SIGNS OF SPRING

Feb. 28/14 - February may seem early for signs of spring, but the biological clock for various species follow their own individual calendars. For some, spring comes during the frigid days of winter. Great Horned Owls and Anna's Hummingbirds feel the irrepressible imperative to reproduce as early as January. In the Victoria region Anna's Hummingbird chicks are born as early as late January while the Great Horned Owls are busy incubating their precious eggs. For the regal Bald Eagles mating usually takes place in March, but mated pairs seem to be spending much more quality time together. Meanwhile, the northward odyssey for many species is underway. The first Barn and tree Sparrows were reported in early February, and Black Brant populations have increased significantly by the end of the month. The Brant can often be seen foraging along the tide line on local beaches. I was actually able to photograph some Brant without getting out of my car at the north end of Qualicum Beach on Feb. 25. Two of the Brant sported black leg bands, and according to the USGS they were banded in 2004 or earlier on Nelson Island in the Yukon. The Brant are honored locally with the BRANT FESTIVAL which provides numerous programs not just to celebrate the geese but also to highlight concurrent environmental happenings like the herring spawn.

One of the preludes to the herring spawn is the disappearance of local duck populations. The ducks don't go very far, but wherever they are, the herring will be close by. One of the greatest natural spectacles locally is the massive flocks of tens of thousands ducks after as they feast on the bounty of loose herring eggs. The rafts of ducks are often augmented by thousands of gulls, Brant, seals, and sea lions Pacific Herring schooling for their annual spring spawn even more of an extravaganza. But, please don't take my word for it. Book your ticket to the Parksville region now and see for yourself.

An interesting phenomena is the unusual appearance of large schools of White-sided Dolphins in local waters with Killer Whales in hot pursuit. If the dolphins are interested in the large schools of herring, that could take a sizeable bite out of the biomass. In the past two weeks there have been a couple of close to shore incidents of the killer whales attacking the dolphin school. The first was in Departure Bay

WHERE IS THE QUEENFISHER?

I stopped by French Creek at least 4 or 5 times in the last two weeks, but the Queenfisher wasn't around. (The Queenfisher is Wayne's sobriquet for the female Kingfisher.) My assumption was that she has been proccupied with breeding preparations like cleaning out her old burrow or building a new one. However, she might just be a little wary of the local paparazzi.

OYSTERCATCHER SPRING

There are no overt signs that the Blackoystercatchers are preparing for spring, but their endocrine systems are preparing for the reproductive season. They breed locally so only need to head for their nesting site on some gravelly beach or rocky islet just above the high tide line. In the meantime, they just have eat well and stay healthy.

SCOTER SPRING

Unlike the Black Oystercatchers, the Black Scoters have to prepare for a lengthy migratory journey to Arctic Alaska. For much of the winter they subsist on clams and other shellfish, but their DNA tells them that energy-rich herring roe will soon be available. As a result, many of the local flocks have joined the local flocks of gulls, loons, and alcids that are tracking the herring schools.

MERGANSER SPRING

Like the Black Oystercatcher the Common Merganser is a local breeder. It is one of our largest ducks, and surprisingly, it is a cavity nester. However, snags with large cavities are increasingly more difficult to find. That means ground level nests are probably becoming more common much to the peril of the mergansers because of more susceptibility to predators. Mr. Merganser below just got the call from his significant other that she is ready.

MOCKINGBIRD SPRING

It could be a lonely spring for the Northern Mockingbird that has been residing in Qualicum Beach for most of February. Finding a mate on Vancouver Island is more difficult than winning the lottery. The best possibility might be an American Robin ...

GLAUCOUS SPRING

The gull on the right is an immature Glaucous Gull, a visitor from the north. Just like clockwork every spring several show up for the herring spawn. Being immature I don't think mating is on its mind.

EURASIAN SPRING

The male Eurasian Wigeon will start thinking about its long migratory flight back to Siberia after it fattens up on the herring spawn. Although researchers speculate that it may breed on North America I have yet to see any reports of that nature. The presence of hybrid wigeons indicate that it can be quite happy with a mixed marriage to an American Wigeon so the imperative to fly to another continent isn't necessary.

EIDER SPRING

Despite its endowment of Eider down the King Eider does occasionally yearn for a warm spring vacation. If you look carefully among the Black Scoters, you will see a white-chested duck. I was in the middle of a downpour when I took this photo. I'm surprised that the duck is even remotely visible. Location? Qualicum Beach.

LONG-TAILED SPRING

Like the scoters the Long-tailed will soon be thinking of it's migratory journey north. However, there's still the herring spawn bash when it joins the massive flocks of other fowl to party around the clock getting high on herring eggs. Is that possible? Considering that the eggs are often seen fermenting on the beach ...

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER SPRING

The Black-bellied Plovers and Dunlin aren't showing any signs of breeding plumage yet, but it won't be long. Both have long migratory flights booked for the Arctic although a few non-breeding Black-Bellied Plovers stay behind for the summer.

RED-TAILED SPRING

Mid to late February is migration time for the Red-tailed and many other raptors as they return from the south. A few do breed on Vancouver Island but most continue north. Many are often seen perched on trees, snags, fence posts, or signs as you drive the Island Highway between Parksville and Campbell River

BALD EAGLE SPRING

Every snag along the VI shoreline seem to be hosting a pair of resident Bald Eagles in February. Their mating schedule is later as you go further north. Typically, around the mid island mating takes place in late February or early March. Incubation takes about 7 weeks and daycare in the nest about 12 weeks.

SNOWGOOSE SPRING

Snow Geese usually stay together in large flocks on lower mainland farm fields as they fatten up for their spring migration. However, there are always a few outliers that make it over to VI. The timing seems perfect for a pair that showed up at French Creek on February 26. They could be in for a caviar treat.

140206duncan-050.jpg snowgoose.jpg

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2013 SHORTFALL ...

My plans for 2013 were to photograph as many butterflies as possible from the Vancouver Island list and then produce and publish VANCOUVER ISLAND BUTTERFLIES. Unfortunately, I only managed to find 50 out of the 69 species, and not all of them were suitably photographed. Consequently, I have decided to delay the publication until the fall of 2014. That has also worked out well for James Miskelly who was very busy with other commitments. James is still onboard as my co-editor and will provide as much updated information as possible. My apologies to all those who were waiting anxiously for the book launch, but theoretically, with more time we should be able to produce a higher quality publication.

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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.)


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PUBLICATIONS




BOOKS AVAILABLE AT


PARKSVILLE & QUALICUM - MULBERRYBUSH BOOKSTORES

NANAIMO - SAVE-ON FOODS (COUNTRY CLUB), CHAPTERS, NANAIMO MAP & CHARTS

PORT ALBERNI - CLOCKTOWER GALLERY

COURTENAY - GRAHAM'S JEWELLERS

SIDNEY - VICTORIAN BIRD HOUSE, TANNER'S BOOKSTORE

COMOX - BLUE HERON BOOKS

BOWSER - LIGHTHOUSE GIFTS

DEEP BAY - SHIP & SHORE

SAANICH - WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED

VICTORIA - BOLEN BOOKS, MUNRO'S, CROWN PUBLICATIONS, IVY'S

CAMPBELL RIVER - SAVE-ON FOODS, COHO BOOKS, CAMPBELL RIVER MUSEUM

DUNCAN - VOLUME 1 BOOKSTORE

LADYSMITH - SALAMANDER BOOKS

NANOOSE - SCHOONER COVE MARINA

LAKE COWICHAN - GALLOPING MOON GALLERY

TOFINO - BOTANICAL GARDENS

QUADRA ISLAND - BOOK BONANZA


LANGFORD - WILD BIRD CENTER

SOOKE - READING ROOM BOOKSTORE

SOOKE - MUSEUM

Port Hardy - MUSEUM



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