Hi All,
If yesterday was a terrific day at this end of the lake; today was
magnificent. Jim Lawrence and I began in Lardeau looking for the Horned
Lark. No luck, but we did get an American Tree Sparrow; 4 Red Crossbills,
each in its own color variation: one was orangish-red, one orange, one
yellow, and one mainly grey. In the bay at Lardeau we saw the 30 odd Horned
Grebes from yesterday, and one Eared Grebe. Two Bald Eagles, 4 Coomon Loons
and a Varied Thrush topped off the highlights for the bay.

Farther north along the Lardeau River, we heard an unusual call. Quickly
parking the car, we hurried toward the noise which at this point sounded
like it might not even be a bird but some metallic piece of equipment. Much
to our joy, out flew a Blue Jay (of the eastern persuasion). We also saw
what we are fairly certain was a female Common Goldeneye (based upon head
shape and wing markings) with an all yellow bill.

Altogether the day netted 26 species and 216 birds. Of course that is
counting the 20 plus American Goldfinches that we can count on at Jim's
place. Their yellow is brightening considerably.

Cheers,
Gail Spitler
Johnsons Landing, BC
gspitler at wkpowerlink.com