Greetings Tweeters,
Yesterday, the 2nd of February, Guy Monty, Lynda Colbeck, Marilynne & I
went on a little tour around the area south of Nanaimo, looking for
ducks. At Hemer Park we saw Pied-billed Grebes, Common and Hooded
Mergangers, Mallards, lot's of Gadwall, American Widgeon, Northern
Shovelers, Song Sparrows, Spotted Towhee's, Ruby-crowned Kinglets,
Red-belled Sapsucker and several Brown Creepers.
We made a quick stop at the ponds at the Crow and Gate Pub, to look for
the Black Ducks, but, no luck. We did see several hybrid, Mallard-Black
Ducks--a really neat looking green and black small duck.
At Blue Heron Park, we spotted Barrow's Goldeneye, Surf Scoter, Pelagic
and Double-crested Cormorants, Horned Grebs, Mew Gulls,
Red-brested Mergansers, Harlequin Ducks, on the ocean.
We moved on to Quenel Lake. There were Coots, Ring-necked Ducks,
Am. Wigeon and Common Mergansers within easy sight. We even heard a
Virginia Rail call. We were able to compare a Fox Sparrow and a Song
Sparrow perching next to each other. Then it was back to the Crow & Gate
for lunch.
The next stop was the Nanaimo River Estuary, where Guy pointed out a
American Crow flying over us. It was noticeably larger than the
Northwestern Crows that we are used to seeing and it's call was a lot
quieter. Imagine a crow being a rare bird! We also spotted several Bald
Eagles, a Rough-legged Hawk, Trumpeter Swans and several Common Ravens.
Good birding
Neil
nmrobins at telus.net
Nanaimo B.C. Canada