Cheam Wetlands May 27th

[Chris]

I went out to the wetlands today to see if I could see the Catbird. I tried first thing but no luck.

I walked the creek trail and there were a number of Swainson's Thrushes and Black-headed Grosbeaks.

I again checked to see if the Catbird was there but no luck. I also checked to see if I could see the Rail but like the Catbird no luck. I wonder if they have moved to a different spot or are they just that secretive?

I walked the loop trail and got great looks at Bullock's Oriole, Yellow Warblers and Cedar Waxwings. I also heard an Olive-sided Flycatcher and a Willow Flycatcher FOS for me.

I tried again for the Catbird and did manage to get a great look at him. He was singing away on a branch with his beautiful song. I was quite excited to see him because it was a lifer for me.

[Gord]

Congrats! It was there all morning singing incessantly but staying well hidden.



Hope they breed successfully again this year!

[denisknopp]

Great bird for this are!
Has any one seen cat birds other that at Cheam Wetlands? I have records for Cheam but only one that isn’t, In 1994 April 16th I saw one at Sardis Park. It was just there for a second and then gone.
Denis

[marilyn]

My first ever Grey Catbird sighting was in the shrubs along the Miami River in Harrison Hot Springs in 1987. Since then, I've always seen them in the Okanagan.
Marilynt

[oldfulica]

Hi Dennis
Catbirds are quite regular at Grant Narrows. I see from reports that one has been seen this year. We found the one at Cheam today along with a Gord and a Bryan and Janet.
Nice meeting you folks,

[Wetlander]

Bundy, congrats on the lifer... ;D
Gord set me up last year.

[oldfulica]

OOPs!!! I meant Bruce and Joanne not Bryan and Janet at Cheam. I thought it didn't seem right when I wrote it.
Oh well.. I get the old age pension in a few months.

[Gord]

Len, ;D ;D thanks for the smile. Good to see you and Dian yesterday. Great to meet you Bundy and always nice to say hi to Bruce and Joanne.

Denis, the only other Grey Catbird records I know of in our area are from Murray Brown who had a breeding pair at the lower end of Maria Slough in Agassiz last year and perhaps the year before as well.