Post by Gord on Dec 28, 2022 23:05:32 GMT -8
We had a great day today. Woke up to the sound of wind and driving rain though. That was a bit of a worry but by the time we picked up Chris there was improvement already to the conditions. We count from McDermott Road west to Clearbrook; south of the highway in a bit of a pie-shaped route.
Not too far into the day, we could tell the prairie was going to be light on the smaller birds. We assume it was due to the really cold conditions we had recently which would have likely impacted the more open terrain and moved the small birds out. Areas where we usually have good numbers of sparrows had none or way fewer than expected. We did not find Ruby-crowned Kinglet or Yellow-rumped Warbler this year. Nor Anna's Hummingbird. Not a surprise as they would not appreciate the cold. We got 60 species for the day which was about average for the route.
The melting snow and rainfall really flooded some fields. Waterfowl was not in short supply. Notable were almost 500 Northern Pintail for the route. Without doubt a record for us. We believe their numbers are increasing in the winter out here. Maybe not such a surprise given the Snow Geese also started to show in large numbers over the last few years and both species occur on the coast in large numbers. We got 1500ish Snow Geese today as well.
A typical sight of a flock consisting entirely of pintail.
_0226843 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
Flock of Snow Geese landing somewhere north of Vye on Lamson Road.
_0226882 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
A Greater White-fronted Goose was a nice surprise with some Canada Geese
_0226847 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
Near Fadden and Wellsline Road we pulled over to count Western Meadowlarks and a Short-eared Owl flew up right beside us. What a treat!
_0226841 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
Raptors were in good numbers and offered some nice photo opportunities
Rough-legged Hawk
_0226874 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
Northern Harrier male
_0226875 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
Young Red-tailed Hawk
_0226885 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
_0226889 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
A the transfer station there were a great number of gulls. Almost right away we saw what I think is an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull. Will detail that in the rare bird alert section in case it turns up to be confirmed. In a field across from the station was a hybrid gull with lots of Western Gull influence in it (black wing tips, thick-tipped bill, dark back) but the tell-tale streaks in the head of Glaucous-winged Gull.
_0226903 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
Our favourite find was near the end at UFV campus where we heard a woodpecker. We made a guess which it might be and Benny was right with Red-breasted Sapsucker! A great day today and I hope everyone else who counted had a good day as well. Thanks to the count's organizers Lynn and Ken.
Not too far into the day, we could tell the prairie was going to be light on the smaller birds. We assume it was due to the really cold conditions we had recently which would have likely impacted the more open terrain and moved the small birds out. Areas where we usually have good numbers of sparrows had none or way fewer than expected. We did not find Ruby-crowned Kinglet or Yellow-rumped Warbler this year. Nor Anna's Hummingbird. Not a surprise as they would not appreciate the cold. We got 60 species for the day which was about average for the route.
The melting snow and rainfall really flooded some fields. Waterfowl was not in short supply. Notable were almost 500 Northern Pintail for the route. Without doubt a record for us. We believe their numbers are increasing in the winter out here. Maybe not such a surprise given the Snow Geese also started to show in large numbers over the last few years and both species occur on the coast in large numbers. We got 1500ish Snow Geese today as well.
A typical sight of a flock consisting entirely of pintail.
_0226843 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrFlock of Snow Geese landing somewhere north of Vye on Lamson Road.
_0226882 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrA Greater White-fronted Goose was a nice surprise with some Canada Geese
_0226847 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrNear Fadden and Wellsline Road we pulled over to count Western Meadowlarks and a Short-eared Owl flew up right beside us. What a treat!
_0226841 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrRaptors were in good numbers and offered some nice photo opportunities
Rough-legged Hawk
_0226874 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrNorthern Harrier male
_0226875 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrYoung Red-tailed Hawk
_0226885 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr_0226889 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrA the transfer station there were a great number of gulls. Almost right away we saw what I think is an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull. Will detail that in the rare bird alert section in case it turns up to be confirmed. In a field across from the station was a hybrid gull with lots of Western Gull influence in it (black wing tips, thick-tipped bill, dark back) but the tell-tale streaks in the head of Glaucous-winged Gull.
_0226903 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrOur favourite find was near the end at UFV campus where we heard a woodpecker. We made a guess which it might be and Benny was right with Red-breasted Sapsucker! A great day today and I hope everyone else who counted had a good day as well. Thanks to the count's organizers Lynn and Ken.
