Dear Naturalists This week found us lacking in participants but getting better with swans. After last weeks low numbers we found a total of 396 swans so four times better than last week. Five birders took off for the route and it wasn’t long before we knew that this week was going to be different,…
Hi Swansters Once again we were blessed with fine weather, but we were let down by the swans this week. Not sure what has taken place, many of the swans have just up and left, it’s for sure they know something we don’t. With a high count of just 102 Trumpeters today we are down…
Hi Birders This week we were blessed with exceptional weather, six birders packed into senior Derrick’s truck and off we went. There was a little trouble with seat belts with much groping taking place in the rear of the truck. Many geese were seen in and around Somenos and the Cedar Waxwings were once again…
At Somenos Lake Hi Birders What a day for a count, wind, rain, snow, you name it we had it, but in the true style of hardened birdwatchers we persevered and recorded what we could see through the mire. 7 of us took part in two vehicles and we welcome a new counter Cathleen who…
We did the first of the season count last Wednesday and five eager counters piled into old Derrick’s truck for the event, my he’s a wonderful driver, slows for anything that looks like a bird and I do mean anything. Bob and Helen kept the tally, so you can’t blame me for any oversights, while…
Hi Birders The month of May will go down as one of the most miserable months for migrant birds with most arriving more than two weeks later than usual. The Tree Swallows, I think, will be the hardest hit and I’m not sure if their breeding will be at all successful. I observed 64 species…
The Young and Improved Derrick (he now has a bionic knee) has commissioned us to write the account of this week’s Wild Goose Chase and you must admit his is a hard act to follow. Four tried-and-true counters set off with Old Derrick at the wheel. We tallied 58 Canada Geese on Somenos Marsh and…
Hi Birders Once again the weather gods smiled upon us and 5 counters got on their way. It appears that us counters are fast becoming some sort of cult figures with a large following waiting with bated breath for word of what happened each week. There is talk of a book and we are currently…
Hi Birders We were once again blessed with good weather and with seven participants we had to take two vehicles. Sheila took charge of clipboard , we wish her well on her trip to Cuba and hope she keeps tally of all the swans down there. Beside the car park at the doggy doo center…
The Cowichan Bay Herons are back. I saw 13 between 7 & 7.30 this morning (10th March) in the trees between Pavenham Road and Cowichan Bay Road. They flew off heading east. ERIC MARSHALL
Hi Birders Five of us set out on this wet and windy Ash Wednesday, the start of this count had to be the worst weather that we have encountered this season. It was hard to get some of the counters to open their windows let alone get out of the truck, but in the end…
Hi Birders It only happens about one time in seventy five but on this Wednesday morning those weather forcasters got it right. I hadn’t shaved for many days in the hope that we would be blessed with some nice weather and for the most part it wasn’t bad. The day started with Derrick the elder…
Hi Birders It had to happen sooner or later, no silly not the big one, but the rain what finally hit us on Wednesday, not much but enough to keep some of the counters packing a brolly, one of which was open, it is this brolly that I blame for the rain. Well 5 of…
What another wonderful day for the counters with perfect weather and record numbers of birds! Six counters including Eugene who came all the way from Sydney, Australia, I didn’t know that the Aussies had heard of us, but I guess when you’re famous word gets around We once again slid into Derrick’s truck and made…
Once again we were treated to a wondrous summer-like weather, if any of you are planning something outdoors choose a Wednesday. Three of us took off in the capable hands of Peggy, who’s driving had to be seen to be believed, never before have we got round the route in such great time. We were…