“Cuddles and Kisses”
It was a dull and nippy morning as 10 birders set off in the search for the swans and geese and once again it did not take long for our tally keeper to get her pencil working. We had both swans and geese along the highway just past the open air classroom at Somenos. Also along this stretch were Red-winged Blackbirds sitting up on territory singing away. At Somenos Lake several Bald Eagles flew around and about 10 Ruddy Ducks were over in the far corner of the lake. Many Double-crested Cormorants were out on the water with both immature and adults, the immature show a pale blaze down their fronts unlike the all black adults. Quists farm had good number of Bald Eagles unlike last week when there were just three.
We then went along Westholme Road where we picked up just under 40 swans.
Our totals for swans went down a little this week, but the ratio of immature to adults got better, which is a good sign as they build up strength for the trip north in March. I was also very surprised at the lack of diving ducks in Cowichan Bay who’s numbers have totally disappeared from just a couple of weeks ago.
Once again we did well for hawks and eagles with 2 Peregrine Falcons, 1 Merlin, 3 Coopers Hawks and a Sharp-shinned Hawk boosting our numbers.
Yesterday I noticed a posting on one of our BC birding sites that the Trumpeter Swan with neck band 01UK which has been in the valley for the past few years was photographed on Saltspring Island this week, guess she decided to vacation on one the islands this winter. This year makes it 10 years since she was born. This is the good information you learn about when you have a banded swan or goose.
When we reached our half way point at A&W one off the hawk team started kissing people in passing cars while holding a chicken leg in one hand and a coffee in the other, I think this must be some old custom shown by those who search out raptors. You know how those hawks are drawn to chicken.
After the break we headed to Boys and Sahilton Roads but other than a couple of Gadwall and a pair of Red-tailed Hawks it was a bit of a bust. At this time we left our Raptor team as they tried to count the Red-tails from two different roads and headed over to the west side and Koksilah Road. At first we found hardly anything and then along just before Bright Angel Park a nice group of swans were found, 70 birds in total boosted our numbers. Then onto Bench Road where again it appeared to be empty, then as we came to the top of the ridge in the road those big white forms started to appear and another 250 Swans were added.
It then went slow again until we hit Koksilah Road east where a large group of swans and geese appeared and our second Peregrine Falcon sat up for us to admire.
Down through the bay we went and Dinsdales farm, it was alive with birds, it is amazing how these birds come back to a spot when the hunters stay out of this sanctuary, to me it is sheer stupidity to allow hunting on this farm what was purchased by Nature Trust for conservation purposes. How can these people allow over 2000 ducks, swans and geese be displaced by a couple of hunters with a dog for a couple of weeks. These birds just go and impact other farms, when they should be safe in Dinsdales.
It was here that I took advantage of a lapse in concentration by the raptor counters, I had always wondered what had enticed both Barry and Bob to the back seat of their vehicle, so I made a run for it and leaped in the back, here I was met by hugs and giggles by one of these raptosius counters, I was lucky to escape with my life, I quickly lept out and sort refuge back in with Eric and Dorothy, never again will I
try that stunt.
Our day was coming to a close as we went down the Dock Road, 3 Mute Swans were counted and 8 more Trumpeter’s. Some adult eagles sat out on the piling’s wondering where all the duckies had gone, guess it will be Gull for supper again.
After the count Zan went back to check on the geese at the golf driving range and got 4 neck banded geese, 008F, 050F, 071F, 135F, well done Zan and all photographed as well.
Photo Credits
Baldy by Zan Stenhouse
ducking the ball by Zan Stenhouse
calling up the girls by Kurlene Wenberg
until next weeks thrilling encounter
Derrick of 9 lives.
