March 15th to 19th 2014
This week, at the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve, we found much to surprise us.
The usual Double-crested Cormorants stood on logs.
The introduced species, Eurasian Collared Doves are now very common in our area.
Downy Woodpeckers were fun to find.
A male Common Merganser flew past us down the slough while we were watching the Great Blue Herons at the Heronry.
A Black-capped Chickadee posed on a Cattail for a moment.
There are two Bald Eagle nests at the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve now. The new nest had a Bald Eagle brooding on it while the resident Bald Eagle surprised us with a fly-over carrying a very long piece of bark which he delivered to his waiting mate on the nest. After his fine delivery, he landed on a snag to rest for awhile.
Northern Red-shafted Flickers were seen in several areas.
Pied-billed Grebes were fishing in the slough below the Heronry.
Eight young Hooded Mergansers were also seen below the Heronry.
Ring-necked Ducks and Mallards were also seen in the slough below the Heronry.
Canada Geese were floating on the slough below the Heronry.
As luck would have it, we were in the right place to see a wild Mink come out of the marsh and swim along the far edge of the slough.
Surprisingly enough, when the Mink passed by the young Hooded Mergansers, they decided that it was a very interesting creature and started to follow it.
It climbed out onto the bank and the Hooded Mergansers gathered together to watch it on the bank. When the Mink came back into the water, the Hooded Mergansers followed it in a row now joined by two Canada Geese also following in a row.
Soon, five Ring-necked Ducks joined the parade which had turned into one of the most bizarre sightings we have ever had the pleasure of watching. When the mink would climb out onto the bank, the ducks and geese would gather at the edge to watch it and when the mink came back into the water, the ducks and geese would form a line and follow along behind it. Sometimes one or two of the Hooded Mergansers would swim right beside the mink. Eventually the mink disappeared into the marsh and the ducks and geese dispersed along the slough.
American Robins were seen in many locations.
Osoberry shrubs are flowering now.
Salmonberry shrubs are getting new green leaves.
Song Sparrows were seen as usual.
European Starlings were carrying feathers to nests.
Spotted Towhees have started to sing.
Click below to hear the Spotted Towhee.
Quite a few Violet-green Swallows were seen this week.
American Wigeons were seen on both lagoons.
Wood Ducks are still checking out trees for nesting sites.
The White-throated Sparrows are still at the Salwein Creek Loop.
We stopped in at the Rotary Interpretive Centre for visits with Janet, Muriel, Alice, Maureen, Gordon, Dick, Herm, Jean, Bev, Val, Barb, and Jean. We also enjoyed visiting with Pat, Rick, Ron, Bene, Yonase, Mary, Jon, Ann, Janet, Joanna, Rick, Mary, Leslie, Yonase, and Frank on the trails.
We are not authorities on birds, wildlife, plants, cameras or photography, if you are doing research on any subjects, please refer to a more educational site for advice and double-check whatever you research.
Back To Top
|
