You know it’s a good day when you arrive at the dog park and there are smiling faces there to greet you, noone hiding in their cars away from the weather, yes once again we had incredible conditions. It was one of those days for hanging your washing on the line and drying your smalls.
Five participants today with poor Eric (who joined the party at A&W) being sent to Coventry, all alone with just a walkie-talkie as a friend. I don’t know how to drop the ladies without hurting their feelings, but it has to stop, people are starting to talk.
Off we went and for once the golf driving range lacked any birds but we were not discouraged as we were in for a real treat today several goosies were counted in the Somenos area and then it was up the highway to Quist’s farm where our first 7 Trumpeter’s were seen. Our first treat of the day came sailing across the fields a immature Golden Eagle, this bird has been here now for more than three weeks and it put on a wonderful display as we sat nervously beside the highway.
Westholme Road had nearly 40 swans and a few geese and we watched as eagles and ravens sparred over Quist’s. Further on at Richards Trail with the fields flooded for the first time this season we had good numbers of both swans and geese and one shocker was a Mute Swan swimming with the Trumpeters, this has to be the first time for me of seeing this species on Richards Trail. It must have flown in with the Trumpeters from their roost in Cowichan Bay. The local Merlin was seen and another surprise was an adult Northern Shrike keeping watch over the sparrow flocks.
Our numbers this week for raptors was almost identical to last week, which is always comforting to know that they show themselves for us, but not always in the same spots.
Other than some more Canada Geese, counting got boring from here on until our break with just a few more added.
Sahilton Road was next and as soon as we got along the road we could see good numbers of Trumpeter Swans in the field, just under 50 gave us real close looks. We then moved further up the road and a large eagle came at us, at first i thought it was a Bald Eagle, as you know if you’ve looked through a car window screen up to the heavens things can get a little distorted and it was thanks to Kurlene’s keen eye that she exclaimed is that another golden, well would you believe it we had stunning views of our second Golden Eagle of the day and again it was a immature with wonderous underwing windows and a big black tail band. Both Kurlene and Eric tried in vain to get their cameras out but the bird knew what they were up to and glided off across the field and landed in a tree too far away for a picture. Maybe next week we will have the cameras at the ready in case of any surprises.
Koksilah Road west was our next stop and as usual the birds got as far away as possible making for hard work counting, but we managed to record over 80 Trumpeter Swans.
Kurlene had spotted some Elk on her way in this morning and so we had to go have a look and we were treated to a small flock of about 12 beasts way down in a field, their light tan bums showing as they grazed, one Elk was kneeling down while feeding. This time cameras were at the ready.
Back to the birds, as we hit Bench Road just under 40 swans were added to our ever growing list. At Dougan’s Flats there was nay a white blob to be seen anywhere, but many brown lumps were seen way down in the fields and a quick guesstimate had 600 Canada Geese added.
As a birder I know only to well how easy it is to cheat and show off to the unsuspecting, such is the case with a certain Red-tailed Hawk who seems to be glued to a certain branch on a dead cedar snag week after week, how easy it is to say there’s a bird when you know it’s there and people then say how on earth did you spot that, you have amazing eyes, just one of the tricks of the trade I’m afraid.
Koksilah Road east was our next busy spot and over 70 Trumpeters were counted, from here on in things were slow and just a handful more birds were added including a couple of sleeping swans off the Dock Road that were unidentifiable.
Our day was done and what a treat we had, there are not many days on Vancouver island when you get to see two Golden Eagles and a herd of Elk.
The number of swans and geese were right on our average with a slight increase in immature Trumpeters.
Thanks to my fellow counters and a big thankyou to Christina who’s driving was impeccable even when the leader grabs at the wheel trying to get her to turn right.
Time to take the washing in, see you all again next week.
Derrick
watch out for funny phone spammers.