Category Archives: birds

Iron-rich mud

  Swans have white plumage — eh? The Trumpeter Swan near the mouth of Kokanee Creek is still there. Yestermorn, it was close enough to the shore for a detailed view.  A striking feature of our subject is that its … Continue reading

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On the rocks

  On the surface of it, on the rocks, has to be a dumb theme for a posting. On the rocks: The phrase has its origin in coastal ship wrecks. From there it took on the metaphorical meaning of a state … Continue reading

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Swan returns

  A migrating Trumpeter Swan is off the mouth of Kokanee Creek. Others have seen one at the Park for a few weeks, but this is my first sighting, albeit it far out on the Lake. A Mallard couple has … Continue reading

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Irruptive meets invasive

  The Common Redpoll is an irruptive species: an arctic species that may or may not turn up locally in search of food in any particular year. This winter, they are here. They travel in flocks which descend on seeds. … Continue reading

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Hoodie eats

  The Hooded Merganser has been featured of late. First came a posting about hoodie courting, then the bird played a bit part in birds eat. The latter posting showed that, lacking teeth and any way to tear apart prey, … Continue reading

Posted in birds, fish | 4 Comments

Birds eat

  Birds do not chew their food. Indeed, only a few birds (mainly raptors) can even tear their food into smaller chunks before swallowing it. Certainly, a few birds will pick at fruit on a tree and gulls will pick … Continue reading

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Hoodie courting

  It is November and the Hooded Mergansers are courting. This may seem a tad early for such an activity, but hoodies form their pair bonds in the late fall or early winter. First, we need a base-line look for … Continue reading

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Kingfisher behaviour

  I see the Belted Kingfisher perhaps once a week. It is usually just foraging and, after a brief pause, it moves on to a different location to hunt. Yet, over time one builds up a repertoire of kingfisher behaviour. … Continue reading

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Snow Buntings

  One does not get to see Snow Buntings every year. Indeed, when you do see them around the Lake, it is likely to be for a short time in the fall. Even then, they are seen from a distance. … Continue reading

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Pacific Loon

  Following upon the first observation of a Gray-crowned Rosy Finch at Kokanee Creek Provincial Park, I saw a Pacific Loon at the same location. Well, truth in advertising, I only saw it because Paul Prappas alerted me to its … Continue reading

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