Post by Gord on Aug 6, 2007 22:05:11 GMT -8
While the kids were at VBS, I stopped in at Cheam to spend an hour. The wind was blowing pretty hard which limited small bird watching. Near the beginning of the Loop Trail a family of wood ducks scampered by. The little ones looked to be just over a week + of age. Judging by the duck boxes that had been torn apart (probably by the bear smelling the recent use) recently, they hatched just in time 
(assuming they were in those boxes). I guess I wont have to fight the rusted screws on the box to open up the side to check if the boxes were used this year. 
There was also a hen mallard with young about a week old. Ive always noticed that the ducks, especially the wood ducks, have a late brood in August. Possibly the hen had two broods? There were well over 20 wood ducks of various ages and moult at the lake today.
I stopped at the first bridge at the beaver pond to examine the damage done by some desperate thrill seeker. I sat on the rail to see what came by and to see if the summer's first solitary sandpiper would show. I didnt have to wait long as there was one feeding on the weed flats. I didnt see him as I walked in. They often seem to come from nowhere! I tried a few shots with the digiscoped setup.
There were lots of eastern kingbirds about. I figured about 8 - 10. Cedar waxwings were probably the most common. A pair of ring-necked ducks were out at the far end of the lake.
A crummy shot of the kingbird with the digiscope in the wind.
(assuming they were in those boxes). I guess I wont have to fight the rusted screws on the box to open up the side to check if the boxes were used this year. 
There was also a hen mallard with young about a week old. Ive always noticed that the ducks, especially the wood ducks, have a late brood in August. Possibly the hen had two broods? There were well over 20 wood ducks of various ages and moult at the lake today.I stopped at the first bridge at the beaver pond to examine the damage done by some desperate thrill seeker. I sat on the rail to see what came by and to see if the summer's first solitary sandpiper would show. I didnt have to wait long as there was one feeding on the weed flats. I didnt see him as I walked in. They often seem to come from nowhere! I tried a few shots with the digiscoped setup.
There were lots of eastern kingbirds about. I figured about 8 - 10. Cedar waxwings were probably the most common. A pair of ring-necked ducks were out at the far end of the lake.
A crummy shot of the kingbird with the digiscope in the wind.