Category Archives: birds

  A family of five Trumpeter Swans stopped by yesterday for a snooze.  So, where do swans sleep? I have seen them sleep while they floated in the Lake. Apparently they will also sleep on land, but doing so is … Continue reading →

  I went looking for visiting winter birds, but discovered early spring arrivals: a couple of Red-winged Blackbirds. At first, I couldn’t spot the blackbirds in the brush, but their distinctive bubbly song told me that they had to be … Continue reading →

  For years, I have been wrong (and have been misleading readers) when I have said that the Pine Grosbeak is a locally irruptive species.  An irruptive bird is one that breeds in the north, but, occasionally irrupts in large … Continue reading →

  A recent article in The Tyee described the Anna’s Hummingbird (Vancouver’s new official bird) as “a sex-crazed, smart, supercharged recent arrival.” Whatever its other characteristics, Anna’s Hummingbird is indeed a recent arrival to southwestern BC, and it has chosen … Continue reading →

  A few days ago, I failed to find the Pine Grosbeaks seen by others, but have now seen Bohemian Waxwings. Both of these species are irruptive: They are birds that occasionally visit when they irrupt from their normal feeding … Continue reading →

  Mallards are generalist foragers and will eat a wide variety of food. They don’t dive, but dabble to feed, tipping forward in the water to eat seeds and aquatic vegetation.     Cornell’s All about birds  Anatidae (ducks, geese, … Continue reading →

  In Nelson, these events start with the ornamental fruit trees. These fruit trees seem to have been planted purposely in yards and along berms. Among their delicacies are crabapples, elderberries, and rowan berries (mountain ash). However, when snow covers … Continue reading →

  Rock Pigeons live in cities where they typically eat seeds. Pigeons inhabit cities because the buildings in cities mimic the pigeon’s original habitat of cliffs. So some pigeons began to adapt to urban habitats and found that cities also … Continue reading →

  The varied water birds seen at Nelson’s winter waterfront continue to impress. This season I have shown swans, coots, goldeneyes and scaups. Here are three more species recorded today. Mr. and Mrs. Hooded Merganser swim past. This is one of a … Continue reading →