A 'Golden' Agassiz CBC December 14
Dec 14, 2022 22:55:30 GMT -8
oldfulica, kestrel, and 8 more like this
Post by Gord on Dec 14, 2022 22:55:30 GMT -8
Jason, Benny and I did the Agassiz Christmas Bird Count today. We did the usual route of Mt. Woodside east to Hamilton Road. We felt it was a bit of a quiet day. Kevin seemed to hint as such as well when I saw his Scrub Jay report. We ended up with 52 species and 1,410 individuals. Last year on the same route, we got 58 species and 1,757 individual birds. Still, it was a beautiful day and it was nice to enjoy the sunshine with minimal wind.
Some fresh snow on the mountain
_0226660 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
In the morning, we found a Merlin of the Prairie subspecies. The pale markings and faint facial markings are quite different from our usual Black subspecies which is, as the name suggests, much darker.
_0226565 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
There was a lot of frozen water still, but we did find some open water at the end of Cutler Road where a notable 10 Canvasback were among a few other waterfowl with 'few other waterfowl' being a bit of a trend for the day.
On Cameron Road south of the highway we bumped into this young Golden Eagle that made a beautiful low pass over us. What a treat!
_0226613 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
_0226601 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
_0226602 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
Two Peregrine Falcons, likely a pair based on how they were interacting with each other and a size differential, were a result of looking in the right direction at the right time.
_0226658 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
Benny made a friend with Agassiz's most friendly lab.
Img-3662 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
It took towards the end of the day, but we did find some Yellow-rumped Warblers.
_0226663 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
Up at Elm Park, we found a Hermit Thrush among some Varied Thrush as the day's last species recorded. A great day, thanks guys! Thanks to Denis for organizing and to the other participants.
Some fresh snow on the mountain
_0226660 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrIn the morning, we found a Merlin of the Prairie subspecies. The pale markings and faint facial markings are quite different from our usual Black subspecies which is, as the name suggests, much darker.
_0226565 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrThere was a lot of frozen water still, but we did find some open water at the end of Cutler Road where a notable 10 Canvasback were among a few other waterfowl with 'few other waterfowl' being a bit of a trend for the day.
On Cameron Road south of the highway we bumped into this young Golden Eagle that made a beautiful low pass over us. What a treat!
_0226613 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr_0226601 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr_0226602 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrTwo Peregrine Falcons, likely a pair based on how they were interacting with each other and a size differential, were a result of looking in the right direction at the right time.
_0226658 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrBenny made a friend with Agassiz's most friendly lab.
Img-3662 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrIt took towards the end of the day, but we did find some Yellow-rumped Warblers.
_0226663 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrUp at Elm Park, we found a Hermit Thrush among some Varied Thrush as the day's last species recorded. A great day, thanks guys! Thanks to Denis for organizing and to the other participants.
