Columbia Valley July 5

[Chris]

Took a drive to Columbia Valley this morning. Gorgeous morning to be out. Bird activity was very good. Managed to get 46 species. Drove Kosikar road,lots of WC Sparrows and Willow Flycatchers.

On the corner of Henderson and Columbia Valley RD were two male Lazuli buntings. One was singing on a conifer. On the north side of Iverson Rd, there was another one singing.



WC Sparrow



Willow Flycatcher



The stretch of Henderson Rd near the border and not near houses was very active. Lots of Wilson's Warblers.
A couple of butterflies. Anyone know the species?





Turkey Vulture 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
Rufous Hummingbird 6
Red-breasted Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Western Wood-Pewee 2
Willow Flycatcher 28
Pacific-slope Flycatcher 13
Cassin's Vireo 1
Warbling Vireo 3
Red-eyed Vireo 1
Steller's Jay 2
Northwestern Crow 11
Common Raven 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Tree Swallow 12
Violet-green Swallow 5
Barn Swallow 16
Black-capped Chickadee 6
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 18
Brown Creeper 2
Pacific Wren 7
Swainson's Thrush 16
American Robin 30
European Starling 20
Cedar Waxwing 16
Orange-crowned Warbler 6
MacGillivray's Warbler 4
Yellow Warbler 1
Black-throated Gray Warbler 2
Wilson's Warbler 7
Spotted Towhee 8
Savannah Sparrow 10
Song Sparrow 3
White-crowned Sparrow 30
Dark-eyed Junco 2
Western Tanager 2
Black-headed Grosbeak 7
Lazuli Bunting 3
Brewer's Blackbird 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 6
Purple Finch 1
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 4
House Sparrow 2

[Deleted]

Hi Chris.

Your first butterfly (whitish one) looks like a Clodius Apollo (Parnassius clodius). It's also known as Clodius Parnassian in some field guides.

The second one (darker coloured) is a Milbert's Tortoiseshell (Aglais milberti).

I've seen a few Milbert's this summer, but the last time I remember seeing an Apollo was years ago up in the alpine on Excelsior Ridge above the Mt Baker Highway. Nice one to see!

Stan

[Chris]

Thanks Stan. There were four of the Clodius Apollo that I saw.

[Gord]

The last Parnassius butterflies that I've seen (as I recall) were from Cheam Ridge and Sunshine Valley. Nice find on four of them there Chris.

The Lazuli Buntings are new for the area. Ill have to update our site guide with the new species (#91!)

Did you happen to get around the Christmas Tree farm on Iverson? Just curious about that Chipping Sparrow.

[Chris]

Gord, when I was up there I was looking for Chipping Sparrows but I forgot where you saw one. I don't get cell service up there either so I couldn't check on my phone.

Excuse to go back!

[Gord]

Stan, this afternoon I was up Sumas Mountain and I counted 17 Parnassius along the FSR mostly from about kilometer 3 to the main parking lot. The most I've seen at one time as I recall! Maybe it's a good year for them considering Chris's report too.

[Deleted]

Gord, I've seen postings that it's a very good year for some other species, especially Mourning Cloak. I've seen more of them than usual this year, but I don't think I've seen more than usual of species like Margined White or Spring Azure or Commas, at least so far this spring and summer.