My trip to Oregon was short. I left Victoria early Thursday morning and was back on the first ferry on Saturday morning. Thankfully, no one found anything stunning for me to miss while I was away, but my return had less to do with birds and more to do with the birding community–my chosen family.
Last week, we lost an important member of this community, Barry Gatten. Barry and his (then young) son Jeremy were among the first birders I met when I got into the habit. I credit Barry as one of the people who truly demonstrated that birding can be fun–whether or not birds bother to show up. Recently, health issues slowed him down, but he still got out with the binoculars when he could. I was so glad to see him just a few weeks ago, birding with Jeremy at Maber Flats.
The celebration of his life was on Saturday, and I’m very glad that I was able to be there. His sons, Joshua and Jeremy, provided the kind of insight that only sons can, and I think it was an event that Barry would have liked to have attended himself. I am honoured to have known Barry, and his legacy will live on in the birding community through Jeremy and everyone he’s influenced over the years.
Back to business on Saturday night, I headed to Swan Lake to try again for the Green Heron. I think I’ve seen more sunrises and sunsets there this year than I have over all time! Each time is a little different, though, and Saturday included bats!
But no Green Heron. They have been nesting in Courtenay in recent years, so I may have to go there to get one for my list.
The clouds and sunset even brought out the best in the starlings. If a large flock doing its nightly dance is called a murmuration, would this just be a mutter?
Sunday started with an exploration. Although I was well aware of the controvery surrounding the SilverSpray development in East Sooke, I had never actually been there.
En route, a quick roadside stop provided an unusual view of Whiffin Spit. I think if a larger shorebird was on the spit, you might actually be able to scope it from here.
When I made it to the the end of the road, I could sure understand why the developers wanted their hands on this property. What a beautiful spot! The development has proceeded much slower than anticipated, but a few houses are in and the condos are being built.
There will be no solitude here. Cabins and condos will be cheek-to-cheek, but if you have $300K + to drop for a condo, it would be a great place for a seawatch! As with the Goldstream Heights development, if you haven’t had a chance to visit this site, now is the time to do it, before all of the fences, gates and security block the views from mere birding mortals.
The exploration continued as I headed back. Along East Sooke Rd, one homeowner had done some creative tree pruning that has resulted in a surreal hedge.
The biggest surprise was a little park called Seagirt Ponds. In addition to some small ponds that probably attract a good variety of birds, this spot also provides a stunning view across Billings Spit and the Sooke River Estuary.
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Next stop was all the way across town to meet up with Daniel and Leo Donnecke at Island View Beach. As you might expect, there were dog owners allowing and even encouraging their dogs to chase the gulls resting on the sand bars. This is a growing problem at Island View with sides being taken in the development of a new plan for the park. There is still time to weigh in!
One of the most interesting sights was a flock of Brown-headed Cowbirds. A single female was being courted by up to ten anxious males.
The shorebirds were limited to a couple of Spotted Sandpipers, which seem to be pretty abundant around Victoria right now. Most of the others have moved on, and many have already arrived in Alaska.
As we headed back to the parking lot, we crossed paths with three young people, probably just a few years older than the ones I’d interacted with at Esquimalt Lagoon last week. The exchange went like this:
Young woman: Did you get some good pictures?
Me: No, actually this is a spotting scope for looking at birds.
She: Oh, what kind of birds did you see?
Me: Rhinoceros Auklets, cormorants, Spotted Sandpipers…
She: What was the first one? I’ve never heard of those.
Me: Rhinoceros Auklet. Would you like to see one? ( I set up the scope).
While she had a look, Daniel and I talked about the name and the horn that they grow each year, giving them the name.
Young man: Do the females grow the horn, too, or just the male?
Other young woman: Why do they lose it and grow it back again every year?
We answered their questions and they all had a look in the scope.
Young woman: Thanks for letting us have a look and telling us about the birds! Have a nice rest of your day.
Maybe there is hope!
Update on the Esquimalt Lagoon nests: Today, there was a report of a young swallow with adults near the nests that were being destroyed last week. Maybe the destruction was stopped before it was too late, at least for one chick!