Post by Gord on Apr 27, 2020 21:25:53 GMT -8
I've fallen behind on a few things I wanted to share.
I'll start with this Short-eared Owl on Sumas Central from the 22nd which was not expected!
019_7899 by Gord G, on Flickr
I went by Adams Road where there's some flooded fields and there was a Solitary Sandpiper that must have been hiding behind something because I didn't know it was there until I heard it flying up. On Hopedale Road, close to the aforementioned flooded field, there's another field worth keeping an eye on. Here were two Greater Yellowlegs and probably the same Solitary Sandpiper circling noisily overhead trying to decide if it wanted to land or not.
I saw my first Bank Swallow of the spring at Cheam Lake on the 23rd
Late afternoon on Banford Road were six Horned Lark flying over while I checked out this Merlin who was sitting on the corn stubble. I can't say I've seen that choice of perch often for a Merlin.
019_7907 by Gord G, on Flickr
Hope Airport on the 24th, in addition to Say's Phoebe and lots of Yellow-rumped Warbler was an Eurasian Wigeon with a small flock of American Wigeon. I'm sure that's a new species for the Hope Airport site! Will go well with Dave's Greater White-fronted Goose which I'm sure must also be new.
019_7936 by Gord G, on Flickr
Kawkawa Lake, also on the 24th had an Adult Bonaparte's Gull swimming on the lake and picking some sort of food item off the surface. Also here was a immature Trumpeter Swan that has been hanging around for about a month. What's interesting about this guy is the yellowish feet. Not common on a species that's supposed to have black legs and feet. What is potentially more interesting is that I saw a young Trumpeter Swan at Island 22 this winter with yellow legs and I assume feet. It was also much whiter than a young Trumpeter Swan should be at that time of year. It was similar to a young Tundra Swan who are much whiter than their young Trumpeter Swan counterparts.
Here is the bird from Island 22. It's the bird second from the left and is almost as white as the adult.
019_4389 by Gord G, on Flickr
Photos of the one from Kawkawa Lake
019_7375 by Gord G, on Flickr
019_7373 by Gord G, on Flickr
019_7367 by Gord G, on Flickr
The evening of the 24th I saw a flock of gulls feeding behind a tractor that was plowing a field at Parr Road. Among the mostly Mew Gulls was a young Bonaparte's Gull. I've seen them in fields only a few times before as they prefer feeding over water. Mew Gulls are small gulls, but Bonaparte's are even smaller!
019_7949 by Gord G, on Flickr
019_7946 by Gord G, on Flickr
Hope all's doing well during these times! While 'normal' will be nice to get back to, there's some things which I think we should hang on to which includes enjoying the simple things with family.
I'll start with this Short-eared Owl on Sumas Central from the 22nd which was not expected!
019_7899 by Gord G, on FlickrI went by Adams Road where there's some flooded fields and there was a Solitary Sandpiper that must have been hiding behind something because I didn't know it was there until I heard it flying up. On Hopedale Road, close to the aforementioned flooded field, there's another field worth keeping an eye on. Here were two Greater Yellowlegs and probably the same Solitary Sandpiper circling noisily overhead trying to decide if it wanted to land or not.
I saw my first Bank Swallow of the spring at Cheam Lake on the 23rd
Late afternoon on Banford Road were six Horned Lark flying over while I checked out this Merlin who was sitting on the corn stubble. I can't say I've seen that choice of perch often for a Merlin.
019_7907 by Gord G, on FlickrHope Airport on the 24th, in addition to Say's Phoebe and lots of Yellow-rumped Warbler was an Eurasian Wigeon with a small flock of American Wigeon. I'm sure that's a new species for the Hope Airport site! Will go well with Dave's Greater White-fronted Goose which I'm sure must also be new.
019_7936 by Gord G, on FlickrKawkawa Lake, also on the 24th had an Adult Bonaparte's Gull swimming on the lake and picking some sort of food item off the surface. Also here was a immature Trumpeter Swan that has been hanging around for about a month. What's interesting about this guy is the yellowish feet. Not common on a species that's supposed to have black legs and feet. What is potentially more interesting is that I saw a young Trumpeter Swan at Island 22 this winter with yellow legs and I assume feet. It was also much whiter than a young Trumpeter Swan should be at that time of year. It was similar to a young Tundra Swan who are much whiter than their young Trumpeter Swan counterparts.
Here is the bird from Island 22. It's the bird second from the left and is almost as white as the adult.
019_4389 by Gord G, on FlickrPhotos of the one from Kawkawa Lake
019_7375 by Gord G, on Flickr019_7373 by Gord G, on Flickr019_7367 by Gord G, on FlickrThe evening of the 24th I saw a flock of gulls feeding behind a tractor that was plowing a field at Parr Road. Among the mostly Mew Gulls was a young Bonaparte's Gull. I've seen them in fields only a few times before as they prefer feeding over water. Mew Gulls are small gulls, but Bonaparte's are even smaller!
019_7949 by Gord G, on Flickr019_7946 by Gord G, on FlickrHope all's doing well during these times! While 'normal' will be nice to get back to, there's some things which I think we should hang on to which includes enjoying the simple things with family.
