9, 11 January

9 January

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S100453063

weather: 9 am 4C wind SE 14, 1 pm 7C wind E 11 sunny

tide:  11 am 4.8m, peak tide, falling

11 January

eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S100565681

weather:  9:30 am 5C wind calm,  12:00 m 8C wind SSE 5  cloudy, rain at 11:40

tide:   11 am, 4.4 m rising near peak


Two days separated by heavy rainfall.  The snow has largely cleared.  The tide remains high, but less so than the king tides that evidently caused flooding in a nearby RV resort.  

On the 9th, one of the few recent clear days, the Arrowsmith massif gleamed.  


I don't know where the waterfowl are during these high tides.  A couple of days ago, they were in the flooded fields, but they weren't greatly in evidence today.  

There were siskins, very bright:


and a few purple finch.  This is a female, lacking the male's bright colouration, but still a pretty little bird.


11 January

The paths were open this morning for a change, although the way to the Merganser Pond was wet.  It was only about a foot deep, so I could navigate it in gumboots.  

There were no Hoodies, but mallards and one male bufflehead on the pond.


After days of not seeing Bewick's wrens, there were at least four this morning.  Only one cooperated a bit with a (not great) photo:


There weren't many people around this morning, but three members of the Nature Trust--pleasant folks.  (no photo)

It was still a high tide in the Straits.  The weather was relatively mild, good for coffee and a bird count, although there weren't many birds to count.

There were these nice green winged teal and a mallard:


Leaving the shore, the river was high and swift.  






Although there had been several eagles thoughout the Estuary, the Nest Construction project was unoccupied.  

By the time I headed home, the forecast Atmospheric River had arrived and I expect it's here to stay for a couple of days.  That said, the River will be higher and the Estuary wetter.  I shall monitor the space.





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