Post by Gord on Jul 20, 2009 22:20:05 GMT -8
While locally common in the checklist area up around Boston Bar, a breeding pair down here is certainly notable. Last year, John Vooys found a breeding pair of them right on our western border at Bradner Road near 0 Avenue.
He found them again earlier this summer. I was in the area so made a slight detour to see if they were still around.
As I came down near 0 Avenue, avoiding an aggressive water sprinkler watering more road than plants, I came upon this endearing sight (on the wires east of Bradner Road...just inside 'our' area!! ;D ;D
Four little Western Kingbirds fresh from the nest!
An adult fed them and landed above. Cars make the most excellent blinds!!
While it looks like he/she's sticking its tongue out at one of the many cars whizzing down 'Highway 0 Avenue', this is actually after eating a large insect of some sort.
I couldnt stay long due to commitments and not the annoyingly incessant booming of propane canons and tape playback of birds calling out in distress. Personally, I think those things are pretty much useless unless the intention is to annoy the neighbors which then they are very effective. The birds get used to them after a while. These guys didnt even flinch! Easy for me to talk when it is not my livelihood at stake though. Maybe they should try creating a little habitat and a nestbox for Am. Kestrels. I hear that trained Am. Kestrels are very effective at protecting berry crops taking losses inflicted from starlings down to 1% from 30%.
Getting way off track, but some links of interest in regards to this.
www.twu.ca/about/news/general/2009/kestrel-research.html
www.bclocalnews.com/opinion/50793657.html
He found them again earlier this summer. I was in the area so made a slight detour to see if they were still around.
As I came down near 0 Avenue, avoiding an aggressive water sprinkler watering more road than plants, I came upon this endearing sight (on the wires east of Bradner Road...just inside 'our' area!! ;D ;D
Four little Western Kingbirds fresh from the nest!
An adult fed them and landed above. Cars make the most excellent blinds!!
While it looks like he/she's sticking its tongue out at one of the many cars whizzing down 'Highway 0 Avenue', this is actually after eating a large insect of some sort.
I couldnt stay long due to commitments and not the annoyingly incessant booming of propane canons and tape playback of birds calling out in distress. Personally, I think those things are pretty much useless unless the intention is to annoy the neighbors which then they are very effective. The birds get used to them after a while. These guys didnt even flinch! Easy for me to talk when it is not my livelihood at stake though. Maybe they should try creating a little habitat and a nestbox for Am. Kestrels. I hear that trained Am. Kestrels are very effective at protecting berry crops taking losses inflicted from starlings down to 1% from 30%.
Getting way off track, but some links of interest in regards to this.
www.twu.ca/about/news/general/2009/kestrel-research.html
www.bclocalnews.com/opinion/50793657.html
