Hi All
This spring continues to amaze me. First, almost any rarity that I have seen
here [Johnsons Landing, BC] at the north end of Kootenay Lake seems to have
shown up this year. For example, today we had a Black-chinned Hummingbird;
previously seen in 1996 and 1998. A Lewis's Woodpecker was seen twice this
year; previous record was 1995. We saw American Pipits flocks three
different times; previously seen once in 1995. The Trumpeter Swan seen
yesterday was previously seen in 1997. I also had a completely new sighting
for me for this area about ten days ago:Forster's Tern.
The population numbers also seem quite good. Last year's Rufous and Calliope
Hummingbirds were down from the previous year, but seem about right this
year. Lots of Hammond's Flycatchers and a good number of Western Tanagers
showing up. We even have a dozen Pine Siskins, compared to the 1 or 2 seen
over the winter.
Happy Birding
Gail Spitler
Johnsons Landing, BC
spitler at wkpowerlink.com