14-16 July

14 July 

eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S91747430

weather:  6 am 13C wind calm, 11 am 20 C wind N6, clear

tide:  8:30 am 3.9 m


15 July

eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S91791285

weather:  6 am 14C wind WSW 5, 10:30 am 19C wind NNE 10, clear

tide:  8:30 am 3.6m, turning from full

16 July

eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S91837962

weather:  6:30 am 15C wind S3,  11 am 18C wind E 18, cloudy

tide:  9 am 3.2m

Three days of cooler weather, and some "interesting" birds.  

Since the path into the Estuary was cleared, the quail population seems much more evident.  I've seen mixed flocks of 20, juveniles and adult males and females.  

The males are, as is usually true of birds, the most photogenic:


...I'm hoping to get a shot of the flock in all its rather goofy activity, but haven't managed yet.

For the first time in some weeks, I've found goldfinches along the path.


They seem drawn to the seed clusters on birch trees.  

As I stood, watching the goldfinch and other songbirds, they scattered from the slough that runs into the Estuary.  Here's the culprit:


He came sloshing along, seemingly hunting something.  I wonder if there are crayfish or any other racoon delicacies in the water.  In any case, he's doing the classic, "I wasn't doing nothing, and besides, it was my brother's fault," innocent look that young racoons do so very well.  Cute? Yes, but dubious characters.

15 July

There is a chance of rain forecast for the 16th.  Today there is a clear sky with clouds forming to the southeast.


The fields are full of wild carrot or Queen Anne's lace, whichever one chooses to call it.


I like this shot of a kingfisher for its composition and colouring.  Unfortunately when I arrived home, I found that my lens was quite dusty, which I gather made the photo less clear than I could have wished.



Memo to self:  check your lens is clear before setting out in the morning, and after you walk the first kilometre of the path, which tends to be dusty these days.  

16 April

A cloudy day, that hasn't fulfilled its promise of rain.  Definitely an interesting day birdwise--not a lot of species, but some I don't see every day and an unusual manifestation along the river.

I've caught what I thought were fleeting glimpses of western tanagers several recent mornings, and thought I was hearing their song.  Today they were clearly present.  


This is an immature bird, lacking the spectacular colour of an adult male.  There were two of these and two females--I wonder if this is a brood that has hatched here.  Possible, I gather.

After I finished my breakfast out at the point, I looked back to a snag that often has eagles on it.  No eagle, but a peregrine falcon.  Not hugely rare, but always pleasing to spot one (unless you're a vole or other prey).  


It certainly looked as though we could get rain.


The fields and bushes of the Estuary are becoming alarmingly dry.  It almost looks like an early autumn, but I'm afraid it's actually drought stress.


I didn't manage any photos, but there were seven killdeer flying along the shore of the river, and two greater yellowlegs.  I've not seen them along the river before now.  Unfortunately, they were obscured by foliage and I couldn't manage photos.  Still, I add it to the tally of an interesting day.









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