Journal 238
I didn't check my feeders before I left home this morning so I didn't see my first bird until Schooner Cove. Any guesses? It was a female Common Merganser.
Joan and Neil who are residents of Nanoose stopped by for a look this morning while I was there. They are avid birders with over 2,000 species on their list. We all had a good laugh when they finally saw the bird as it was a lifer! It was amazing to find a lifer so close to home. Needless to say, they have been to a lot of places including Point Pelee to accumulate such an impressive list.
I'm not sure how many visitors have visited the warbler, but there have been many from as far as Washington and the Fraser Valley.
It's not every day that a bird achieves celebrity status, but the BTBW has been featured in the Times Colonist, Nanaimo Daily News, Oceanside Star, and possibly the Nanaimo News Bulletin.
It was a challenge to get a good photo of the warbler as the sun was limited and the extensive foliage was usually in the way. But it did stop once to catch a few rays, and I was happy with the results.
There were several Northern Flickers lurking about, but they were reluctant to get too close.
It was Grand Central Station for Red-breasted Nuthatches as they darted back and forth from the suet feeders regularly.
************
Three Amigos - I saw three Greater Yellowlegs at French Creek a few days ago. They were there again today in exactly the same spot up the small side creek. Yes, it was a dark day, and there wasn't much I could do to improve this picture.
Strange Bedfellows - A few weeks ago I marvelled at a Dunlin that went everywhere with a Black-bellied Plover at the Little Qualicum. A few days later, I spotted a Dunlin at Nanoose Bay in the constant company of several Killdeer. Today, it was with the big boys at French Creek - Pelagic and Double-crested Cormorants. I wonder what next? Can you see the Dunlin? (bottom left)
I've enjoyed the Mountain Bluebirds for several weeks now at the Nanoose Edibles Farm. They do move around, but today they were back at their original spot in the blueberry patch I watched them for about a half hour as they worked their way up the field and back again several times.
They've been a pleasure to watch, and I hope they stay the whole winter. After all, if they go south, they'll just have to come back again.
SIDNEY - VICTORIAN BIRD HOUSE, TANNER'S BOOKSTORE COMOX - BLUE HERON BOOKS BOWSER - LIGHTHOUSE GIFTS DEEP BAY - SHIP & SHORE VICTORIA - BOLEN BOOKS, MUNRO'S, Crown Publications, Ivy's UCLUELET - WORDS END BOOKSELLERS
Comments, questions, or book orders? email admin@vancouverislandbirds.com
SAANICH - WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED
CAMPBELL RIVER - SAVE-ON FOODS
DUNCAN - VOLUME 1 BOOKSTORE
CHEMAINUS - Willow's Wild Bird Store
LADYSMITH - SALAMANDER BOOKS
NANOOSE - SCHOONER COVE MARINA
LAKE COWICHAN - GALLOPING MOON GALLERY
TOFINO - BOTANICAL GARDENS
Quadra Island - EXPLORE & BOOK BONANZA