Subject: Valentine Couples Count
Date: Feb 15 20:10:22 2003
From: David Allinson - goshawk at telus.net


Today, my fianc?e Marcy and I again participated in Victoria Natural History
Society's Valentine's Day Bird Count. The count can take place anywhere
within Victoria's checklist boundaries from 0600 to noon, and most couples
focus from Victoria waterfront to North Saanich and Sidney area (coverage
today went as far as Albert Head Lagoon in Metchosin and Lands End near
Swartz Bay). Originally, the count was intended for "true" couples, but over
last couple of years even "romantically-challenged" teams have been welcomed
into the mix!

In short, we managed to squeak out the win with 85 species (last year we
managed 90 species, but weather today was not so cooperative mid-morning
with rain and as a result we missed some "easy" species); second place went
to Rick Schortinghuis and Cheryl Mackie with 84; third place to Bruce
Whittington and Arlene Yaworski at 78 (actually a tie with Alan MacLeod and
Jan Brown, but Bruce and Arlene had more "rare" birds on their list!). Grand
prize was dinner for two at 'Cafe Baja', but other prizes included brunch at
'Canoe Cove' and lunch at 'Monkey Tree Pub' as well as bird books for best
bird of day and best story for "one that got away". Total birds seen by all
teams: 118 species (not bad for only 6 hours of birding!). My congrat's to
all participants and especially event organizer Dannie Carsen. Participation
fees are donated to VNHS's Conservation Fund. I think Dannie has done a
great job keeping the event going for last five years, but I would still
like to see more couples taking part!

Our highlights were: 5 Great Horned Owl (two pairs in different spots and
one juvenile begging); 2 Northern Pygmy-Owl (a pair calling at close
quarters); 1 Barred Owl; 1 Snow Goose; 1 Rusty Blackbird; and 1 Ancient
Murrelet. Other teams found Lesser Yellowlegs (bird of day), Wandering
Tattler, White-throated Sparrow, American Kestrel, Redhead, Western
Screech-Owl, Northern Shrike, and Greater White-fronted Goose.

Next year we plan a more leisurely pace (like stopping for breakfast!)...

David Allinson
Victoria, BC
www.islandnet.com/~rpbo