Jackman Wetlands Jan 14 and Dec 29
Jan 14, 2023 23:23:42 GMT -8
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Post by james on Jan 14, 2023 23:23:42 GMT -8
I got the chance to walk Jackman Wetlands before the retriever trials started this morning, and was pleased to find a lot more activity this time than I've seen in the last few visits. I'm not sure if it was weather, time of day, better foraging available somewhere else, or the Bald Eagles that nest nearby, but a lot of the ducks have been elsewhere for a while.
Today though, there were wigeon aplenty, including one Eurasian which I think is my first for this spot, as well as a few Ring-necked Ducks. Lots of Mallards too. I was a bit startled to hear red-winged blackbirds as well. It seems early for them to be back.
Towards the end of the walk I decided to slow down and just pay attention to one species for a while. There were a few Bufflehead in one of the smaller ponds, diving almost in an alternating pattern. Maybe it was random, maybe it's a strategy to always have a lookout who can see if predators are coming?
Speaking of predators, on a previous visit I saw an eagle make about seven passes at a Glaucous-winged gull, which narrowly avoided contact, though it didn't make any noise or seem particularly bothered about the interaction. It just flew off in a straight line. Another spectator told me they had seen two eagles together catch one and kill it earlier in December. I didn't know they actively hunted gulls! Maybe only when there are no ducks around.
Today though, there were wigeon aplenty, including one Eurasian which I think is my first for this spot, as well as a few Ring-necked Ducks. Lots of Mallards too. I was a bit startled to hear red-winged blackbirds as well. It seems early for them to be back.
Towards the end of the walk I decided to slow down and just pay attention to one species for a while. There were a few Bufflehead in one of the smaller ponds, diving almost in an alternating pattern. Maybe it was random, maybe it's a strategy to always have a lookout who can see if predators are coming?
Speaking of predators, on a previous visit I saw an eagle make about seven passes at a Glaucous-winged gull, which narrowly avoided contact, though it didn't make any noise or seem particularly bothered about the interaction. It just flew off in a straight line. Another spectator told me they had seen two eagles together catch one and kill it earlier in December. I didn't know they actively hunted gulls! Maybe only when there are no ducks around.
