Hi folks,
Todsay I managed to get down to my beloved Rocky Point Bird Observatory
(RPBO) for an off-season survey (and reconn' for upcoming Sooke CBC on Dec.
21). Well, I did "it" (or should I say, RPBO did "it" again?!)... A bird
that I looked long and hard for last winter during their 'invasion' of
southern BC, showed up today as a pleasant surprise! In short, while I was
checking the upper "Teal Ponds" at RPBO, I heard the distinctive call notes
of redpolls overhead. I looked up to see a flock fly over my head down into
the forest at back nets and I raced after them for a look. I soon found 16
(!) Common Redpolls in alders near net-lane #12! Gorgeous little guys well
lit by sunlight (where is your camera in such situations?!). This species
represents the sixth new species this year alone for RPBO checklist and #279
for grand total! Furthermore, the redpolls were #193 for our site year list
(new record!). Interestingly, a single CORE has been frequenting a feeder in
Sooke over last week as well.

Other highlights were two late or wintering Orange-crowned Warbler and a
Hutton's Vireo. Offshore was relatively quiet, except for hundreds of Common
Murre (but it was difficult to accurately estimate their number from shore
as the water was somewhat rough). Finally, on my way out I recorded the neck
collar code (green tag) for an "Aleutian" Canada Goose to the Bird Banding
Lab (http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/).

Good luck all on your respective CBC's! Victoria's is among first, coming up
next Saturday.


David Allinson
President, Rocky Point Bird Observatory
572 Atkins Ave.
Victoria, BC
(250)391-1786

www.islandnet.com/~rpbo
279 species and counting!
Look for a bargraph checklist coming soon!