Blog of the Plague Year(s)

28 May 2021 eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S89149548 Weather:  7am  8C wind WSW 4, 12 m 14C wind NW 14, cloudy then clearing Tide:  9:30 am 3.1m, falling 29 May 2021 eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S89216195 Weather:  7 am 10C wind WNW 7,  11:30 am 14C wind N9,  changeable, initially sunny, then overcast, then brilliantly clear Tide:  9:30 am  3.5m Although the Estuary was in full summer splendour yesterday, I had begun to think that the season for birding was waning.  Although there were a couple of newly fledged birds--always interesting, for the most part, there really wasn't much to see, birdwise. This morning I wasn't even very keen to head out, but still got up early, and made my way to the Estuary and as has happened before, it was an exceptionally lively day. The changeable weather created    shifts in light. The clouds highlighted the top of the Arrowsmith massif. I've been following the changes i...

24 May  eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S88905555 Weather:  7 am  13 C, wind WNW 3,  10 am 13 C wind E 8, cloudy Tide:  9 am 1.8m, turning  25 May eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S88973033 Weather:  7 am 9C wind calm;  11 am 14 C wind NNW 9, initially cloudy, clearing to sun Tide:  9:30 am 1.6m, falling Two fine mornings out.  I'm gradually increasing my mileage, now sitting on my bench admiring the view and then turning around.  Next to do the full 6km loop. Both mornings started out cloudy. . It cleared on the 25th, and was quite mild and warm. I think this isn't peak bird season, although we now have flycatchers as well as the vocal grosbeaks, and I'm starting to see some really cute newly fledged types about.   I'll hope for photos. I'm not seeing ducks.  I think they're possibly off somewhere else, although the very low tides may be a factor. It was wonderful to be able to sit, drink cof...

20 May  eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S88596180 Weather:  7 am 9C wind W7 21 May eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S88664350 Weather:  7 am 8C wind calm 22 May eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S88743945 Weather:  7 am 9C wind SSE 2 Three mornings--two relatively short walks, and one mid-range. It's really starting to look like summer mornings at their most glorious.  Lush vegetation, tall grasses, wonderful floral scents. Wild roses, and thimbleberries.  (And, alas, broom, which does have a fine spicy scent.) Thimbleberries haven't got much flavour, and they're really seedy, but I'm told they're a good source of vitamin C, and the blossoms are quite lovely, I think. Broom and wild roses do seem to complement one another. There are multitudes of cottontail bunnies--this one is about half grown, and posed nicely for a "cute animal" photo. The highlight of the past two mornings has been the arrival of blackheaded grosbe...

17 May, late afternoon walk along the beach walkway   19 May  short walk to Merganser Pond:   eBird Data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S88533579 Weather:  8:30 8C wind WNW 11 For now, keeping distances short.  The beach walkway is pleasant, although over-crowded for my taste.  That said, there are some nice views of the Straits (now more correctly called the Salish Sea--I should start respecting that title). It was a bit overcast, so the views of the Coast Range are obscured. 19 May Last night I decided that I'd do a short walk this morning along my usual path out to the Estuary, and cut it short at the Merganser Pond.  I'd seen a GP on the 17th and he agreed that walking was a good idea.  I'm still keeping it short for a couple of days, then extending to the owls' territory, then further.   Sure enough, I awoke at first light, but alas, I awoke not just to light but to the sound of rain.  Ok.  I rolled over and went ...

4 May  eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S87111052 Weather:  7 am 9C wind WNW 6  12 m 13C wind NNE 11, cloudy, and showers, then clearing Tide:  10 am 3.2 m, turning 5 May eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S87181931 Weather:  7 am 7C wind calm,  12 m  12 C wind NE 4 overcast Tide:  9:30 am 2.8m turning Two relatively quiet days, both featuring the great horned owl family. Yesterday morning (it's now the evening of May 5) started with more or less dense clouds, but the likelihood of clearing.  I set out, only to find that within ten minutes, the clouds had consolidated into what looked like a serious threat of rain.   I continued,  with my camera's raincoat, a purportedly waterproof pair of binoculars and a reasonably ok rain jacket.  Sure enough it rained, but then it cleared to a gloriously sunny day.   It was still rather soggy when I reached the junction of the trail to the Straits and t...

 eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S86934018 Weather:  7am 6C wind WSW 4, 12m 13C wind NNW 9 Tide:  10 am 3.9m One of my standard responses to the question "Seen anything interesting?" has been, "Sorry, no roseate spoonbills..."  This is snarky, I'm afraid, as the chance of a roseate spoonbill in British Columbia is almost on par with, "Sorry, no ostriches."  I've had one deadly serious woman say, "Oooh, I don't think you'll find one of those HERE!"   This is by way of saying that, nope, nothing staggeringly unusual this morning.  BUT much that was wonderful, and I'd list it as one of my best ever birding mornings. I set out early--more early than I would have expected as I wakened at --oh my goodness!  4 am, and didn't get back to sleep.  At 5 I got up and saw that it was a truly fine morning, organised myself and was out the door around 6.   And yes, it was a fine spring morning. The view across the fields of the G...

30 April   eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S86739304 Weather:  7 am 10C wind WNW 3  12m 13C wind E 12 gust 30  cloudy, clearing Tide 10 am 3.6m falling 1 May eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S86826826 Weather:  7 am 10C wind NW 13,  12m  12C wind NNW 12 sunny with scattered clouds Tide:  10 am  3.9m  falling Two gloriously beautiful days.  Friday morning looked a bit ominous, and the Canada weather office had dire predictions, but after heavy rain in the night, the morning cleared to scattered clouds and bright light.  I've taken to exploring two trails across the forest, which makes the walk a bit longer but which are very beautiful.  Both mornings were highlighted by great horned owls.  On Friday, as I walked through the forest, a man emerged from the woods carrying not one but two tripods, a spotting scope, binoculars, and a camera.  I can't imagine how anyone can manage all that gear,...