After too little sleep, I headed north yet again on Sunday morning with plans to take in the spectacle in Oceanside–the communities of Parksville, Qualicum Beach and area.  In the last couple of weeks, the herring have been spawning, drawing tens, maybe hundreds, of thousands of gulls and seabirds to the area. There were also  a few Brant, but not as many as I remember from Brant Festival big days back at the turn of the century.

Clearly, one of the best parts of doing this big year is getting to go birding with so many others, including some of the most highly skilled birders on the island.  It was a delight to spend the day with Guy and Donna Monty, picking through the birds along the coast.  We started the day at the Little Qualicum Estuary, where the flat water was full of birds.  The second stop we made was at the south end of Surfside, where before we even made it to the beach, Guy had spotted an interesting gull–not among the thousands on the beach, but on the roof of a waterfront home.  Scopes out!  We had good looks at the bird for about 10 minutes, which assisted us by preening so that we could see all of the important characteristics.  Final determination: Glaucous Gull (155)!

Okay, I could go home now.  No–just kidding!  I am in the area until Tuesday morning as this is just the type of setup for something particularly unusual to show up. I’ll be scouring the shores and waters for rarities like an eider or unusual gulls.

Just after the bird flew, Rae Ann and Jeff Newman showed up.  Sometimes the big island can actually be a pretty small island. You can often run into other birders at the popular spots.  We couldn’t relocate the bird before they left to head out to the west coast.  I’m anxiously awaiting reports from Tofino!

Heading to the Qualicum Beach viewing platform, another “suspicious” bird was in view.  Careful scrutiny by Guy gave us a Kumlien’s Iceland Gull (156).

I will add here that if I had been on my own, this bird would have gone unidentified.  I am working on getting better at these tough IDs, but I am definitely not there yet. I am so grateful for the expertise of others!  Maybe the next two days of looking at gulls will bump me up a notch.

Nearby, my first Bonaparte’s Gull (157) of the year.  Yes, I was able to pick that one out myself!

Heading north again, we enjoyed lunch near Qualicum Bay, getting to know each other better before going for more looks at gulls and seabirds.

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We stopped at several other locations during the afternoon, including Deep Bay (where all the gulls were hanging out on Denman Island) and the Chemainus First Nations Campground.  There are so many gulls, scoters, scaup and other ducks around, that you could stay in just one spot for the whole day picking through the flocks.  Birds are constantly coming and going.

 

and just as you make your way through the flock, an eagle will drop in and stir things up.

Could be a very interesting next couple of days!

In the meantime, a report of a Harris’s Sparrow at Buttertubs Marsh is very tempting. A Gray-crowned Rosy Finch at the top of Mt. Benson may be beyond my current capacity, but you never know!  Anyone have a spare helicopter?  😉