Mill Lake - Apr. 21

[Harrier]

There were lots of swallows eating emerging chironomids on Mill Lake today. I saw Violet-Green, Northern Rough-Winged, Tree, and Barns at close range as they buzzed the boat I was fishing from. I was also lucky enough to see a Green Heron land in some shoreline branches, then I got an even better look as he left a few hours later.

This may be of interest to some: Flyfishers like myself, and especially those who specialize in fishing chironomid patterns, love swallows. These insectivorous birds show us where on the lake that the bugs are emerging through their aerial displays and by their tactic of skimming insects from the surface. When I see swallows exhibiting this behaviour, I get to that area as quickly as possible. If the swallows are eating the moving insects on or above the surface, then the trout are almost sure to be doing the same below. The swallows never seem to mind my presence, and I sure appreciate theirs. I appreciated it a great deal today, because they led me to this big fella:

[Harrier]

Oh, and there is also an Osprey in residence at the lake now.

[oldfulica]

Apr 21, 2011 20:25:19 GMT -8 Harrier said:

There were lots of swallows eating emerging chironomids on Mill Lake today.

I didn't know you could get interesting stuff like that in Mill lake.

That fish is great too..

[oldfulica]

Apr 21, 2011 20:25:19 GMT -8 Harrier said:

. I was also lucky enough to see a Green Heron land in some shoreline branches, then I got an even better look as he left a few hours later.

As I talked to a fisherman at Mill Lake today he said he saw a baby heron just fly around the corner. I relocated it and found it be Harrier's.
Pictures in next journal.

[Gord]

That's a nice rainbow! (Must be well over 20 inches?). Nice any day on a chironomid!

I often got lots of birding in on my fishing trips too (usually more birds than fishing though it seemed)

Nice spotting on the heron as well. Likely a new arrival although a few do winter around here.