11-17 September

11 September 

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S149651761 

weather:  data unavailable, cloudy, mild

tide:  data unavailable, low tide

13 September

afternoon excursion to Moorecroft Park

14 September

eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S149883606

weather:  9:30 am 17C wind W9,  12:30 pm 18C wind  NNW 8, clear

tide:  10:30 am 1.3m falling

15 September

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S149954830

weather:  9:00 am 14 C wind calm, 1:00 pm 19C wind NE 7, clear

tide:  10:30 2.4m falling

17 September

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S150142899

weather:  9:00 am 15C wind ESE,  1:00 pm 16C wind E7, cloudy

tide:  10:30 3.3 m, falling

11, 14 September

Two days with minimal bird counts.  I arrived at the Estuary late both mornings, due to an assortment of inconveniences, drove to the parking area and walked the loop widdershins, contrary to my usual route.  Notwithstanding these transgressions, both mornings had interesting events. 

Setting out on the morning of the 11th, there was a great commotion of ravens in the forests.  Sure enough, there was a young barred owl, that they were haranguing.  He/she (I've yet to get the knack of "they.") looked very uneasy, as the ravens perched on branches maybe three feet distant and yelled invective.  "Your mother was a budgie!"  "Your father ate earthworms!" and other dire comments.  


Eventually he/she flew off, pursued by the whole foul-beaked lot, who continued their tirades.  I suspect the ravens were young toughs. 


Sometimes I think it's not easy being an owl, particularly when there are lots of ravens around.

It was a grey morning, with a low tide.


The path along the shore is showing more autumnal change.


14 September

Another day distinguished by the absence of birds, but with a curious discovery.  It was a gloriously sunny morning, fresh and lovely. 


Despite the Arrowsmith Water Service's commitment to release water from its dam (our water supply, mostly) at the beginning of the salmon run, the river remains very low.


By all accounts, the pink salmon run is very big this year, but the salmon are offshore, awaiting conditions favourable for their migration.  I note that the monthly report on the reservoir water level hasn't appeared since June.  Hm...

As a follow-up to our trees course last summer, we are supposed to observe and report monthly on two trees, one conifer, one deciduous.  And then next summer we get together for a picnic and report on what we've seen.  I think it's a rather nifty assignment.  (Note:  this is part of the Elder College, ungraded, and very voluntary, but I gather that in past years the follow-up has been quite successful.)

There is a magnificent big leaf maple in the Estuary forest that I've been following.  I call her Momma Maple--there are many young trees in the area that probably are her offspring.  Today I went to take a look at her, expecting to see seasonal change. 


 Leaves unchanged, but a strange manifestation beside her trunk.  


This stack of woody debris and a chunk of broom wasn't there in August, I'm quite sure.  I had to know, so I shifted it...


Most strange.  A very old woodstove, a patio umbrella, and a hammock?  I know there are homeless folk who camp here from time to time, but how on earth did anyone get that woodstove there?  There's no road, the path is narrow and uneven, and that stove is major heavy.  Life's mysteries.  I shall monitor the situation.

13 September

A brief excursion to Moorecroft Park, to the southeast of Parksville.  I'd visited the place with the Trees courses the summer, and thought it was very lovely, but hadn't got around to visiting again.  

Errands took me south on Wednesday afternoon, left me with some daylight time, so I thought I'd do a little wander in the park.

It has a more interesting shoreline than the area here, with views of islands.



The forest was dry (of course--it just is, these days).  I'd heard that the pond in the park was worth a visit, definitely worked over by beavers.

Unfortunately I didn't have my camera, so the nice family of wood ducks at the end of this pond isn't visible.  



At some point this area was more submerged than it is now, which accounts for the dead trees.  Beavers do have their effects, mostly good, but occasionally destructive.  


In any case it was a lovely walk, and I must go back and see if I can find those wood ducks when I've got my long lens.

15 September    

A quiet day. sunny and mild.  Not particularly birdy, but nice to be out.

The river remains low.  



The fields look increasingly autumnal.


I've never managed quite as clear a shot of a spiderweb as this.  If you enlarge the photo, you'll see meticulous spinning.


17 September

Cloudy and mild.  It threatened rain throughout my walk, but has yet to materialise.  Still quiet, birdwise, although there was this little savannah sparrow, who posed very nicely among the western crabapple leaves.





The falling tide threatened a small school of about a dozen pink salmon with disaster.  It appeared that they were trapped in a channel that would dry up before they could continue their migration.


People who are in the know tell me that there are lots and lots of pinks upstream in the river.  Encouraging news, and a 60% chance of showers forecast for tonight.  We'll hope.  



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