The GPS tracking system was deployed today and followed me to several birding stops and just about as many Tim Hortons for refueling.  First birding stop of the day was–you guessed it–Southgate and Quadra for yet another Common Redpoll quest.   I started later this morning, in fact, pretty close to noon.  There were bird at the feeder, but as expected, no redpoll.  In a matter of minutes, though, there was a flock of American Goldfinches and Pine Siskins in the tree overhead, and while my sister dutifully kept an eye on the feeder, I scanned them.  The light was bad, so I asked Esther to please get the scope from the car.  Before she even reached it, I saw the flash I’d been waiting for.  The redpoll was trying to land on the feeder, but was bullied away by the goldfinches!  Finally, after about 12 hours of watching that feeder, I had my tick, albeit not a very satisfying one.  Given the fuss I’ve been making about this bird, I had to at least try for an evidence shot.  Thankfully, the bird did return to the feeder and I managed to snap a few.

Celebrations ensued when who should we spot but Cathy Reader, Warren Lee and their daughters Emma and Rebecca.  Cathy had seen the bird on a prior visit, but the others hadn’t yet.  Esther and I were heading out when they took over the vigil.  They also saw the bird today, as did Rob Gowan.  I’m thinking that this redpoll does not particularly like the rain!

The next birding stop was Panama Flats were a few uncommon birds have been hanging out.  White-throated Sparrows are not as numerous this winter as last, but Jeremy Gatten saw two near Hyacinth Park on Saturday.  People have been setting out grain for the sparrows, and while there were good numbers on the ground, no White-throated while I was looking.  An Orange-crowned Warbler put on the briefest of shows.  We were again joined by Cathy, Rebecca and Emma, and after scanning the sparrows for a while moved farther along the trail.  Rebecca thought she might have seen a White-throated, but we couldn’t relocate it.

Steven Roias alerted me to a Ruddy Duck that had been seen on the flats and as Cathy and her daughters  went along the path, Cathy spotted not one, but a pair of the ducks.  Esther and I were a couple of blocks away, but we high-tailed it back in time to see the male drifting across the pond.

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I didn’t find any target birds at the pier, and we soon headed to our final spot of the day, Island View Beach, in hopes of finding a Brant or two.  By the time that we left the beach, it was starting to get a little darker, but not so dark that I didn’t notice the flyers on the windshields of the cars in the parking lot.  CRD Parks is conducting a review and revising the management plan for the park.  You can read more about it here.  The plan includes setting aside a significant portion of the park for wildlife, and that isn’t sitting well with everyone. The flyers accuse the CRD for saying that there are more species at risk in the park than are actually there, but it incorrectly indicates that several species on the list are strictly marine.  The Friends of Island View Beach are pushing for more active recreational use of the park (including sports fields) and limitation of natural areas.  If you want to have a say  in the future of this park, check out the CRD website, attend one of the public meetings (Jan 29 and Feb 5) and/or write your CRD rep.

By the way, the Reader-Lees eventually DID relocate the White-throated Sparrow.  Patience paid off!