Hi Birders The weather played a big part in the count this year, with atrocious conditions, no snow, rain, wind or cold temperatures. Birders were seen coming into the roundup with smiles on their faces, something we are not used to on the Duncan count. No whining or complaining was heard, just jokes and laughter….
Hi Naturalists This past Wednesdays count was attended by 6 counters so we all squirmed into one vehicle which did help with keeping everyone warm, not that we needed it with a balmy 10c outside. My day started with a nice cuddle in the carpark, I knew then that this was going to be a…
Hi All Seven eager counters turned up on this lovely sunny day and things couldn’t be better, two cars left the dog park and it was not long before we were counting Geese on the school playing fields on Beverly, another group of geese caused a bit of a discussion at the golf driving range…
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…