The season is changing, and with it come the migrants: birds that bred farther to the north, and so were absent from here all summer. They now reappear as they move through our area to head south for the winter.
Today, I saw two of these migrants: a Northern Shrike and a White-throated Sparrow. I posted a picture of a Northern Shrike as it headed north in April, but this sparrow was new to me.
This Northern Shrike is a juvenile (hatched this year). Shrikes are songbirds that behave as if they were hawks; they use their hooked bill to tear their prey.
This White-throated Sparrow was seen this morning at Kokanee Creek Provincial Park.
Great sighting Alistair and photo. I’m still enjoying your posts, love them, just not commenting as much.
Lorna, as your comment suggests, even at the best of times, each of these birds is somewhere between rare and uncommon locally. So, it was good to see them both on the same walk. And from my point of view, it is sufficient that you enjoy my postings.
thanks for the presentation to the WKNA the other night. It was wonderful, entertaining and educational. Too bad more members were not there to see it but that is their loss.
Len
Len, it is kind of you to say this. I enjoyed giving the presentation, but I must admit that the preparation is an amazingly large amount of work.
I opened this posting only a few minutes ago. (December 4th)
Is there any chance that your presentation was taped, so that it could be posted on the Web?
We’re a large audience out here, but not able to see you in person. What a treat it would be to watch the entire presentation, the way some students now attend long-distance university.
Just hoping —
Denise and friends