Neck Point on the last day of 2014

At -5 degrees, a great sunrise when I did my beach survey this morning.

 American Wigeon

 Harlequin Duck

 American Robin, Double-crested Cormorants and a Pelagic. 

All the best for 2015

Nanaimo River Estuary

I heard of a sighting of a Rough-legged Hawk out at the estuary that was first seen three weeks ago so I jumped in the car in the hope of getting a few shots. There must be enough food around considering it's long stay and one birder said he saw her feeding on a vole. These birds breed way up in northern Canada and migrate south in the winter and are an uncommon occurrence in our area. She cooperated nicely for my camera, a second sighting of a Rough-leg up close for me.

Buttertubs Marsh.

Out at Buttertubs today in light rain and 8 degrees. My walk started at the south parking lot and I headed down the trail along the row of Oak trees. My first sighting was a flock of 100+ Canada Geese on the water along with a few American Wigeon. Further down the trail a nice Great Blue Heron was feeding on the edge with views of Mallard, Ring-necked ducks and Pied-billed Grebe. On the east side trail the Black Hawthorn are still covered in berries which attracted American Robin, Red-winged Blackbirds and the ever present Spotted Towhee's. A Anna's Hummingbird flashed by over my head and Steller's Jays were noisily foraging close by the homes on Bird Sanctuary Drive that back on to the marsh, six European Collared Doves were perched on power lines on the street. A few American Coots were feeding in the water with Wood Duck and a pair of Hooded Merganser's close by. The highlight of my walk was in a Alder beside the south side trail, a Barred Owl. I never carry my camera in the rain but fortunately I didn't have to walk far, back to my vehicle, to grab my camera and get off a few shots of the owl.

 

Two visitor's over coffee

Don't see many Ospreys here but always Turkey Vultures

 Visited the garden yesterday, a juvenile Cooper's Hawk

Piper's Lagoon Sightings

A Lapland Longspur ( my first ) and a Savannah Sparrow.

Buttertubs Tree Swallows

Buttertubs Marsh

Out today under cloudy conditions, just right for birding. I observed the following. Pied-billed Grebe, Wood Duck, Red-winged Blackbird, Marsh Wren, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow Warbler, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Cedar Waxwing, European Collared Dove, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, American Robin, Swainsons Thrush, Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, House Sparrow.

I was very fortunate to be able to capture these shots of a male Downy feeding his young.

Backyard Sightings

Rufous returned at the beginning of April

Images from Buttertubs Marsh

Tree Swallows looking for a suitable home, Canada Geese are incubating and a nice young heron feeding.

Flatfish for Breakfast

I've just filled the hummingbird feeder before having breakfast with the rain beating down in high winds and wondering if I'll have the chance to do some birding today and one of our resident eagles brings in his own meal.

Buttertubs March

Your probably wondering why this guy keeps posting stuff from Buttertubs Marsh so often. Well on Thursday morning I attend the woodcarving session at our local seniors centre and I always drop by Buttertubs Marsh after the session as it is so close. It was a beautiful morning, the sun was warmish and the birds were singing, particularly the Marsh Wrens on breeding territory of which I managed a photo.  Four Great Blue Herons were flying and displaying and I also saw my first of this year Violet-green Swallows and a Yellow-rumped Warbler, not a great photo, the twigs always get in the way. Buffleheads and Ring-necked Ducks were also in evidence on the water.

Neck Point Park

Checking the beaches at Neck Point today. A flock of several Canada Geese making a lot of noise along with both Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead and American Wigeon at Morningside Beach.  Double-crested Cormorants and a dead Harbour Seal pup at Indian Beach and a nice group of Black Turnstones foraging in the rocks. At Sunset Beach a solitary Spotted Sandpiper spends most of it's time here during the winter as it's always present whenever I'm here.

 

Buttertubs Marsh

I was bundled up for a chilly walk around Buttertubs today with most of the water frozen it forced the Ringnecks to feed closer in to the trail. The Song Sparrow didn't look too happy and allowed a closeup shot and the Varied Thrush was taking a drink from the creek.