“Wild celebrations”
Today marked a milestone on our count as we reached 125 counts, this in our seventh season. The party was wild as 5 participants piled into one car, no rain was going to dampen our day. We were joined by Eric and Dorothy later to make 7 hardy counters..
As I look back through the counts I noted that twice in two separate years in late February we had to cancel because of heavy snow, so all you people out there who think spring is here, think on.
This week we rebounded with our waterfowl and dropped further behind with our raptors. 560 Trumpeters were counted and 2 immature Tundra Swans were seen, well apart unlike last week when they were both in the same field. Immature Trumpeter Swans were identical to last week in numbers but adults went up be almost 100. It was strange in some places with many adults together with no young and others with lots, who knows why this takes place, maybe the adults don’t like the kids being around when they are thinking, I’m sure you know what that’s like.
Ruddy Ducks were once again seen on Somenos Lake and a few Northern Pintail were scattered in several places, Pintail numbers will grow over the next few weeks with major flocks appearing in many locations. Quist’s Farm had it usual flock of American Wigeon and a few swans this week which was nice. As is normal at this time of the year most swans were in the south end of town, luckily for the counter most were visible from the vehicle except it is still hard to differentiate adults from immature when the rain is beating down, so muggings has to get out now and again. One lovely raptor lady came up with a wonderful idea and so she held up a umbrella over my head while I was counting, I can see this becoming trend.
The photographers had a good day with many opportunities for some good shots, one came when we spotted a Northern Shrike up on Willmot Road; one lady carefully worked her way down a driveway stalking her prey firing off shot after shot as she got closer, little did she know that a neighbor was watching and came roaring down the road to see what was going on, our shutterbug leapt in the car and we were gone in a flash before we were reprimanded for going out of bounds.
As mentioned it was not the best of days and I was questioned about the weather several times, it appears that we have been spoiled and it is now time to pay the piper.
It was wonderful to see such big numbers once again at Dinsdale’s Farm and it was here that I spotted our second immature Tundra Swan, good pictures were taken of two immature of different species together. You will notice in the attached picture the very white plumage of the Tundra and the hint of a yellow teardrop appearing near the eye and the dark plumage of the accompanying Trumpeters. Also notice how thin the neck is at the body on the Tundra.
Barry got a wonderful shot of a dark phase Red-tailed Hawk during the week and on close inspection noticed the bird had broken the hook off of it’s bill, it closely resembles a parrot type bill, not sure how this would affect it ripping power on it’s prey, wonderful shot indeed.
As mentioned with raptor numbers down it was nice to get 4 accipiters, but only one was identified to species and that was a Coopers Hawk. Just a single Northern Harrier, a female,
at Dougan’s Flats, I think this bird lives there all winter as we seem to see it very often, there is abundant food out there in the meadows.
I have been trying to train the troops in Gull identification and slowly they have been getting the hang of it, they can now distinguish big ones from small ones. Today we pulled up right next to a Herring Gull along Koksilah Road west, a regular but uncommon gull in the valley, it took one look at the lens poking out the window and was gone in a flash, with just the tail end appearing on film.
Another good sighting today along Koksilah Road east when a Dixie sp. pulled up and captured Dorothy and carried her off before anyone could stop her. Poor Eric was left to find his own way home.
A great day of birding with some very special people when huddled together make a a bad day warm and comfy.
I think everyone went home happy on this dreary day, our job was done and some wonderful pictures were taken for your entertainment
Photo credits
Hookless Hawk, Barry Hetschko
Northern Shrike Zan Stenhouse
Immature Swans, Barry Hetschko
Rainy Day Birding Barry Hetschko
Enjoy
Derrick
