| I went hiking up Mount Wells with Chris Saunders yesterday in hopes of finding either Sooty Grouse (better get used to that name), Golden Eagle, or Townsend's Solitaire. We couldn't find any of those species, but I suppose in terms of bird highlights, a single call note from a Hutton's Vireo would have to be our highlight. It was also nice when the sun came up and some raptors lifted. We had a few Bald Eagles, a Turkey Vulture, and a Red-tailed Hawk along with a good group of Common Ravens putting on a nice aerial display. The big highlight for me was my first butterfly of 2007, which we never managed to figure out the identity of, but we could speculate it was either California Tortoise-shell, Milbert's Tortoise-shell, or Satyr Comma. Another sign of spring was evident with a few sprigs of Spring-gold in bloom! We finished our day along the Victoria waterfront where I enjoyed killer views of four male Harlequin Ducks with one female. She must be naughty! Even more exciting, though, was three Brant just offshore. It wasn't just that we saw them, the closest one actually called a few times and it's always nice to hear them. I need to get up to Parksville/Qualicum and check out all the activity associated with the herring spawn. It's always a refreshing experience! |
