Eastern Kingbirds in Abbotsford

[Deleted]

Hi, all.

This afternoon (Monday) at the Willband ponds, at Bateman Road and the Abbotsford-Mission Highway, we heard repeated unfamiliar calls that invited investigation. We soon found three fledged juvenile Eastern Kingbirds in a small grove of willows and red-osier dogwood, begging and trying clumsily to pick the dogwood berries. Soon an adult arrived and began to feed one of the juveniles.

I haven't gone to this location for a while. Was anyone aware of nesting by Eastern Kingbirds there this year?

Stan Olson
Abbotsford

[Gord]

Hi Stan

Great record there! I was only there a couple times this summer but never noticed any kingbirds. They are fairly high on the detectability scale too with their boisterous way. I know that Brent birded the area a bit this summer so may have some insights.
Sounds like they at least nested close by. I know of only one other place they breed which is at Cheam Lake. Probably eight pairs nested there this summer.

[b1schmor]

Hi Stan and Gord,

I was at Wilband a number of times in May, June, and July and didn't come across any Kingbirds(I haven't been there at all during August). I have seen only one Eastern Kingbird at Wilband and that was a June migrant.
This was the first year I have seen nesting Black-headed Grosbeaks in the park, so it looks as if the migrant passerines are beginning to notice the young trees that have been planted.

Brent

[Wetlander]

Greetings
My wife and I live close to the Fraser in Agassiz. I get to see Eastern Kingbirds everyday during the season. ;D Not bragging, just incredibly lucky.

[Gord]

Hi Wetlander! Do they breed in your area? Sounds like they might. The Agassiz area sure has a lot of good habitat for them. Seabird Island is especially good looking too. Surely Cheam Lake is not the only place they breed reliably.

[Wetlander]

I haven't seen nests... but by numbers and pairing off we must have a few nesting. They stay all summer. I haven't had a lot of time to check for nests. I've only seen the obvious Cedar Waxwing nests, black capped chickadee holes and common yellowthroat nests.

[elspeth]

That is what the birds were that I saw obviously nesting in the osier dogwoods at Willband Creek about a month ago. I have trouble identifying sometimes (blame the cataracts) and I was unsure what they were, but having checked the net for pictures, I am now sure.