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.