NOTICE BOARD

MIKE'S SCHEDULE

April 22 - 24 - ACTIVE PASS FESTIVAL (Galiano Island) - I will be a vendor at the craft fair and conducting a BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY 101 workshop on Apr. 24 10:30 am - 12:00.

May 12 Courtenay - Vancouver Island Butterflies display at BC NATURE AGM

May 26 - Twin Island - guest presenter for MISTY ISLES charter group

HERRING SPAWN 2016

The annual herring spawn is usually one of the major nature spectacles in the Parksville region. There was only one problem this year. The Brant, gulls, fishermen, and nature lovers were all waiting, but the herring didn't show. There was excellent spawn activity around Denman and Hornby Island. The seine fishery opened on Mar. 3 and was completed on March 6 followed by the gill net opening. The seiners cleaned up 8,407 tons of their 8,374 ton quota, and the gill netters followed with over 5,000 tons of their 11,571 ton quota.The expectation was that the remaining quota would be available along the coast from Deep Bay to Parksville and/or around Neck Point in Nanaimo. As it turned out the only additional catch was near Neck Point on Mar. 17 and 18, and by Mar. 29 the fishery was closed. It was reopened on Mar. 31 when spawn was observed around the Big Qualicum but no fish was caught.

Mar. 3 - Despite stormy weather the seine fleet cast their nets at Buckley Bay. There was some concern that the fishery might interfere with the new cable ferry, but there was no conflict.

Mar. 5 - The seine fleet was anchored near the north end of Denman Island during the morning. fishing resumed shortly after and was completed on Mar. 6 around the north end of Denman.

Herring began spawning on the east coast of Denman and Hornby on Mar. 5 and the gill net fishery was opened on Mar. 6.

Almost 60 skiffs and their mother boats were on hand for the opening.

The herring fishery was even available from the shoreline as local residents scooped herring with their nets.

Here's one that looked like it was trying to lay eggs along the shoreline as the tide was rising.

There was a regular parade of boats to French Creek to unload herring.

The herring was pumped out of the boats onto a conveyor system. The herring was then loaded into bins and trucked to a processing plant. I have no idea where the processing plant is.

I've yet to see a heron dining on herring, but I imagine it wouldn't say no.

I'm sure the Common Loon would also dine on the herring if it had the opportunity. This photo was taken on Mar. 15 when the loon had almost completed molting into its breeding plumage.

VICTORIA SIDETRIP

Mar. 16 - With no herring activity I decided to deliver some books to Bolen in Victoria. That gave me an opportunity to visit the ducks at Esquimalt Lagoon.

On my way back from Bolen I had to stop at King's Pond aka duck city. The ducks were so thick that I had to take care not to step on one. As usual the morning light was difficult. I took one shot of a Wood Duck and left.

As luck would have it, the clouds moved in once I got to Esquimalt Lagoon. However, I wasn't going to be denied of my photo fix. I stood by the inner lagoon waiting. It didn't take long for someone to start feeding the ducks. As usual there was a flurry of activity as ducks from all parts of the lagoon headed for the feed. Several northern Pintails offered challenges for a good flight shot.

I waited patiently for an adult Trumpeter to swim beside an immature for a group shot. I wonder if the adult was the one that has spent the last few summers there. I was actually hoping to see the immature Tundra Swan.

Of course, the Mallards also had to take advantage of the free lunch.

A Great Blue Heron was foraging on the other side of the pond. I guess it got tired of foraging and flew up to a tree for a rest.

I can never resist taking a picture of an Eurasian Wigeon. Esquimalt Lagoon is one of the few places you can get close to one.

The loveable little Bufflehead is always a challenge to photograph successfully. There were many present but they kept their distance.

DEPARTURE BAY SURPRISE

On March 19 the wayward herring showed up at Departure Bay which only happens about one in ten years. Sea Lions were everywhere slaying the herring. My daughter and I caught the action at the Pacific Biological Station. After every dive the sea lions would surface with herring dangling from their mouths. The activity was right against the shore about 6 or 7 meters from where we were standing. I was surprised that no one else was around to enjoy the action. I should clarify - there were a couple of fishermen in the skiffs setting nets, but we didn't see them pull in any fish in the hour we were there.

Most of the sea lions were Stellers. They were the tan-coloured and extra large sized.

The stellers were travelling in herds.

Eventually a few California sea lions joined the action.

The gulls were the opportunists.

They were busy cleaning up on any herring dropped by the sea lions.

A FESTIVAL OF BRANT

It's always a joy to spend a few hours with the Brant.

They fly in from the sea to their feeding site in the morning.

If you're extremely patient the Brant will sometimes forage within close proximity. They usually forage for herring roe at the tides line. I watch to see which direction they are heading then set up ahead of them. Most of the roe is floating in the water but some is attached to seaweed as in the photo above.

On this day the Brant were working their way east. The green band identifies the Brant as being banded on the Alaska North Slope.

While the Brant forage for roe at the tideline, large rafts of duck dine offshore on the massive schools of herring larvae.

RUFOUS RETURNS

Although there is no community festival to celebrate the annual return of the diminutive and delightful Rufous Hummingbirds, I know many bird lovers were in a festive mood at their return. After 5 or 6 years of poor returns, 2015 showed a significant rebound in the population. The trend seems to be continuing this year. During the last week of March nectar consumption was up to 2 cups a day - the best in years. By Apr. 6 consumption was over 3 cups. Last year my max was four cups a day. Wonder how high it'll go this year. My all-time max was seven cups a day before the big crash.

I was negligent in collecting bulrushes this year, but when the first rufous showed up I dashed out to collect a few. The female Rufous didn't waste any time plucking fluff for their nests.

Of course, it's the male that usually gets the most attention. In those lean years when females were scarce the male would sit around for hours moping and hoping for those emerald green chicks. That gave me plenty of photo opportunities. However, so many females around the males haven't had any time to sit around.

Meanwhile, the ladies have been going about their business and regularly stopping by for a sip of nectar.

It's not just the Rufous ladies that enjoy the nectar. At least two lady Anna's have been regular visitors.

I've always been fascinated by the number of jewel feathers the necks of the females. I think more jewels mean an older bird.

Does this male look happy to you? He's too busy to smile.

A SURPRISING HONOR

Have you ever been immortalized in artistic script? I was pleasantly surprised when the Cowichan Valley Calligraphy Club requested permission to publicly display its latest project - a quote from my butterfly book. I've included two out of the twenty works of art.

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Bird Poster

My poster is on display at: Victoria - Swan Lake Nature House. (Note: This poster has been produced in a more manageable size and is now available for $20 unlaminated and $32 laminated.)