27 December

 eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S78083437

Weather:  8am 2C wind SSE 4, 1pm 6C. wind ESE 8, rain

Tide:  10:30 3.5meters, rising


Even for these parts, it was an unusually dark and still morning.  There was a threat of rain, that didn't materialise until the last kilometre of my walk.  Even the berry vines usually teeming with sparrows and finches, were relatively quiet, although two big flocks of siskins settled in alder trees beside the path.






The ravens made their presence known, with two of them having a very complicated dialogue, including their marimba imitations, assorted croaks and barks.  


 One also put on an exhibition of stunt flying with barrel rolls and dives.  I doubt that they're good characters, but they are certainly imaginative.

The coast had an assortment of ducks, although I'm not sure where the wigeons were hiding.  The usual Sunday assortment of birders and dog walkers weren't in evidence, either, apart from one couple I'd never seen before with incredibly expensive gear.  They didn't really spend much time looking over the Estuary--


There were a pair of oystercatchers, too distant to photograph, and four Brant geese, out of season, but possibly surveying for the spring migration.


Across the Straits, the clouds cleared and the sun highlighted the Coast range.


I admired the view and counted ducks and enjoyed my coffee.  The rain seemed more imminent, so I moved on along the river.


A disturbing thing:  there seemed to be patches of foam (suds?) all along the river.  I think I'll need to find out if there's been a grey-water spill somewhere upstream.  It can't be good for any of the inhabitants, and it's ugly.

By the time I got to the dipper's usual home, it was raining rather heavily.  He was present, apparently unbothered by the rain, busily wading in and out of the river, but I didn't want to take my camera out of its rain sleeve. 

I sloshed my way home to breakfast.  It's supposed to be sunny and colder tomorrow.  


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