Swan & Goose Count, 18 December, 2013

This week we were reduced to just 5 counters and so we squeezed into one vehicle which was admirably handled by Kurlene although the participants in the back seat were doing a lot of groping, it appears that the seat-belts were trying to get into the wrong receptacles.

This week saw a new high for this season of Trumpeter Swans with just over 300 found, which were spread out over most of the area that we cover, but sadly once again immatures were in low numbers. Canada Geese numbers went down again, but no other goose species were encountered.

If we compare numbers from the previous couple of years the numbers of Trumpeter Swans have gone up from last year, but go back three years and we have dropped down a lot. Canada Goose numbers over the previous three years were somewhat consistant, but are at an all time low this year, not sure what’s going on with them. Looking back it appears that once we get into the new year, numbers of swans start to grow, more than likely due to birds moving further down the island as the weather deteriorates or food sources dry up.
This year we have yet to find any neck banded birds, we were hoping for a couple that we have recorded before would grace our valley once more.
Here are the comparable numbers for week six from the four years of the count

2013/14 Trumpeter Swan # 318 Canada Goose # 747
2012/13   “”    “”    “”    “”      # 237    “”    “”     “”     # 1774
2011/12    “”    “”    “”    “”     # 396    “”    “”      “”     # 1322
2010/11    “”    “”    “”    “”    # 502    “”    “”      “”    # 1400

Eagle numbers dropped down a bit from last weeks great showing but were still well represented around the valley, many of which were up and flying, so we could have missed many as we navigated around all the Christmas shoppers.

As we left Somenos Lake and headed up Drinkwater Road a Road Runner lay prone on the side, it appeared to be of the sub species nikensis. It is strange how many of this species you see on the side of the road and on very rare occasions you will see a pair, one wonders where they all come from. I have also recorded adididasensis,conversis in the Cowichan Valley checklist area. If you are fortunate to find a pair please retrieve them as people at the nature house are in dire need of them.

At A&W during our little break, eagles were soaring all over the place, I guess the thermals were just right for a fly about.
Also down off Sahilton Road good numbers were flying. Guess they got fed up with sitting around in the trees and chatting.
I was glad to hear that one of the Somenos Marsh members high on coffee from the garage lounge staggered across the road, looked up and was amazed at how many eagles he could see, dots before the eyes he said. Glad I’m a tea drinker.

Anyways more about the count, we continued on our route and chalked up the numbers adding a few here and a few there.
I should add that once again we were blessed with incredible weather that is six weeks in a row now, although the breeze coming off Cowichan Bay made a couple hide in the vehicle after a few minutes.

As we proceeded along Hillbank Road a little yellow job flew across the road, I screamed stop and lept out the car hoping that we would find some wonderful species for our count, alas it was just a Ruby-crowned Kinglet that had been lit up by the bright sunlight, oh well maybe next time.

A wonderful pale Red-tailed Hawk sat on a fence post on the side of Telegraph Road; a beauty of a bird, well could have been a more easterly sub-species.

Cowichan Bay came through with a few Mute Swans and a score of Trumpeters. A nice Northern Harrier cruised past to give us nice close views.

So that was it, another great day in the valley and many thanks to Dorothy’s meticulous number keeping and to Eric, Deb and Kurlene for their company, may you all have a wonderful holiday. We will be taking a break for a while and be back on January 8th

All the best
Derrick