ISSN 1206-1611 BCFO.Ca Volume 27 Number 1 / March 2017

Newsmagazine of the British Columbia Field Ornithologists ISSN 1206-1611 BCFO.ca Volume 27 Number 1 / March 2017

Spring is nearly upon us, and the Snow Geese know it. Photo by Bob Steventon at the Reifel Sanctuary. . BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1)

Publisher BC Birding is published four times a year by the British Columbia Field Ornithologists, PO Box 45111, Dunbar, BCFO Officers & Vancouver BC V6S 2M8. A subscription to this quarterly is a benefit of membership in the society. Members will also receive a copy of the Directors annual journal, British Columbia Birds. Officers President: Mike McGrenere, Victoria, 250-658-8624, [email protected] About the BCFO Vice President: Larry Cowan, Pitt Meadows, 604-465-1402, Membership in BCFO is open to anyone interested in the [email protected] study and enjoyment of wild birds in British Columbia. Secretary: Marian Porter, Salt Spring Island, 250-653-2043, BCFO objectives include: fostering cooperation between [email protected] amateur and professional ornithologists, promoting cooper- Treasurer: Mike Fung, Vancouver, 604-266-0238, ative bird surveys and research projects, and supporting [email protected] conservation organizations in their efforts to preserve birds and their habitats. Other Directors Jude Grass, Surrey, 604-538-8774, [email protected] Clive Keen, Prince George, 250-963-9520, Membership clive_keen@ hotmail.com See the website (http://bcfo.ca) for details, or write to the Adrian Leather, Quesnel, 250-249-5561, q-birds@xplornet. BCFO address given above under “Publisher.” com Art Martell, 250-334-2979, Courtenay, [email protected] Annual Membership Dues Monica Nugent, New Westminster, 604-220-8816, General Membership (Canada): $30 [email protected] Junior Membership (Canada): $20 U.S. and International Membership: $35 Ex Officio Immediate Past President: George Clulow, Burnaby, 604-438 -7639, [email protected] Newsmagazine Submissions BCFO Committees & Representatives To submit material to this publication, contact the Editor by AGM Planning Committee: TBA email ([email protected]) or by mail at 10790 Archivist: Les Gyug Grassland Road, Prince George, BC V2K 5E8. British Columbia Birds (Journal) Editor: Art Martell Submissions may include articles about birding experi- BC Birding Editor: Clive Keen; Associate Editor: Virginia ences, casual observations about bird behaviour, site guides, Rasch photographs, and other topics of broad interest to birders, BC Bird Records Committee Chair: Nathan Hentze preferably, but not necessarily, in British Columbia. Dead- BCFO two-day trips: Adrian Leather lines are: Canadian International Joint Venture: Wayne Weber Cannings Award Committee: Wayne Weber  March edition: February 15 Featured Photographer Committee: Carlo Giovanella  June edition: May 15 IOC Vancouver 2018: George Clulow Librarian: Andy Buhler  September edition: August 15 Membership Committee: Larry Cowan  December edition: November 15 Website: George Clulow, Neil Dawe Young Birder Awards Committee: Carlo Giovanella Young Birders Program: Melissa Hafting Advertising Rates Full page: $125 per issue or $112.50 each for 4 or more issues Half page: $75 per issue or $67.50 each for 4 or more issues Quarter page: $40 per issue or $36 each for 4 or more issues

BCFO members are welcome to include classified ads, of up to 25 words, at no cost.

Photo right: A leucistic Bald Eagle photographed by Janice Melendez. See also page 28.

Page 2 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1)

Contents

Notes and Notices President’s Message ...... 4 Welcome New Members ...... 4 BCFO Notes ...... 5 Tumbler Ridge Conference and AGM: Registration Form ...... 7 Conference Speakers ...... 7 Schedule of Events ...... 8 Registration Information ...... 8 Accommodation Information ...... 9 Post-conference Extension Trip ...... 9 BCFO Two-day Trips: Parksville: March 11–12 ...... 10 Quesnel Area: June 7–8 ...... 10 Important Dates Upcoming Meetings & Events ...... 11 A National Bird for Canada ...... 25 Young Birders Program Tumbler Ridge Young Birder Awards ...... 13 Conference & AGM Mentoring Young Birders ...... 15 2017 CBCs of Note Multiple Haida Gwaii CBCs ...... 18 Red-breasted Sapsuckers on the Sunshine Coast CBC ...... 20 Registration Overseas Trip Reports April 2 Birding in Ecuador ...... 21 Registration opens for Conference Into the Kalahari ...... 22 & AGM, and post-conference trip. Avian Encounters Imperturbable Pygmy-Owl ...... 26 Event Dates The Cat & the Coot ...... 27 Leucistic Bald Eagle ...... 28 June 7 – 8 Breakfast of Champions ...... 28 Pre-conference Quesnel area two- Rare Bird Alerts ...... 29 day trip (see page 10) Special Reports June 9 – 11 Watson Slough No More? ...... 31 Tumbler Ridge Conference & AGM The March of the Eurasian Collared-Dove ...... 32 June 11 – 14 Mugaha Marsh Bird Banding Station, 2016 ...... 33 Post-conference Peace area Exten- Kootenay Bank Swallow Survey ...... 34 sion Trip (see page 9) Bewick’s and House Wrens: Diverging Fortunes ...... 36

Media Review Beaks, Bones and Bird Songs, by Roger J. Lederer...... 39 Closing Deadlines Briefings 1. Update on Epidemic Birds...... 10 May 27 2. Not a Bird in Sight...... 12 Registration for the Pre-conference 3. Shorebirds Are Tanking ...... 24 Quesnel area two-day trip. 4. Desperate Birds ...... 25 May 31 5. Nest Duties ...... 30 Registration for Tumbler Ridge con- 6. Decoding Birdsong ...... 36 ference and AGM Regular Columns Gone Pishing: Cooper’s & Sharp-shinned ...... 37 The Reflective Birder: A Conundrum Worth Exploring ...... 40 Listers’ Corner Introduction and Tables ...... 41

Page 3 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) along with the resident birds, if you Tumbler Ridge trip will be in August choose to go on the Flatbed/Wolverine and will be quite different than our June President’s field trip. This is the area where dino- event. Although some of the field trips saur footprints were first discovered in will be to the same locations, in June 2000. If there is sufficient interest, we will be observing birds in their Message members of the Museum Foundation breeding season when they are singing are prepared to lead a dusk trip to the on territory. The August IOC trip will During the heavy snowfalls experienced Wolverine River trackway to observe be at the start of migration when the in early February in the Victoria area, it the footprints using low-angled lanterns birds will be making their contact and was interesting to look at the bird tracks which highlight the footprints. flight calls. left in the snow around our bird feeders. Complete information on the Tum- Both Larry Cowan and Mike Fung We have a lot of Dark-eyed Juncos, bler Ridge Conference & AGM is will be stepping off the BCFO board at both White-crowned and Golden- available in this issue on pages 3, 7, 8 the AGM after having served as board crowned Sparrows as well as Song and and 9 and on the BCFO website. members for six consecutive years, the Fox Sparrows that feed on the seed that We are offering field trips both be- maximum allowed under our bylaws. falls on the ground. These tracks are fore and after the Tumbler Ridge con- This will open up two vacancies on the only apparent with the fresh snow. ference: pre-conference field trips will board, and we will be looking to fill As part of the 2017 Conference/ take place in the Quesnel area as part of these vacancies from the membership, AGM in Tumbler Ridge in June, you the BCFO’s Two-Day Field Trip pro- which was just under 300 members at will have the opportunity to observe gram. For those wishing to continue the end of 2016. If you would like to bird and dinosaur tracks left behind 100 birding after the conference, we are become a board member to assist with million years ago. The Friday evening again offering two extension trips, but the operation of the society, please con- social will be held at the Dinosaur Dis- this year they will be simultaneous trips tact any board member to indicate your covery Gallery where participants will going to similar areas in the Peace re- interest or to enquire about what might be able to observe the many artifacts gion. The sign-up date for the trips is be involved. housed in the Gallery as well as a full- provided in this issue on page 3, and scale re-creation of a dinosaur track you are encouraged to sign up early to Mike McGrenere, President environment. Palaeontologists from the avoid missing out on these wonderful Palaeontology Research Centre will be birding opportunities. in attendance to take conference at- Tumbler Ridge will be a destination tendees “backstage” to the collections again in 2018. George Clulow is ar- Below: It is good to see another area. ranging field trips within BC for the healthy flock of new BCFO members– You will also have the opportunity 2018 International Ornithological Con- see page 5 for details of total member- to view dinosaur tracks in the field, gress to be held in Vancouver. The ship at the end of 2016. CNK photo.

Page 4 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) ers) and six institutional members. thological Society to become the Amer- Notes There were thirty-five new members in ican Ornithological Society. 2016 with twenty-nine not renewing from 2015. Membership by region: The Birdiest Places in BC  Vancouver, Coast & Mountains: in Winter 41%  Vancouver Island: 26% For those birders thinking of moving Donations, 2016  Thompson, Okanagan: 14% house, the Christmas Bird Count gives  Northern BC: 5% a remarkably good indication of the In 2016, BCFO received nineteen chari- birdiest BC winter locations. This  Kootenay, Rockies: 6% table donations totalling $6,840.89. year’s tally of best sites, extracted from Your Board of Directors wishes to  Cariboo, Chilcotin, Coast: 4% reports on the BCFO website, is as fol- thank heartily all the donors for their Plus small numbers from the U.S., Al- lows. Note that some numbers include thoughtful contributions. Many are re- berta, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia count week, others do not, and some peat donors over the years. In order of and Finland. numbers are based on preliminary re- the date of receipt, they are: ports, so this is not an “official” table.

 Gwynneth Wilson (two donations) IO Congress 2018 Victoria 139 species  Maria Mascher Ladner 135  Marian Coope Planning for this major international Vancouver 121  Paul Tennant (two donations) event (“the world’s biggest birding Nanaimo 117  Lyn de Vaal (non member) gig,” according to one of our members) Duncan 112  Mrs. Atzema (non member) continues apace. At the time of writing, Parksville 112  Stephen Partington information was available on the IO Comox 108  Fred Bushell Congress website for three tours spon- Oliver 105 sored and led by BCFO. Details of a  David Schutz Pender Island 103 mid-congress tour, North Shore Moun- Kelowna 98  Paul Chytyk tains (August 24, 2018) can be found Chilliwack 97  Nancy Krueger at: Penticton 96  Neil Bourne Sunshine Coast 90  Kathy Ellwood www.iocongress2018.com/ Vaseaux Lake 90 congress-tours  Carol Ann Botel  Dorothy Copp Northern areas, of course, reported sub- Two longer tours, Tumbler Ridge Birds stantially lower numbers. It is interest-  Fred Simpson and Dinosaurs, and Birding the Cas- ing, though, that northerly Skidegate  Ana Simeon cades Tour are described at: Inlet counted 72 species – much higher Stephen Partington’s donation was a www.iocongress2018.com/ than inland locations at that latitude. most generous $5,000. pre-post-tours See page 18 for detailed reports on the The two non-member donors made Haida Gwaii CBCs. These tours are likely to take place their donations in memory of a spouse/ . August 27–30, 2018. friend who was interested in birding. Below: A Cuban Tody, photographed Some of the donations were made on by Jerry McFetridge in our bcfo.ca blog through CanadaHelps, November 2016. which issues an official receipt on our Bird Record Committee behalf. All donations now go into a special The results of Round 14 of The BCFO Education and Conservation account Bird Record Committee have been that supports research and other grants, posted on the website. They include our Awards programs and the Young confirmation of the first Canadian rec- Birders program. ord of an Oriental Greenfinch. Details of BRC decisions are published in the BCFO journal British Columbia Birds.

Membership Report Membership Coordinator Larry Cowan AOU No More reports that, as of December 31, 2016, BCFO had a total of 304 members. This We’ll have to remember in future to consisted of 273 regular members, four refer to the AOS, not the AOU. Last honorary members, fifteen Young Bird- December the American Ornithologists’ er Award winner members, six compli- Union merged with the Cooper Orni- mentary memberships (AGM trip lead- Page 5 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) Vancouver Bird Week 2017 The fifth Vancouver Bird Week takes place this year May 6–13, with the theme Birds at the Shore. Bird Week is a week-long series of events to celebrate Vancouver’s birds and will include bird-related work- shops, walks, talks, exhibitions and lec- tures across Vancouver, all free. On the event’s website, Chair Rob Butler writes: “Vancouver is fortunate to be on the doorstep of Canada’s premier birding hotspot and the abundance of birds was cause to celebrate. Bird Week is our way of helping everyone become more aware of birds around the city.” He issues a challenge to members Above: “What is this?” was the reaction of Wendy Coomber when she saw and to spot 150 species in Vancouver – a photographed this bird at her feeder at Cache Creek in February 2017. Harris’s suitable goal for Canada’s 150th birth- Sparrows would be a shock at anyone’s feeder. day. During Bird Week there will also be a vote to name the Vancouver Bird – a  Neglected Nuthatch Hemispingus, which even beats Sneth- species to be adopted permanently as  Zitting Cisticola lage’s Tody Tyrant for over-the-top symbolic of the city. This is part of the flamboyance. Can you beat it? Send in City’s Bird Strategy, which “will work  Little Spiderhunter your own suggestions, or just your fa- to create conditions for native birds to He wonders: does the Adjutant get only vourites, to the editor. thrive in Vancouver.” the most menial tasks? Does the Bab- You can read more about Bird Week bler spew nonsense because its throat is at www.vancouverbirdweek.ca . swollen? Does the Nuthatch get less than its due? Does the Cisticola have a Robert Wayne Nelson complexion problem? Does the Spi- Long-time BCFO member, falconer and BC Bird of the Year derhunter seek out the smallest spi- raptor aficionado Dr Wayne Nelson ders? passed away on February 15. An obitu- Kevin Neill’s BC Bird of the Y ear con- However, great though the above ary can be found at: test yielded a clear winner for 2016: the may be, the leader in the Wackiest Bird Siberian Accentor, which received 41% Names Category has to be an entry by www.burgarfuneralhome.com/fh/ of the votes. The only serious competi- Andy Buhler. On page 21 of this publi- obituaries/obituary.cfm? tor was the Lucy’s Warbler, at 24%. All cation he refers to the Superciliaried o_id=4115232&fh_id=11434 other entries were far behind. The pal- try number of votes for Red-flanked Bluetail, White-cheeked Starling, Red- wing and Purple Sandpiper show that Regional Reporters Still Wanted there is a very thin line between Most Desired Bird and Dirt Bird. But then, BC Birding remains in need of regional reporters. Significant events the Editor’s Le Conte’s Sparrow didn’t even receive a mention, honourable or throughout the province are being missed too regularly. otherwise. People administering a listserv, or who regularly contribute to a local listserv, would be in an ideal position to become regional reporters. The task could be as simple as forwarding interesting posts, photographs, etc., to the Editor, or alternatively a section of the news Favourite & Wacky Bird magazine could be devoted to a more complete coverage of local Names news summarized by the regional reporter. Carlo Giovanella sent in some favourite The magazine would also benefit from additional regular “feature” names from the species encountered on contributors. The options are many: equipment reviews, website re- a tour of Vietnam and Cambodia: views, media reviews, and cartoons, to mention just a few possibili-

 Bengal Florican ties.  Hair-crested Drongo If you can assist with the further development of this newsmaga-  Lesser Adjutant zine, contact the Editor at [email protected] or the Associate  Puff-throated Babbler Editor at virginiainbc@ gmail.com.

Page 6 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1)

BCFO 27th ANNUAL CONFERENCE, June 9 – 11, 2017, Tumbler Ridge, BC Registration Form Name(s): ......

Address: ......

......

Phone: ...... Email: ...... …….

Conference Registration: Attendance is limited to BCFO members and accompanying spouses/family members. Non-members may join BCFO at the same time as they register for the Conference.*

Full conference fee includes: Friday night Meet & Greet, Saturday & Sunday breakfasts, lunches and Saturday evening Ban- quet plus all field trips and talks. _____@ $170 /person = $______

Social events ONLY (Meet & Greet, and Banquet) _____ @ $75 /person = $______

*Membership fee for non-members ` `_____@ $30.00 – single/family = $______(see BCFO website for membership details)

Total registration fee(s) for the Conference = $______

Will you be attending the Friday evening reception: Yes . . . . . No . . . . .

Do you have any dietary requirements: Yes . . . . Requirement ...... Waiver All registrants for the conference and extension trip are required to complete the WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS form. Forms will be made available at the AGM at the time of registering for the field trips.

Participation in the AGM is not possible without payment of applicable fee(s) by the registration date.

All fees are payable upon submission of this registration form. Please make cheque or money order payable to BC Field Or- nithologists. If registering by mail, send your registration and payment to BC Field Ornithologists, P.O. Box 45111, Dunbar, Vancouver, B.C. V6S 2M8

Please submit AGM registrations by May 31, 2017 Conference Speakers

Lisa Buckley is the Curator & Col- using the tracks and traces of modern on the history of the northern Rockies, lections Manager of the Peace Region shorebirds and wading birds to get as and one on dinosaurs for kids. He has Palaeontology Research Centre, a much information as possible about been an active explorer in the Wolver- grassroots research facility dedicated to fossil bird species and behaviour. ine Nordic and Mountain Society, help- the protection and education of British Lisa is active on social media, with ing to design, build and maintain 100 Columbia’s fossil vertebrate heritage, a Twitter account (@Lisavipes) and a km of hiking trails. His palaeontologi- and is a vocal advocate for responsible blog called “Strange Woman Standing cal interests, expressed through the management of fossil heritage. High- in Mud, Looking at Birds” at http:// Tumbler Ridge Museum Foundation, lights of this work include research on birdsinmud.blogspot.ca . have led to numerous fossil discoveries dinosaur tracks and traces of the Six and scientific articles. He was instru- Peaks Dinosaur Track Site, British Co- mental in the successful proposal that lumbia’s first dinosaur bonebed, and Charles Helm was a family physician led to the creation of the Tumbler Ridge the world’s first tyrannosaur trackways. in Tumbler Ridge from 1992-2017. He UNESCO Global Geopark (one of 120 Lisa’s research focus is the track immigrated to Canada from South Afri- in the world and one of two in North record of Early Cretaceous shorebirds ca in 1986. He is the author of five America). He has been an avid birder and wading birds. Part of this work is books on the Tumbler Ridge area, two since childhood. Page 7 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1)

BCFO 27th ANNUAL CONFERENCE, June 9 – 11, 2017, Tumbler Ridge, BC Schedule of Events Registration and Social: 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm, Friday, June 9, Dinosaur Discovery Gallery, 255 Murray Drive, Tumbler Ridge (north of the Trend Mountain Hotel off MacKenzie Way).

 Pick up your conference package, socialize with fellow birders (appetizers & cash bar) and confirm your trip selections.  View the palaeontology exhibits and enjoy the fossil avian tracks that have been discovered in the region. You will also have the opportunity to be escorted by palaeontologists through the usually inaccessible collections of the Peace Region Palaeontology Research Centre.  A quiz on Peace Region bird songs, hosted by Mark Phinney, will round out the evening.

Saturday & Sunday, June 10 & 11: Events will be at the Trend Mountain Hotel and Conference Centre, 375 Southgate Street.

Breakfast: 5:15 to 5:45 am, prior to field trips (both days).

Conference Field Trips: 6:00 am departures both days from the parking lot of the Trend Mountain Hotel

Trip 1 - Brassey Creek Road. Leader: Mark Phinney Trip 2 - Mt. Spieker. Leader: Nigel Matthews Trip 3 - Bullmoose Marshes / Gwillim Lake Provincial Park. Leader: TBA Trip 4 - Flatbed Creek and Wolverine River dinosaur tracks/Quality Falls. Leader: TBA Trip 5 - Shipyard-Titanic trail via sewage ponds (to be confirmed). Leader: TBA Trip 6 - Kinuseo Falls and Irene Lake (to be confirmed). Leader: TBA Trip 7 - Wolverine River dinosaur tracks (dusk trip). Leader: Tumbler Ridge Museum Foundation

Lunch: 12:00 to 1:00 pm (both days)

Afternoon Keynote: 1:00 to 2:00 pm, Saturday; Lisa Buckley, “Tracking Birds Through the Ages: Studying the Early Cretaceous Bird Tracks of Western Canada.”

Annual General Meeting: 2:00 to 3:15 pm, Saturday.

Social Hour Cash Bar: 5:00 to 6:30 pm, Saturday.

Banquet: 6:30 to 7:30 pm, Saturday.

Banquet Keynote Speaker: 7:30 to 9:00 pm; Dr. Charles Helm, “What Makes the Tumbler Ridge Area so Unique.”

To register for the To register for the Field Trip Selection and AGM/Conference: Extension Trip: Waiver Forms:

Via regular mail Via the BCFO website Field trip selections for the morning of Complete the registration form in Note: The only way to register for the June 10 and June 11 will be made when this issue of BC Birding and mail extension trip is via the Website. checking in on Friday, June 9. At the it along with your cheque for pay- Payment may be made either by same time, you will be asked to com- cheque, or via the PayPal button. plete your conference waiver form. To ment to: ensure fairness, field trip selection will Go to the AGM/Extension Payments be opened at 1700 on June 9. P.O. Box 45111 Dunbar tab under the Events > Annual Confer- Vancouver, B.C. ence drop downs. V6S 2M8 The fillable registration form available on the website for completion Via the BCFO website (PayPal) which will include a requirement to Go to the AGM/Extension Payments indicate your choice of pre or post- tab under the Events > Annual Confer- AGM Extension. To pay for more than ence drop downs. one registration via PayPal, simply A fillable registration form is availa- make sufficient single payments for ble for completion. To pay for more each person you wish to register. than one registration, simply make sufficient single payments for each person On-line registrations open on you wish to register. April 2 at 0900 PDT Page 8 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1)

BCFO 27th ANNUAL CONFERENCE, June 9 – 11, 2017, Tumbler Ridge, BC Accommodation Information

The majority of the conference events Trend Mountain Hotel & Conference Room Choices: One bedroom: $110 + will be based out of the Trend Moun- Centre taxes (full fridge, stove, cooking uten- tain Hotel and Conference Centre. Field 375 Southgate Street, Tumbler Ridge sils). Two bedroom: $120 + taxes (full trips will leave from the hotel parking BC V0C 2W0. Phone: 250-242-2000 fridge, stove, cooking utensils) lot; breakfasts, lunches, the afternoon Fax: 250-242-2005 keynote presentation, the AGM and www.trendmountainhotel.com Lions Flatbed Campground Saturday evening banquet will be in the email: [email protected] 1.5 km north of Tumbler Ridge, just off hotel conference facilities. Participants Room choices (conference rates) Hwy. 29 on Flatbed Creek should be aware that the Friday evening Standard two queen beds - $112.49 + Phone: 250-242-1197 reception will be held at the Dinosaur taxes; Executive king suite - $121.49 + Cost: $20.00 per night Discovery Gallery on Murray Drive. taxes We have arranged a conference Monkman Way RV Park Tumbler Ridge Inn room rate for those wishing to stay at Located in Tumbler Ridge, operated by 275 Southgate Street, Tumbler Ridge the Trend Mountain Hotel. If you in- the District of Tumbler Ridge BC V0C 2W0. Phone: 250-242-4277 tend to book at one of the other loca- Phone: 250-242-4242 Room Choices: Standard two double tions, please contact them by phone and beds - $89 to $127 + taxes indicate that you are attending the Tumbler Ridge Golf & Country Club & RV Park BCFO conference. Tumbler Ridge Hotel and Suites 1 Golf Course Way, 360 Northgate Street Tumbler Ridge Tumbler Ridge BC V0C 2W0 Phone: 250-242-4656 Phone: 877-242-5405 or 250-242-0053

Post-conference Extension Trips

Mark Phinney and Brian Paterson will Wednesday, June 14  Bay-breasted Warbler be leading two parallel trips. The Birding on Pink Mountain, followed by  Canada Warbler planned itinerary is as follows: a drive back to, and conclusion of ex-  Connecticut Warbler tension trip at, Fort St. John.  Mourning Warbler Sunday, June 11  Rose-breasted Grosbeak Drive to Dawson Creek, birding along Possible species  Le Conte’s Sparrow the way at Arras, Bear Mountain Pas-  Broad-winged Hawk  Nelson's Sparrow ture, Radar Lake and McQueen’s  Sharp-tailed Grouse  Swamp Sparrow Slough. Overnight in Dawson Creek.  any/all Ptarmigan  “Red” Fox Sparrow  Yellow Rail  Common Grackle Monday, June 12  Upland Sandpiper Birding south of Dawson Creek, includ-  Rusty Blackbird  Franklin’s Gull ing Swan Lake, Road 201 and Bounda-  Baltimore Oriole ry Highway followed by a night trip to  Ruby-throated Hummingbird McQueen’s Slough or East Pine for  Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Yellow Rail and sparrows. Overnight in  Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Costs and Further Details Dawson Creek.  Eastern Phoebe Cost: $200 per person – transportation, accommodation, and food not included.  Philadelphia Vireo Watch the website for any further Tuesday, June 13  Blue-headed Vireo details. Birding north to Fort St. John, includ-  Blue Jay ing Farmington, Taylor, Beatton Park  Boreal Chickadee and Boundary Lake. In addition there  Winter Wren will be a possible night trip to Watson  Black-throated Green Warbler Slough for Yellow Rail and sparrows. Overnight in Fort St. John.  Cape May Warbler  Palm Warbler

Page 9 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1)

which led to wholesale culling of domestic poultry flocks in Europe and BCFO How the Trips Work North America, demonstrated how BCFO two-day field trips are member quickly the infection can spread via -led, but participants make their own migratory birds. An important charac- Two-day Trips arrangements for accommodation, teristic of viruses that spread via migra- food, and travel. tory animals is that, though they may weaken (but not too much) or sicken  Day 1: all-day birding and then (but not too severely) their carriers, Parksville: March 11–12 evening get together at a restaurant they customarily are not fatal. If they Birds of the Herring Spawn to recap the day and tally species. disable or kill the host animal, then the Leader: Dave Aldcroft  Day 2: morning birding, afternoon objective of the virus – spreading itself optional birding. – is defeated. So the birds, mainly Itinerary: Roaming between Nanoose, freshwater ducks, that carried H5N8 and Deep Bay, sites will include Carpooling is encouraged and will be from its origin in southeast Asia into Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, Eng- arranged on the morning of Day 1. Europe and North America were not lishmen River Estuary, Parksville Bay, Register at least two weeks in ad- themselves severely affected. French Creek and Columbia Beach. vance. The leader will give specific Fast forward to 2016. In the north- Possible species: rafts of sea ducks in- details of when and where to meet. ern summer a new strain of H5N8 was cluding all three scoters, Greater Scaup, . detected in arctic Russia on the summer Cost: Members $10 per person; non- Long-tailed Duck. Numerous gulls with grounds of European and Asian wild members $40, which includes BCFO good chance of Iceland/Glaucous Gull. waterfowl. Unusually, it was killing the membership. Good chance of rarities among the fray. birds. In November, dead waterfowl The herring spawning is a great specta- began to be found in central Europe, cle of nature! and the toll has rapidly spread as far as North Africa and into domestic poultry. Suggested accommodation: Sandcastle Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope), one Inn, Parksville. Thursday, June 8 of the known carriers, has been particularly hard hit. Extensive poultry culls To register: [email protected] . Itinerary. Morning: Highway 26 to are again underway in Europe. The in- Wells including stops in the Stanley creased deadliness of the virus is a mys- area. Lunch at Big H’s Halibut n’ Chips in Wells. Afternoon: The Meadows (the tery – it seems to defeat the strategy for Quesnel Area: June 7–8 bog) in Wells, and Bowron River widening viral infection described bridge at Bowron Lakes. Optional visit above. Scientists speculate that it may This trip has been arranged to allow to Barkerville Historic Site. have a long latency period, during birders to travel to Tumbler Ridge on which an infected bird continues to live June 9 for the BCFO Conference & Possible species include: Tennessee and travel normally, and then become AGM. Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler, Black- highly virulent after some time, or per- poll Warbler, Three-toed Woodpecker, haps only when the infected bird joins a Wednesday, June 7 Boreal Chickadee, Fox Sparrow. dense flock. The good news is that this H5N8 Itinerary: Soda Creek – West Fraser Leaders strain appears not to affect mammals loop. Morning: Soda Creek to Rudy Brian Murland and Adrian Leather (two (that includes us). But the ability of Johnson Bridge, including a stop to groups). influenza viruses to mutate rapidly observe members of Quesnel Birding To Register leaves little room for comfort. Further- Club banding hummingbirds. After- more, the dense concentrations of do- noon: West Fraser Road. Tally-up at [email protected] or 250-249- 5561. mestic poultry in southeast Asia appear Best Western Plus Tower Inn, 500 Reid to have become a permanent incubator St, Quesnel at 6 pm. for variant influenzas. H5N6 is already Possible species include: Lazuli Bunt- widespread in the region; it does sicken ing, Western Kingbird, Western Mead- humans. It probably is only a matter of owlark, Veery, Long-billed Curlew, time before it hitches a ride along the Briefing 1 great hemispheric flyways to turn up at Black-chinned Hummingbird, Spotted Towhee, Gray Catbird, Mourning a pond (or poultry farm) near you. Dove, Golden Eagle. Update on Epidemic Birds From a news story in Science 354: 1363 Suggested accommodation: Best West- In the last issue of BC Birding (December, 2016), we discussed the –1364 (16 December, 2016) ern Plus Tower Inn, Quesnel. www.bwtowerinn.ca, 250-992-2201 recent history of “bird flu” – influenza viruses originating in domestic poultry, Summary by M. Church Travelodge and Ramada are in close proximity. spread widely by wild birds and possibly able to attack humans. The 2014–15 outbreak of influenza type H5N8,

Page 10 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) Apr. 7–9 -- HARNEY COUNTY MIGRATORY BIRD FESTI- Upcoming Meetings VAL, Burns, OR (focused on the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge). For information, check the festival website at http:// www.migratorybirdfestival.com, or phone the office at 541- & Events 573-2636.

Apr. 19–25 -- GODWIT DAYS, Arcata, California. It’s a little Compiled by Wayne C. Weber way away, but Godwit Days is one of the premier birding festivals in North America. For information, check the festi- The following meetings and other events are those that take val website at https://godwitdays.org . place in BC and immediately adjacent areas or that potential- ly include information on birds that occur in BC. Information May 4–7 -- BC NATURE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, on additional meetings is listed in the bimonthly Ornithologi- Lillooet, BC, hosted by the Lillooet Naturalists. For infor- cal Newsletter at www.birdmeetings.org and on the BIRD- mation and to register, check the BC Nature website at http:// NET website at http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/ornith/ www.bcnature.ca , or phone Betty Davison at the BC Nature office (phone 604-985-3057; e-mail [email protected] . birdmeet.html . For most meetings, festivals and other events, the website May 5–7 -- GRAYS HARBOR SHOREBIRD FESTIVAL, Ab- is the main source of information, and registration can often erdeen, WA. For information, contact the festival office at be accomplished online as well. Wherever information can be PO Box 470, Montesano, WA 98563 (phone 360-289-5048) obtained through a phone number or e-mail address, we have or check the website at http://www.shorebirdfestival.com . included these as well; if no contact information is listed, it can be assumed that none was provided by the organization, May 5–7 -- TOFINO SHOREBIRD FESTIVAL, Tofino, BC. at least not on the date when this listing was compiled. It is Events not all scheduled yet, but check the festival website at usually not necessary to contact a particular individual, ex- http://raincoasteducation.org/events/tofino-shorebird- cept for scientific meetings when one is interested in making festival . a presentation. Names and contact information for individuals are listed whenever they are available. May 6–13 -- VANCOUVER BIRD WEEK, Vancouver, BC. Most events not scheduled yet, but please check the website

at http://www.vancouverbirdweek.ca . Mar. 9–12 -- WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY annual meeting at Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, May 7 -- PELAGIC BIRDING TRIP from Ucluelet, BC, oper- Florida. For further information, check the WOS website at ated by WildResearch. For information and/or to register, http://www.wilsonsociety.org . check the WildResearch website at http://wildresearch.ca/

TH news/pelagic-trip, or send an email message to pelag- Mar. 10–12 -- 15 ANNUAL WINGS OVER WATER BIRD- [email protected] . ING FESTIVAL, Blaine, WA. For information, phone the Blaine Visitor Information Center at 1-800-624-3555, send May 8–14 -- WINGS OVER THE ROCKIES FESTIVAL (21st an e-mail to [email protected] , or check the website annual), Invermere, BC. For information, contact the at http://www.wingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.com . Pynelogs Cultural Centre, PO Box 2633, Invermere, BC V0A 1K0, phone 1-855-342-2473, e-mail in- Mar. 13–Apr. 15 -- BRANT WILDLIFE FESTIVAL, Quali- cum, BC. For information, phone Robin Rivers at 1-866-288- [email protected] , or check the website at http:// www.wingsovertherockies.org . 7878 (in Greater Vancouver, 604-924-9771), e-mail [email protected] , or check the festival website at May 12–14 -- SKAGIT VALLEY BIRD BLITZ, Skagit Valley http://brantfestival.bc.ca . Provincial Park, BC. For information and to register, check the event website at http://hopemountain.org/programs/skagit Mar. 18 -- First WESTPORT SEABIRDS pelagic birding trip of the spring from Westport, WA. This is the first of 19 trips -valley-bird-blitz-may-12-14-2017 . Inquiries may be made scheduled from March through October 2017. For infor- by email to La Vern at [email protected] or by phone at 604-869-1274. mation and to sign up for a trip, please visit the Westport Sea- birds webpage at http://www.westportseabirds.com . May 18–22 -- MEADOWLARK NATURE FESTIVAL, Penticton,

TH BC. The full schedule of events will be posted by early April. Mar. 24–26 -- 20 ANNUAL OTHELLO SANDHILL Please check the festival website at CRANE FESTIVAL, Othello, WA. For information, check the http://meadowlarkfestival.ca / . festival website at http:// www.othellosandhillcranefestival.org , or contact the Grant May 18–21 -- LEAVENWORTH SPRING BIRD FEST, Leav- County Conservation District at 1107 South Juniper Way, enworth, WA. For information, email Moses Lake, WA 98837 (phone 509-765-9618). [email protected] or check the festival website at http://www.leavenworthspringbirdfest.com . Apr. 7–9 -- OLYMPIC BIRD FESTIVAL, Sequim, WA. For information, visit the festival website at http:// June 9–11 -- BC FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS ANNUAL GEN- www.olympicbirdfest.org , or contact the Dungeness River ERAL MEETING, Tumbler Ridge, BC. For details, check the Audubon Center by phone (360-681-4076) or by e-mail BCFO conference page at ([email protected] ). https://bcfo.ca/bcfo-agm-tumbler-ridge-2017 .

Page 11 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) June 16–18 -- MANNING PARK BIRD BLITZ, Manning Pro- the festival website at http://www.pugetsoundbirdfest.org , or vincial Park, BC (based at Loneduck Campground on Light- contact Jennifer Leach at the City of Edmonds Parks Dept. ning Lake). For information and to register, check the website (phone 425-771-0227), or email her at at http://hopemountain.org/programs/manning-park-bird-blitz [email protected] . -june-16-18-2017 . Inquiries may be made by email to La Vern at [email protected] or by phone at 604-869- Sept. 21–25 -- WASHINGTON ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIE- 1274. TY ANNUAL CONFERENCE, Semiahmoo Resort, Blaine, WA. No details posted yet other than the dates and location, July 31–Aug. 5 -- JOINT MEETING OF AMERICAN ORNITHOL- but check the WOS website (http://wos.org/annual- OGISTS’ SOCIETY, AND THE SOCIETY OF CANADIAN ORNI- conference/current-year ) closer to the conference date for THOLOGISTS at Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI. details and to register.

For further details, to register, or to submit a paper for TH presentation, please visit the website at http:// Sept. 23–27 -- 24 ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE aossco2017.fw.msu.edu/ . WILDLIFE SOCIETY, Albuquerque, NM. For information, check the TWS conference page at http://wildlife.org/learn/ Aug. 8–12 -- ANNUAL MEETING OF THE WATERBIRD conferences-2 . SOCIETY, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland. For details, check the society website at https://waterbirds.org/ Nov. 8–12 -- RAPTOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION annual annual-meeting . meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah, hosted by HawkWatch Inter- national. For information, check the RRF website at http:// Aug. 16–20 -- ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF WESTERN www.raptorresearchfoundation.org/conferences/upcoming- FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS at Pueblo, Colorado. For further conferences, or contact the chairperson, Dave Oleyar, by details, check the WFO website at http:// email at [email protected] , or by phone at 206-972- www.westernfieldornithologists.org/conference.php . 0163.

Sept. 15–17 -- OREGON BIRDING ASSOCIATION ANNU- Dec. 14 to Jan. 5 (2018) -- CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS. For AL MEETING, at the Malheur Field Station, near Burns, OR. information on dates of counts and contact information for For information and to register, check the OBA website at count organizers, check the BCFO website in November and http://www.orbirds.org/2017annualmeeting.html . December, or check the December issue of BC Birding.

Sept. 15–17 -- PUGET SOUND BIRD FESTIVAL, Edmonds, WA. For information and to register (starting Aug. 1). Check

insects were flying below 750 m height, Migration intensity was greatest on Briefing 2 with an upward displacement at night warm days. Possible reasons for this of the greatest density from below 200 may be that insects are more mobile at Not a Bird in Sight m to about 350 m. In daytime, most of higher temperatures and that upwardly the larger insects are beneficial ones, directed convection currents generated That’s right; no birds in this one. But a including hoverflies, ladybeetles, vari- by surface warmth may easily lift the fascinating story nonetheless! ous carabid beetles and butterflies. At insects into the stronger winds aloft. Researchers in southern England night, moths and lacewings dominate These insect movements seasonally have used upward-looking radars to the species mix. Daytime density (by transfer a significant biomass from one detect flying insects. What they found weight) is about four times nighttime region of Earth’s surface to another, is astonishing. It turns out that about 3.4 density, with a curious minimum at including significant nutrients con- trillion insects, totaling about 3,000 dusk, when almost nobody is moving. tained in their bodies. Insect biomass tonnes in weight, migrate seasonally For the larger insects, the migrations moving in and out of the United King- over the country at heights between 150 are evidently purposeful. Spring migra- dom each year is about 7.7 times the and 1,200 metres. Insect speeds are in tions are oriented toward the north, migratory songbird biomass. As well, the range 10-15 metres/second, indicat- while autumn migrations are south- these insects carry various pathogens ing that the bugs are hitching rides on ward. In each case, the dominant direc- and parasites. If the UK figures general- favourable winds. These summary find- tion diverges from the direction of the ize to the total continental airspace, ings represent a 10-year average. Com- dominant wind by close to 90 degrees, these insect movements constitute by pare 2.1 billion passerines (of which 30 though the insects choose to fly when far the most significant annual animal million are from the United Kingdom) they do have a favourable tail wind. Net movements on or over the terrestrial that move seasonally between all of summer movements appear to consti- Earth. Yet how environmental change Europe and Africa. tute random drifting aligned with the may be affecting these important move- Radar directly detected insects dominant winds. Small insects appear ments remains completely unknown. weighing more than 10 milligrams to be blown by the prevailing winds in (mg); smaller insects were sampled for all seasons. This observation raises the Reference relative abundance in aerial nets de- interesting question of how the larger, Hu, G. + 6 others. 2016. Mass seasonal ployed at about 200 m height and their but still diminutive, creatures sense bioflows of high-flying insect migrants. abundance estimated by ratio to larger direction (a question that is still incom- Science 354: 1584-1587. insects. The largest insects weighed up pletely settled for birds, who seem to to 500 mg (half a gram). Most of the have a number of possible means). Summary by M. Church Page 12 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) Young Birders Program Young Birder Awards Upon the recommendation of Young Birder Awards Commit- tee Chair Carlo Giovanella, the Board has approved the following Young Birder Awards:

 Willa Crowley, age 12, from Fort St. James, nominated by Gabrielle Aubertin  Adam Dhalla, age 11, from Coquitlam, nominated by Melissa Hafting  Matyas Gerloczy, age 14, from Kelowna, nominated by Melissa Hafting  Katya Kondratyuk, age 11, from Surrey, nominated by Melissa Hafting  Toby Theriault, age 12, from Tofino, nominated by Adri- an Dorst  Viktor Vandereyk, age 17, from Langley, nominated by Melissa Hafting flickr.com/photos/145162454@N02/) and takes an active part in discussing bird identification on the Birds in British Colum- bia forum at birding.bc.ca.

Adam Dhalla (above) has been birding for three years. He loves to travel for birding and has already been to Japan, Ha- waii and all over southern BC, and hopes to get to Costa Rica and Australia next. This is why, at just 11 years old, he already has a life list of 300 species. He posts bird photographs on his Flickr site (www.flickr. com/photos/134098256@N05), blogs on his birding adventures (adamdhalla.com), and is an active contributor on the Birding in BC forum at birding.bc.ca. He also creates bird art out of Lego pieces.

Willa Crowley, above, was featured in the December issue of this newsmagazine as a potential recipient. Willa began observing birds in earnest at the age of eight, but her favourites have always been hummingbirds. When she was four years old, a local Tl’azten Elder asked her what her spirit animal was and she declared, “Hummingbird!” The 2016 season was her third volunteering with Rocky Point Bird Observatory’s Hummingbird Project. It was an exciting season, because it was the first year she acted as scribe and began learning about morphological measure- ments.

Matyas Gerloczy (right) started birding three years ago and loves to bird in the Okanagan with his friend, Logan, from whom he has learnt a lot. He has also been able to bird in Europe. He posts bird photographs on Flickr (www.

Page 13 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1)

Katya Kondratyuk (above left) is, according to Melissa Hafting, the most enthusiastic birder you could ever meet. Though a newcomer to birding, her spotting skills have been proven as exceptional. She contributes to eBird routinely, the Birding in BC forum (birding.bc.ca), the Christmas Bird Count for Kids and the Young Birder Program field trips. She also posts fine bird photos to her Flickr website: www.flickr.com/ photos/ 141005852@ N07/.

Viktor Vandereyk (above right) started birding when he was eight years old and is an avid hiker and naturalist. He joined the Young Birder program in 2016 and has been very helpful to the younger children, serving as a fine role model. Viktor is a talented artist, as can be seen from his painting of a Kestrel on page 15. He is also a contributor to to the BC Birds Forum (Birding.bc.ca) and adds his photos to Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/144379173@N02/ .

Toby Theriault (right) decided at the beginning of 2016 to do a Big Year, with a goal of seeing 120 species – and ended the year with 217, mostly in BC, but with a boost from a trip to Newfoundland and No- va Scotia. Toby and her close friend, Cedar, founded a birding club called the Tough City Twitchers, currently with four members. This summer she was interviewed on CBC radio about her birding passion. Her birding blog can be found at: birdymcbirdface.blogspot.ca.

Page 14 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) to birding, which only inspires us to do wildlife and generally have a great Mentoring Young Birders more. time. I learnt a lot from the kids about Melissa Hafting Many youth involved in birding and birds and their perspectives on them as nature programs feel a sense of belong- well. Almost every trip they have a new There are many barriers for youth in ing to a group. Connecting to nature fun fact for me. birding and in society. One they run lifts their spirits, decreases their stress The first kid I went birding with was into often is adultism. Some adults feel levels, and motivates them to care and Liron, and I’ll never forget some of the that a child or young person tagging hopefully do something about the envi- trips we have had together. One day we along will “dumb down” or slow the ronment and conservation. It inspires found 44 grouse of four different spe- group down so to speak, so they avoid them to education and future careers in cies in one day! Bridget and I have en- birding with them. In my opinion this is nature. It encourages independence, joyed many birding days when we talk the furthest thing from the truth. Bird- increases focus and ability to handle about the importance of bringing more ing with youth can only increase your tasks, improves confidence and self women into birding, which is some- knowledge and gives you a new per- esteem, increases laughter and happi- thing she is passionate about. We have spective at looking at birds that you ness, improves communication skills as fun trying to hit as many places and see may never have known before. The way they interact with other children, and as many species possible, until the sun we communicate and interact with chil- fosters friendships. For any child that goes down. Cole and I have had some dren and youth helps develop positive has suffered any trauma, bullying or fabulous trips to Boundary Bay for relationships with them. We need to loss, this can be a small but vitally im- shorebirds, and he will tell me where empower them, respect them and talk to portant step to healing and recovery as the rarest shorebirds are currently in the them on the same level and never talk well. ABA. When I am in Kamloops I take down to them. When we give them a I have been constantly inspired by Isaac out when I can, and we’ve had positive experience, it leads to youth the young birders I have worked with in some incredible adventures in Lac du feeling that they can take on more re- BC. I started this youth birding program Bois and Tranquille. As well with the sponsibility, garners trust, and increases four years ago now before joining other wonderful children, the list of their willingness to learn. A place BCFO, when I kept running into solo similar experiences goes on and on. I where the kids can feel they can be safe young birders who amazed me with treasure the time I have shared with and themselves is vitally important. their abilities. I started to take these each of them individually. I still do take Adults benefit from the youth’s intelli- kids out on their own with me on bird- them out solo to this day and I’m even gence, optimism and excited approach ing adventures. On these trips we would more blown away by their skill level learn about birds, identification, and now. I could go into detail about the This fine painting of an American Kestrel is by Viktor Vandereyk, one of the recipients of this year’s Young Birder Awards. See the previous page for more about Viktor.

Page 15 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) individual strengths of each one of of whom are volunteers in the these gifted children but the list would program. All the parents have be far too long. I think my favourite supported me from day one and thing is watching a child get a lifer on the love and passion for birding our trips; the excitement is simply in- in their own children. I deeply fectious. care about these kids and am Anyway, I thought that all of these constantly impressed by their kids should meet and interact and so I knowledge, enthusiasm and decided to facilitate this through inter- love of nature. They genuinely active field trips. I would rent an SUV, care about the environment and the parents would meet me bright and want to make a difference. We early, and we would go on our full-day have had several discussions adventures. Our first field trip was to about the impact of politics and Manning Park where all the kids really our own actions on the envi- got to know one another. We celebrated ronment and what we can do our first field trip with a great meal at now and when they’re older to Home Restaurant in Hope. The kids help remedy this. We have dis- love the pie and macaroni and cheese cussions on rare birds, common there. The friendships and bonds that birds, birding by ear, wildlife were made between the children and me safety, hiking, music and gen- were unbreakable from that day for- eral pop culture. Many times ward. They have taught me more than I they will ask me, “Mel, is that could ever have taught them. Our group a so and so?” and instead of is made up of children from Vancouver just giving the answer I’ll re- Island, the Lower Mainland and the ply, “What do you think it is, Short-eared Owl from the Flickr site of Adam Southern and Central Interior. The kids trust your gut” and 99% of the Dhalla – see page 12. consist of many different races and time they are correct. This helps there is a good mix of sexes, which is to build confidence and independent bird” while one child plays the call on the new face of birding. They are all thinking. I, of course, go over with his/her phone and the other kids have to passionate about citizen science, help- them why this is the species, with field answer. ing others with bird ID, and taking part marks and how to rule out other similar I treat them as my equals and my in banding and other birding activities species. However, these kids have the friends because they are. I respect them in the community such as Christmas birding abilities some adults could only and am proud of them. One of the Bird Counts. dream of. We even play games on the young birders, Alice, who started on my I am thankful I have worked with way home from our trips. One of our first field trip is now in university stud- such great and supportive parents, some car-ride favourites is “Identify this ying ecology and has joined a birding and photography club at McGill in Rock Wren from the Flickr site of Katya Kondratyuk – see page 13. Montreal. All these kids are sensational photographers, by the way, not only birders. I am blown away by their photography skills. So many of these kids have asked me to write reference letters for them to all these diverse birding and bird banding programs in North Ameri- ca. I have also seen some of the older kids in the program mentor the younger ones as well, which provides good role models for the younger kids. These kids are so ambitious, passionate and wor- thy; they are destined for great things. What really makes me love these kids is their gratefulness. They are always appreciative of everything I and others do for them; not one has never said “thank you” or behaved poorly. Even when we dip after an eight-plus hour hike, the kids are still grateful and happy to be taken out and given the opportunity. If only all adults behaved this way. When events I plan get can- celled due to weather, or we dip on their main target (like the WTPT) and

Page 16 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) I’m a little disappointed for them, they Russell Cannings did the same for Lo- extroverted children you can imagine. personally phone, text or email me and gan when Russ lived in BC. It is people All you need to do is show children try to comfort me! They appreciate the like this who have opened up great op- support, to foster that growth. other stuff they see, even if it isn’t portunities for these kids such as band- I am grateful to George Clulow and birds. I swear on our Flatiron, Whistler ing, getting them to lead birding walks, Carlo Giovanella for asking me to bring and Manning Park trips the kids were and teaching them about ear birding and my youth birding program into BCFO equally as excited to see Marmots and identification and much more. All these and develop an official Young Birders Ground Squirrels and Bears. They view things have helped shape the kids into Program here. Their support and care all nature as important. the great birders they are today by for the children with the Young Birder When I am hopefully old and grey, I simply giving them a chance. Awards Program that they developed will never forget the joy these children There are many kids in rural com- has really enhanced things. They are have brought to my life. These kids munities whom my young birder pro- always sending me new recruits they have made and will make the world and gram cannot physically reach, but if one meet in the community, and George is the birding community a better place. I adult shows them kindness, respect and always asking me what I need; and that hope that my small impact on their lives inclusion, it can make a difference to support really means everything to me. gave them a quarter of what they have them. Both George and Carlo have mentored given me. I was touched to have a couple from kids in the community, some of who They are our future, and with young Quesnel reach out to me. They told me are adults now. George mentored Kha- people like them around our future is that they liked my Young Birders Pro- lid, and he has told me how much he bright. Many have said our future is gram and what I have done. They said has learned from George, what they grim, as young people are lazy, sit in- that they are thinking of doing the same have seen together, and how he looks side on computers and don’t care about with the kids in Quesnel. This thrills me up to him and finds him to be an amaz- the environment. That is the furthest to no end because I can’t reach the chil- ing birder and person. Ilya, who is an thing from the truth. I can bet you that dren there. I am only one person and adult now, was mentored by Carlo. To those adults who are calling those chil- am based in Vancouver. I think it is this day he still talks about all the dren lazy would view things differently wonderful that people want to reach out things that Carlo did for him, how if they would only reach out a hand to to children in their community and grateful he is for it, and how it has them and take them outside. If they did share the joy of birding. I will help helped shape him into the incredible so, they would discover a special child them in any way that I can to facilitate birder he is today. This just proves the inside. Not every child enjoys hiking or their goals and get the program off the long-lasting impact that mentoring a birds, but if you show an interest in ground, if they decide to go through child has. They carry it into adulthood their particular hobby, you will notice with it. It is no doubt a big time com- and it helps shape who they are; they that things will change for the better for mitment and a lot of work but the bene- never forget the kindness and both you and the child. fits are worth it in my opinion. knowledge that was shared with them. The benefits of mentoring children It means more to a child than we BCFO also gives the kids an official cannot go unmentioned. I encourage know when an adult spends time bird- organization to be part of and makes you to mentor a young birder in your ing with them and shows an interest in them feel included. The hats that Larry community. I have been happy to per- their passion. Kids are very eager and Cowan made for them make them feel sonally see some young birder mentors, willing to learn, when given the oppor- part of a club. The kids love those hats such as Adrian Dorst who mentors To- tunity. I have seen many shy, introvert- and are always wearing them with by in Tofino and Ann Nightingale who ed kids whom I’ve worked with in this pride. It has really thrilled the kids to has done so much for Liam in Victoria. program bloom into the most talkative, see our trip reports and their photos, news and art published by Clive Keen in BC Birding magazine. Many of them let me know as soon as they get the magazine that their photo or art is in there and what page I should look for it on. They also tell me that they like reading about their field trips. It is so nice to see kids with such a sense of self worth and love for birds and nature. These kids give me great hope for the future. What more can we ask for? Here’s to many more adventures.

Left: Great Horned Owl from the Flickr site of Matyas Gerloczy – see page 13.

Page 17 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) selves. Not being birds, we couldn’t add them to our count, but there were CBCs of Note eleven anyway. Total bird species: 30. Tlell Our friend Cacilia reported that she had Multiple Haida Gwaii with feathers. The dolphins in Edye seen “hundreds and hundreds and hun- CBCs Pass were definitely fish-like as they dreds of ducks; hundreds of gulls; four splashed along beside the ship, and gi- Bald Eagles; fifty-two crows and one Many BCFO members will have won- ant Hump-backed Whales blew like heron” in front of her seaside property dered about the opportunities for bird- Moby Dick, the great white whale. No- in Tlell. “There were so many I could- ing on Haida Gwaii. The following re- body rushed on deck to see them. It was n’t count them!” It was a great day; ports on the islands’ Christmas Bird just too cold so we had them all to our- from the highway we could see 1,672 Counts will help us know what we are missing and perhaps inspire a visit. Map of Haida Gwaii by English Wikipedia user Kelisi, Even in the midst of winter, it is clearly a remarkable and unique part of the province. Where else would a CBC turn up a Rustic Bunting?

Each report is by Margo Hearne.

Hecate Strait It’s hard to beat the bright blue water upon which the ferry sailed. There were no clouds in the sky but there were many white dots on the water. Were they murres, loons, or long-tails? Well, once we got close enough to see, they were all of the above. Gulls too: they seemed excessively white against the brilliance of the blue. This cold north coast is unlike anywhere else in the world when the sun shines. Most places now have a taint of pollution, but not here. We dressed in our warmest clothes and stayed on deck all day. It is such a pleasure to be able to do that; it is usually too stormy and wet to linger long outside. The ferry was full of returnees who had visited family over Christmas, the temperature was minus one, the sea developed a nowhere chop which came from all over, but the ship sailed on through clouds of Surf Scoters (1,160) White-winged Scoters (165), Long- tailed Ducks (603), Common Murres (3,228) and over 2,000 Glaucous- winged Gulls. Where were the shearwa- ters? Not one; no fulmars either. But lots of loons: Yellow-billed (4), Com- mon (24) and Pacific (241). Fifty-four winter-plumaged Pigeon Guillemots, those little black-and-white birds with red legs that nest by the ferry terminal, swept away from the ship, but neatest of all were the tiny pinpricks of splash that dove when we approached: one- hundred and two Ancient Murrelets. They were so tiny as to be almost mistaken for fish. Maybe they were fish

Page 18 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) Common Goldeneyes, 3,716 Pacific low throat and black bib and, once seen, fled away again. Sixty-three Surf Sco- Loons, 105 Red-throated Loons and can’t be mistaken for anything else. ters dove into the breaking waves and 159 Pelagic Cormorants out in Hecate The day of the Skidegate Inlet count came out the other side, true to their Strait. And those were only the ones dawned with a rosy sunrise and a brisk name. At Yakan Point two Harlequin nearshore. It was one of those perfectly wind that made for choppy seas. The Ducks dove in the rocky sea-rush and calm days when you could see for miles small “Kwuna” ferry bounced through ten Long-tailed Ducks kept on going. and the birds flew by in streams. They it, as did the boat party braving the Sixteen Black Turnstones fed on the were quite beautiful. northeasters to find record numbers of rocks, a Peregrine Falcon turned a tree We roamed the highway, stopping at Black Oystercatchers and 770 Western into a totem and fifty-eight Varied places where the ocean was visible and Grebes, those of the swan-like neck and Thrushes rushed from the roadside. We counted until darkness descended. It dainty aspect. There were also 236 Red- were happy to hear the Virginia Rail was the highest count ever for Pacific necked Grebes, a high number for any again this year; it’s an elusive bird, Loons in the thirty-five years we have winter; they seem to be staying around sometimes heard, rarely seen. But the been doing the Haida Gwaii counts. In longer than they used to. Brant geese day belonged to the Pelagic Cormorants 2004 year we saw 11,612 Common numbers were down; we only saw sev- as they swept in droves from the far- Goldeneye (still an all-time high for en for the day but 618 Canada Geese away to create an ocean raft just off British Columbia) but that day a was a new high and in the mix was one Tow Hill. The flock got bigger as the screaming southeaster was blowing and Dusky Snow Goose, obviously a juve- day got darker until we seemed to be they were all tucked into Southeast Har- nile that hadn’t come into its bright counting shadows. The surf roared on, bour. This year they just kept flying by white colours yet, and eleven White- and gulls skimmed the wave tops like in tight flocks. fronted Geese. Two tiny Anna’s Hum- so many drifts of foam as they headed So where did all the birds come mingbirds continue at feeders in Sand- offshore to roost for the night. Total from and why were they here? Well, spit, and mixed in with nine Savannah species: 36. according to fishermen friends, birds Sparrows was one lone Orange- have their own weather station. Tides, crowned Warbler, tricky to identify in Port Clements winds and currents all tell them when its winter colours. Three Lapland Long- It’s a tough slog through the cold and it’s time to move, and the weather had spurs swung through the bright air, and ice in the middle of winter, but it’s turned the day of the count. The wind the over 100 Robins were a new record. worth every moment. The Port Clem- veered from the chilly north- They have appeared all over the island ents count was great as the most amaz- northeasters of the previous two weeks this winter; the cold north has driven ing array of feathered songsters circled to south-southeasters and the birds them down. Shorebirds were many: us all day. In a small sunny clearing, it knew it. Their feathers were in flight Sanderlings, Surfbirds, Dunlin, Turn- felt as though we’d fallen into bird mode to get to the feeding grounds stones, Rock Sandpipers, Killdeer and heaven. Robins, thrushes, flickers, sis- kins and an Anna’s Hummingbird came somewhere else. Black-bellied Plovers were all recorded, Among the merry crew were twenty but the bird of the day was a Northern out in the winter sun. In the centre of -three Common Loons, twenty-six Red- Mockingbird, the first CBC record in town, another little haven for birds pro- necked Grebes and seventy-nine Red- 163 counts in 35 years! Total species: duced a flock of Dark-eyed Juncos breasted Mergansers. There were even 72. feeding on seeds scattered on the icy eleven Great Blue Herons and we don’t ground and among them the rarest bird see many of them on this count. This Rose Spit of all – a Rustic Bunting. After 160 short report only scratches the surface The riverbank fell into the river as the counts, it was our first ever on a CBC. but we can’t leave without mentioning tide fell; the whole area is changing. It fed quietly under a bench. This bunt- the ten Trumpeter Swans resting calmly The sandy entrance to North Beach is ing “nests in northeast Europe to north- in Noel and Barbara’s quiet garden. now only a few metres from the Hiellen east Russia and is seen rarely in Alaska. They are so at home there that they are River and the buffer of trees is gone. It’s also rare on the Aleutians and the almost part of the family. Total species: The tiny Dipper wasn’t deterred from Bering Sea islands and very rare on the 53. keeping on its appointed rounds, how- Pacific Coast to California.” It was a ever. It hopped into the rushing water sight for the ages. In the high trees a Skidegate Inlet and ran along the river bottom before Townsend’s and Yellow-Rumped War- With four down and two to go, it fetching up on to a rock close to the bler flitted and disappeared, and a Ruby seemed like a very long count season; bank. It was a treat to see. -crowned Kinglet joined the Golden- then the day before the Skidegate Inlet Offshore it seemed as though all the crowned Kinglets for a second. What a count, a photo arrived in our inbox. “Is birds usually seen in Dixon Entrance lovely place it was. this a Meadowlark?” asked Barb, “it’s had stayed in Hecate Strait. There were Down towards Kumdis Bay, we in my front garden!” Yes, it was a only a handful of ducks: eleven Black found a small patch of open water in a Meadowlark, incredibly back after a Scoters; two White-winged Scoters and partly frozen pond where twenty-five three-year absence! We had found one one Common Goldeneye. Loons were Ring-necked Ducks all preened quietly. at Copper Bay on the 2013 CBC but it’s few: eight Common, six Pacific and Among them were a few Mallard and such an exceptionally rare find that we seven Red-throated. Even though it was teal. We leaned from the vehicle win- never thought one would show up a calm day, the surf was huge. It rose dow to snap a photo before they all again. Ronnie Stewart in Masset rec- like a wall, sharp as blue crystal, then fled. Had we got out and slammed the orded the first one in the early 1950s. fell over itself and rushed onshore. Two door, they’d have flown in a flash. In It’s a colourful bird with a bright yel- Mallards came from somewhere and another quiet garden, two Lincoln’s

Page 19 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) Sparrows sat in a leafless bush while Red-breasted Sapsuckers. Documented Sunshine Coast. three White-crowned, three Golden irruptions have occurred in early Janu- The evidence is that an arctic front Crowned and one White-throated Spar- ary 1993, 22 December 1998 (Pender drives the sapsuckers out of the moun- row fed with the juncos. We watched Harbour CBC), 20 December 2008 and tains into the sea-level lowlands of the them from a friend’s warm home; back 17 December 2016 (both Sunshine Sunshine Coast. What we do not know out in the cold world, twenty Trumpeter Coast CBCs). is whether the influx is of short- Swans fed in Yakoun Estuary. The road On 20 December 2008 the Sunshine distance altitudinal migrants dropping to Juskatla had been a sheet of ice the Coast was under the influence of an out of the local mountains down to sea- previous day but had been sanded, so arctic front with overnight temperatures level or if the birds arrive from longer we got there and back safely. We found as low as -14C when the 30th Sunshine distances. a few Killdeer sitting on a distant log Coast CBC was conducted. At the end The aftermath of these sapsucker and the only Eurasian Wigeon and Gad- of the day, the seven parties of birders irruptions has not always been a happy wall for the day. And it didn’t rain at had counted 101 sapsuckers, considera- one for the birds. In the January 1993 all. Total species: 52. bly more birds than the total tallied on event, on the following days, there was all of the previous 29 counts. It was a documented high mortality of sap- also about double the high total record- suckers with birds flying into windows ed on any other North American count and decks, being hit by vehicles, caught that year and I believe it was the highest by cats and raptors, etc. Red-breasted Sapsuckers ever count for the species on any count At the countdown for the 2016 on the Sunshine Coast CBC in the history of the CBC going back to CBC, participants from all the separate 1900. parties reported the high numbers of When the 38th CBC was held on 17 sapsuckers seen that day. However, Tony Greenfield December 2016, an arctic front pre- some of the parties had observed anoth- Red-breasted Sapsuckers are a fairly vailed again with frigid weather for a er phenomenon that I had not previous- common species on the Sunshine Coast few days prior to count day. On that ly encountered: internecine warfare as at all seasons and all elevations, but day the sapsucker count was 124 birds, sapsuckers fought each other to the under normal circumstances are never breaking the previous record set in death. One report was of a “vicious abundant. In the seven years from 2009 2008 and tentatively a new record high fight and the aim seemed to be to kill to 2015 a total of only 17 birds was for any count in the history of the CBC. the opponent.” Another reported “one recorded on the Sunshine Coast CBC On the same weekend as the Sun- bird on top of the other, beating it with for an average of 2.4 birds per count. shine Coast CBC and with the same its bill, with the victim crying out con- Periodically, about once a decade, weather prevailing, the Vancouver CBC tinually.” The party I was with ob- when the arctic front envelops south- on 18 December recorded 101 sapsuck- served two sapsuckers fighting in a western BC and brings cold tempera- ers and the Pender Islands CBC on the shallow creekbed. Eventually one bird th tures with daytime highs around zero, 17 recorded 61 birds. The data from flew off, leaving the other comatose often with accompanying snow, the these two other counts indicates that the and soaking wet in the freezing cold area is inundated with large numbers of phenomenon is not restricted to the water. I waded in and picked up the bird which did not protest at all. Fortu- Below: A seriously rumpled Red-breasted Sapsucker, regaining consciousness nately, there was a happy ending to this after a high-speed window strike. CNK photo. story as after a few minutes drying out and warming up in a box in my vehicle the sapsucker revived and was flutter- ing around inside my vehicle so I let it out and it flew away. Another interesting incident reported on count day was when an observer watched a sapsucker struggling on a lawn in the talons of a small unidenti- fied raptor (Merlin or Sharp-shinned Hawk). Suddenly a Bald Eagle swooped in and scooped up both the sapsucker and its assailant.

Note To avoid confusion: the CBC known as the Sunshine Coast CBC covers the southern portion of the coast from Gib- sons to Sechelt. The Pender Harbour CBC, which is also on the Sunshine Coast, covers the northern portion cen- tred on Pender Harbour.

Page 20 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) journey was underway. We had booked around us. His only failing was that he, a day in Quito pre-tour so that we could like other tropical guides we have had, Overseas recuperate from our plane flights. We did not understand the concept of “flat.” also wanted to adjust to life at nearly Any footpath or trail under about 35 3,500 metres. Our flight landed late at degrees from horizontal constitutes Trips Reports night so we could not spot any birds on “flat” to them. Our mile-long “flat” arrival, but, first thing next morning, we walks around the arena in Vernon had flipped open our curtains to tally our certainly not been enough of a condi- Birding in Ecuador very first South American bird. A flock tioning. Puff, puff, pant, pant, aching Andy Buhler of them flapped around by a hotel right knees! Still Jose did find us birds. across the street from our room. They He started early with a perched An- looked familiar. They were familiar. dean Pygmy-Owl and then took us past In December 2016 Marilyn and I were They were Rock Doves! However, the a melange of different passerines, rap- fortunate enough to check out some of birding and the tour locales both went tors and hummers. On our first day we the fascinating birds of Ecuador. Earlier up after that. found twelve species listed on our in the year we scanned a number of After a restful day on our own in checklists as “hummingbirds.” On Day remarkable bird pictures and some ex- Quito, we hit the hay early. We needed Two we got a day count of 17 species citing reports from birding friends who to be up before dawn to meet Jose, our of “hummingbirds.” I am putting had been to Ecuador before. We guide, and Hugo, our driver. They both “hummingbirds” in quotes. Clive Keen, checked out tour groups online – their arrived on time. Jose greeted us in Eng- in the Winter 2016 issue of BC Nature, challenges, their benefits, their inclu- lish. Hugo, like us, was unilingual and page 6, noted “... The folks tasked with sions and their costs. We scrutinized spoke only Spanish. We checked out naming hummingbirds had a particular our discretionary funds and thought our vehicle for the other clients. Appar- problem. There are 336 known species, about our physical status. The relaxed ently there were none. Our tour turned so good names ending in ‘humming- state of our exercise regimens actually out to really be “our” private birding bird’ soon got desperately short.” Clive needed more scrutiny than the state of tour. Tropical Birding, the tour organi- noted a sampling of name variants in our funds. If we were going to hike in zation, had stated they would go with his article. We got to see: the Andes, we would really need to just two clients and they kept their word shape up. Plans were formalized, pay- when no others had decided to join this  White-necked Jacobin ments were made and planned times to booked tour.  Stripe-throated Hermit walk a mile around the Vernon arena Our first destination was to be  Brown, Green and Sparkling concourse were started. Our breathing Yanacocha, above Quito, at a reserve Violetears rates began to get better. The Canadian owned and operated by the Jocotoco  Gorgeted Sunangel dollar began to get worse. Our planning Foundation. Jose had ears that could  Tyrian Metaltail continued. We were still on a positive hear a tree fall, or a bird call, almost  Violet-tailed Sylph track. anywhere in the tropical “forest” Suddenly it was December! Our  Black-tailed Trainbearer  Booted Racket-tail Crimson-rumped Toucanet. Photo by Andy Buhler.  Shining Sunbeam  Collared and Brown Incas  Great Sapphirewing  Buff-tailed Coronet  Fawn-breasted and Golden-crowned Brilliants  Purple-bibbed Whitetip

– and about twenty more species – all considered to be “hummingbirds.”

Other birds with amazing names that Jose sought out for us included:

 Ocellated Tapaculo  Stout-billed Cincloides  Many-striped Canastero  Pale-legged Hornero  Orange-bellied Euphonia

– and the crowning glory of a name:

 Superciliaried Hemispingus

The tour itinerary took us from strenu- ous cloud forest mixed-flock birding to Page 21 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) sedentary feeder-watching to treks in both wet and dry paramo habitats and even to the top of Papallacta Pass. Each habitat had its own set of “specials” to look for. At the top of the Pass, about 4,000 metres, Jose located two Rufous- bellied Seedsnipes for us. He had been unable to find any Seedsnipes on his last six visits there. Bonus! In the Anti- sana above Quito (dry paramo), we were able to get good views of up to eight Andean Condors, about 100 Ca- runculated Caracaras, one each of Black -faced Ibis, Paramo Pipit, Andean Gull, Paramo Ground-Tyrant, Aplomado Fal- con and even a female Ecuadorian Hill- star (another hummer). That was a great day! All of the birds were openly visible. There was no need to peer through a lot of dank and verdant foliage just to catch a glimpse of some speedily reced- ing rarity. There were two other very memorable days on the tour. One was a visit to Paz de las Aves where we got to see about five species of Antpittas, a Left: Violet-tailed Sylph. Above: Golden Tanagers. Photos by Andy Buhler. Wedge-billed Hummingbird and a couple of displaying Andean Cock-of-the- day when Marilyn and I had to bail on of drowsy Bronze-winged Parrots Rocks at their lek. This was also the one very steep and slippery trail so we rounded out our special visit there. did not get to see Maria, the Giant Jose’s mission seemed to be to find Antpitta, which the local owner / guide us as many species and endemics as he had trained to come in to his call, espe- possibly could in the limited time we cially when his call was accompanied had. We frustrated his efforts a bit. Our by his handful of fresh mealworms. slow pace along his “flat” hikes and our Our other very memorable day was noisy panting to get sufficient oxygen near Milpas enjoying a bag picnic into our labouring lungs meant he, and breakfast at a couple of fruit-feeders put we, missed a couple of his target birds. out by the owners of Amagusa Reserve. Still, without counting any of the heard- We were not overwhelmed by hum- only or guide-only species, we were mers. Instead we watched in awe the able to tally 365 species in that intro- arrivals of so many colourful tanager ductory ten-day tour. visitors. During our lunchtime we tal- Ecuador was an amazing place to lied: bird. We would go again in a heartbeat, but next time, we would attempt to im-  Golden Tanager prove our heartbeats, our breathing and  Lemon-rumped Tanager our wonky knees before setting out  Glistening Green Tanagers (both again with Jose. At least then he might adult and juvenile) give us a passing grade as acceptable  Blue-capped Tanager senior-aged hikers.  Flame-faced Tanager  Golden-naped Tanager  Rufous-chested Tanager Into the Kalahari  Moss-backed Tanager Steve Ellis and Cathie Jackson  Blue-and-black Tanager  Silver-throated Tanager Was it the gaping ground-squirrel holes  Bay-headed Tanager in all the worst places, or the tiny ants  Blue-gray Tanager swarming the ground and our feet? Was it the owl that grazed Steve’s head as he – and, on the way there, a Swallow relieved himself in the blackness, giv- Tanager. A greedy Crimson-rumped ing him the fright of his life (you never Toucanet also entertained us and a pair quite lose that feeling that a lion’s lurk- ing in the nearby grass)? Or was it the Page 22 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) hand-sized flying insects suddenly all side us, at eye level up here on our on our drive here. Incidentally, Sho- attracted at once to our headlamps and perch, we see that the Pale Chanting shong, a small village on the secondary thus our faces, our necks, and, “Ugh!” Goshawk still sits in the thorn tree at highway between Mahalape and Ser- down our shirts? Yes, it was all of that the edge of our campsite. He’s been owe, had the most beautiful, showy incidental wildness that bowled us over here since we arrived yesterday, and birds lined up along its telephone wires. and left us speechless as we sat, heads he’s beautifully camouflaged by the As well as the Whydah, we were star- back, lost in the flight of the Swallow- soft grey of the branches. Behind us, as tled by the brilliance of both the Car- tailed Bee-eaters. We watched them for we turn to clamber down, we see the men and the European Bee-eaters, and hours, not minding the mounting heat. White-browed Sparrow-weavers flitting so many stunning Lilac-breasted Roll- Steve insisted he’d never seen such an through the thorn trees that form an ers. Just past Serowe, a flock of Com- acrobatic display, but I thought to my- umbrella over our campsite. They are mon Waxbills rose from the roadside, self, “He’s seduced by the magic of the the humble weavers, the ones with non- and I wished hard for a sighting of the place.” And of course I was right. descript brown coloring and the loose, delicate Blue Waxbills, which used to When you drive for hours through thick messy nests. We find them remarkable, visit us every morning when we lived in sand then set up camp in the Central though, wondering how they construct Lobatse (for a year in 2000). Kalahari, if you are as lucky as we those long, dark tunnels. So close and The heat of the afternoons is beaten were, you’re about 20 km from another so high, we feel as if we are in the tree by game drives in our air-conditioned human being in every direction. And too; we look right down into the nest as truck. It’s on these drives and on our everything becomes greater. a Southern Grey-headed Sparrow lines day-long trips between campsites that From the roof of our truck, we sat it with her feathers. we see the most amazing sightings. I and watched the sun rise over the pan. Over the next few days we learn that am mesmerized by the ocean of grasses; As the light increases, rocks become those pesky ants are food for the Red- by the sheer height, the softness, the gemsbok and the bushes, ostrich. Patch- Eyed Drongos, Namaqua Doves and the gentle greens and whites. We had to es of brush shift and move: a huge herd Sparrow-weavers who all hop here and stop and wait for giant gemsbok, for of antelope meanders like a stream. In there in our campsite, keeping us enter- springing springbok and for the plod- the silence that is not silence, we hear tained. In the low brush ringing our ding wildebeest as the herds spread the jackal’s cry and with patience we campsite, we see the Orange-winged across the road. Our races with ostrich know we will see him, or her, loping Pytilia, a Red-headed Finch and a flock streaking along beside us, glimpses of along, parting the long grass. of Melba Finch. The breeze picks up in cheetah glancing back at us before dis- How can I think of silence when the the afternoon, and the Shaft-tailed appearing over a dune, of wild dogs, of air is filled with bird song? The rains Whydah clings to the tip of a bush bat-eared fox in the early morning light were generous this year and the world while his tail does a delicate dance with – filled us with gratefulness. of the Kalahari swells with life. We sit its four graceful shafts. Her cousin, the Our chief companion on every Kala- a while longer and Steve identifies the dramatic Paradise Whydah, was kind hari drive was the Black Korhaan, call of the Black-Chested Prinia and the enough to make himself and his gor- whose sudden and frequent screech song of the Kalahari Scrub Robin. Be- geous tail plumage seen near Shoshong never failed to make me jump. By contrast, the strange clicking of the Eastern Gabar Goshawk. Photo by Steve Ellis. Clapper Lark made Steve stop, and both of us wonder, “What is that delicate clapping sound and the barely audible wheeeee?” Eventually we validated Steve’s hunch that it was a bird and not some insect or barking geckos. After many stops, we witnessed its amazing flight: arcing high above the grass with a rapid clapping of its wings, a frantic hover, then a sudden swooping descent with wings arched back and a barely audible ascending “wheeeee”. In the low thornveld that stretched forever on either side, we managed to pick out the Scaly-feathered Finch (a Groucho Marx look-alike), the dark Anteating Chat, a Red-backed Shrike and many Lesser Shrikes. Thankfully they all love to perch on the highest branch (of a low bush), silhouetted against the sky. A frequent road companion in Passarge Pan was the dainty Double- banded Courser, and we were lucky enough to see the Buffy Pipit running

Page 23 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) ahead of us as well. A pair of the incon- while they really didn’t pose a real  Natal Francolin gruous Secretary Birds strode through threat, they clearly wanted us gone.  Northern Black Koorhan the scrub, and we frequently heard the Likely they had cubs hidden under a  Ostrich Kori Bustard’s loud squawk as it spread nearby bush.  Secretary Bird its huge wings. There was always With another long day of deep sand someone circling high in the sky: the and rough clay track, a picnic lunch in  Yellow-billed Egret Greater Kestrel hovering above the Deception Pan, and a stream of amaz-  Blacksmith Plover pans, a Bataleur, the African Hawk- ing sightings, we made our way out of  Bataleur Steppe Buzzard Eagle, a Gabar Goshalk, and of course Central Kalahari. On the last leg, the  African Hawk-Eagle the ever-present buzzards and vultures, track dips and rises relentlessly and the  Gabar Goshawk including Steppe Buzzards, White- grass is so tall on either side we were  Greater Kestrel backed Vultures and a lone Lappet- bouncing through a grass tunnel. Near  White-backed Vulture faced Vulture. the gate, a Southern Yellow-billed  Lappet-faced Vulture Seeing and identifying so many Hornbill stuck a pose against the deep wonderful birds made our sojourns over blue sky, a fitting goodbye from a fa- rough tracks even longer than a top miliar friend. speed of 30 km would allow and our arrival at the next campsite unwisely Bird List late in the day. Night falls quickly, and Briefings 3 & 4 From Mochudi to Central Kalahari: arriving after dark in lion country is just not smart. Often done, but not smart.  Yellow-bellied Eremomela Shorebirds Are Tanking Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill. Steve  Melba Finch We recently (September, 2016) dis- Ellis photo.  Red-headed Finch cussed the plight of Eurasian Red Knots  Black-chested Prinia (Calidris canutus), whose numbers are  Southern Grey-headed Sparrow in rapid decline, seemingly the conse-  Common Waxbill quence of arctic climate warming. Ear-  Sedge Warbler lier and warmer arctic springs have de-  Willow Warbler synchronized the Knots’ breeding cycle  Pied Babbler from the peak availability of food on the tundra, so that young Knots are  Ant-eating Chat smaller and less fit than in the past.  Buffy Pipit This is but one visible indication of a  Eastern Clapper Lark much larger global problem. Shorebird  Kalahari Scrub Robin populations in North America have de-  Carmine Bee-eater clined by 70% over the past 40 years!  European Bee-eater Red Knots breeding in the Canadian  Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Arctic (C. canutus rufa and C. canutus  Marico Flycatcher islandica) have declined by 75% in the  White-backed Mousebird last 30 years. Unlike the European case, the cause is not firmly known, but there  Lilac-breasted Roller But the rewards were well worth a little are several possible (and probably rein-  Paradise Whydah forcing) problems. First, these birds are evening stress, and I had made a set of  Shaft-tailed Whydah candle lanterns to ring around our hunted on their Caribbean and South  Crimson Boubou campsite while I prepared dinner. I’m American wintering grounds, and the comforted and Steve humours me. In  Red-eyed Bulbul effect of that harvest is not known my own defense, this campsite at Let-  Fork-tailed Drongo (surveys are currently underway). Sec- inahau was full of large cat prints,  Grey-headed Bush Shrike ond, on their long migrations (despite though narrow, so not lion. Later we  Lesser Grey Shrike their small size, they make some of the identified them as cheetah. As the sun  Red-backed Shrike longest of all avian migrations), they rely on stopover places with abundant went down and the sky turned scarlet,  Burchell’s Glossy Starling the barking of the geckos was louder food resources to refuel themselves. But  Crested Barbet these places are increasingly disturbed than we’d ever heard it. Later, from the  Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill safety of our bed high up in the truck, and may no longer adequately feed the  Hoopoe we listened to the lions roaring. This is birds. The most prominent example is the Kalahari nightly lullaby, strangely  Grey Laurie Delaware Bay on the American East peaceful when it’s distant and more like  Laughing Dove Coast, where the birds stop after an the woof of sea lions than we’d ever  Namaqua Dove oversea flight from the Caribbean to imagined. We were a bit timid that  Rock Pigeon gorge on the eggs of Horseshoe Crabs night, though. Our vehicle had been  Kori Bustard (Limulus polyphemus). Today, the commercial harvest has deprived the birds surrounded by a pride of lions that day.  Bronze-winged Courser It happened in the blink of an eye, and of the much-needed food. Recently,  Double-banded Courser another important stopover has been

Page 24 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) identified at the mouth of the Nelson in the midwestern and southern U.S. each spring. Three types of courtship River, on the west coast of Hudson have provided improved winter feeding behaviour were observed: synchronized Bay. But here, hydroelectric power op- opportunities for these birds, which pursuit flights, tail bobbing, and at- erations in the river appear to be inter- accordingly are surviving in much tempts (by males) to mount. The amaz- rupting river-mouth feeders. And on the greater numbers. Mixed up as such ing aspect of this is that, in the absence breeding grounds, the birds face the changes are with the evident effects of a of conspecifics in the immediate vicini- same climate and food supply changes changing climate, forecasting the over- ty, individual Ross’s Gulls directed experienced by their Eurasian cousins. all character of environmental change courtship activity toward any nearby Finally, and probably most im- and its effect on the flora and fauna gull. Attention was observed to be vari- portant, small tundra-breeding shore- becomes excruciatingly difficult. ously directed toward Glaucous Gulls birds face a losing battle for secure (The Red Knot is now listed as (Larus hyperboreus; a decidedly odd space with the burgeoning population “endangered” in Canada and potential partner), Sabine’s Gulls of Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens). It “threatened” in the U.S.) (Xema sabini), Arctic Terns (Sterna is estimated that, over the past 50 years, paradisaea) and, most commonly, Black the North American Snow Goose popu- From a news story in Nature 541: 16-20 -legged Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla). lation has exploded from 1.5 million to (5 January, 2017). Over the three years, 63% of displays about 20 million birds. The geese de- were directed toward other species, and stroy coastal marshes and mow down only 37% to conspecifics. In the cold, the tundra grasses within which the delayed spring of 2013, only 23% of small birds hide their nests. The geese Desperate Birds displays were conspecific. The over- directly disrupt nesting and, further, whelming majority of interactions were have attracted to their colonies foxes Ross’s Gull (Rhodostethia rosea) is a flight and tail displays, but seven in- and other predators that also prey on the rare and little-known gull of the high stances of attempted copulation with eggs and young of the shorebirds. Alto- Arctic. Small numbers are found around another species were observed. gether, the geese have substantially re- Queens Channel (north of Cornwallis Interspecific courtships and attempt- duced the biodiverse resources of the Island; east of Bathurst Island). Six to ed copulations amongst species not tundra. At a study site invaded by Snow twelve of the gulls breed on Nasar- closely related have been observed be- Geese on Southampton Island (north uvaalik Island, near which a small po- fore in experimentally contrived situa- end of Hudson Bay), fewer than 7% of lynya (an area of persistently open wa- tions, but this is apparently the first shorebird eggs survived to hatch in ter) provides a foraging area for local instance of its being recorded in the 2016, while at a control site with no birds during early spring. In the high wild as an evidently routine practice Snow Geese, survival to hatch was Arctic, breeding and rearing young is a (instances were recorded in all three 55%. With such statistics, shorebird necessarily hurried process. Birds arrive years of observation). populations cannot sustain themselves in the nesting area before the snow has What purpose might such behaviour at the disturbed site. gone and immediately begin courtship serve? The observers suggest that, first, Human hands appear to be behind activities and pairing. Nesting occurs as it may attract the attention of a conspe- the Snow Goose explosion, at least for soon as a suitable site is uncovered by cific who happens to be in the neigh- the Hudson Bay and eastern Arctic pop- snowmelt. bourhood. Second, it may serve as prac- ulations. Revised agricultural practices From 2011 to 2013, the Nasar- tice for later successful performance. uvaalik Ross’s Gulls were observed Third, and perhaps most germane, it may serve to stimulate the hormonal A National Bird for Canada rebalance within the bird to bring it to readiness to breed. In the Arctic, this David Stirling latter reason is important since the restricted summer period demands that Having read a multitude of emails regarding why the Whiskyjack should be nest establishment and breeding occur Canada’s national bird, although having fewer votes than the Common Loon or just as soon as a nest site is available. the Snowy Owl (what! no Canada Goose!), and reading Val George’s com- For the same reason, these initial dis- ments, Victoria Naturalist, (Jan–Feb 2017), I agree absolutely. But I may be play activities can have little to do with biased as this jay-bird was one of the few species at my bird feeder on a back- nesting territory defence (as practiced woods homestead in the dead of winter. by some birds) – so long as the snow In P. A. Taverner’s Birds of Canada (1934), it was called Canada Jay, long lasts, there are no territories available to before the museum-tray ornithologists changed “Canada” to “Gray.” Taverner defend. makes this strange comment, “It has all the family characteristics (of other jays) ... but seems to lack the keen appreciation of its own humour that the oth- Reference ers possess!” (A bird with no sense of humour? – exclamation mark mine.) Maftei, M., Davis, S.E. and Mallory, I would like to see this jay become Canada’s bird with its name changed to M.L. 2016. Observations of Heteros- Whiskyjack, one word, which is close to the Cree (another permanent Boreal pecific Courtship Behaviour in an Iso- Forest resident) language. Whisky, not “whiskey,” national beverage of Scot- lated Population of Ross’s Gulls land, was a popular Canadian drink before we discovered wine. In the days of (Rhodostethia rosea). Arctic 69: 341- the Hudson’s Bay Company’s fur trade, after a cold, brutal day on the trapline, 346. and a supper of bannock and industrial-strength tea, sitting by the fire with “a wee drap o’ whusky” must have been absolute contentment. Summaries by M. Church. Page 25 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) Avian Encounters

Imperturbable Pygmy-Owl Gordon Brown

Our seed and suet feeders had been up since 1986, but not until 2014 did they draw the attention of a Northern Pygmy -Owl. In fact, I’d lived on Shutty Bench since ’79 and had never seen the bird, much less photographed it. And then one day, there it was: perched in the mountain ash twenty-five feet from the camera on the dining room table. The owl stayed around for a couple of days and seemed either fearless of, or oblivi- ous to, my presence. When perched in Northern Pygmy-Owl photos by Gordon Brown. What unfolded probably took only a tiously moved to within about twenty couple of minutes. At first view, the feet. Unlike the first event, this time birds were stationary, and I assumed the everything was still; the owl just stared flicker had been killed. I’d taken only a at me. I finally realized the flicker had- few shots when the scene suddenly n’t moved since it hit the snow and burst into action with the resumption of must have died almost instantly. a wrestling match eventually found to My camera angle up a gentle slope have traversed eighteen feet. With tal- wasn’t providing the best perspective. ons holding the much larger bird by the and having come out without a jacket, I chest, the owl was attempting to keep it was now freezing. Fortunately, it then grounded. But by the end of this strug- occurred to me that a better camera po- gle across the snow, the flicker had sition could be had from the second finally managed to free both wings and floor bathroom window so up I went, took off with the owl hanging on like a picking up a jacket and tripod en route. front-mounted papoose. It happened so Jeannie didn’t stray far from the wood quickly that I missed the shot when the stove, because I spent the next six owl finally dropped away from the hours, jacket on, shooting out the open- flicker about three feet off the ground. in-February window with two tripod As far as we know, the flicker survived; legs and one of my feet in the bathtub. the only evidence to suggest anything Because of the flicker’s mass and untoward may have happened was a the softness of the snow, the owl had no flicker breast feather found stuck to a chance to cache its prey. Instead, it re- the lilac in front of the deck, the bird suet-approach branch on the birch tree. turned many times throughout the day allowed me a photo op from about six It stayed there until spring. and fed on the carcass until dusk, pre- feet without so much as a blink. I’ve On what may have been the next sumably having created a regurgitated subsequently learned this shouldn’t day, we were having morning coffee in cache nearby. By the next morning, have been surprising. front of the wood stove when move- there was virtually nothing left of the On the third day, Jeannie heard what ment through the patio door caught my flicker. she described as a scream. My wife’s attention. In flight, another flicker was After an absence of nearly three hearing is far more acute than my own, about to take the single remaining years, the little owl showed up again in but this was loud enough to be easily mountain ash berry from the tip of a mid-January. It was seen on only two discernible over whatever she was do- branch. While I watched, the owl hit the consecutive days, and there was no ing in the kitchen. From the dining flicker just as it reached the berry, and feather explosion in the snow to indi- room window, she saw, on the snow both dropped to the deep snow beneath. cate a capture relative to our feeders. beneath one of the suet trees, the little We hadn’t been aware of either bird Just at this time, the six Varied Thrush- owl on top of a Northern Flicker. She before the attack, and the entire incident es we’d entertained all winter disap- hollered and I came rushing downstairs, couldn’t have lasted more than a few peared commensurate with the last of grabbing the camera on my way to the seconds. Camera in hand, I eased out the mountain ash berries. They had giv- deck. the patio door, shooting while I cau- en the raw suet brief attention but didn’t

Page 26 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) just how insouciant the owl was, but it sank in when my neighbor walked up with a point-and-shoot and recorded the event from about three feet. Two hours later both birds were gone; now we know that a Northern Pygmy-Owl has enough lift to carry off a Varied Thrush, but not a Northern Flicker.

The Cat and the Coot

Len Jellicoe

Dian and I spent the month of Decem- ber 2016 in Casa Grande, Arizona. One of the areas we always bird while in Southern Arizona is the Sweetwater Wetlands in Tucson. Checking eBird reports, we noticed a bobcat had been spotted there. We were delighted when we found the cat casually strolling along the trail in front of us. It was quite indifferent to our presence, and this gave us the impression it may have rabies which had been reported in the area. We cautiously followed it for a few minutes when it stopped beside a pond, crouched and sprang into the reeds out of sight. It emerged from the water with an American Coot. It was holding the Coot in such a way that the bird couldn’t flap its wings. I don’t know if this was an intentional action that had been learned from experience or just a fortuitous stay; a phone call two days later explained why. The call was from our neigh- bour, inquiring if I’d like to come over and photograph a Pygmy- Owl with a thrush kill. I did and got the story as well. These folks had been putting up commercial suet cakes, which the birds seem to prefer over the unrendered version presumably because of the reduced energy they’re required to expend per calorie acquired. That’s where our thrushes had gone, and the little owl knew it. The bird was found on top of a thrush, which had expired after a struggle on the snow similar to that found at our place three years earlier. I used a short telephoto zoom and made shots from about twelve feet, not wanting to cause the bird to aban- don its meal. I still hadn’t realized

Page 27 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) grip. The bobcat carried its prey into some dense undergrowth where it was difficult to photograph. Here we found the cat lying down and watching the released Coot try to slowly walk away. I believe the cat may have rendered the Coot unable to fly with its grip between the shoulder blades as it certainly had the opportunity to fly. When the Coot crept too far, the cat would spring on it again and again. We wondered out loud how the bobcat got to the other side of the fence. This mystery was solved when we witnessed it leap right through the six-inch mesh. It played

Bobcat photos by Len Jellicoe. with the Coot for about five minutes before it decided the game was over and started to pluck it. park and that is what allowed our close Eagle shown below left. She notes that We left the scene and returned about approach. she’s seen hundreds, if not thousands, 30 minutes later to find the bobcat For a complete rundown of our trip of Bald Eagles, but never one looking cleaning up. We felt very privileged to to Arizona, please peruse the blog: anything like this. She nearly drove off witness this event. One cannot help but lenanddiansadventures.blogspot.ca . the road in surprise when she first spot- feel sympathy for the Coot, but such an ted it on 72nd near Boundary Bay in emotion towards prey, in all likelihood, Delta. See also page 2. does not exist in the psyche of the bobcat or any other wild predator. A few days later we heard a report Leucistic Bald Eagle of a man who was attacked by a rabid bobcat in the Phoenix area. We believe On the last day of 2016, new BCFO Breakfast of Champions the Sweetwater cat was just habitual- member Janice Melendez spotted and photographed the very unusual Bald ized to the many people visiting the John and Dave Sprague We noticed an eagle fly down to the reef in front of our place (Salt Spring Island) and start feeding on something. It joined another eagle that continued to stand on the reef. The menu looked like a big blob of stuff, so one of

us kayaked out to identify. It was octo- pus. The suckers were dime- to nickel- sized. Perhaps someone can speculate how it got on the reef?

Page 28 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1)

Rare Bird Alerts

The British Columbia Rare Bird Alert (bcbirdalert.blogspot. ca) continues to be compulsive viewing. Here are a few of the entries.

January 22, 2017 Liron Gerstman found two Pink-footed Geese in Saanich. If accepted as non-escapees, this would be a first record for the Province of British Columbia. Photo by Liron Gerstman.

January 7, 2017 Chris Buis found a male Lesser Goldfinch at his Gazebo feeder in Abbotsford. This followed a December 18, 2016 sighting by Liis Jeffries during the Merritt CBC. Photo by Nobert Sharp.

January 1, 2017 Ben Keen found an adult male Tufted Duck in the SE inner pond at Iona Regional Park. Photo by Janice Melendez.

December 30, 2016 Jeremy Gatten found a first-cycle Purple Sandpiper at Kitty Islet in Victoria. This is the first record for British Columbia and the second record for the Pacific Coast in the ABA. Pho- to by Melissa Hafting.

December 22, 2016 During the Comox CBC, Shayne Tillapaugh found a female Red-flanked Bluetail at Lazo Wildlife Park. (No photo.)

Overwintering The Green Heron below, first reported in early November by Cos van Wermeskerken, has been seen regularly throughout the winter at Brydon Lagoon, Langley. Photo by Janice Melendez.

Page 29 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) ful, it is wise to minimize activity social obligation that trumps circadian around the nest, hence infrequent parent rhythm. But its finding raises a whole Briefing 5 exchanges. Birds not well camouflaged host of new questions. How does the adopt attack or active diversionary tac- pair decide on what rhythm to adopt? Is Nest Duties tics (for example, the “broken wing” the behaviour consistent through the stunt) to defend the nest. In this case, nesting period and from year to year? All organisms respond to and organize short incubation bouts have the ad- Are there other influences not yet rec- their activities about the 24-hour day/ vantage of maintaining alertness to pos- ognized? There remains much to learn. night cycle. There are important physio- sible threats. Hence the Calidrii logical reasons for this regular diurnal (sandpipers and allies), mostly brown References: rhythm, modulated by the internal cir- and white stripey things that disappear Bulla, M. + 75 others (!). 2016. Unex- cadian “clock” possessed by most or- into the tundra grasses where they nest, pected diversity in socially synchro- ganisms. It is known that those who have long incubation bouts. In contrast, nized rhythms of shorebirds. Nature ignore circadian prompting are subject other Charadrii (e.g., plovers and al- 540: 109-113. to a number of less or more serious lies), mostly more patchily and brightly Commentary by Buck, C.L. Wild health problems, such as experienced feathered, have active defence strate- times. Ibid. 49–50. by shift workers, for example. But so- gies and short incubation bouts. cial obligations can lead one to disrupt Here is an excellent example of a Summary by M. Church normal daily rhythms – ask any “party animal.” But most real animals closely follow circadian rhythms, even though they may be reversed from human experience (many mammals, for instance, are nocturnal). So it comes as a bit of a surprise to learn that periods of nest attendance amongst ground-nesting shorebirds incubating eggs may vary widely from circadian rhythm. Over twenty years, investigators studied 729 pairs of shorebirds, com- prising 32 species. They found that the birds switch nest duties over periods that vary from one hour to fifty hours. While some birds that switch nest duties relatively frequently roughly syn- chronize their cumulative periods to the 24-hour day, most do not. What might be behind this unusual behaviour? Possibly it’s an evolutionary factor. The investigators noted that, indeed, closely related species tend to have similar incubation rhythms, so there does appear to be an inherited factor at play. What else? Since incubation precludes feeding, one might suppose that smaller birds, with lesser energy stores, would have to leave the nest more frequently to feed. But there was no evident rela- tion between body size and the length of a stay on the nest. So perhaps ther- mal regulation might compel birds in colder climates to move and feed more frequently. In fact, birds in colder climates tend to have longer incubation bouts. So energy status seems not to be a factor. The key factor appears to be nest defence strategy. Birds with plumage that provides good camouflage tend to defend the nest by remaining still, so that potential predators do not notice the nest. For this strategy to be success-

Page 30 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) father-son team Richard and Russell the Cariboo – with the exception of a Watson Cannings describe birding at Watson tiny dot in the Peace country. This is Slough on pp. 289-290. They note the Bear Flats! presence of American Bittern, Sora and The Peace River Regional District Slough No Yellow Rail, as well as boreal forest and a number of conservation groups songbirds such as the Tennessee War- have asked BC Hydro to hold off from bler. For decades, Watson Slough has destroying Watson Slough now, since it More? been used to educate local school chil- wouldn’t be flooded before 2024, and dren about birds, ducks, vegetation, fish there is no engineering reason to de- and amphibians. The school program stroy it this early in the project timeline. Critical Wetland under was supported by Ducks Unlimited and First Nations, Peace Valley residents Threat in the Peace Valley the Peace River Regional District. and many citizens’ groups are question- This is only one of the many losses ing the rush to destroy the highly bio- Ana Simeon B.C. birds and biodiversity at large diverse Peace Valley and prime farm- would suffer with the construction of land for Site C. The dam would saddle On World Wetlands Day, February 2, Site C dam. The Joint Review Panel – taxpayers with a costly white elephant we heard, ironically, that BC Hydro is whose largely negative findings on Site that BC Hydro itself admits wouldn’t set to begin logging a stretch of the C were ignored by the provincial and be able to pay for itself for at least an- Peace Valley that includes Watson federal governments – found that the other 70 years. Slough, a significant wetland sheltering Site C dam would cause significant ad- More information can be found at: at-risk bird species, in preparation for verse effects on migratory birds which the Site C dam reservoir. cannot be mitigated. The reservoir  peacevalley.ca Watson Slough is used by Trumpet- would also flood Bear Flats, a south-  sierraclub.bc.ca er Swans and several neotropical birds facing benchland on the Peace River  desmog.ca as a feeding and rest area on their where I heard a Western Meadowlark in spring and fall migration. At-risk spe- July 2015. The distribution map for cies such as Canada Warbler and Com- Western Meadowlark in the Campbell- Watson Slough – one of the locations mon Nighthawk have both been ob- Kennedy Birds of British Columbia planned for a BCFO AGM 2017 post- served at Watson Slough. In their book (page 344), shows that this grasslands conference visit. Birdfinding in British Columbia, the songster doesn’t go farther north than Photo by Don Hoffman.

Page 31 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) The March of the Eurasian Collared-Dove Accelerated Spread in BC the approximate 2,800-mile distance petition may not be a significant issue. between Miami and Vancouver at a For example, the size of seeds selected

Vancouver birder Martin Gebauer is phenomenal rate of ~128 miles/year, by Mourning Doves and Collared- currently in Oxford, UK, taking an much faster than estimated dispersal Doves is quite different, which may M.Sc. in Biodiversity, Conservation and rates in Europe (27 miles/year) and for limit foraging competition between Management. He wrote the following other introduced species such as Star- these species and Collared-Doves are article for the course’s blog, and it is lings and House Sparrows in North not overly aggressive. Collared-Doves well worth repeating here, particularly America. may take over other nests (e.g., Ameri- in light of CBC records showing that Expansions of other introduced spe- can Robin), but this affect has not been Collared-Dove numbers in BC continue cies in North America are also well widely documented and is likely not a to consolidate. documented. European Starlings were major issue. As well, there has been first introduced in Central Park, New some concern that Collared-Doves Martin Gebauer York, in 1890 and 1891, and by 1959 could transmit new pathogens or infec- had reached Vancouver, BC, on the tious diseases to native bird species, but The beautiful Eurasian Collared-Dove West Coast. Starlings had made the evidence of inter-species transmission is adorned in muted grays, browns and approximate 2,400-mile journey at a in Collared-Doves has not been well whites, and has a distinct dark crescent dispersal rate of about 42 miles/year. documented. on its neck. Its incessant cooing is gen- House Sparrows have a similar history So should we be concerned or im- tle and familiar to city and farm dwell- of dispersal. First released and estab- pressed? Is this a good news story ers throughout Europe and North Amer- lished in New York between 1851 and when accounts of bird extirpation and ica. 1855, they were first reported in the range retractions are almost a daily Before its unprecedented expansion Vancouver area around 1900. House event? Should we embrace the in- across Eurasia and later North America, Sparrows made the 2,400-mile journey creased species richness or alpha diver- it resided in southern Asia from Turkey to southern China and from India south to Sri Lanka. At the beginning of the 20th century, Collared-Doves began dispersing westward and then northward, reaching Britain in 1953 and breeding by 1955, arriving in Ireland in 1959, and Iceland by 1964 (although it has never become established there). Collared-Doves also expanded eastward to southern Russia, most of China, and even Japan (where they may have been introduced), and southward to Egypt, Morocco and the Canary Is- lands. This rapid rate of expansion has been estimated at 27 miles/year, not bad for a non-migratory, but obviously highly dispersive, species. To- day Collared-Doves are ubiquitous in towns and countryside throughout Eu- rope and Asia, where they seems to be comfortably coexisting with their avian neighbours. But that’s not quite the end of the story. The invasion of collared-doves in This Eurasian Collared-Dove found its way to Prince George in 2012. CNK photo. North America began when a small flock escaped captivity in Nassau, Ba- to Vancouver at a dispersal rate of sity in our local towns and gardens? Do hamas in 1974. By 1982, Collared- about 49 miles/year, very similar to Collared-Doves bring satisfaction and Doves had arrived in Florida, where Starlings. In contrast, Collared-Doves joy to urban dwellers, who rarely move they rapidly began expanding and then have dispersed at a much more rapid beyond their city gates? One thing is for very quickly moved to nearby states. rate (128 miles/year). certain, Eurasian Collared-Doves are By 2005, Collared-Doves had arrived in So, how concerned should we be for here to stay. I can only be impressed by Vancouver, British Columbia, greatly our native fauna, particularly other dove their versatility, adaptability and tenaci- surpassing expansion estimates. Given species such as Mourning Dove and ty as they have settled into their new their arrival in southern Florida in 1982, Common Ground-Dove? Recent re- homes. Collared-Doves have dispersed across search suggests that inter-species com-

Page 32 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1)

was later found at Eureka Springs, Ar- kansas, 3,038 kilometres away. Mugaha Marsh Bird Banding In addition to the knowledge generated by the station, it is a marvellous and inspiring educational asset. Visiting Station, 2016 kids, in particular, get turned on to nature, as made abundantly clear by their The Mugaha Marsh Bird Banding Sta- Over the 22 years of its operation, looks of delight. This is no doubt one of tion, located near Mackenzie in north- the station has banded 61,953 birds, the reasons why the station receives ern BC, completed its 22nd season in bringing a wealth of data about the financial support from the Fish and 2016, and a fine year it was. Rain and birds coming through the region. 113 Wildlife Compensation Program, the wind can play havoc with bird banding, species have been banded so far, with Canadian Wildlife Service, the Baillie but these were not too problematic dur- 2016 surprises including a Cape May Birdathon and many individual donors. ing this July 19–September 23 season, Warbler, a Blue-headed Vireo, and the though moose sometimes made nui- first confirmed records of Marsh Wren – CNK sances of themselves in the mist nets. and Nashville Warbler. Data from the The twelve nets, planned to be open for banding can also show where the birds Below: The front cover of this year’s six hours a day from sunrise, were op- are from, how long they can live, report. To read the whole report, which erational for a total of 4,447 hours, and whether they are increasing or decreas- goes far beyond the information above, 3,390 birds in all were banded. On av- ing, and where they head to. For exam- go to mackenzienatureobservatory.ca . erage, 54 were banded each day, repre- ple, a Purple Finch banded in July 2015 senting one banding every seven minutes. On August 6, the numbers peaked, with 110 birds banded – roughly one every three minutes! Starting in 1994, the banding operation has now become remarkably well- tuned and organized. Birders from the north who regularly visit the station tend to assume all banding stations are like this, and then are taken aback by the spartan conditions elsewhere. But like all the other stations (it is one of 25 stations in the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network coordinated by Bird Studies Canada), it is placed in an excellent spot for migratory birds. The location in the Rocky Mountain Trench, adjacent to the Omineca Mountains and the Williston Reservoir, produces a funnelling effect for migrating birds, ensuring a substantial flow as they re- turn south. The station, about a two-hour drive north of Prince George, is also a particularly fine place for birding in general: the 2016 report covers sightings of many species in the area over and above those caught in the mist nests. Regrettably the banding season will not have started when the BCFO 2017 AGM is being held in Tumbler Ridge, or it would have been a must-visit spot on the way. But for birders travelling north, particularly between the middle of July and most of September, be sure to drop in (you can find directions at the address given below). Vi and John Lambie, the force behind the station, are always pleased to see BCFO members. They are, of course, members themselves.

Page 33 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) Kootenay Bank Swallow Survey

Following is the report for 2016 of this BCFO-supported research project.

Assessing and monitoring regional numbers of a nationally threatened species Janice Arndt

Background Across Canada, many birds that feed on flying insects are showing significant declines. Bank Swallows were assessed as federally Threatened in 2013, due to an estimated population decrease of 98% over forty years. Other BC aerial insectivores that are considered to be at risk nationally or provincially include Black Swifts, White-throated Swifts, Common Nighthawks, Barn Swallows as well as in gravel pits and quarries. of burrows, are conspicuous and pro- and Purple Martins. Although the birds themselves are small vide a relatively simple means of moni- Bank Swallows nest in colonies in and often difficult to detect, their colo- toring populations. The Kootenay Bank cutbanks along watercourses and roads, nies, sometimes consisting of hundreds Swallow Survey (KBSS) was initiated in 2015, with its primary goal being to provide baseline abundance estimates and ongoing monitoring of breeding populations for use in trend assessments and recovery strategies.

Planning and Fieldwork During the breeding seasons of 2015 and 2016, several methods were evalu- ated to estimate numbers of swallows at active colonies. The number of burrows at a colony does not accurately reflect the number of breeding pairs that are present because not all burrows are occupied. Published studies from other parts of the swallows’ range adjusted burrow counts by employing a correc- tion factor, called the burrow occupancy rate, with recommended values ranging from 45-60%. This corrects for burrows that are not in use. KBSS conducted non-intrusive active nests counts at selected colonies to determine a burrow occupancy rate appropriate for the Koo- tenay region. Each colony was visited twice in July, and nests where chicks were visible, or where adults were observed entering and exiting, were marked on colony photos and then tallied. Actual nest contents were not examined, which means that some active nests were likely missed, as were nests that had failed prior to the counts in July. However, the active nest count at each colony

Page 34 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) under study was believed to provide a reasonable, if con- servative, index to numbers of breeding pairs. The counts were compared to the total number of burrows, and a regional burrow occupancy rate of 50% was selected and applied to all colonies. Field studies in 2016 were concentrated on the southwest Kootenay subregion around Nelson, Castlegar and Trail. Twenty-one active colonies were identified, ranging in size from 12 to 648 burrows, and totaling 3,806 burrows. The estimated size of the breeding population in this area, using a burrow occupancy rate of 50%, was therefore about 1,900 pairs, or 3,800 adults. Additional colonies were reported from Arrow Lakes, Creston, Cranbrook, Fairmont, and Kootenay Nation- al Park. More than 30 birders, naturalists and biologists have participated in the project so far. In addition to field studies, activities of the Kootenay Bank Swallow Survey have included giving presentations on declining aerial insectivores, compil- ing historical information on colony locations and sizes, and providing recommendations on best management practices to operators and owners of gravel pits and quarries to reduce dis- turbance to nesting swallows.

Next Steps We are aiming for greater coverage of the East Kootenay in 2017. Members of Rocky Mountain Naturalists are interested in Support for the Survey evaluating burrow occupancy rates for  numbers of burrows (counted in the field or from photographs) The Kootenay Bank Swallow Survey is colonies in the Cranbrook area. KBSS a project of the West Kootenay Natural- is keeping a catalogue of current and  date and number of adults observed ists’ Association. The Fish and Wildlife historical colonies from throughout In addition, notes on access and owner- Compensation Program provided im- southeastern BC. Please report any ship are very useful. The best time to portant in-kind support. BCFO gave Bank Swallow colonies that you ob- visit colonies in this part of the prov- financially to the project in 2016, as did serve in the Kootenays in 2017 and also ince is June 20 through July 20, when the Waneta Terrestrial Compensation provide any information you have from most adults are feeding young in the Program, Columbia Basin Trust and BC previous years. burrows. However, colony locations Nature/BC Naturalists’ Foundation. Key information to record when and number of burrows can be docu- reporting colonies includes: mented, and photographs taken, at any Thank you!  colony location time of the year. Please send all information and photos to koote-  photographs that show all sections [email protected] , or to of the colony 901 Hwy. 3A, Nelson BC V1L 6J5.

Page 35 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) Bewick’s and House Wrens: Briefing 6

Diverging Fortunes Decoding Birdsong Sparrows tend to have a variety of song bursts; song details certainly vary re- Tony Greenfield (including returning regularly to the gionally and may vary locally, or even Halfmoon Bay nest site). From 2009 to in one bird. But, somehow, once one Bewick’s Wren 2014 the species was on an upward tra- When I began birding on the Sunshine has learned one variant of a particular jectory with records from three–four sparrow’s song, it becomes easy to rec- Coast in the 1970s, Bewick’s Wren was locations per year. Then in 2015 there a fairly common year-round resident. In ognize other variants as song from the was a population explosion with the same species. Two recent studies may 2017 it has all but disappeared as a species reported in twelve separate lo- member of the local avifauna. The best yield some clues as to why this is so. cations. Most young birds learn to sing by data illustrating the decline of the spe- The earliest records for the species cies comes from the Sunshine Coast imitating their parents. In studies of in the 1990s were all basically water- Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia guttata), CBCs. front locations around human habita- The species has only been recorded researchers found that the syllables of a song and the rhythm of the song (the SC-CBC Birds recorded Recorded on Average/count spacing of the syllables) are remem- bered and mediated by different regions 1980-89 17 in 10 years 8/10 counts 1.7 of the bird’s brain. When young Zebra 1990-99 19 in 10 years 8/10 counts 1.9 Finches were raised by Society Finches 2000-09 13 in 10 years 6/10 counts 1.3 (Lonchura striata domestica; also 2010-16 1 in 7 years 1/7 counts 0.14 known as Bengalese Finches, a domestic cage bird not occurring in the wild), on three counts from 2004-16. the Zebra Finches learned the Society tions. However, in 2015–16 when the Finch syllables, but retained Zebra Other than the CBC record, the de- population exploded, most records were cline of the species can be tracked by Finch rhythm. The implication is that, in brushy regenerating forest clearcuts. while the song content is learned, vocal the number of locations in which birds In the coming years crown closure of have been reported during individual rhythm is innate – genetically hard- the planted seedlings will remove these wired in the bird’s brain. years. In 1993 Bewick’s Wren was rec- locations as viable habitat for House orded in five separate locations on the These findings seem to explain why Wrens, but we can expect that there will the song of a particular species may Sunshine Coast, and from 1993 to 2004 always be new clearcuts available for it was always recorded in two to five have regional, or even local, variations. colonization. The occupied clearcuts to As a learned exercise, there is room for locations. Since 2005 it has only been date have been at elevations below recorded in one to two locations per mistakes that become cultural drift. about 250 metres. Nevertheless, the hard-wired nature of year, and in three of those years, it has House Wren is a summer visitor to not been reported at all on the Sunshine the song rhythm limits the nature of the the Sunshine Coast and has been rec- drift so that the bird is assured of being Coast. orded within the dates April 18 to Sep- On the Sunshine Coast, Bewick’s able to communicate with conspecifics tember 15. The September 15 date was to confirm group identity, or to claim Wrens are residents of low-elevation unusual in that it was a bird controlled brushy habitats, often in dry locations. territory or to advertise for a mate. And at a banding operation. Otherwise, the it perhaps explains why we humans can House Wren latest date is August 17. “see” through song variations and iden- House Wren was unrecorded on the So, the Sunshine Coast has a diver- tify the bird, even when the song is a bit Sunshine Coast from 1971, when I be- gent story to tell with regard to Bew- different than we have heard before. gan birding, until 1993. In 1993 I was ick’s Wren and House Wren, with the alerted that House Wrens were nesting previously well-established Bewick’s References in a nest box in the Wilson Creek area. Wren declining almost to extirpation Gadagkar, V. + 5 others. 2016. Dopa- Coincidentally, on the same day that I while the previously unrecorded House mine neurons encode performance error visited this location to observe and veri- Wren has undergone a significant range in singing birds. Science 354: 1278- fy the species, Arnold Skei inde- expansion into the area and a subse- 1282. pendently found another bird a few kil- quent dramatic population increase. The Araki, M., Bandi, M.M. and Yazaki- ometres away in the Sechelt area. apparent rapid decline of Bewick’s Sugiyama, Y. 2016. Mind the gap: Neu- These two reports remained the only Wren can be traced back to 2004 while ral coding of species identity in bird- Sunshine Coast records until 1999, the increase of House Wren dates to song prosody. Science 354: 1282-1287. when the species nested in a cavity in a about 2009. Is there the possibility of a Both articles are highly technical. tree in Halfmoon Bay, just north of causal relationship between the two Readable commentary by Tchernichov- Sechelt. Thereafter, the species was events? It seems possible, given the ski, O. and Lipkin, D. Encoding vocal recorded almost annually until 2008, similar habitat the two species occupy culture. Ibid. 1234-1235. but usually only in a single location on the Sunshine Coast. Summary by M. Church Page 36 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) Meet the second killer. He’s a Sharp two or three power flaps peeled around -shinned Hawk, also an adult and also a the end of the hedge and struck a fe- Gone Pishing male. He visits the yard as well, but male quail on the back. His momentum rarely on the same days as the Cooper’s carried him on top of her, and though Chris Siddle and never, to my knowledge, at the she struggled, he kept at least one large foot clamping her body to the snow. Editor’s note: This is the first instal- Once on his prey, he looked around ment of what will now be a regular col- intently, probably to make sure that he umn. was safe from attack or interruption. Close Encounters: Cooper’s and Keeping the quail gripped with one Sharp-shinned Hawk foot, he peg-legged his way on to the snowy base of the lilacs and began There is a life-and-death drama being plucking his prey. Fortunately the played out in my yard. From my kitch- hedge was thin enough so that I could en and living room windows, I have the see the hawk and his prey quite clearly best seat in the house. from a living room window. He began Meet the killers. The first is an adult plucking the quail only about 3–4 Cooper’s Hawk, which I have judged to minutes after seizing her. Plucking and be a male by his size. He has been visit- eating the quail took about 47 minutes. ing my yard at the base of Silver Star At which point the quail died, I do Mountain, Vernon, since mid Novem- not know. I hope it expired almost im- ber. He favours the neighbours’ big mediately, but some tell-tale shifting of maple tree because a perch halfway up the hawk upon its prey suggests that the gives him a commanding view of my Sharp-shinned Hawk in my yard. Note quail may have struggled a few minutes yard where I maintain a bird feeder. how its expression differs from that of even while in the hawk’s grasp. This the much larger Cooper’s Hawk. led me to the question “how does a Cooper’s Hawk or other accipiter actu- same time. ally kill?” I found an answer in Leslie Attending my feeding station are Black- Brown’s classic text Birds of Prey. Re- capped and Mountain Chickadees, a ferring to high-speed photographic couple of Red-breasted Nuthatches, one studies of striking raptors studies car- female Downy Woodpecker, and up to ried out by the ironically named G.E. three Northern Flickers. These birds have no part to play in my story because so far they have been ignored by the killers or have evaded them so successfully that it’s unlikely they will be caught. Also faithful to the feeding area are California Quails (up to 40), Eurasian Collared-Doves (up to 5), Mourning Doves (up to 37), Dark-eyed Juncos (30), Song Sparrows (4), House Finches (8), American Goldfinches (5) and House Sparrows (20). The quail and the doves are of much interest to the Cooper’s Hawk, and the sparrows, jun- Cooper’s Hawk in the yard, cos and finches clearly fascinate the January 31 2017. All photos by Chris Sharp-shinned Hawk. Halfway through the meal. Siddle. On 15 December 2016 the Cooper’s Hawk appeared in the maple early. It Goslow, Brown describes the strike of Actually, bird feeding station is more was a gloomy morning, valley fog over the Cooper’s Hawk and that of a North- accurate than calling where I put seed a ern Goshawk: the North Okanagan, and the hawk “bird feeder.” Every dawn I scatter blended well into the shadowless murk. about a dozen cups of mixed bird seed With his gray back to the line of Cali- Both accipiters attacked in on and around a big round piece of an fornia Quail that were slowly infiltrat- essentially the same way. old Siberian Elm that was felled and cut They first gained speed by ing the lilac hedge off to the hawk’s vigorous flapping, [then] up a few years ago. The pseudo stump right, he must have been harder than ceased flapping, the sits at the base of a little patch of lilacs usual to see. Whatever the reason, the Cooper’s Hawk at 3.5 to 4.5 growing next to a sprawling ancient quail seemed not as wary as usual. At metres and the Goshawk at apricot tree. Lilac and apricot are grow- 10:51 the hawk suddenly leaned right, 7.5 to 9 metres. Still closer ing more or less directly below the propelled himself off his perch and with the hawks swung the body male. upwards to bring the pelvis Page 37 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) beneath the head, spreading foot, entering even thick shrubbery after through even the tightest cage of stems the tail to brake, and at the birds, an approach toward securing prey and grab at them. same time threw the feet for- also employed by the Cooper’s smaller The Sharp-shinned Hawk made far ward hard. At the actual in- cousin, the Sharp-shinned Hawk. more hunting sallies per day than did stant of strike, the feet were traveling towards the prey at My Sharp-shinned Hawk showed up the Cooper’s Hawk. While the almost or more than twice in the yard on 6 January. For his first Cooper’s Hawk waited sometimes the speed of the head. In the few visits, I saw him only as he briefly hours before attempting a hit, the Sharp Cooper’s Hawk, the relative passed through the yard, but finally on -shinned Hawk was willing to try his velocities were 4.8 metres 13 January he stuck around to try some luck whenever small birds gathered at per second for the head and hunting. In my eBird entry for that day, the feeder. However, his success rate 11.4 for the feet…by thrust- I called his hunting technique “drop and was nil at least while I was watching. ing the pelvis and feet for- hop.” All of a half dozen or so attempts that I ward, the striking accipiter Like the Cooper’s Hawk, at first the witnessed over the next few days failed delivers a violent blow at the prey and does not just grab Sharpie perched in the maple, but there until 8:59 am, January 15, 2017 when it with outspread feet…To the similarities between hunting styles he dropped, hopped and plunged kill their prey these accipi- ended. When he spotted potential prey, through the twigs to pin to the snow a ters used a kneading action usually among the juncos, finches or White-throated Sparrow that was just of the talons, something like House Sparrows, he did not push off in too slow to avoid him. Through a kitch- that of a contented cat on a en window, I was able to snap one pic- lap. Pp. 123–124. ture of this capture before the hawk flew away with his prize in his talons. Although his final simile strikes me as My attitude towards raptors was not quite appropriate, I think you under- tested very briefly. Normally as when stand a little more clearly now how a the Cooper’s Hawk caught the Califor- Cooper’s Hawk strikes and kills. nia Quail, I thought that I remained ob- From about 10:55 to 11:47, the jective, neither pro-hawk nor pro-prey. Cooper’s Hawk plucked, tore apart and I dressed my supposed neutrality in swallowed the quail bit by bit. The area reasoning that death by hawk was Na- immediately around the hawk became ture’s way. That’s why there were so feather-strewn. He paused only once to many quails and so few Cooper’s watch the neighbours leave in their ve- Hawks. In the grand scheme, quails hicle and twice to scrape particularly were hawk chow. However, when the bothersome feathers from his beak. His Sharp-shinned Hawk snatched the only first real break from eating came at White-throated Sparrow ever to attempt 11:47, when he sat for three minutes in to overwinter in my yard, my single the centre of the feathery circle, pre- Sharpie, eyes on the prize, just about thought was, “What! You nailed the sumably fairly replete. to drop and hop. White-throated Sparrow! You couldn’t A nosey Black-billed Magpie ap- grab one of the common species? Come proached the hawk within 2–3 metres. on, Sharpie. That’s not fair!” The hawk peg-legged out onto our lawn power flight, but simply appeared to My indignation didn’t last long (for a clear runway) and flew with the drop the few metres down to the lilac though. The thought intruded that far tattered remnants of the quail still in his growing beside the feeding area. Invari- from being neutral about the life and grip to the maple and a few seconds ably some of the songbirds bolted into later into a dense Douglas-fir hedge. the many-stemmed lilac The Magpie lost interest and flew off. around which the Sharpie About three minutes later at 12:06, the now fluttered. He would Cooper’s Hawk returned without the perch on slender ends of quail skin to the maple, where he branches, then fly in a tight perched, crop bulging, for an hour and a circuit around the bush, half before flying off for the day. wingtips almost brushing the The Birds of North America’s re- twigs. Frequently he dropped vised account of the Cooper’s Hawk to the snow and half hopped, describes three methods of attack. half flapped, around the base Cooper’s Hawks sometimes stoop from of the bush, reaching be- high flight, like a Peregrine might do. tween stems trying to snag This has to be a fairly rare hunting tech- supper from the small birds nique. I say that because I don’t know sheltering within the bush’s of anyone who has seen such an aerial base. If small songbirds attack. In the second method, a dream, their nightmares Cooper’s Hawk puts on a sudden burst might feature a surprisingly of speed as it leaves its perch. This de- long slender leg ending in a scribes the kill that I had witnessed. long-toed foot armed with The White-throated Sparrow was just too slow try- Finally a Cooper’s Hawk can hunt on wicked talons able to reach ing to escape from the base of the lilac bush. Page 38 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) death struggles in my yard, I had been References pro-raptor all along. After all, there was nothing natural about my feeding sta- Bildstein, Keith L. and Meyer, tion. It was an artificial concentration of Kenneth D, 2000. Sharp-shinned seed, attracting a concentration of Hawk (Accipiter striatus), The quails, doves and other species unlikely Birds of North America (P.G. to occur in such high numbers without Rodewald, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell human intervention. Lots of avian ac- Lab of Ornithology. tivity attracts accipiters according to Brown, Leslie. 1976. Birds of scientists E.L. Dunn and D. Tessaglia. Prey: Their Biology and Ecology. However, their study of Project The Hamlyn Publishing Group, Feeder Watch also expressed the idea Middlesex, England. that successful kills are quite rare. And, Curtis, Odette E., Rosebfield, for me, truth be told, the sight of a hunt- R.N. and Bielefeidt, J. 2006. ing accipiter, buteo, harrier, eagle or Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter coop- falcon quickens my pulse as no quail or erii), The Birds of North America sparrow ever can. Let me be clear: I am (P.G. Rodewald, Ed.). not feeding birds just to feed raptors. I Dunn, Erica L. and Tessaglia, like having ALL species around the Diane L. 1994. “Predation of Birds yard, but if I am going to continue feed- at Feeders in Winter.” Journal of ing birds I might as well be honest Field Ornithology 65 (1) 8-16. about my feelings. Raptors, whether they are Cooper’s Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawks or Pygmy-Owls, successfully kill birds coming to the feeder so rarely that I don’t think I am upsetting anything in any major way. But each of us who feeds birds must make up his or her own mind about the effects of feeding birds in the backyard, a backyard The Sharpie back at its post. that can become the setting for a life- and-death drama.

theory reads so effortlessly. All in all, it for instance, if you hold a chicken up to is hard to put down; this reviewer read your ear, you can hear the grinding of Media Review the book in just two sittings. its gizzard; birds still in the egg tell The book starts with something ra- mum to turn them over if they are cold ther sombre: the fact that it is extremely on one side and hot on the other. Beaks, Bones and Bird Songs, by Roger tough being a bird. Only around ten Some readers might have preferred J. Lederer. Timber Press, 2016, 280 percent of songbirds make it from egg the author to pause at times and go into pages, hardcover. to adulthood, and then the adults face greater depth, and on a few occasions, so many dangers that only half of mi- the flow of facts does seem a little This is a book written by an ornithol- gratory birds succeed in surviving a breathless, but the range of ornithologi- ogist with birders rather than biology single migratory cycle. But, starting cal knowledge is now so extensive and students in mind. It is a highly readable from this premise, the author continues fast growing that the book could too overview of the state of ornithological by explaining, and marveling at, the easily have become encyclopedic rather knowledge, crammed with information various ways birds cope with the huge than a delightful read. And for those of the kind that should most appeal to array of challenges. wanting more, there’s an extensive bib- BCFO members. Have you ever won- The book sections cover foraging; liography. dered, for instance, why a number of avian senses; flying; migration and The Amazon Canada price of the bird species coexist in two-size pairs: navigation; dealing with the elements; book is $30.59, but since there are few Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Sharp- bird communities; and human influ- photographs, it’s a sensible move to get shinned and Cooper’s Hawks, Downy ences. Few pages go by without genu- instead the very inexpensive Kindle and Hairy Woodpeckers, etc? Read this ine enlightenment for the birder – why edition. At just $1.99, it’s a great book and you’ll see why it’s no acci- Crested Mynas disappeared from Van- choice when travelling light on a bird- dent. (Hint: it’s explained by Gause’s couver, for instance (Gause’s Principle ing holiday. Principle and Hutchinson’s Ratio.) again), and why Eurasian Collared- Lederer does not simply provide a Doves have spread so quickly (having –CNK welter of interesting facts but gives an three–six broods a year helps). And explanatory framework. Perhaps the sprinkled throughout the book are fun best thing about the book is that the facts that will delight even non–birders:

Page 39 BC Birding March 2017 Edition 27 (1) up a fight. Ergo, for all its huge im- The Reflective Birder pressive build, it`s a carrion eater.  Watching Sandhill Cranes at the right time of year is particularly en- Clive Keen studying in January as well, as the tertaining, as you might see them plumage changes can then be quite evi- applying cosmetics. Their warm A Conundrum Worth dent. He went on to explain that while colouring comes from preening with most birds change their feathers for iron-rich mud. Exploring courtship by growing fancy new ones to replace their camouflage, Starlings All of these comments, and others like There would seem to be a conundrum at them, had opened to the young man a the heart of birding. The majority of cheat. They have grown a set of feathers which they change by getting the new world of understanding and greatly birders take up the activity seriously increased his pleasure in birding. only when they are past the blush of bits of camouflage to wear off. So, par- adoxically, the worn feathers are the Now if the older man were asked youth – and yet birding as a sport is about his young friend, he’d say that necessarily a young person’s forte. To showy ones. Yet another reason to smile. the lad had an almost mystical ability to confidently identify the largest number pick out rarities from a crowd or an of birds in the least time requires excel- After a few more birding trips, the young man realized that whenever his empty sky, and was surely the finest lent eyes, ears, memory and reflexes, all birder he’d ever met. But – and this is of which fade with the passage of time. friend spent too long, apparently, on a bird, it was worth asking the reason. As the point of the story – the younger man It might seem, then, that taking up the says the same thing of him. He is awed activity later in life is a perverse thing a result, he’d learned that it really was worth lingering when seeing, for exam- by the older man’s knowledge of birds, to do, inevitably leading to disappoint- the delight he takes in them, and his ment. It wouldn’t be surprising if the ple, a Gadwall, because sometimes sub- tle beauty takes a while to appreciate. continued quest to know and appreciate fear of being unavoidably second-rate birdlife more. kept some older people away from the And he’d come to know that: Birding might be a young man’s activity, while other latecomers feel  If he ate as much as a Chickadee, sport, but birding is not simply a sport, unable to take pride in their accom- he’d be gulping down 65 pounds of but an exploration. The exploration plishments. food a day. Small birds continue to might concern the aesthetics of birds, or Consider, though, this real-life situa- eat for most of the day, rather than their behaviour, or their unique fea- tion. Two people regularly go birding just at breakfast, lunch and dinner, tures, or what they tell us about nature together, one in his twenties and the because of a racing metabolism. A as a whole. While the sporting aspect of other three times his age. On this occa- Chickadee eats about a third of its birding provides the spice, the explora- sion, they are sea-watching, and the bodyweight daily. tion provides the nourishment. And it is younger man calls out a Horned Puffin, something for everyone, whatever their seen at a distance so great that his elder  He didn’t always need to look at a bird’s bill to see what it does for a age. colleague cannot even see the bird, let alone tell its species. As it comes clos- living – sometimes it’s better to look at the feet. The California Condor, ———————————————— er, though, the older man gets on to it Atlantic Puffins also shed their bills – and watches it for a long time. Asked apparently a raptor, lacks those dag- ger-like talons that raptors use to or to be more precise, the colourful why he looked for so long, the older outer portion of the Puffin’s bill is shed, man explains his fascination with puf- catch and subdue their prey. Its claws are just short, stubby things, leaving a smaller, duller bill behind. fins: he watches them carefully in both CNK photo. breeding and winter plumage, and con- showing that the meal doesn`t put tinues to delight in the fact that, just as deer shed their antlers, puffins shed their bills. He goes on to explain that those great big colourful beaks come in handy for courtship, but are just too heavy to heave around all year. So, just like deer, they get rid of them when the womenfolk are no longer around. This is one of the reasons the younger man now goes birding regularly with his friend. On the first occasion they birded together, he had grave doubts about the man’s skills. After all, the old chap spent a ridiculous amount of time staring at Starlings, which any birder worth his salt would have added to his year list on January 1. When he pointed this out with some disdain, the older man replied that indeed they are worth

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When a Barred Owl decides to perch outside your window, it’s a very good idea to have a camera handy. Photo by Bob Steventon. Page 50