Island 22-Sept 22

[b1schmor]

Hello birders,
Carolynn and I decided to check out Gord's hot spot today and hot spot it was. On the first lake/pond thing as you enter the gate was a female Surf Scoter-nice start. We walked into the equestrian fields and quickly found a warbler wave that included Yellow-rumped and Orange-crowned Warblers with at least a hundred robins, many Song Sparrows, one Varied Thrush and a number of Ruby-crowned Kinglets. We walked the area to the dyke along the river and picked up a number of Downy Woodpeckers, more Yellow-rumped and Orange-crowned Warblers, Chickadees galore, and one Merlin causing havoc. Along the dyke we spotted a Gord. He had his binocs focused on some cottonwoods and when we approached he let us in on his great find: one Nashville Warbler and a probable Philadelphia Vireo. Unfortunately, the bird magnet was late for a soccer game but we did manage to see the Nashville and we did find a Vireo but with the poor lighting conditions couldn't make out whether it was a Warbling or a Philadelphia.

I have decided that the best way to see rarities is not to find the birds but to find Gord. He knows how to find them. Anyway, Gord thanks for the find, the Nashville was a new Fraser Valley bird, one I have been looking for for a long time.

Brent Schmor
Abbotsford

[JeffOver]

Wow!! This is really cool what we're finding out about different areas in the valley, like Island 22!! Nashville warbler and a probable Philadelphia vireo!!! Way to go!! ;D
Jeff

[Gord]

Brent, delighted you found the Nashville!! It was great to see you and Carolynn and I look forward to tomorrow.

My morning.

Yesterday I pondered seeing if some members wanted to go birding tomorrow. Then the rain came in and I decided no. Then the rain stopped but by then it was late in the evening. Then at 3am the wind picked up big time. I spent 15 minutes in my pyjammas and sandals chasing down the top off the kid's sandbox, assorted toys and the pop up sun shelter that was busy popping against the chainlink fence making a terrible racket. In a huff, I figured good thing I didnt try to set up a walk for the morning.

I arrived in a slight drizzle but no wind. I thought Id try the west end of the dyke. Along the way this cute little young opossum was on the dyke. It's all downhill from here in the cuteness department as he grows older!





One of the first birds I saw were two western wood-pewees. There were also several other of these olive-gray terrors nearby. One of a pacific-slope and another a Hammond's in fresh plumage but a couple others did not get names.

Then I saw a bright vireo among chickadees. It had a little different of a shape over a warbling vireo with a more round look on the head and shorter tail. The dark behind the eye and on the lores (bit between the eye and beak) was fairly distinct. The cap was a good dark colour and contrasted well, and it was quite yellow on the tummy and on the important areas such as throat and breast centre. I went down for pictures. One was horribly underexposed. Only one turned out ok but Ill post both images.

In all my years of birding, this has to be the WORST location for a twig. Right across the eye. Grrr!



This one has a bunch of poorly placed leaves, twigs and branches. You can see the top of the head and some colour though...



A Philadelphia vireo is an awesome bird for our area!!!

I continued on to see what else the poor weather had brought in. A big flock of about 50 cedar waxwings went over. There were scattered warblers to be seen with orange-crowned, yellow-rumped, black-throated grey and a dull Townsend's the most numerous (in most to least). The final goody of the morning was a Nashville warbler whose brighter yellow was a nice surprise among the dull orange-crowns. There seemed to be several of the 'Taiga' populations of orange-crowns today who are much more gray than the 'usual' drab yellow ones. I then met with Brent and Caryolynn as I was heading out. My biggest disappointment was not having to leave with great birds around and the weather steadily improving but to not get a chance to bird for a while with the Schmors!

Pretty bold to complain after the neat birds seen that morning!!

On the way out, I stopped to see the surf scoter. Apparently it likes/dislikes pygmy owls as Carolynn whistled like one and she flew right in closer!!! Im still smiling after hearing about that! ;D

[Gord]

Is anyone else having difficulty viewing pictures on this thread or are all three showing?

[Wetlander]

I'm seeing all three.

[b1schmor]

Hi Gord,

I'm am on a different computer today and can see the pictures. Probably something wrong with my computer at home.

Brent