Post by Gord on Dec 19, 2011 0:17:42 GMT -8
Almost hard to believe it's time to do the Chilliwack Christmas Count again! As usual for the last 15 or so years, I counted the east Chilliwack area south of the highway between Prest and Hack Brown Roads. Headed out to meet Chris and was pleased to note a lack of rain and wind. From our meeting place, we decided to pause next to a small hazelnut orchard to see if we could get a Wood Duck who like nut orchards and fly quite early at the first hint of light. We managed to spot the unmistakable shapes of two flying past.
Onwards to Banford Road with the hopes of an American Pipit or even a Horned Lark as this area is quite reliable for both. We did not get either but saw lots of ducks, a nice male Northern Harrier and waved to Jason on his way out to do his route.
There were lots of gulls around but all we could get were Glaucous-winged, the hybrids, a Thayer's Gull and a California Gull. Would have expected at least a Herring Gull or two! A large flock later on would yield a bit more diversity though.
We studied a large dark hawk for a bit but it was far away and hard to get an identification. However, the bird was most cooperative and flew right towards us so we could see it was a Harlan's Hawk.
The large count of Common Raven came from a farm near Banford Road that in the last couple years has had quite a few. We got over 50 just there.
There were lots of ducks flying around, with more than a few N. Pintails mixed in. We got hit with a couple showers, but happily they were brief. A rainbow can be a good or bad sign as you cant have one without both rain and sun. But the clouds seemed to be gradually thinning, so it was taken as a good sign of even better weather to come.
We managed a small flock of pipits while enjoying a small group of Golden-crowned Sparrows. I would get a larger flock later on more out of good timing as I would see them pop up for a moment before landing again in virtual obscurity which is typical for the species when on the ground. Even though I knew were they landed it was hard to find them in the scope.
Chris had to go at midday, and as I dropped him off, we spotted a small flock of Cackling Geese flying over. I think that might be the first time that species has been recorded on this route. Them and Canada Geese seem to avoid the area over the CBC for some reason!
I carried on for a short bit before I we get my kids to join me for the last half of the day. Here, was a wet Sharp-shinned Hawk.
We had already found a couple small groups of Eurasian Collared-Doves, but down Prairie Central just east of Gibson Road was a group of 33! A total of 67 would be recorded in this area which is already more than the entire count from last year. Dave got over 50 in his areas so without doubt, we will have easily doubled last year's count.
I paused at a holly bush and was rewarded with an American Robin.
Not long after, I collected the kids who were eagerly awaiting with their clipboards and binoculars. I was not much older when I started my first counts!
Our first stop back at the route was at a big flock of swans which were carefully counted.
Great counting companions and the three sets of eyes were keen and sharp! It was quite birdy in the route that day and "Bird!", "There's one!" and "Bird coming your way, Daddy!" were regular. I doubt a starling passed us by without it's presence being well announced. It was not long before I heard (one of several memorable comments on the day), "I've run out of room to write down starlings; Im not going to count any more of them as there's obviously enough of them around!" ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D We enjoyed seeing a couple Bald Eagle nests, to which my little girl solemnly informed me that, "They dont count, but we can look at them just for fun." ;D ;D
We found a good flock of sparrows that had mostly Song and White-crowns in it, but there were two Lincoln's Sparrows as well. We looked carefully for an American Dipper along Elk Creek but nothing. There were lots of Coho spawning there too which usually attracts them. We went up the hill a little expecting more Pine Siskins as there are lots around lately and Chris had already spotted a small group that morning down in the valley...a sure sign one would think!
We ended the day back at Banford Road to see or hear what birds we could get at sundown. With the sky clearing to the west, it was quite beautiful.
Timing and moving into position quickly got my favourite picture of the day of my little girl scanning for birds.
Cheam Mountain and Friends in the last bit of sun for the day.
The Chilliwack CBC 2011 team (minus Chris who was at work)
A fantastic day with 47 species which is about average for that route. No Peregrine Falcons (although I saw one and a Merlin when collecting the kids!) and with the golf course pond frozen over still, none of the usual diving ducks.
I put the list into eBird to save typing. I love how its changed since I last used it!
Cackling Goose 11
Trumpeter Swan 137
Tundra Swan 16
Wood Duck 2
American Wigeon 3
Mallard 1193
Northern Pintail 26
Green-winged Teal 17
Great Blue Heron 9
Bald Eagle 7
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 4
Red-tailed Hawk 8
American Kestrel 1
Mew Gull 1
Western x Glaucous-winged Gull (hybrid) 450
California Gull 1
Herring Gull 5
Thayer's Gull 2
Glaucous-winged Gull 900
Rock Pigeon 236
Eurasian Collared-Dove 67
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 7
Steller's Jay 41
Northwestern Crow 67
Common Raven 66
Black-capped Chickadee 28
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 18
Brown Creeper 1
Pacific Wren 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet 39
American Robin 1
Varied Thrush 1
European Starling 1075
American Pipit 23
Spotted Towhee 16
Song Sparrow 52
Lincoln's Sparrow 2
White-crowned Sparrow 32
Golden-crowned Sparrow 4
Dark-eyed Junco 206
Red-winged Blackbird 14
Brewer's Blackbird 49
House Finch 4
Pine Siskin 6
House Sparrow 108
Onwards to Banford Road with the hopes of an American Pipit or even a Horned Lark as this area is quite reliable for both. We did not get either but saw lots of ducks, a nice male Northern Harrier and waved to Jason on his way out to do his route.
There were lots of gulls around but all we could get were Glaucous-winged, the hybrids, a Thayer's Gull and a California Gull. Would have expected at least a Herring Gull or two! A large flock later on would yield a bit more diversity though.
We studied a large dark hawk for a bit but it was far away and hard to get an identification. However, the bird was most cooperative and flew right towards us so we could see it was a Harlan's Hawk.
The large count of Common Raven came from a farm near Banford Road that in the last couple years has had quite a few. We got over 50 just there.
There were lots of ducks flying around, with more than a few N. Pintails mixed in. We got hit with a couple showers, but happily they were brief. A rainbow can be a good or bad sign as you cant have one without both rain and sun. But the clouds seemed to be gradually thinning, so it was taken as a good sign of even better weather to come.
We managed a small flock of pipits while enjoying a small group of Golden-crowned Sparrows. I would get a larger flock later on more out of good timing as I would see them pop up for a moment before landing again in virtual obscurity which is typical for the species when on the ground. Even though I knew were they landed it was hard to find them in the scope.
Chris had to go at midday, and as I dropped him off, we spotted a small flock of Cackling Geese flying over. I think that might be the first time that species has been recorded on this route. Them and Canada Geese seem to avoid the area over the CBC for some reason!
I carried on for a short bit before I we get my kids to join me for the last half of the day. Here, was a wet Sharp-shinned Hawk.
We had already found a couple small groups of Eurasian Collared-Doves, but down Prairie Central just east of Gibson Road was a group of 33! A total of 67 would be recorded in this area which is already more than the entire count from last year. Dave got over 50 in his areas so without doubt, we will have easily doubled last year's count.
I paused at a holly bush and was rewarded with an American Robin.
Not long after, I collected the kids who were eagerly awaiting with their clipboards and binoculars. I was not much older when I started my first counts!
Our first stop back at the route was at a big flock of swans which were carefully counted.
Great counting companions and the three sets of eyes were keen and sharp! It was quite birdy in the route that day and "Bird!", "There's one!" and "Bird coming your way, Daddy!" were regular. I doubt a starling passed us by without it's presence being well announced. It was not long before I heard (one of several memorable comments on the day), "I've run out of room to write down starlings; Im not going to count any more of them as there's obviously enough of them around!" ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D We enjoyed seeing a couple Bald Eagle nests, to which my little girl solemnly informed me that, "They dont count, but we can look at them just for fun." ;D ;D
We found a good flock of sparrows that had mostly Song and White-crowns in it, but there were two Lincoln's Sparrows as well. We looked carefully for an American Dipper along Elk Creek but nothing. There were lots of Coho spawning there too which usually attracts them. We went up the hill a little expecting more Pine Siskins as there are lots around lately and Chris had already spotted a small group that morning down in the valley...a sure sign one would think!
We ended the day back at Banford Road to see or hear what birds we could get at sundown. With the sky clearing to the west, it was quite beautiful.
Timing and moving into position quickly got my favourite picture of the day of my little girl scanning for birds.
Cheam Mountain and Friends in the last bit of sun for the day.
The Chilliwack CBC 2011 team (minus Chris who was at work)
A fantastic day with 47 species which is about average for that route. No Peregrine Falcons (although I saw one and a Merlin when collecting the kids!) and with the golf course pond frozen over still, none of the usual diving ducks.
I put the list into eBird to save typing. I love how its changed since I last used it!
Cackling Goose 11
Trumpeter Swan 137
Tundra Swan 16
Wood Duck 2
American Wigeon 3
Mallard 1193
Northern Pintail 26
Green-winged Teal 17
Great Blue Heron 9
Bald Eagle 7
Northern Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 4
Red-tailed Hawk 8
American Kestrel 1
Mew Gull 1
Western x Glaucous-winged Gull (hybrid) 450
California Gull 1
Herring Gull 5
Thayer's Gull 2
Glaucous-winged Gull 900
Rock Pigeon 236
Eurasian Collared-Dove 67
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 7
Steller's Jay 41
Northwestern Crow 67
Common Raven 66
Black-capped Chickadee 28
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 18
Brown Creeper 1
Pacific Wren 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet 39
American Robin 1
Varied Thrush 1
European Starling 1075
American Pipit 23
Spotted Towhee 16
Song Sparrow 52
Lincoln's Sparrow 2
White-crowned Sparrow 32
Golden-crowned Sparrow 4
Dark-eyed Junco 206
Red-winged Blackbird 14
Brewer's Blackbird 49
House Finch 4
Pine Siskin 6
House Sparrow 108
