Hi All
As the low pressure system had blown through, I decided that this morning
was a must for birding. A trip along my usual census route along the top of
Kootenay Lake and adjacent mudflats was also due. Visions on warblers
dripping from trees danced in my head.
The first stop which overlooks the lake itself brought an increased number
of Common Loons (5), California Gulls (200+), Ospreys (3) and one Red-necked
Grebe. These "fishers" mass for the spawning of the kokanee.
The next few stops didn't have warblers quite dripping, but I did see a
Yellow and Nashville Warblers, Cassin's Vireo, Lincoln's Sparrow (2).
Heartening but not overwhelming.
The last stop and the last chance for dripping birds. First I saw a
Townsend's Warbler at the top of a birch. Nice bird, always nice to see...
but there are more birds in this tree. In the birch and the shrubs
immediately below were Gray Catbird, Willow Flycatcher, Townsend's Warbler,
Yellow-rumped Warblers (6), Common Yellowthroat, Cassin's Vireo, Warbling
Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Dark-eyed Junco, and Savannah Sparrow. Ten species in
one tree and it's undergrowth. To top it off, a Northern Harrier then
cruised by in the fields just beyond the tree.

I guess there is something to this birding after the low pressure system
goes past. :-))

Happy birding
Gail Spitler
Johnsons Landing, BC
spitler at wkpowerlink.com