Hi all

Wednesday, Dec. 22, I managed to work a day light run from Coquitlam to
North Bend BC. We started off in the fog but soon broke into glorious
sunshine at Mission. The most interesting part of the trip was the large
number of Bald Eagles (200+) now on station at Harrison Bay.

As we were going by the bay it was quite a sight to watch eagles, gulls,
ducks and herons all take to wing to to escape from our presence. These
birds were coming up in waves as we traveled along the shoreline for
about 2 miles. One clump of trees we passed had at least 20 birds in it.

The ducks appeared to be mostly Mallards and Common Mergansers and the
gulls (200+ as well) were mostly Glaucous-winged. There were still some
American Coots around as well. The large flock of Trumpeter Swans that
is usually on the bay has not been present very much this winter,
however they are still well represented in scattered flocks throughout
the eastern portion of the Fraser Valley with the best area being
Nicomen Slough.

As we were leaving the rail yard in the morning the flock of Mourning
Doves that hangs out most winters along the tracks flew out of our path.
There was about a dozen birds in the flock and although this is not a
large number (30 being the highest) it is still nice to see them as I
feared that our new Intermodal Yard would displace them. They have moved
about a mile further east (nearer Harris Rd.) to were they have cover.

I hope we can get them on the CBC this year. If the weather stays like
it has until Jan. 3 they should still be around.

Also, just in passing, the first Varied Thrushes of the year made an
appearance in my Holly tree in Maple Ridge. I have seen lots of them
further east. There was just 2 of them keeping company with a pair of
Stellers Jays.

Good birding.

Roger Craik
Maple Ridge BC