9 September

9 September

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S94420458

weather:  7:30 am 15C, wind calm,  11 am 20C, wind NW2

tide:  9:30  3.7 m,  falling

10 September

eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S94462433

weather:  7:30 am 16C, wind WNW 6,  10:30 am 18 C, wind NNE 7,  cloudy initially, then clearing

tide:  9 am 4.1 C, peak, falling

The season is most certainly changing.  Not only is the weather cooling and becoming rainy,  the foliage looks different, and there are new birds appearing regularly, but also the salmon are starting to appear in the river.  


Yesterday began overcast, with light over the coastal range.  The day cleared gradually.

The foliage around the pond is beginning to show the season,


as it does along the river.


There have been high tides in the morning yesterday and today, and the river was running high, which will no doubt stimulate the salmon run.


The last two mornings have been more birdy than of late.  This morning was particularly pleasing, as a little group of peeps flew into a channel of the Estuary.  I managed to make my way through the grass and mud, and found a Western sandpiper and a Least sandpiper together exploring the mud in the channel.


The size difference isn't all that telling, although the Least is indeed smaller, but the leg colour (and facial markings) distinguish them clearly.  My field guides caution against even the leg colour, saying, "yellow unless muddy."  Westerns do have longer bills as well.



I was pleased with this last photo, but I need someone to tell me what the foliage is.  It was growing in a clump about a foot across in the middle of the channel.  The Western hung about on it for some time...

There have been quite a few turkey vultures circling about lately.  This one roosted by him/herself.  They're not a pretty face, but they're quite spectacular flyers and this one looks quite thoughtful.  I gather they are quite intelligent, despite their taste in food.  



And yes!  The dipper was back today.  I don't know if it's going to take up residence, as it did last year until the water became very high, but I can hope.  They are such interesting little birds;  nondescript plumage but an amazing selection of behaviours and lovely little singers.



It almost looks as though dippers dance, too.

And so, the autumn is most welcome.

PS.

I posted a query about the foliage in the sandpiper photo and am told by a reliable source that it's "brass buttons," or "cortula."   I checked this out on the University of BC's eFauna site, and confirmed the ID.  I don't see a lot of it in the channels, but there it is.




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