JOURNAL 101 - THE NOVICE BIRDER

May 23/05 - Into my 2nd century of journals, it has crossed my mind as to what changes are possible with my photography and/or website. I've had a couple of offers to modernize my site, but I've decided to maintain the status quo. Right now, it's at its bare essentials - almost like back to nature. I can maintain my site without knowing anything, and that just suits me fine. Besides, I don't want to spend another second or another cent in addition to what it already costs. As for the photography, I realize that new birds will be more and more difficult to find, but there's still the quest for the perfect picture. That means more of the same birds. I certainly enjoy seeing the birds in different settings and situations. When the time comes that no one is checking into this site, I'll get the message. It'll be time to move on.

FRIENDS? - It seems that everytime I walk around my yard, the Black-throated Gray Warblers come over for a visit. I wonder if their young ones are out now as there seems to be a few more than usual around.


MAY 23/05 - With a few blue patches in the sky, I thought it would be a good time to see if the Willow Flycatcher had finally returned to Kaye Road. My first stop was at the pond on Rascal Lane. The Spotted Sandpipers kept their distance, but the Violet-green swallows were friendly as they landed nearby to collect feathers for their 2nd (?) nests. Down Kaye Road, I finally got to meet Mrs. House Wren. It looks like they could be nesting there. I hope the developers don't clear their patch of bush before their family is raised. In the distance, I could hear the unmistakeable "fitz-bew" of the the Willow Flycatcher. It was fun to see him again. I finished the day by visiting the Olive-sided Flycatcher and finding a Swainson's Thrush as a bonus.


RASCAL LANE is an excellent spot for Violet-green, Barn, Tree, and Northern-rough-winged Swallows. However, I've only seen the Violet-greens sit and rest. Could it be because they nest nearby?

WELCOME BACK! - Although I couldn't prove it, I'm assuming this is the same Willow that was here last summer.

UNUSUAL OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER - I visited the Olive-sided for half an hour and not once did it offer "3-beers" and it never did the yo-yo routine from the top of any tree. It mainly foraged on the fly around branches and leaves, and the only sound it made was a fairly constant "pep-pep-pep

MR. RELIABLE - No matter where I go on the Island, there seems to be Towhees, and they never seem to be camera-shy.

DUCKS LIMITED - Except for Mallards, ducks seem to be very scarce. 2 female Hooded Mergansers landed at Rascal lane while I was checking the Spotties, and there was 1 Blue-winged Teal with the Mallards at San Malo.

BONUS BIRD - It was a real bonus today while I was watching the Olive-sided. A rustle in the salmonberry bushes caught my attention, and I was delighted to see a Swainson's Thrush emerge.

TREE-TOP TEASER - I've been listening to The Cassin's Vireo for a week in my treetops without seeing it. Finally, it decided to show itself on treetop 125' away. I took a quick break from cooking supper to get a record shot.

128 pages, full colour, hard cover coffee table book. Anticipated publication date: June 15/05

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