Hi Tweets,

Janet Hardin wonders:

>Q: How many records are there from this far north? Are there records for
>Vancouver Island - perhaps Tofino?

Well, Janet, for Vancouver BC:

1983
up to 7 Basic-molt birds, Boundary Bay (initially 112th St), Aug 21-24 for
the 1st Canadian record (Birds of BC, Campbell et al).

Earl Godfrey in Birds of Canada, Rev'd Ed., says, "five appeared in the
vicinity of Victoria on 23 August and at least two remained there until 25
September."

But Campbell et al. say "Active Pass (between Mayne & Galiano Is.--M), 1
September-2 with Common Terns; Cadboro Bay, 25 September-2, Clover Point,
Victoria, 2 September-1; Esquimault Lagoon, 23 August-5 and 4 September-2."
Hm, let's make that part a little more readable and sequential:

5 at Esquimault Lagoon*, August 23
2 in Active Pass, September 1
1 at Clover Point*, Victoria, September 2
2 at Esquimault Lagoon*, September 4
2 at Cadboro Bay*, September 25

*in Greater Victoria

1992
2-3 Basic-molt birds, Roberts Bank Jetty and Lighthouse Marine Park in Point
Roberts WA), July 21-24

but none since that I know of. Victoria and S Vancouver Island has had a few
more visits too. Though neither Campbell nor Godfrey mention whether anybody
aged the 1983 birds, I'd guess (based on the molt-state of the 1992 lot,
where I asked people to age them if they felt they could) that they'd be in
pre-Basic Molt this late in the year. Consensus was that their appearance
both times was El Nino-related. There's definitely a sense of breath-holding
here with this new biggest-ever El Nino brewing.

The Roberts Bank birds were in a very large (400+ ad & juv) Caspian Tern
roost at the end of the publicly-accessible part on the N side (there's a
gravel road running along the N side of the jetty), where the birds would
get crowded into a corner as the tide changed from Slack Low. Watch for
getting cut off from your car by *long* coal trains unloading there. At the
end they're under automatic control and advance one car at a time as each
hopper car unloads, so you can outwalk them there. Big help if your car's
parked on the other side of 1.5 km of coal train. Take reasonable care at
this industrial site.

Another place to check may be out at the end of the Iona S Jetty when the
tide's way out. The Caspians and anything else in the area roost on the
sandbars along the N side of the tip. Assuming no harassment by dogs; even
there it's become a freefire zone.

>One additional impression was that
>they were - dare I suggest it? - *quieter* than Caspians.

Dare it? Hell, Janet, the Red Army Choir doing Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture
with real artillery is quieter than Caspian Terns. But I really do love
their hey-buddy whiskey voices, though, as one of the most ebullient and
enthusiastic sounds in nature. Totally charmed by 'em. If ya can't sing
good, sing loud.

>My original hope in going to Oak Bay was to see shorebirds; two killdeer
>were the only representatives. But any day Nature hands me an opportunity
>like this is no day for complaints.

Ain't it great? And even if--well, the esteemed Mr. Thoreau would have had
something to say about the opportunity handed you by two Killdeers...

>So, keep your eyes open, everyone! Michael Price's Angel of Free Gifts
>seems to be making the rounds.

The little demon of Redundancy as well: ever get a gift that wasn't free?
'-) Uh-huh, a tax cut, har-di-har. Well, with this fag-end of tropical
storm Ignacio maybe mixing up the M&M's, the next few days could see some
really interesting changes in pattern. It's been really humid here all day,
and sometimes showery, but aside from an out-of-nowhere gust or two, it's
been remarkably calm. But I can just *see* that frigatebird getting closer
and closer... I hope the Angel spreads the goodies around whether you've all
been naughty or nice.

>(M: Congratulations on the Upland Sandpiper,
>and thanks for sharing!)

You bet, Janet! I'm still grinning!

Michael Price The Sleep of Reason Gives Birth to Monsters
Vancouver BC Canada -Goya
mprice at mindlink.net