We broke the ice so to speak with our first count of the season and the coldest morning of the fall. In total there were 9 people that took part, included in these was a visitor Margaret from Alberta who i hope enjoyed her day out with the counters.
We missed our good friends Deb and Christina, so if you find this weeks rendition lacking in fun things, now you know why.
This first count saw a great variety of raptors with more than usual Eagles for this early count and they were spread out over the whole area which made it nice. Good numbers of Geese were had with the majority being the common local mutts.
Lakes road had about 150 Canada Geese.
Before we had left the Somenos area we had our first Trumpeter Swan which was swimming out on the far side of the lake, 2 Pied-billed Grebes were seen and a few Double-crested Cormorants. Quist’s farm came next but not much was out there except good numbers of Common Ravens and Pigeons. Along Westholme Road we picked up some more Trumpeters with out first immature birds found, in total 8 birds were tallied, An accipiter sp. darted across behind a house, but it was just a flash and was gone.
Richards Trail was dead, even a common pussy cat that usually sits on the edge of weedy field was missing, we have been seeing this cat for several years now. The group will be pleased to know that this morning as I turned onto Richards Trail the moggie was sitting there in it’s spot.
It was onto Hwy 18 where a bunch of Canada Geese and a posing Red-tailed Hawk were had. It then went dead again, which I might add is common in these early counts as many bird have not moved south yet, but the big flocks will surely turn up in the next few weeks.
Time for our break at A&W and it was here that most of the excitement happened. First two immature Bald Eagles flew over then a bunch of Great White-fronted Geese headed towards Somenos Marsh. Then I saw one of our party come out of the Burger joint with a salad, my how times have changed. Too make matters worse the lettuce was so tough she had to get another person to hold the bowl while she tried to dissect this greenery, this all took so much time and some of the other participants were getting antsy, so I called the troops together and off we went, while the veggies were still being swallowed in the car.
We headed down Boy’s Road where a small group of Eagles got our attention, one particular adult bird hid in the long grass with just a head appearing now and again, which one of our party thought was grocery bag. Along Modeste Road a solitary Great Blue Heron had the fields to it’self, but he did not look happy.(photos thanks to Barry), Sahilton Road was next and we were treated to some nice looks at American Pipits, photo attached, (thanks to Barry). A few American Wigeon were out in the fields, but soon took off when we got out to get a few snaps.
Now over to the west side where sighting of the day was a giant field mushroom and it was all I could do to stop our driver from leaping the fence and harvesting this beauty. Dougans Flats gave us another group of 75 Canada Geese and a Northern Harrier that pounced on something way out in the field and then sat there motionless. St. Catherines Road was bare and it was up to me to pish out a few House Finchs.
Jim’s Pond was next and right where the poor goose with one wing was a Cackling Goose keeping it company, (Zan’s photo). these northerners are so friendly. Around on the crescent we had more Pied-billed Grebes and some handsome male Hooded Mergansers. Barry had spotted a hawk in the trees and after much huffing and puffing I came to the conclusion that it had to be a Adult Sharp-shinned Hawk, (photo by Barry) the small size giving away its identity, although I don’t think all participants were sure about this, heh i’m the boss. As I checked across the pond the familiar sight of a Wilson’s Snipe appeared and I set up the scope for all to see as this motionless bird kept one eye up checking on the hawk.
Cowichan Bay was next and we picked up 11 Mute Swans and 2 far off adult Trumpeters off the Dock Road, as we headed back to base the last bird on the Dock Road was a Northern Shrike that darted across the road never to be seen again.
Thanks to all who came out on this partly sunny again Wednesday, thanks to Zan for the chocolates which I thought were never going to be brought out and big thanks to Kurlene for her excellent driving skills which kept our group on the straight and narrow even when she was looking through her binoculars in third gear.
Until next week, take care.
Derrick