Birds Galore on Victoria Two-day Field Trip

You could almost believe the Glaucous-winged Gull pictured below was announcing the imminent departure of the MV Coho from Victoria harbour bound  for Port Angeles on Saturday.

On board were the thirteen participants in this year’s final Two-Day Field  Trip for members dressed for all kinds of weather, and ready for the birds. And we were not disappointed, getting into the birds right away as we sailed out of the harbour bound for Port Angeles, Wash. across the Juan de Fuca Strait.

With some participants on their first-ever pelagic trip, steep learning curves were the order of the day as rapid-fire sightings of birds were accompanied by equally rapid- fire explanations: the differences between Ancient and Marbled Murrelets, on the water and in flight, and key identification points for Rhinoceros Auckets and Common Murres, the latter in a variety of plumages.

The Strait was virtually windless, which probably accounted for the absence of shearwaters, but we did see three Northern Fulmars and truly spectacular numbers of Bonaparte’s Gulls, and alcids. Although we probably needed nastier weather for the birds, nary a drop of rain fell the whole two days. Mike McGrenere was thanked profusely for ordering up such excellent conditions.

Day 2 was spent around Victoria’s hotspots and they did not disappoint. The variety of gulls was tremendous, rocky shoreline shorebirds and sea ducks gave good close views, and we even had treats like this Lapland Longspur at Cattle Point.

A full report of the trip with species and numbers, and more pictures will be featured in an upcoming newsletter. Look out for it.

BCFO Board fall planning meeting

Out to lunch? Not at all. The Board of Directors met yesterday at Jude Grass’s for its annual, fall planning meeting. Here we are taking a short lunch break, enjoying food, yard birds, and some conversation.

From left to right: Mike Fung, Mary Tait, Wayne Weber, Art Martell, George Clulow, June Ryder, Larry Cowan, and Jude Grass.

We enjoyed a very productive day-long meeting, covering topics ranging from next year’s AGM location, though suggestions for the 2013 2-day field trips, to future directions,  and how to continue building BCFO membership. Minutes of  the meeting will be published here in the BCFO Members area by month’s end.

Salmon Arm Shorebirds and more!

Shorebirds and quite a few more in fact! How about 103 species for the weekend for the lucky (very smart) participants who signed up for Ted Hillary’s 2-Day Field Trip out of Salmon Arm on September 1st & 2nd?

With the fantastic support of Geoff Styles, Ted and the group of BCFO members not only got to see the American Golden Plover (very rare for Salmon Arm) pictured above, and the anticipated Hudsonian Godwit pictured below , but also scored close-up views of an Upland Sandpiper, a real highlight for everyone. Look out for the full report on the Salmon Arm 2-Day Trip in the next issue of BC Birding.

Pictures by Leona Breckenridge

Mugaha Marsh Banding Station – Urgent!

We  have received an urgent plea for help at the Mugaha Marsh Banding Station situated near Mackenzie BC. If any members could volunteer some time to the banding station it would be sincerely appreciated. The following is the plea from Vi Lambie, and a link to a Bird Studies Canada page describing the site.

Hi All,

We truly need more volunteers. If you can help please consider coming out. If you know others who may like to get involved please let them know we need volunteers. We will have two banders on most days so there are great opportunities to learn. Opening round is currently 5:30, so the first net round is 6:00 and the station is open until 11:30am. Times changes slightly as sunrise gets later.

Sincerely,

Vi Lambie,

Mackenzie Nature Observatory – 250-997-6876

Link for Mugaha Marsh Banding Station.

http://www.bsc-eoc.org/volunteer/cmmn/index.jsp?targetpg=mno

Two-day Field Trips – REMINDER!

There are only two opportunities remaining for 2012. Join Ted Hillary in Salmon Arm for fall migration in the Interior, September 1st and 2nd, and Mike McGrenere out of Victoria for the Coho Ferry trip across the Juan de Fuca Strait, November 3rd and 4th. Click here for full details.