Post by Gord on Sept 30, 2019 20:58:35 GMT -8
The last day of September was quite a birdy day.
From the boat launch at Island 22 I looked up to see the Vaux's Swifts I could hear flying over and much higher up I spotted a suspicious-looking raptor. Turned out to be a Swainson's Hawk. I've not seen many of this species on the fall migration. The most seem to pass by in the spring.
019_3172 by Gord G, on Flickr
A Swamp Sparrow was down just past the dog park in the weeds. The first for the Fall but not necessarily expected as they're quite uncommon. Wherever I went there were lots of birds with Ruby-crowned Kinglets seemingly the most abundant. Still a couple Black-throated Grey Warbler as well. Certainly looked like putting some birding effort in would have been worthwhile.
I short walk at Harrison Lagoon produced four Mountain Bluebirds (three females and a young male) and the fall's first American Tree Sparrow and Western Meadowlark. The tree sparrows are sure sharp looking sparrows. I saw Bruce and Joanne and family as I was starting out and they hinted it would be a worthwhile walk in addition to the simple enjoyment of the regular species.
019_3295 by Gord G, on Flickr
019_3291 by Gord G, on Flickr
019_3238 by Gord G, on Flickr
019_3204 by Gord G, on Flickr
From the boat launch at Island 22 I looked up to see the Vaux's Swifts I could hear flying over and much higher up I spotted a suspicious-looking raptor. Turned out to be a Swainson's Hawk. I've not seen many of this species on the fall migration. The most seem to pass by in the spring.
019_3172 by Gord G, on FlickrA Swamp Sparrow was down just past the dog park in the weeds. The first for the Fall but not necessarily expected as they're quite uncommon. Wherever I went there were lots of birds with Ruby-crowned Kinglets seemingly the most abundant. Still a couple Black-throated Grey Warbler as well. Certainly looked like putting some birding effort in would have been worthwhile.
I short walk at Harrison Lagoon produced four Mountain Bluebirds (three females and a young male) and the fall's first American Tree Sparrow and Western Meadowlark. The tree sparrows are sure sharp looking sparrows. I saw Bruce and Joanne and family as I was starting out and they hinted it would be a worthwhile walk in addition to the simple enjoyment of the regular species.
019_3295 by Gord G, on Flickr019_3291 by Gord G, on Flickr019_3238 by Gord G, on Flickr019_3204 by Gord G, on Flickr