16, 18 july

 16 July

eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S115196721

weather:  8 am 15C wind SSW 4, 12m 17C wind WNW 10

Tide:  10:30 am 3.0m

18 July

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S115332804

weather:  8 am 15C wind  SSW 4, 12 m 17C wind NW 6 Sunny

tide:  9:30 am 3.8m, falling 

July tends to be a slow month for birds in these parts.  That said, the Estuary remains a fine place for a good walk, even though it's still been unseasonably chilly and wet.  The past few days have been more like summer, and it appears we've got some real summer weather ahead.



Although it's not particularly birdy, there are some nice fledgelings hopping about.


This quite newly-fledged junco was feeding on grass seeds.  He's recognisable by his white outer tail feathers. 

Here's a young spotted towhee.


Again, although it's not apparent in this photo, the tailfeathers were a give-away.  They had the classic white patches  on the outside corners of the tail.

Some of the Estuary trails are closed as work is done to restore riverbank, and enhance the environment for salmon migration.  I found myself looking at a new (to me) high-density housing project for chestnut-backed chickadees.  



If you can enlarge these photos, you'll see a couple of little birds to-ing and fro-ing.

I'm a bit concerned at the behaviour of this lovely little fawn.  He seems utterly unafraid of me, and has run toward me on three occasions when he's spotted me. 



He's really adorable, but I'm trying to discourage him from approaching humans, explaining that we eat deer.  Here's hoping he can stay out of trouble.


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