Bald Eagle 1, Barrow's Goldeneye female 0

I just witnessed the local Bald Eagles take a female Barrow's Goldeneye from the Slocan Pool. First, one adult Bald Eagle swooped a group of Goldeneyes and then a second eagle joined in. They spent about 10 minutes swooping over the group until one duck was separated from the rest. They swooped low over her for another 5 minutes and then made two attempts to catch her. The second attempt was successful. The eagle sat in the water, made one attempt to fly off with the duck, failed, and then after about 10 minutes swam to the shore and proceeded to feed on the duck. The second eagle had flown to a nearby snag earlier and called occasionally.  After I left, I noticed another adult Bald Eagle fly and land near the feeding eagle.  My neighbours Al and Val, who have a view of the Slocan Pools from their house, also came down to watch the drama unfold. According to one website I checked an adult eagle needs to eat .5 to 1.5 pounds every day. Sibley's Field Guide states that Goldeneyes weigh 2.1 pounds, therefore, an eagle  needs to catch a duck almost every day and more when feeding nestlings! 

My December 2009 issue of BC Birding (British Columbia Field Ornithologist quarterly magazine) arrived today. After reading the article titled NMT on 'No Motorized Transportation' birding by Guy L. Monty, I decided I would do some 'green' birding of my  own. Since I live on a beautiful spot beside the Kootenay River I don't have to travel far to find birds. Two years ago in early June I did a big day and didn't travel more than 2 km from my home and traveled only by foot, bike or scooter. I surprised myself by seeing almost 60 species in 12 hours.

I plan to count as many species of birds as possible between March 1st, 2010 and February 28th, 2011 within a 10 kilometer radius of my home. This will include Shoreacres proper, Slocan Pool and trail, Glade, Kootenay River, Playmor Junction, Slocan River and the Ward Ferry trail. 

Where is Shoreacres? Halfway between Nelson and Castlegar in the West Kootenays on Hwy 3A near the junction with Hwy 6 to the Slocan Valley. Shoreacres is a flat rural area bounded by forest and the Kootenay River. We are fortunate to have some small wetlands ponds on our and the neighbouring properties.  

My target is to see 150 species in 12 months. The 2003 Checklist of  West Kootenay Birds compiled by Gary S. Davidson indicates 315 species have been recorded in the checklist area.  

Next post will be March 1st with a list of birds seen that day and the count will officially start!