Bird of the Day: August 2017

There are a number of reasons why I decided to take on this project. My first reason has to do with my interest in birds. This began shortly after moving to Victoria ten and a half years ago. With our house backing onto a wooded area, the chirping of birds is a familiar sound all year long. I often glance out the window to see birds of all forms in the yard throughout the day. Frequently I will pull out the Birds of Victoria or Birds of North America reference guides we have on hand. Unfortunately, the drawings in the first aren’t overly helpful for identification and the number of entries in the second is overwhelming. My second reason has to do with a photography course I took a number of years ago. Since that time I have been trying to think of a practical reason to buy a new camera. Taking pictures of birds requires a powerful zoom lens which my previous point-and-shoot camera could not accommodate. Perfect! My final reason was my desire to take on a new project to welcome in 2011. Hence, bird of the day was born.

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Cassin's Auklet

Ptychoramphus aleuticus

Appearance
Small seabird
Dark gray above and pale below
Small white crescent above eye
Dark bill with pale base to lower mandible
Blue feet

Listen to it's call.

A boat trip on the Juan de Fuca Strait off East Sooke Park this afternoon awarded us with a nice, close look at this auklet. There was quite a bit of excitement on board at the sighting as the Cassin's Auklet is on the near threatened list.

Learn more about the Cassin's Auklet.