Post by Gord on Nov 10, 2015 22:43:06 GMT -8
Managed a bit of birding here and there today. Quite a cool morning to say the least.
Harrison Hot Springs had four Snow Buntings around the parking lot.
The Tuyttens Rd area in Agassiz was very good and busy with 39 species being recorded. Plenty of Juncos everywhere. There were no shortage of warblers with two Yellow-rumped Warblers and a Orange-crowned being seen. Sparrows were active too with an American Tree Sparrow with juncos at the end of the road at the river and a Swamp Sparrow in the marsh. This Swamp Sparrow was in perfect habitat this time (not like the one that broke the rules at the Hope Airport recently). A Lincoln's Sparrow was nearby too and it was neat to see them at the same time. These are species that are easily confused so any sightings from non-'swampy' sites should get double checked to make sure it's not a Lincoln's.
Maria Slough had a mixed flock of chickadees and kinglets which included a male Wilson's Warbler.
Out in Sumas Prairie for a quick check produced a White-throated Sparrow among a good number of sparrows on Cole Road. I hope this spot remains this birdy for the Christmas Bird Count. There is no shortage of food as they're feeding in standing corn field and there's lots of ears still on the stalks.
A Golden-crowned Sparrow posed for me before heading back into the corn
As mentioned on the rare bird section the Tropical Kingbird was visible as I drove past.
I walked a bit at Matsqui Regional Trail at the far east end off of Page Road. There was a decent flock of chickadees, Brown Creepers and kinglets not far from the parking lot. As I was walking I thought I heard an odd call note. I didn't hear it again so figured my imagination or something playing tricks. Then I heard it again but faintly as I was further down the trail. I went back to investigate; interested to see what this was. I'm glad I did as though the shrubs on the big rocks along the river was a Rock Wren. Not an expected sight at all. I also tallied Pacific and Bewick's Wren here which made three wren species. Pretty neat for November.
This branch, that decided to grow there about two years ago, couldn't have chosen a more inconvenient spot! Otherwise would have been the best photo I'd be able to get of this guy.
I last saw the bird happily feeding among the rocks heading upstream.
Good birds around and it was nice to be outside before the next rain comes.
Harrison Hot Springs had four Snow Buntings around the parking lot.
The Tuyttens Rd area in Agassiz was very good and busy with 39 species being recorded. Plenty of Juncos everywhere. There were no shortage of warblers with two Yellow-rumped Warblers and a Orange-crowned being seen. Sparrows were active too with an American Tree Sparrow with juncos at the end of the road at the river and a Swamp Sparrow in the marsh. This Swamp Sparrow was in perfect habitat this time (not like the one that broke the rules at the Hope Airport recently). A Lincoln's Sparrow was nearby too and it was neat to see them at the same time. These are species that are easily confused so any sightings from non-'swampy' sites should get double checked to make sure it's not a Lincoln's.
Maria Slough had a mixed flock of chickadees and kinglets which included a male Wilson's Warbler.
Out in Sumas Prairie for a quick check produced a White-throated Sparrow among a good number of sparrows on Cole Road. I hope this spot remains this birdy for the Christmas Bird Count. There is no shortage of food as they're feeding in standing corn field and there's lots of ears still on the stalks.
A Golden-crowned Sparrow posed for me before heading back into the corn
As mentioned on the rare bird section the Tropical Kingbird was visible as I drove past.
I walked a bit at Matsqui Regional Trail at the far east end off of Page Road. There was a decent flock of chickadees, Brown Creepers and kinglets not far from the parking lot. As I was walking I thought I heard an odd call note. I didn't hear it again so figured my imagination or something playing tricks. Then I heard it again but faintly as I was further down the trail. I went back to investigate; interested to see what this was. I'm glad I did as though the shrubs on the big rocks along the river was a Rock Wren. Not an expected sight at all. I also tallied Pacific and Bewick's Wren here which made three wren species. Pretty neat for November.
This branch, that decided to grow there about two years ago, couldn't have chosen a more inconvenient spot! Otherwise would have been the best photo I'd be able to get of this guy.
I last saw the bird happily feeding among the rocks heading upstream.
Good birds around and it was nice to be outside before the next rain comes.
