Forest birds

I went over to the forested trail that runs along the Slocan Pool and walked the loop. Nashville Warblers (65) and Cassin's Vireo (66) were singing. I also heard a Red-breasted Nuthatch give his nasal 'yank yank yank' call. The quiet tapping of a Downy Woodpecker alerted me to his presence and I finally located him when I stood right beside the tree he was tapping on as I put my ear to hollow trunk and heard his tapping amplified. That was a first! I was hoping for a Hairy Woodpecker but not today. On the upper part of the trail I was once again privy to see and hear two Cooper's Hawks. They were vocalizing with their 'kek-kek-kek' sound. Two years ago, in almost the same spot, I heard the same sound and witnessed two Cooper's Hawks copulating. Other birds I saw was a lovely Varied Thrush and American Robins. The Bald Eagles were at their nest on Gold Island. I was happy to see a Pileated Woodpecker (67) just as I was leaving the trail. Again, I heard an unusual sound but didn't see anything so I waited. Then I saw the Pileated slowly sidle up a tree. He gave his loud call as I bade farewell to the forest.

More Additions

During my morning walk to the mailbox I heard the beautiful musical song of a Ruby-crowned Kinglet (63). They are a frequent species to the Kootenays.  Upon approaching Slocan Pool at the end of Davidson Road I saw a small group of male and female Buffleheads. Among them was a single male Ruddy Duck (64). They were close enough to shore that I could make out his distinctive blue bill. What a beauty! This is only the second time I've seen a Ruddy Duck on the Pool. You can spot them frequently at the Waldie Island Sewage Treatment Ponds in Castlegar. 

To date I had only heard Yellow-rumped Warblers but today I saw one. It was the Audubon form with the yellow throat. Brewer's Blackbirds have invaded my yard. Last year they were nesting in some fir trees down the road. This year I already saw them carrying nesting material to these trees.

Recent Arrival to the Kootenays

Today, while eating breakfast and looking towards the Kootenay River I saw a Double-crested Cormorant (62) flying north. I'm not sure of the exact date, but they have only recently started nesting in the Creston area. They are sometimes spotted in Castlegar sitting on pilings. I have only seen them here a few times in the past 4 years, usually flying upriver. There distinctive shape is hard to confuse with any other bird. The most exciting time I saw a Cormorant here in Shoreacres was when I was doing my Big Day in early June of 2008. It was the end of the day and I had just returned from cycling around Shoreacres to see if I could add any more species. I had already spent a good part of the day looking out over the river and our ponds but I thought I would check one more time. Lo and behold, there sat a DC Cormorant on our dock! This was a first. I quickly phoned our neighbours and they walked over and the Cormorant was still sitting quietly on the dock. 

More new arrivals

I toured Shoreacres by bike this afternoon. At my neighbours bird feeder I saw two male Brown-headed Cowbirds (60) feeding along with the Red-winged Blackbirds. Yellow-rumped Warblers (61) were heard singing in numerous locations. A walk along the Slocan River didn't come up with any new bird species but I did see the following butterflies: Western Spring Azure, Silvery Blue, Cabbage White and Clouded Sulpher.

Cooper's Hawk & Bufflehead

A Cooper's Hawk (58) makes his home in the Shoreacres & Slocan Pool area. I know they nest in the forests as I observed them copulating in the spring of 2008. Then, that fall we observed an immature Cooper's Hawk. We often see them chasing the small birds in our back yard. I was able to witness one time how the White-crowned Sparrows froze into place when they realized they couldn't escape to the safety of a tree. That time, the sparrow was spared.

A large flock of about 60 ducks landed in the Pool this morning. I rode my bike over to the end of Shoreacres Rd for a better look. Most of the ducks were Northern Shoveller's and American Wigeon. There was a small group of Bufflehead (59).

The morning rain showers brought a large number of migrating White-crowned Sparrows and Savannah Sparrows. Also, Robins seemed to be everywhere.

American Kestrel

 Val and Al first reported American Kestrels (57) this morning (also called Sparrowhawk) and I saw one this afternoon not far from their place. They nest somewhere in the vicinity and each fall we are fortunate to see their offspring as they hunt for grasshoppers in the surrounding fields.

I heard an Eurasian Collared Dove cooing. With their pale colouring they blend right into the aspen trees and are hard to find.

Eurasion Collared Doves

The excitement here in Shoreacres continues. What were reported as a pair of Mourning Doves has turned into a pair of Eurasion Collared Doves (55). This is another new bird to the area. I had a quick glimpse today but will hopefuly post photos later that were taken my by neighbours.

The Pelicans were still in the Pool yesterday morning but were gone by the afternoon.

Also, in the Pool today were a pair of Common Loons (56) and more Green-winged Teal were in our pond.

Osprey

Yeah, they are back! My favourite bird the Osprey (54) has returned to Shoreacres. They nest near the gas pipeline crossing where the Slocan River meets the Kootenay River.

Big Excitement on the Pool Tonight!

My neigbhour Valerie phoned at 6:30pm to tell me 2 American White Pelicans (52) were on the Slocan Pool. Larry grabbed the scope and video camera and I admit we drove 1/2km down to the pool. We met Al & Val there and sure enough 2 Pelicans were serenely swimming not far from shore at the end of Davidson Road. Pelicans are fairly common in Creston but I consider them extremely rare here in the West Kootenays. I have never seen them here myself but recall hearing about some flying upriver about 10 years ago. According to Al & Val who have lived here for more than 30 years, they have never seen Pelicans here before. Thank you Al for spotting them and Val for phoning me. (Note: top photo above taken in Texas. Lower photo by Al Dingwall taken on Slocan Pool)

While at the Pool there was a large raft of ducks which I was able to scope out. Yesterday there was only one Northern Shoveller, today there were lots more. And among the Shovellers and American Wigeon I saw one male Green-winged Teal.

The Killdeer was still on her nest this evening. I can see her on the next from the end of Jeffs Road so I don't disturb her.

Ducks

Went out for a walk to the Slocan Pool (after spending some time helping someone rescue their neighbours' escaped horses!). There was a raft of ducks, mostly American Wigeon. But amongst the Wigeon was a lone Northern Shoveller (51) and a pair of Ring-necked Ducks.

Killdeer Nest

I walked down below our property this morning on the look out for sparrows and warblers. I wasn't disappointed when I saw two Savannah Sparrows (50) feeding in the Knapweed and grass on the slope. An adult Bald Eagle was soaring overhead.

In the area I saw the Killdeer earlier this week I looked carefully for a nest, not really expecting to find it. So, I was surprised when I did!

White-crowned Sparrows and Song Sparrows were also about. A Red-tailed Hawk circled overhead and a Northern Shrike made a brief appearance. The chittering of the Tree Swallows are constant as they check out the nest boxes. Glad to have them back.

Feeder Birds

Our property doesn't have a lot of trees on it, therefore we don't get as many birds as our neighbours do. I went walking down to their place and sure enough saw some news birds. About a dozen male and female Brewer's Blackbirds (47) were feeding on the ground under the tree which holds their bird feeder. As well a single White-crowned Sparrow (48) was at the feeder. They also reported a Mourning Dove and Evening Grosbeak in the last week.

On the way home I noticed two female Mountain Bluebirds hawking insects.

Checking out the ponds there was a single female Blue-winged Teal (49) with a pair of Mallards. A trio of very silent Steller's Jays were seen with a Blue Jay. Singing American Robins, House Finches, Song Sparrows and Pine Siskins were also enjoying this fine spring morning. 

Last night we heard a chorus of Pacific Tree Frogs as well as a Great Horned Owl hooting from across the river. The Tree Frogs like to hide in my plant pots. Last fall I brought in my potted herbs and later, as I was sitting & reading I heard a very loud 'ribbid'. A frog was in the large pot that contained parsley!

Drumming Grouse

My friend Sarah and I kayaked over to the Ward Ferry Trail and walked north a few kilometers. It was the afternoon and pretty quiet. We did hear a Ruffed Grouse drumming (46) and heard a Belted Kingfisher as it flew by. A Beaver was swimming in the bay near his lodge. Western Spring Azures and Western Elfins were seen. Common Mergansers & Canada Geese were in the river and Black-capped Chickadees in the forest.  Of course the Tree Swallows were abundant.

Snakes & Hawks

I thought at first the Red-tailed Hawk was carrying a stick and so watched to see where he would fly with it and find their nest. But instead he landed in a tree nearby. The next time he flew off I realized he was carrying a 2-3' snake in his talons. We do have lots of snakes here. That will be one less...

A heard the distinctive call (frip,frip,frip) of a Northern Rough-winged Swallow (45) and saw it fly by. Last year I found a nest burrow in the river bank. The song sparrows and Red-winged Blackbirds were singing. A pair of Killdeer were doing their broken wing display. I wonder if they will try to nest right here. The Tree Swallows are starting to claim their nest boxes. A Northern Flicker was calling. Still lots of Canada Geese fertilizing the lawn. Mallards are hanging out in the ponds.  Robins are busy finding worms in the lawn.

Butterflies & Eagles

Yesterday I spotted my first identifiable butterfly. It was a Western Pine Elfin and it was on our flowering rock cress. A near neighbour has honey bees and they were enjoying the rock cress as well.

The Bald Eagles at Gold Island appear to be nesting again this year. I spotted an adult sitting low on their nest a week ago. The last two years they have not produced any young. Reports from locals in the area is that this nest has been here for over 25 years.

Neigbhours helping out

I went out along the river this morning and then was joined by Al & Val. We heard and saw Killdeer and lots of Tree and Violet-green swallows. At their place, Val noticed a bird with a bit of yellowish colour on its back. A Townsend's Solitaire (44). Thanks Val! The Bald Eagles on Gold Island are sitting low on their nest, hopefully incubating eggs. The past two years the nest has not produced any young. An immature eagle also was seen along the river. The Canada Geese seem to be everywhere and Mallards are in the pon. Al reported hearing and seeing a Meadowlark last week. Lots of birds were singing such as Song Sparrow and House Finch. Also, the Red-winged Blackbirds numbers are getting bigger. 

Bike ride & Spotted Towhee

I went out for a bike ride this afternoon and saw a Spotted Towhee (43) just as he was flying from one conifer to another. Towhees are not seen here very often although they are common in the area. I have only seen one before right here in Shoreacres. 

The Northern Shrike made an appearance yesterday. A pair of Red-tailed Hawks are seen almost every day. 

I'm still waiting to hear/see a Meadowlark. 

Number 42

I went for a short walk after dinner to see what I could see. I didn't see any new birds. But I did hear a Varied Thrush (42) calling from the forest across the river.A Bald Eagle flew low down and grabbed some weedy material that was lying on the ground. Is it nesting material? I haven't checked yet to see if the Bald Eagles are sitting on eggs. The last 2 years they failed to produce any young.
Across the river a group of 3 Elk were at the salt lick. The Northern Shrike is still around and I flushed him from one tree and he flew to another. Two Red-tailed hawks are around now and my neigbhour reported seeing one carrying some sticks to a conifer. He is going to keep an eye on the tree and see if they nest there.