Say's Phoebe March 14 - Hope Airport

[Gord]

On the 14th I had a Say's Phoebe at the Hope Airport. Checked our records and it ties for the earliest sighting in spring. www.fraservalleybirding.com/Species/Bird%20Accounts/Say%27s%20Phoebe.htm

I watched for Bluebirds but did not spot any. They should be along soon though. Info on our bluebirds has been recently updated.

www.fraservalleybirding.com/Species/Bird%20Accounts/Western%20Bluebird.htm

www.fraservalleybirding.com/Species/Bird%20Accounts/Mountain%20Bluebird.htm

Along the west end of the airport I heard a really odd bird sound I did not know what it was. Birding as long as I have makes this an uncommon occurrence and when it happens it is quite exciting. I got out to check and dropped the last half of a very nice cookie I was munching on in the excitement. Grr! Turns out it was a Northern Shrike that was sitting inconspicuously in a hawthorn. I have never heard one singing and calling before! A few Tree and Violet-green Swallows were overhead and I also saw my first Turkey Vulture of the spring. There were a great many robins around too.

The place will only continue to get busier and busier as migration ramps up in April.

[murraybrown]

Nice find on the phoebe Gord. I didn't realize they could be this early. Will have to get up that way and do some checking around.
I know the excitement you must have felt on hearing an unfamiliar bird call. I have only twice heard them in full song myself. Once at Blue ridge along the Fraser near Popkum around this time of year, the other surprisingly enough was in October along the Dewdney Slough near the community of Dewdny.

[Chris]

Gord good sighting. Definitely the time of year to make visits to Hope Airport.

[trudi]

I took I drive there on Tuesday can see too much
Lots of Robins
kestrel
Varied thrush
They were mowing the grass at the airport !!
That didn't help of course....,

[Gord]

Some pictures







And a Spotted Towhee in full song

[Gord]

Birder, the links in the first post will help you with finding them and their typical arrival dates. There is also a seasonal checklist that shows when our species are usually seen in the checklist area. Link is below. I hope the Phoebe sticks around! There's usually a few each spring.

www.fraservalleybirding.com/PDF/Upper%20Fraser%20Valley%20Area%20July%202013.pdf