Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus

Appearance:
Large /medium-sized shorebird
Black upperparts
White underparts
White spot above each eye
Red eyes
Long, black, needle-like bill
Long neck
Very long, thin red-pink legs

Listen to its call.

Having read reports of sightings of these birds at Maber Flats recently, I decided to venture out to Brentwood Bay in search of a new entry for my collection. With our trusty road map in hand, we followed the directions posted on the Victoria rare bird alert transcript. After driving around in circles for what seemed like forever, we discovered that our inability to find a road leading to the area was not due to our navigational skills afterall. The roads weren't there; they only existed on paper. Talk about misplaced trust. I thought those kinds of things only happened when you used a GPS.

Learn more about the Black-necked Stilt.

My Year in Review

From now on when someone says something is 'for the birds', I will no longer think of it as trivial or meaningless. Birds are fascinating; they are attractive, distinctive and frequently amusing.

After 365 days of birding and thousands of photographs, I have identified 145 different kinds of birds. It has been a tremendously enjoyable year, exploring new places in and around Victoria while in pursuit of new birds. In addition to learning bird identification, I have learned to appreciate their beauty. I've started to pay more attention to my surroundings and to take pleasure in nature. I've ventured out in the snow, rain, wind, freezing cold and sweltering heat. I've met many new people as a result of my new passion and joined the birding community on a number of outings. Last but not least, my blog has received 9400 views to date, a statistic with which I am both proud and amazed. 

This is one New Year's resolution that I not only kept but enjoyed doing so. Birding is worthwhile in so many ways. In addition to being educational and thought-provoking, it is a great way to relax and get exercise at the same time. I will definitely continue birding and hopefully I will have the occasional new bird to add to my blog in 2012.

P.S.  I would like to thank my husband for accompanying me on many of my outings and proofreading my blog regularly. 

Northern Harrier

Circus cyaneus

Appearance:

Medium-sized hawk

Long, slender wings

Long, banded tail

White rump

Owl-like face

Male: (above)

    Gray above and on upper chest

    White below

    Black wingtips

Female: (below)

    Brown above

    Streaked below

    White facial disc

Listen to its call.

In addition to the owls, a number of these birds were present along the path around Boundary Bay last weekend. When I first spotted the male flying quite low and holding its wings in a V position, I immediately raised my camera to take a picture. However, despite my first impression, I let myself be swayed by my companion's claim that it was just a gull. Of course, we realized his mistake when it was abreast of us, by which time I could only get a quick, rather blurry, shot. I guess this is one time that I should have shot first and asked questions later. 

 

 Learn more about the Northern Harrier.

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeus

Appearance:
Medium-sized owl
Large, round head
Prominent facial disc
Yellow eyes
Black around eyes
Streaked upperparts
Light below with streaked upper breast
Short ear tufts, seldom visible
Long wings with dark patch near wrist
Barred tail

Listen to its call.

A number of these owls were hanging around Boundary Bay on the weekend, on the opposite side of the path from the Snowy Owls. Unlike yesterday's bird, this one was quite active, frequently leaving its perch to swoop down on unsuspecting prey.

 

I always thought the expression 'to have eyes in the back of your head' was figurative but owls literally are able to see what is going on behind them. How cool is that?

 Learn more about the Short-eared Owl.

Snowy Owl

Bubo scandiacus

Appearance:
Large, bulky owl
Round head
Yellow eyes
Mostly white
Varying amounts of dark mottling
Adult male may be pure white

Listen to its call.

On a visit to Vancouver this weekend, we stopped at Boundary Bay in Delta to see the Snowy Owls that have been reported in the area. It seems that a lot of other people had the same idea. It was quite a busy place. Thankfully, almost everyone respected the owls' space and kept their distance. 

This bird was perched on a log not too far from the pathway, swiveling its head around in classic owl fashion.

Learn more about the Snowy Owl.

Northern Shrike

Lanius excubitor

Appearance:
Medium-sized songbird
Large bill with hook at tip
White cheeks, chin and supercilium
Black wings with white wingbar
Long, black tail with white outer tail feathers
Black legs
Adult: (not photographed)
   Gray upperparts
   Faint gray barring on underparts
   Black mask
Juvenile:
   Brownish-gray upperparts
   Distinct barring on the breast
   Less distinctive mask

Listen to its call.

This hasn't been a good birding month for me. Between the rain and the wind, I haven't been inclined to venture out much. However, this morning I woke up bright and early, determined to find a new bird for the day. When I arrived at my chosen destination, Panama Flats, I was disappointed to see that it was too flooded to approach without rubber boots, which unfortunately I wasn't wearing. However, as luck would have it, I saw a number of birds along the short path leading from the road.

It was this rather plump fellow's call, which was quite different from anything I'd heard previously, that first drew my attention. However, it was its size and hooked bill that kept it. Eureka! In spite of the conditions, I'd found a new bird after all.

Learn more about the Northern Shrike.

Blue-winged Teal

Anas discors

Appearance:
Small dabbling duck
Medium-sized, dark bill
Pale blue shoulder patch, visible in flight
Green speculum with white leading edge
Male (winter plumage):
    Blue-gray head with darker cap
    White crescent on face in front of eye
    Scaled buff and dark brown upperparts
    Buff breast and flanks with darker spotting
    White band at rear portion of flanks
    Black undertail coverts
Female / Male (summer plumage):
    Pale head
    Dark crown and eye line
    Pale eye ring and loral spot
    Mottled gray-brown body with darker back

Listen to its call.

I saw this duck at Summit Reservoir earlier this week surrounded by a large number of Wigeons, Mallards and Buffleheads. From what I've read, it is unusual to see one of these ducks at this time of year. Most of them are gone from the province by mid-October, having migrated to warmer climates.

Learn more about the Blue-winged Teal.