22, 23, 25 January

22 January 

eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S101226213

weather:  9 am  5C wind WSW 3,   1 pm 5C wind NW3, cloudy

tide:  11 am 4.4m falling

23 January

eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S101302641

weather:  9 am 1C wind SSW 3,   12 m 3C wind ESE 3  foggy

tide:  10:30 4.6m falling

25 January

https://ebird.org/checklist/S101438341

weather:  9 am 1C, wind SSE 6,  1 pm 2C wind SE 4, foggy

tide:  10:30 am 4.7m, peak, falling

Despite an optimistic forecast last week, the past four days have been pervasively cold and grey.  There hasn't been rain, but the fog has been penetrating and dismal.  Locals comment that this is unusual, which I'd like to believe.  Let us hope this isn't the "new normal."





That said, it's been quite birdy, especially today--the 25th.  

In the mornings, the tides have been high.  Not king tides, but full tides, and a good population of ducks, especially wigeons, have been along the shore.


There are now a number of Eurasian wigeons--handsome birds.


This morning something happened that I found to be exceptionally beautiful.  When I walked up to the shore, I could see a large white bird at the water's edge--distant, but clear enough.  It was a trumpeter swan--not really unusual here on the Island, but I'd never before seen any offshore.  


 The morning was quite still, and the Salish Sea was as calm as a mirror.  The combination of the regal bird and the Sea was somehow magical.


The swan is just visible at the far right edge of the photo above.  I sat, drinking my coffee and enjoying the moment, watching as it dabbled among the weeds.  It's unusual to see just one swan--I wondered how it had made its way to this shore.  Lost in the fog?  Seems improbable.

Then, as I watched, I heard a second swan calling from the north.  So did the first bird, who called in return.  

The second swan flew in, as the two birds called to one another.


The second bird circled and landed near the first.


They sat, feeding, and seemingly communicating, and then appeared to settle for a nap.




...I'm now told, after my drive up to Comox last week, that there is a sizeable flock of swans in the fields near here, in Errington.  I'll take a drive up an see if I can find them, but this morning's encounter seems somehow special.




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