Subject: [Tweeters] Large Pacific Loon flock
Date: Wed May 22 20:45:35 PDT 2019
From: Ed Swan - edswan2 at comcast.net




Today right at low tide at our place on the Georgia Straits by Pt. Whitehorn there was a flock of more than 500 Pacific Lions. They were feeding so actively, doing mostly very shallow dives, that this number is likely an undercount.
Almost all were in bright breeding plumage. I found them because so many were making a sort of squawking call that I came to bluff line from the street on the landward side of the house thinking that perhaps a late flock of migrating geese was going by though it didn't sound right.
So far 55 species for the day from the water or landward side of the house, if I keep watching and listening it seems like anything might come by.
Other highlights:A towhee nest with three new hatched young. There's no doubt where the food goes.
A peregrine powering by.
A Red-tail perched on a branch over the beach feeding on a snake. Had to feel a bit sorry for the snake: one minute warming itself on the edge of bluff on beautiful morning, the next flying through the air being crunched by claws.
House Wrens singing and fussing from two territories.
Bright orioles, Black-headed Grosbeaks and Yellow Warblers flashing around and singing 
My first Swainson's Thrushes of the year singing and two catching bugs on the beach at the base of the bluff.
Good birding,Ed


Ed SwanNature writer and guidewww.theswancompany.comedswan2 at comcast.net206.949.3545


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