Category Archives: birds

Whither spring?

Posted on March 9, 2020 by Alistair

  What are the present intimations of spring? This snow-flecked Red Squirrel should be entering its summer moult about now. The arrival of Dark-eyed Juncos indicates spring is imminent…, as does the arrival of a Belted Kingfisher (with fish), which … Continue reading →

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Flicker fencing

Posted on March 2, 2020 by Alistair

  Two male Northern Flickers were fencing. When seen from a distance, I thought that I was watching a courting couple. But no, both flickers were male. Cornell Lab comments on the flicker: Early in spring and summer, rivals may … Continue reading →

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February goulash

Posted on February 29, 2020 by Alistair

  This is a collection of images from this February, none of which has had a posting of its own. The Rough-legged Hawk is a winter resident that hunts for rodents.  Our smallest falcon, the kestrel, hunts in open habitats. … Continue reading →

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Whinging gander

Posted on February 11, 2020 by Alistair

  The whinging gander was frustrated. He nagged his mate for access, but she was having none of it: “It is not even spring yet, and I am just not in the mood.” “Oh come on, you know you are … Continue reading →

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Swans on ice

Posted on February 9, 2020 by Alistair

  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 →

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Early Red-winged

Posted on February 8, 2020 by Alistair

  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 →

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Palindrome day

Posted on February 2, 2020 by Alistair

  The primary reason for today’s posting is its unusual date: it forms a palindrome. A palindrome is an expression that reads the same forward or backward, and in the manner in which I date my pictures (year month day) … Continue reading →

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Not irruptive

Posted on January 28, 2020 by Alistair

  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 →

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Winter’s hummingbird

Posted on January 25, 2020 by Alistair

  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 →

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Finally, irruptives

Posted on January 22, 2020 by Alistair

  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 →

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