A sunny break between rain showers to see a N. Pintail

I went for a short walk to the mail box and back and decided to look over the edge to the wetland ponds. I wasn't disappointed! A male Northern Pintail (41) was there along with a pair of Mallards. Pintails are a common spring migrant in the Kootenays, perhaps more common in Creston than in this area.

Blue Beauties

A Mountain Bluebird (40) was perched atop the Sumac tree in our backyard just now. They are regular migrants through Shoreacres. The first year we bought our property (2006) and before we built our home, a pair nested in one of our nest boxes and successfully raised a family. Since then, we have had not any nest here. But there have been times when a dozen or so are flying about catching insects. Mountain Bluebirds do nest in the area.

Catching up

Our high-speed modem needed to be replaced so I was unable to connect to the internet for the past week. So, I'll catch up now on some sightings. On March 18th I finally saw my first swallow. A pair of Violet-green Swallows (35) were sitting on some lines in Shoreacres. In the past swallows arrived in Shoreacres at least a week earlier. I thought the good weather we had would have them arriving even earlier rather than later but perhaps the good weather had them dispersed. It seems Shoreacres is a good spot for them in inclement weather.

On March 18th we heard both a Great Horned Owl (36) and a Northern Saw-whet Owl calling. In the past, we either heard one or the other. To date, we have never seen either one of these owls in Shoreacres. The only owl we have seen here was a Northern Pygmy Owl a few winters back.

Finally, more swallows arrived back on March 22nd. Tree Swallows (37) were flying and calling. The resident Blue Jay (38) was heard and seen the same day. In the bay in Slocan pools two pairs of American Wigeons (39) were hanging out with the Canada Geese.

I can tell Elk have been around by their droppings on our road but we rarely see them during the day.

Hot tub birding

Bird number 34 of my big year is a Killdeer. We heard it calling while sitting in the hot tub this evening. I think one year I'll try a big year from the hot tub! It's surprising how many Canada geese fly up and down the river in the dark. The Northern Saw-whet Owl was calling again. I'm still waiting to see my first Tree Swallows. My neighbour's reported a small group almost two weeks ago. Maybe the nice weather is keeping them further south. There certainly are enough small flies around to feed them. Clouds of them seem to be everywhere these days. 

Long-toed Salamander

We were pleasantly surprised to find a Long-toed Salamander in our outdoor basement stairs last night. I was concerned it might be too cold for salamanders but this is a cold weather creature. 

Great Blue Herons

A female Hooded Merganser (32)was in the Slocan Pool this morning. While enjoying the sunshine on our deck two Great Blue Herons (33) flew down into the wetland ponds. Still haven't seen a single swallow here in Shoreacres!

Ducks!

Heading out to do my usual loop to check out Slocan Pools I was delighted to see some Redheads (28). Two males and two females. They are a first to my Shoreacres life list! With the ducks were two pairs of Ring-necked Ducks (29) and a male Barrow's Goldeneye (30). The Bald Eagle was at his usual roost. On returning home I noticed our resident Red-tailed Hawk (31) was back. I only see him regularly spring and fall and he hunts for rodents in the fields below our house. 

Glade Photos

Glade and Swallow Nest Boxes

photo by Larry Prosser taken on another day.

I rode my bike over to Glade this afternoon. It's always fun to take the free ferry. My main reason to visit Glade was to clean out the swallow nest boxes that I monitor there. The weather was perfect but it was also very quiet bird wise. It wasn't until I was cycling towards home and along the river that I spotted a Belted Kingfisher (27). 

Night bird

We often hear owls at night when we are sitting in the hot tub. Tonight was no exception. A Northern Saw-whet Owl (26) was hooting from across the Kootenay River. It was a beautiful evening to be outside with a clear sky.

Gold Island and Bald Eagle nest

The Slocan Pools parking lot is the best place to see into the Bald Eagle nest on Gold Island. Stand to the left of the green garbage bin with your scope and you'll see if an adult is on eggs or if there are young. Unfortunately, the last two years the nest has failed to produce young. The adults are often seen sitting in snags beside the nest.

Woodpecker Condo

This snag is riddled with large holes. It looks like a woodpecker condo. It would be a good place for birds to roost overnight.

I was searching for Pileated Woodpeckers as they are often seen in the woods, but no luck today. I did see some recent rectangular excavations in some trees. 

Other birds seen today include; BAEA, NOFL, STJA, AMCR, CORA, PISI, DOWO, HOFI, SOSP, EUST, COGO, COME, CAGO, MALL.

Slocan Pools Trail

Today I walked to the Slocan Pools following the railroad tracks. By car, Slocan Pools are accessed from Hwy 3A near the Dam Inn pub in South Slocan. It's not a well known trail but well used and easy with little elevation gain.   A 2-3km loop trail goes through the forest with views of the pools on the lower trail. On my walk the first new bird I encountered was a flock of Dark-eyed Juncoes (22) which are often observed near my mailbox. The pools trail didn't disappoint me. The first song I heard was that of a Winter Wren (23) singing his heart out. I was elated when I was able to experience seeing 4 species at close range all at once. First a curious Red-breasted Nuthatch came over after he heard me phishing. Then a second one. Their excited calling brought over a small flock of Golden-crowned Kinglets (24) and Black-capped Chickadees. Soon they were all calling and coming into view checking me out. Finally, I saw a pair of Chestnut-backed Chickadees (25). Yes! 

In a sunny spot on the trail I came across a very active wood ant nest. See photo above.

Paddle on the River

At lunch time I just couldn't resist the sunshine and jumped into my little red kayak to check out the river. Although I didn't see any new species it was incredibly quiet and I lay in the grass soaking up the warmth from the sun. I paddled up into the little bay where the beavers have made themselves a home. 

Just as the day was ending, the sun had just set, I went outside to empty the compost and heard my first Red-winged Blackbird (21) of the year. 

Merlin

Bird species number 20 was a Merlin (20) flying over when I returned from the mailbox. Two summers ago I found a Merlin nest near the Slocan River which fledged a couple of young. The finches were singing and lots of Canada Geese around. They looked like they were sitting on nests on Gold Island. 

Just as the day was ending, the sun had just set, I went outside to empty the compost and heard my first Red-winged Blackbird (21) of the year. 

Quiet Day

While walking to the mailboxes I heard and then saw a Downy Woodpecker (19). I tried again to locate some Golden-crowned Kinglets in with the Black-capped Chickadees but was unsuccessful. 

Day 1 - The Usual Suspects

The first bird of my Shoreacres Big Year was a Northern Flicker. No big surprise as they are daily visitors to the suet feeder. Bird number two were fertilizing the lawn in the back yard - Canada Geese. I was happy to see the third bird, a Northern Shrike, as it is not always seen. It appears to be a winter resident here as the flat fields provide habitat for voles and mice. Number four was an American Crow. They are very common here. In fact, last week I saw one eat a Townsends's Vole which I suspect he stole from the Shrike. Bird number five was European Starling - an abundant bird, especially in the fall. Next I checked Gold Island in the Slocan Pool with my spotting scope and yes, there was the Bald Eagle (6), sitting in a snag near their nest. I had to wait until 11am before I could leave the house. Now the sun was shining warmly and the birds were singing. The first bird I heard was a Song Sparrow (7) and then a House Finch (8). I quick peek down into the wetland ponds turned up more geese and several pairs of Mallards (9). A Black-capped Chickadee (10) was singing in the distance. Ah yes, spring is here. I walked down Davidson Road and checked the feeders at my neighbour's house. More House Finches and some American Goldfinches (11). At the end of Davidson Road you can see all of Gold Island and the Slocan Pool. The eagles (2 Adults and one Immature) were active again swooping over a raft of Common Goldeneye (12) but this time the ducks flew off and the adult eagles alit on the Island and the immature stopped near Shoreacres Road. A pair of Common Mergansers (13) swam by. Continuing along the edge of the pool to Shoreacres Road I heard and then finally located a calling Steller's Jay (14). No sign of the local Blue Jay this time. I continued up McHardy Road to Swan Hill Rd to check a feeder that in the past had Chestnut-backed Chickadees. Not this time. But there was a Red-breasted Nuthatch (15) and more BC Chickadees. Overhead flew a Common Raven (16) and later I heard another one calling. A small bird alit in a shrub. It was a lone Pine Siskin (17). Finally, close to home and inside the Doukhobor Cemetary, were some American Robins (18). I was pretty sure I head a Killdeer but wasn't able to confirm it.