29, 30 January

29 January

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S80091037

Weather:  11 am 6C wind 22 SE  3pm 6C, wind SE 13

Tide:  12:30 3.5m, turning


30 January

eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S80147683

Weather:  9 am 6C, wind SE 16, gust 27;  1pm 6C, wind SE 20, occasional sprinkle

29 January

A late beginning after an annoying morning sorting out the propane supply for my heating system.  I now have a new tank, with fuel, and a heater that works.  This is a nice thing to come home to after some hours on the Estuary.

I packed a lunch, for a change, instead of my usual coffee and granola bar, and stashed it in my backpack along with the obligatory garbage bag to sit on (I really don't like a wet derriere.), and my camera's raincoat.  It hasn't been real wet just lately so I wore hiking boots instead of my gumboots.  That was fine--they're much warmer than the gumboots and kept my feet adequately dry.


Then on my way.  The path past the merganser pond is now a path again instead of a small lake, albeit a boggy path.  It was remarkably birdy for mid-day, including a ruby-crowned kinglet, a pileated woodpecker, and a downy woodpecker.



None of them yielded good photos, but the downy is more or less on track.

There were 12 eagles soaring about, and vocalising loudly--I'd not seen that many eagles for some time.  10 were adults, and 2 in juvenile plumage.

The snow level has descended again.

There are reports of short-eared owls in the fields, but although I've been scoping for them I've yet to see them.  I know that they're the only North American owl that isn't nocturnal, but I think they're crepuscular.  I should start looking for them in late afternoon.




It was about mid-tide at the shore, and there were abundant gulls, being terrorised by the eagles.  



The duck counting bench is a good place to eat lunch, I find.  I feasted on an excellent cheddar and pickle bun, an apple, and tea, and was very content.

The river is down to normal levels.  The eagles weren't on their nests--I suspect they were part of the gathering that I watched over the Straits.


30 January

A very dark and uninviting morning, with rain forecast, and rather windy.  Notwithstanding, I headed out.  It was quiet, apart from gusts of wind, and less birdy than I can ever recall.  

Usually of a Saturday morning, there are families walking but they must have been deterred by the forecast.  A couple of "regulars" were out, walking their dogs.

The Straits looked wild, possibly stirred up by the night's wind.  


There was a good assortment of ducks, but quite far out to photograph.

Returning, there was a big flock of robins--we'll hope they're harbingers of spring.


...this is just a sample.

Forecast for tomorrow is pretty much the same as today.  It poured rain once I got home this afternoon.  We'll see what tomorrow brings.



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