Buttertubs on the 17th

Cedar Waxwings, Golden-crowned Sparrows and Trumpeter Swans

Buttertubs Marsh - Robin Anting

This male American Robin was standing on an ant nest busily putting ants on his plumage.

Many passerines treat their plumage with the body fluid from ants (formic acid ) which aids feather maintenance.

 A female Belted Kingfisher rests on a branch over the water waiting for the next meal.

Buttertubs Marsh in the rain

Had a quick walk around the marsh after my woodcarving session and was surprised to see the Barred Owl again. I was  attracted to it's presence by the scolding calls of Chestnut-backed Chickadees.
My list for today:

 

Mallard
Hooded Merganser
Ring-necked Duck
Great Blue Heron
Double-crested Cormorant
Steller's Jay
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Red-winged Blackbird
Bewick's Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
Golden-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow                      

Dark-eyed Junco

House Sparrow

 

In the sun

Our resident male

A young two year old pays a visit. I wonder if it's one of hisJust offshore, resting below the eagle tree.

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.