Once again we were treated to a wondrous summer-like weather, if any of you are planning something outdoors choose a Wednesday.
Three of us took off in the capable hands of Peggy, who’s driving had to be seen to be believed, never before have we got round the route in such great time. We were sorry that our good friends the Marshall’s sat and waited for us at the rest stop, but we were already on Koksilah West at the time they were waiting, in fact I was home having nibbles before 2pm. Really though it had a lot to do with the lack of birds to the north.
This week we found that the birds had split up and moved around a bit with some swans picking totally new fields to graze. It could be that they are now really choosing some rich vegetation to build up some fats for the long flights ahead.
The north end of our route was very slow although a nice find on Richard’s Trail was the female American Kestrel that appears to be hanging out in that area for the winter.
We did have a pair of Mute Swans at the DU pond along with three Trumpeters.
A nice flock of swans were found along side Hwy18 to the west of Somenos Road and made for easy counting. Our old friend UK24 was in this flock although it’s neck band is fading fast, not sure we will be able to read it if it turns up next year.
No birds at all in the Sahilton Road area, this was not surprising to me as early that morning there was a large group of marauding dogs going across the fields.
It was then onto Koksilah West and once again a group of swans played hard to get in the fields below the Kelvin Creek. But surprise surprise as we found a nice flock further along near where the deer get moved around the field close to and opposite the Bright Angel Park.
Onto Bench where the largest flock was found and again a nice find was a group in a field nearer the Hwy; this group had a nice adult Tundra Swan in it and another collared Swan UK01, i think this was the first time we’ve seen this bird.
Dougans Flats had the birds spread out all over with many different parts of the area containing groups of both swans and geese. The sun played havoc in identifying adults from immatures at this location, sometimes i wish that we could get a cloudy Wednesday.
Jim’s Pond finally came through with some geese and then it was on to Koksilah East where the swans were hiding behind a small hill in the fields, but a quick ride around to Wilmot Road found it easy for counting and another surprise as there were 30 Greater White-fronted Geese a small increase in our earlier numbers.
Down to Dinsdale’s Farm where a large group of Canada Geese were waiting for us and again another surprise as there were four more White-fronts mixed in with the almost 300 Canada’s.
Along the Dock Road we did find the Mute Swans this week with 6 being seen along with 3 Trumpeter’s.
Not the numbers of last week but none the less a good count.
Thanks to my two associates for a nice day counting, some of you reading this must really try to get out once for a count we always find something good to see and have a laugh now and again while doing this highly scientific data collecting, if you come please make sure you bring sunglasses and sunscreen.
Happy Birding Days
Derrick
Cowichan Valley Naturalists
With Nature, For Nature.