No, I didn’t. It’s been a busy couple of weeks helping get everything ready for the beginning of the migration monitoring season at Rocky Point and Pedder Bay. We start on July 21, but before the nets get opened, a lot of work needs to be done, from preparing the gear to physically clearing the sites and setting up the nets. It takes a suprising amount of effort on the part of behind the scenes volunteers to make everything appear easy!
This seems like an appropriate time to remind everyone of one of the objectives of my big year. If you are so inclined, you can support Rocky Point Bird Observatory directly by making a donation on the website, pledging an amount based on my big year results, or becoming a member or volunteer. We’ve been monitoring bird populations on Vancouver Island since 1994 with thousands of hours of volunteer effort each year. All support is greatly appreciated!
Despite all of the preparation, I have managed to get out birding most days. The shorebirds have started to come back with the adults passing through the area in the last couple of weeks. WItty’s Lagoon and Saanichton Spit have been the local hotspots. The birds have been mostly Western and Least Sandpipers, but a Pacific Golden-Plover and Ruddy Turnstone turned up on Saanichton Spit on the same day. Elaine Preston found the Golden-plover and got a message to the bird walk group at Outerbridge Park just as we were finishing our walk. Great timing as several birders were able to enjoy seeing this bird. Jody Wells, Cathy Reader, and Daniel Donnecke have been very helpful in keeping track of shorebirds in the area in case an oddity shows up. Daniel spotted the Ruddy Turnstone amongst a flock of gulls at Saanichton Spit.
Common Nighthawks have been viewed through out the region, including nesting birds in appropriate settings. They are known to nest in open fields, flat rooftops, rocky outcrops and wood-strewn beaches. The spectacles, though, have largely occurred over parking lots where good numbers of nighthawks gather near dusk to take advantage of insect blooms. I don’t really understand why there’s such an attraction to parking lots, but it may be the heat generated by the expanse of asphalt may be attractive to the insects. Michael Simmons told me he has seen this kind of activity around urban areas where the birds nested on flat roofs. I don’t know if that is the story behind Victoria’s nighthawks, but might be worth checking out.
I already had the nighthawk for my year list, but I was particularly happy to see one or two in Island View Beach Park on several nights in the last week. These were particularly significant sightings in that they confirm what birders in the area already know–that nighthawks use the park. Island View Beach Park is the subject of a new parks plan, and it’s important that species of concern are documented in order to ensure their protection in the park going forward.
I’ve chased a few birds of note including a probable Northern Parula at Swan Lake heard by Chris Saunders. I thought I might have had a glimpse, but it was too small a part of the bird and for too short a period for me to confidently identify it, so sadly, it does not get added to the list. I headed to Nanaimo after a report of an American Redstart, but could find no sign of the bird.
David Allinson had a possible Least Flycatcher in Metchosin, and although I checked the area, I couldn’t get there until several hours after the sighting, so missed out on that one as well.
So lots of hours spent birding, but no new birds for the list. I have managed to take a few photos, though. A pelagic trip out of Tofino was in the works for next week, but too few people signed up, so it has been cancelled. I’m heading there anyway, and may try to find a way to add a bird or two to the list. Fingers crossed!
I’ve taken quite a few photos over the last couple of weeks. Not all of them are birds! I hope you enjoy these.
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