A few firsts of the year at Brydon - Apr 1/12

[Randy]

I hope everyone had a great weekend. I didn't have too much time this weekend but managed to get out for a couple hours this afternoon for a walk at the usual location of Brydon Lagoon.

I ended up with 30 species (full list at the bottom of this email), a couple of which were firsts for me this year. I picked up my first goldfinches at my feeder - I had one yesterday and two today, including a very bright male.

I also saw my first rufous hummingbird of the year - it was a brilliant male along the north end of the lagoon.

Finally, there were some turtles strategically positioned on a couple logs. I believe these are red-eared sliders? Please correct me if I'm wrong:


A number of other waterfowl species are still hanging around, including canvasback, scaup, bufflehead, goldeneye, coot, pied-billed grebe, shoveller, etc.

Here's some pictures of a couple of these:





I was surprised that I couldn't find any birds of prey today - not even any eagles near the nest. Other notable absences were GC sparrows and WC sparrows, which have been regulars in my backyard.

Anyway, it turned out to be a great afternoon. Here's the complete list:

Mallard 40
Northern Shoveler 6
Green-winged Teal 2
Canvasback 4
Lesser Scaup 4
Bufflehead 3
Common Goldeneye 4
Hooded Merganser 2
Common Merganser 2
Pied-billed Grebe 2
American Coot 1
Glaucous-winged Gull 1
Rufous Hummingbird 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Northwestern Crow 15
Black-capped Chickadee 8
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 1
Bushtit 3
Bewick's Wren 2
American Robin 2
European Starling 8
Spotted Towhee 2
Song Sparrow 6
Dark-eyed Junco 3
Red-winged Blackbird 8
House Finch 5
Pine Siskin 3
American Goldfinch 2
House Sparrow 4
Randybird 1

[kestrel]

Nice pics and list!

[Chris]

Randy still waiting for my first Rufous Hummingbird. Nice pictures of those Shovelers.

I am pretty sure those are Red-eared Sliders.

Nice list as well. Is a Randybird a new species for you? It's possible your GC Sparrows have begun migrating north.

[Randy]

Thanks Chris,

It is always a pleasant surprise to see the hummingbird, whether the first of the year or not I think.

On a side note, I went out for a quick walk with my wife later in the day and picked up bald eagle x 2 (one in the nest) and violet-green swallows.

I was wondering if anyone would notice my last bird on the list. Definitely a new species for me and incredibly rare, but always a treat to see!

Randy

[tuchp]

Great list Randy. We were at Brydon on
Friday, midday, and did see the Shovelers, Pied billed Grebe, Hooded Merganser, Goldeneye, some Coot and of course many Mallards. Looking for swallows without luck but did manage to see a few White-crowned Sparrows and lots of Red-winged Blackbirds. Thanks for the ID on the turtles - we saw 5 of them sunning themselves on a log. Do you know whether they are native or whether someone has introduced turtles to the Lagoon? - Pat

[Randy]

Hi Pat,

I think I remember hearing that they were introduced a number of years ago and have done quite well. Not positive though. I also recall hearing that there is another type of turtle there as well, but don't quote me on that.

Glad to hear you popped by the area!

Randy

[Gord]

Randy, yes those sliders are introduced. They're sold in pet stores as babies but when they get big and smelly, they're released 'into the wild'. Painted Turtle is our native turtle which is found in only a handful of locations in the Lower Mainland.

Great shots by the way. Love the pair of shovelers.

[Randy]

Thanks Gord! I love the wealth of knowledge that exists on this site!

Randy

[Randy]

Just an update - I heard my first kingfisher of the year this morning when I was out filling up my feeders. I'm looking forward to having these guys back. Also, a rufous hummingbird flew over me and didn't even have the courtesy to stop at my hummingbird feeder!

I know the hummingbirds are out there, now the trick is getting them to come to my feeders!!

I'm seeing some mature WC sparrows here now. The eagles are busy attending their nest - I'm hoping there will be some offspring. What month would one expect to see the young?

Randy

[Chris]

Apr 8, 2012 10:03:36 GMT -8 Randy said:

Just an update - I heard my first kingfisher of the year this morning when I was out filling up my feeders. I'm looking forward to having these guys back. Also, a rufous hummingbird flew over me and didn't even have the courtesy to stop at my hummingbird feeder!

I know the hummingbirds are out there, now the trick is getting them to come to my feeders!!

I'm seeing some mature WC sparrows here now. The eagles are busy attending their nest - I'm hoping there will be some offspring. What month would one expect to see the young?

Randy

I think early May or even sooner for eagles if I remember correctly.

Still haven't seen a hummer at our feeders yet either!