Once again we stopped at Tim’s to retrieve a car and then onto A & W, not sure whats with my fellow counters, they love these fast food outlets on a rainy day.
Sahilton Road was next and finally we added some swans to our list with just under 100, nice and close for good viewing.
Next we headed over to Koksilah Road west, but 5 measly swans was all we could find. On Bench Road we did a little better and picked up 45 swans, but where were the big flocks that we have become used too, had they left already?
Dougan’s Flats produced the lost flocks with over 500 geese and 175 swans. It was here that we had our one and only Red-tailed Hawk, well spotted Bob.
St Catherines Road had 8 swans and a nice assortment of Sparrows and my sharp eye spotted a Northern Shrike down the fields hunting from a fence post.
Onwards we pushed and yes it was still raining cats and dogs, Koksilah Road east came next and another 100+ swans were added to our ever growing list.
We headed down into Cowichan Bay where a Polster Sp. was seen along the waterfront, it had a camera at the ready in case a log started to roll from the new and improved wave buster, trouble was it had taken a hammering just a couple of days before and did not look too healthy.
Dinsdale’s Farm had a nice assortment of waterfowl, with over 70 swans and nearly 300 geese, how do they know that the hunters are finished for the season? Off in the far field I had spotted some Greater White-fronted Geese so a quick trip around into the campground had a us nice and close, this was nice for Robin who had never managed to catch up with this species in the valley. 10 were found a new high total for the season.
We finished our day along the Dock Road where I spotted another Northern Shrike way out in the field hunting from a log. Just 3 Trumpeters and 2 Mute Swans were all we could find and so the day was over and the counters could finally go home and dry out and wouldn’t you know it as soon as I opened my front door the sun came out.
We had noticed this week that the immatures are really starting to turn white, this makes it all that more harder to distinguish them from the adults.
Oh well, two more counts to go before our white ghostly friends depart for the breeding fields of Northern British Columbia and all points north.
Thanks to Bob for driving and to Daryl for the meticulous number punching, and to Robin and Sheila for their good company, until next week.
Good Birding
Derrick