5 through 11 august


9 August

eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S93003116

weather:  6:30 am 17C wind NW 6, 10:30 am 18C wind NNW11, clearing

tide:  8:30 am 3.3m, falling

11 August

eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S93089211

weather:  6:30 am 20C, wind W 6, 10:30 am 22C wind NNW 19, clear

tide 9  3.8 am, falling


I've been derelict in my blogging of late.  Partly it's been because the hot, dry weather has rendered the Estuary somewhat depressing.  Partly it's because of the slack bird season, which I think may be turning around.  And partly because I took a couple of days to spend with friends in Victoria and, although they live near a spot that is usually birdy--Clover Point--not much was happening.

I was introduced to a new walk in Victoria--Anderson Hill, an easy path, with a stunning view from the top, of the Juan de Fuca Straits, Trial Island (lighthouse is miniscule in this photo) and the Olympic Range.


I returned to Parksville just before a heavy rainfall, welcome, but not yet adequate.  

On the Saturday, the Estuary smelled wonderfully of newly soaked foliage, and the skies were cloudy with the hope (in vain) of more rain.





There are now abundant ripe blackberries and abundant blackberry pickers.  I really must get out and gather enough for a few jars of jam, rather than just snacking on them as I walk.  

The morning tides are quite high lately, and there has been a good breeze (seem to have dropped as I write this).  The Salish Sea looks lively.



An autumn migration of shorebirds looks to be starting.  This past week brought black-bellied plovers, unfortunately too distant for good photos, but discernible.


There have always been a few greater yellowlegs in the marshes, but their numbers have increased and there are now both greater and lesser yellowlegs.  This "greater and lesser" terminology lends itself to debate, but I think this photo clarifies matters, at least for me.  


The bird on the left (greater) has a chunkier bill than the one on the right (lesser).  There are other field markings, but that one seems to be definitive.

Here's another lesser:



Lessers are typically smaller as well, but unless there are two birds side by side for comparison, that can be difficult.  Size can be tricky with birds, anyhow.

The yellowlegs had an "interesting" visitor (not uncommon, but less common than other locals)


The bird in front is a long-billed dowitcher.  Definitely "long-billed" although that, too, is subject to discussion.  

And again, the peregrine put in an appearance--also rather distant, but I like the photo.


We're headed into another hot spell, but the early mornings will continue to delight.  As the days draw in, the early mornings are a bit less early, and there is more time for the land to cool a bit.  I do look forward to autumn and hope for cooler days.  





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