Category Archives: birds

Tree swallow nest

Posted on April 23, 2011 by Alistair

Have they chosen names for the chicks yet?

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Bird walk

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Alistair

This unconscionably long posting presents the results of a full day of watching species around the Lake. Yesterday, the Kaslo and Area Birders held a bird walk at the north end of the Lake. They graciously allowed others to join … Continue reading →

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Loons

Posted on April 17, 2011 by Alistair

There is something atavistic about loons. Is it their stark plumage? Their haunting calls? Their wilderness preference? Perhaps it is all of these. The loons below were seen in the early morning, yesterday and today, as they patrolled parallel to … Continue reading →

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Osprey mating

Posted on April 16, 2011 by Alistair

  In the spring a young man’s osprey’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love. Alfred Lord Tennison, 1835 He glances over at his inamorata. He visits. They separate. They rest.

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Trial nest

Posted on April 15, 2011 by Alistair

The Kootenay Lake website offers a discussion and many pictures of local ospreys. Ospreys are back at the Lake. If they have been here previously, they will usually reclaim an earlier nest. If the bird is a first–time breeder or … Continue reading →

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Hoodie couple

Posted on April 14, 2011 by Alistair

The male Hooded Merganser in breeding plumage is one of the most comely ducks in the neighbourhood. Yet, it is not seen all that often. The Kootenay Lake website offers other pictures of local mergansers on the page about diving … Continue reading →

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Sleepy swans

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Alistair

Migration is hard work. The Tundra Swans that visit Kootenay Lake have travelled only about 800 kilometres of a 2,800 kilometre journey to the tundra of the Canadian Arctic where they will breed. Feeding and rest stops along the way are … Continue reading →

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Swans, hawk

Posted on April 4, 2011 by Alistair

  Swans have been seen at the two ends of the Main Lake for some weeks now. But, prior to this morning, I had seen none along the West Arm. In April, I normally watch for swans at Robert’s Bay … Continue reading →

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No (April) fooling

Posted on April 1, 2011 by Alistair

A foray on April 1st, revealed flowers: crocuses, of course. Although the plant is from Europe, it has gone native. It is found in the wild here but it is not considered to be invasive. The pollen–laden anthers did seem to … Continue reading →

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Merlin with band

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Alistair

Today I saw my first Merlin of 2011. It was hunting at a place I have seen Merlins other years.  (I thought I had found one earlier in the month, but that bird turned out to be a Sharp-shinned Hawk). Beyond … Continue reading →

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