June 22 - Talking Turkey
For years I have looked for Wild Turkeys every time I drove up or down the island between Horn Lake and Fanny Bay. If my wife were with me I'd always say, "Watch for Wild Turkeys." After a few hundred times it finally happened. We were on our way to Courtenay for a presentation to the Comox Valley Photo Club. Just as we passed Deep Bay on the old highway, I told my wife to watch for Wild Turkeys. 30 seconds later I shouted, "Wild Turkey!" I slammed on the brakes and backed up. The turkey was right beside the car on the passenger side. By the time I had my camera set up, it had crossed the road and was on the verge of disappearing in the forest. I managed a head shot before it was gone. I looked at my wife as she burst out laughing. "What's the joke?" I asked. "All these years I thought you were just joking about watching for the Wild Turkeys," she exclaimed. We both had a good laugh.
The B.C. Game Commission had experimented with introducing Wild Turkeys to Vancouver Island since 1910. They actually maintained a farm in Saanich stocked with Wild Turkeys from West Virginia until 1954 when the program was discontinued, and the remaining birds were released. Remnant populations still exist in several Vancouver Island locations as well as on several smaller islands like Saturna and Sidney Island.
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June 27 - A Ladysmith Moment
On Saturday I had a half hour to kill in Ladysmith. I was delivering books to Salamander Bookstore, but I didn't realize they didn't open until 10 am. That was fine with me as it gave me a chance to do a bit of birding on the mountainside behind the town. As usual it was very birdy and in 20 minutes I saw a Willow Flycatcher, Orange-crowned Warbler, Brown Creeper, Yellow Warbler, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Rufous Hummingbird, Dark-eyed Juncos, and several White-crowned Sparrows.
Willow Flycatchers have to be the most abundant member of the flycatcher family on Vancouver Island. I hear the familiar "fitz-bew" everywhere I go.
I think the Willow Flycatcher had a nest in the area. I saw it go down into a small conifer that was surrounded by thick brush.
When I returned from my short walk up the trail, the flycatcher was still there.
I've seen several Brown Creepers this spring but still haven't been close to one. This distant shot from about 50 feet has been my best opportunity so far this year. Do you think it will help if I keep complaining?
Here's another shot from about 50 feet. The MacGillivray's has been another elusive bird for me, but all the complaining finally paid off as you will see later.
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June 29 - Hummer Update
The end of our redhot pokers and honeysuckle usually signals the end of the hummingbird season and that should happen within a few days. There are always a few stragglers, but most will on their way south.
I always make it a point of setting up my camera in the garden when the red-hot pokers are in bloom. I had to wait less than 5 minutes before I had a customer.
You can't help but get some good photos as the hummers have to hover before inserting their bills into the flower.
My only complaint is that our pokers last only about a week. Maybe I have to water them more frequently or put them in a better location.
Foxgloves are another excellent hummer attracter. They are hardy plants that seem to grow anywhere.
Hey! Who turned off the lights?
This is more like it. More light and more sweetness. Honeysuckles have to be their favorite.
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June 29 - Feeder Watch
It's always fun watching for the fledglings at the feeder.
Chowing Down - One of our juvenile Purple Finches just loves to lie down in the seed pile.
I've always suspected that the Chipping Sparrows nested somewhere around my yard. I think this juvenile might confirm my suspicions.
Recognize this bathing beauty? It's one of the adult Chipping Sparrows.
Papa Hairy Woodpecker often arrives at the feeder pole with junior in tow.
Here's junior. He's quite capable of feeding himself but still likes to be treated like a baby.
Papa Pileated is a regular suet visitor. Before flipping from the pole to the suet, he cleaned off a lot of ants that were climbing up the pole to the hummingbird feeder. No sign of any offspring yet.
Next to the hummers, the Chestnut-backed Chickadees are my most frequent feeder clients. There has been a steady stream of juveniles to the feeders. Although I haven't checked my nest boxes, I think at least one is occupied by chickadees.
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June 28 - Dolphin Lake
There is an empty lot on the east side of Dolphin Lake that is often a good birding spot. I hadn't been there for months which was a good reason to check it out. It was sad to see new survey stakes and tape all around. That probably means the lot will soon be cleared and a house built. Pretty soon there will be no more access to the east side of the lake.
I wasn't surprised to see a Northern Flicker at the top of an old snag. The snag is pretty rotten and probably a good place for bugs and lunch.
I wasn't sure who this little fellow was until I saw the white dots under the tail. It was a juvenile Spotted Towhee having a berry for dessert.
Lunch seems to be the theme here. It's insect time for the Warbling Vireo.
The Song Sparrow was also in on the act. She has a mouthful for junior if she can find him.
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June 29 - Kaye Road
A few weeks ago I tried to rationalize my lack of productivity by claiming it was the June doldrums for birds. Just to prove myself wrong I decided to spend a couple of hours seriously looking for some birds at River's Edge (aka Kaye Road).
Last week my Violet-green Swallows fledged before I even saw them. Usually there is a day when the nestlings stick their heads out to be fed and also present me with a photo op. They must have fledged when I was gone for a day. After almost three months of enjoying their company, suddenly it's all quiet. You'd think they would stay around for a few days, but it's always adios as soon as they fledge. I didn't mind because I knew I would find some at River's Edge.
I did catch up with some Violet-green Swallows on the nature trail between Peterson and Kaye Road. I spotted several on a fairly low lifeless tree, but when I approached, they all flew. I had to wait almost an hour before one came back. It was worth it for a tree shot. At my place they're always on the hydro line.
Orange-crowned Warblers are very common around Kaye Road as there is a lot of deciduous and brushy habitat. You can tell this is a fledgling from the fleshy gape.
Now you know why it's called an Orange-crowned Warbler. I had another picture in the full sun with the crown showing better, but it didn't have the refection of light in the eye.
You can always find a few Spotted Sandpipers at River's Edge. If you're lucky you might even find one on a tree like I did at Rascal's Pond. I was actually hoping to find Mrs. Hooded Merganser with a new brood of ducklings but so far nothing this year. It didn't help to have a Bald Eagle sitting beside the pond probably watching for the ducklings too.
As I complained earlier, the only views I've had of the MacGillivray's this year have been at a long distance. But, as the saying goes, "The squeaky wheel gets the bird." It's funny how it works. I was trying to get a clear shot of the Orange-crowned when out popped the MacGillivray's right in front of me. I was worried it was too close, but didn't have time to move. Three clicks and it was gone. I was lucky that this shot was in focus and the reflection was in the eye.
Three-for-one! - After the Orange-crowned and MacGillivray's I was wondering what next? A Willow Flycatcher landed a few feet from my head, but it was too close. An American Goldfinch landed on a shrub nearby, but it was behind a branch. Two Cedar Waxwings landed on a tall snag, but they were too far away. Swainson's Thrushes called regularly but never showed. Suddenly a Black-throated Gray Warbler landed on a branch just in front of me. Click! Three Warblers without moving an inch. This proved that the June doldrums is just a myth. Despite my warbler luck, two regular species were conspicuous by their absence. There has been no sign of the American Kestrels or Olive-sided Flycatcher on my last few visits.
Here's a parting pic for you. While I was at Dolphin Lake on Sunday, I saw a red squirrel busy collecting fir cones. I thought it was getting ready for winter, but I was wrong. It was just having lunch.
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Bird Droppings
1. There have already been a few reports of Western and Least Sandpipers over at Boundary Bay. Shorebird season is almost here. Last year was the worst I've seen on the Island. I hope this will be the best. I still remember the day in 2005 when I discovered 15 Stilt Sandpipers at Holden Creek.
2. With a pair of resident Brown-headed Cowbirds, brood parasitism was inevitable in my yard. I saw my first result of the year yesterday. A frazzled-looking Dark-eyed Junco was trying to appease a very chubby looking juvenile cowbird.
3. I forgot to mention this last month from the "I am an Idiot" file. Some lady in Parksville put her hummingbird nectar on the stove to dissolve while she was checking her email. She had a rude awakening when the fire department showed up to remove the smoking pot from the stove. Heating the nectar is usually unnecessary as most tap water is hot enough with vigorous stirring. If necessary a short blast of 20 seconds in the microwave will finish the job nicely.
4. I can't top Gord Johnson's "Thrush Flush" report of the five thrush species he reported on his Mt. Arrowsmith trip. I was surprised this morning to see a pair of thrush species in my raspberry patch when a stealthy Swainson's Thrush snuck in to join the band of brash American Robins. With the Swainson's and bumper crop of robins I had a "full house," but that still can't beat a "thrush flush." By the way, Gord, "thrush flush" has to be the best title of the year so far - nice to add a little levity to the sometimes over-serious birding scene.
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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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PUBLICATIONS
