Above photo: May 8 - Dunlin joining the Whimbrels at Tofino Mudflats
May 8 - Shorebird Time
The spring migration of shorebirds is usually a minor affair on the east side of Vancouver Island, at least around the mid-island or Oceanside region. As usual, there has been a sporadic trickle of Western and Least Sandpipers, Dunlin, Greater Yellowlegs and Long-billed Dowitchers, but nothing prominent or predictable. One spring a flock of 20 Pectoral Sandpipers landed at my feet at San Malo, and I thought that was pretty special.
By far the best spring shorebird migration staging area on the Island is the Tofino mudflats. Finally, after several years of good intentions, I made the supreme effort today to visit the mudflats. Encouraged by Adrian Dorst's regular shorebird reports and reasonable weather reports, my wife and I made the trek and enjoyed an excellent day checking out the shoredbirds on the mudflats and taking our usual stroll along Chesterman Beach.
Meanwhile, the birding landscape has completely changed. The only winter ducks I could find this week were a couple of female Buffleheads. One was cavorting with the Common Mergansers on the Englishman near San Malo, and the other was all by her lonesome at Rascal Pond. On the other hand, songbird migration is in full swing. Three migrating songbirds of note were reported in the past few days. A Nashville Warbler and Lazuli Bunting were reported in the Victoria region, but the best report and photo was an Indigo Bunting near Ucluelet. I was tempted to look for the Indigo while I was up that way but it was fairly heavy overcast by the time I finished with the shorebirds so decided to head home instead. I know, if I were a hardcore birder, I would have made the effort.
Just a brief update of my yard birds: Regular visitors include Dark-eyed Juncos, Purple Finches, Pine Siskins, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers. Occasional visitors include the Pileated Woodpecker, House Finches, and Cooper's Hawk. A newcomer this week was a male Red Crossbill which I saw once. Rufous Hummingbirds have been consistently consuming 12 cups of nectar a day.
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May 5 - My focus this week was on shorebirds. As I mentioned in the preamble, they are not abundant around the Parksville region, but there are usually a few. The best places to look are the San Malo Mudflats, French Creek Bay, and Admiral's Lagoon. San Malo is good for viewing but poor for photo opportunities as the shorebirds are often in the middle of the flats.
It's funny that I didn't see any shorebirds at French Creek Bay when I first scanned the shoreline with my binoculars. However, I did see the Glaucous Gull that has been lounging around for the past three weeks. I decided to get a few record shots of the Glaucous for the month of May, and while I was focusing on the Glaucous, a small flock of rufous-coloured Western Sandpipers emerged magically from behind the rocks.
Along with the Westerns were a group of black-bellied, rufous-backed Dunlin.
I didn't have to move as the shorebirds were foraging along the beach and heading towards me. Nothing like Western Sandpiper-on-the-rock.
After the dull days of winter it was fun to see the Dunlin in their bright travelling colours.
They were in various stages of moult but most were in full breeding plumage.
There was no problem getting full-frame photos as the Dunlin approached to within a few feet.
After my photo session at French Creek Bay, I flipped over to Admiral's Lagoon. It looked pretty quiet until I saw some movement not far from the gravelly beach. It was a Least Sandpiper.
There were only three Leasts, but they were preoccupied with foraging and very approachable.
I was so focused on the Leasts that I almost missed the Semipalmated Plovers. There were three of them right in front of me.
The Semi-plovers were in the seaweed at the top of the beach. They would stand still for a few seconds then run forward for a few steps while looking for insects and other snacks in the seaweed.
Flashback to French Creek Bay - Here's the pictures I took before I ran into the shorebirds. First the Bonaparte's Gulls. 90% of the Bonies were in their striking black-hooded breeding plumage.
If the sky were, blue it would have been perfect for pictures, as the Bonies were posing beautifully.
The Bonies were so busy with their foraging that they didn't mind my close proximity.
The Glaucous Gull is never as trusting as the Bonaparte's. When I first approached, it took off and disappeared around the breakwater for about half an hour.
I was surprised to see it return. I guess it was lonely and wanted to be with its gull buddies.
I was luck to see it heading back towards me. It's always fun to try a few flight shots.
There were still a few Brant around. I found 5 at the east end of the beach at Qualicum.
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May 9 - Finally, I made it up to the Tofino Mudflats and I'm glad I did. I was a week late for the Tofino Shorebird Festival. There were no banners flying, no bands playing, and no hoards of visiting birders, but there were shorebirds - lots of them. There were about 125 Whimbrels in the flock I was photographing and scores of peeps, Dunlin, and a few other goodies. It was also a pleasure to encounter two of local birders, Adrian Dorst and Ralph Crombie.
The Whimbrels were the star of the show. The Tofino Mudflats is the best staging area for the Whimbrels on the Island. Victoria Golf Course has its usual flock of about two dozen, but it's nothing compared to the large flocks at the mudflats. Mind you, there are many places on the Island that are not monitored so I don't have a true picture of what actually happens.
the mudflats looked rather desolate to me, but it was replete with worms and other goodies for the Whimbrel.
I think the Whimbrel have x-ray vision as they would trot along the beach, stop, probe under the mud, and come up with a snack.
Voila! Like I said, x-ray vision. From under the mud, a tasty-looking treat!
I clicked a couple of distant flight shots which I didn't expect to be in focus, but this is acceptable isn't it?
Here's a couple more of my flighty efforts.
Alcatraz Birds - Most of the shorebirds were on the shore like they should have been, but there were a few who felt safer on their rock.
Every once in awhile, a different-plumaged bird would slide into view then disappear into the mass of sleeping shorebirds. All I could get was a distant record shot of the shy Red Knot. I would like to try it again some time - maybe next year.
An Exquisite Bonus Bird - While everyone was having their afternoon nap, one shorebird was busy foraging for lunch. Notice the peachy-orange bill of the breeding plumaged Marble Godwit.
Here's a Godwit goodbye from Tofino for this Journal. Like I said, I was a week late for the Tofino Shorebird Festival, but I don't feel like I missed anything.
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Bird Poster
My posters are on display at: Victoria - Swan Lake Nature House; Nanoose Bay - Credit Union; Courtenay - Graham's Jewellers
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