Subject: Birding at track speed and for Diann.
Date: Jun 29 14:59:58 1999
From: Roger Craik - rcraik at home.com


Hi All

I went to work at 11:00 PM last night and had a rather uneventful trip
to North Bend BC. The only bird seen was a Killdeer that we flushed from
the ballast alongside the rails. They appear to still be nesting as this
has happened on several occasions recently.

We arrived at NB about 3:30 AM and it was on the way to the bunkhouse,
for a nap, that things got interesting. Very loud and varied song was
coming from the brush alongside the road that we walk along to get to
the bunkhouse. The singer was definitely a mocker and it took some time,
in the person, to locate the Gray Catbird that was just singing it's
heart out.

The recognizable songs in it's repertoire included American Robin,
Red-eyed Vireo and a spine tingling Bald Eagle.

About 250 ft further along the road was a second one that included an
amazing Willow FC in it's collection.

These birds are also noteworthy in that this is the first time that I
have found them in this area.

Earlier on there was also a pair of Common Goldeneye that nested in the
beaver pond that is below the tracks at the west end of the rail yard.
It has been a different year.

For Diann. At least 4 Turkey Vultures were at the debris trap this
morning as we went by in a cab, around 10:30.

Roger Craik
Maple Ridge BC
east of Vancouver

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