>Hi tweets, this past weekend I was able to visit the small fishing village
>of Tofino BC (where many vagrants show up). I was hoping to catch the
>beginnings of the shorebird migration (which locally peaks late April,
>early May, with thousands of W.Sandpipers and SB dowitchers) and I was not
>disappointed. The following is a brief summary of what was present.
>
>The first arriving Semipalmated Plover was found Apr. 19 The Western
>Sandpiper migration had grown to a flock of 75 Apr. 19 The first Whimbrel
>of the year were quite early with 6 on Apr. 12 (local record early date is
>Apr.9) Dunlin were present 70 or so, my guess is that this is the winter
>flock unless there are some basic-plumaged Dunlin that head north at this
>time (my experience is that this species tends to be later than the other
>shorebirds) Black-bellied Plovers were 12 in number --- uncertain about
>migrants ( only one bird showed significant moult) SANDHILL CRANE a
>solitary individual flew high over the local mountains, a rare bird for
>the outer coast BRANT not a rare bird by any means but they are found in
>exceptional numbers this spring and have been 'staging' in this area which
>is a relatively new phenomenon according to local bird knowledge. I
>estimated 2000 birds and among them was a single ROSS' GOOSE the first for
>the local checklist and this bird has been with the brant around the
>mudflats for 3-4 days. YELLOW-BILLED LOON one basic adult bird has been
>in the various inlets just beyond the harbour and it was present on Apr.
>19 as well.
>
>cheers,
>
>Don Cecile (dcecile at sd70.bc.ca)
>Vice-Principal
>Mount Klitsa Junior Secondary
>5100 Tebo Road
>Port Alberni, BC
>V9Y 6Z5
>tel: (250)723-8195
>fax: (250)723-3583
>
>
cheers,

Don Cecile (dcecile at sd70.bc.ca)
Vice-Principal
Mount Klitsa Junior Secondary
5100 Tebo Road
Port Alberni, BC
V9Y 6Z5
tel: (250)723-8195
fax: (250)723-3583