Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Brit Col Interior > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Friday, November 20 at 06:13 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Sabines Gull,©Jan Wilczur

20 Nov Re: Leucistic Canada Goose and others [Russell Cannings ] 20 Nov Leucistic Canada Goose and others ["Rick Howie" ] 19 Nov RE: Another Rusty Blackbird ["Rick Howie" ] 19 Nov Another Rusty Blackbird [Russell Cannings ] 19 Nov Re: Riddle me this...? ["chapbird" ] 19 Nov Re: Fw: quail eggs [M Lancaster ] 18 Nov RE: Fw: quail eggs [liz bredberg ] 18 Nov Re: Fw: quail eggs ["Ferne" ] 18 Nov Re: Fw: quail eggs [Laurie Rockwell ] 18 Nov Re: Fw: quail eggs [Len Jellicoe ] 18 Nov RE: Fw: quail eggs ["Rick Howie" ] 18 Nov Re: Fw: quail eggs ["Ferne" ] 18 Nov Re: Fw: quail eggs [Len Jellicoe ] 18 Nov Re: Fw: quail eggs [M Lancaster ] 17 Nov RE: Riddle me this...? ["Rick Howie" ] 17 Nov Re: Riddle me this...? [Jim Mitchell ] 17 Nov RE: Riddle me this...? ["Rick Howie" ] 17 Nov RE: Riddle me this...? ["Michael Shepard" ] 17 Nov Riddle me this...? ["chapbird" ] 17 Nov RE: Fw: quail eggs ["Rick Howie" ] 17 Nov Re: Fw: quail eggs [Len Jellicoe ] 17 Nov Annual Swan & Eagle Count ["Rick Howie" ] 17 Nov RE: Fw: quail eggs ["Rick Howie" ] 17 Nov Fw: quail eggs ["Peter Blokker" ] 17 Nov Vernon CBC ["Peter Blokker" ] 16 Nov RE: Lake Country CBC Dec 14 2009 ["Howard Braun" ] 16 Nov RE: Re: Snow Bunting [liz bredberg ] 16 Nov RE: Re: Snow Bunting [Michael Force ] 17 Nov Re: Snow Bunting ["chapbird" ] 16 Nov Re: Lake Country CBC Dec 14 2009 ["Lesley Robertson" ] 16 Nov Lake Country CBC Dec 14 2009 ["tforder2001" ] 16 Nov Re: Re: Snow Bunting [Laurie Rockwell ] 16 Nov RE: Re: Snow Bunting ["Rick Howie" ] 16 Nov Re: Snow Bunting ["chapbird" ] 15 Nov South Okanagan Birding [Russell Cannings ] 16 Nov Re: Snow Bunting [M Lancaster ] 16 Nov Snow Bunting ["chapbird" ] 15 Nov Nanaimo,Vancouver Island, bird alert--November 15, 2009, ["backyard_store" ] 15 Nov Nov. list [Laure Neish ] 15 Nov November List ["A & J Ginns" ] 14 Nov Re: some Kelowna birds [Russell Cannings ] 14 Nov some Kelowna birds [Chris Siddle ] 14 Nov Wilson's Warbler in Penticton [Laure Neish ] 12 Nov Glaucous-winged x Western Gull hybrid in Penticton [Laure Neish ] 11 Nov November birds [Laurie Rockwell ] 11 Nov FRGU and LBBG continue [Russell Cannings ] 11 Nov RE: Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) ["Rick Howie" ] 11 Nov Re: Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) [Laure Neish ] 10 Nov RE: Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) ["Rick Howie" ] 10 Nov RE: Re: Munson's Pond Nov 10, 2009 Wite Goose ["Rick Howie" ] 11 Nov Re: Munson's Pond Nov 10, 2009 Wite Goose ["sue_thomson51" ] 10 Nov RE: Munson's Pond Nov 10, 2009 Wite Goose ["Rick Howie" ] 11 Nov Re: Munson's Pond Nov 10, 2009 Wite Goose ["sue_thomson51" ] 11 Nov Munson's Pond Nov 10, 2009 Wite Goose ["sue_thomson51" ] 10 Nov Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) [Laure Neish ] 10 Nov Franklin's Gull at Robert Lake [Russell Cannings ] 10 Nov Re: LBBG and 28 Thayer's Gulls at Robert Lake! [Russell Cannings ] 10 Nov Re: LBBG and 28 Thayer's Gulls at Robert Lake! [Russell Cannings ] 10 Nov Blue Jay & Townsend's Warbler [Chris Charlesworth ] 10 Nov Re: LBBG and 28 Thayer's Gulls at Robert Lake! [M Lancaster ] 10 Nov Re: LBBG and 28 Thayer's Gulls at Robert Lake! [Russell Cannings ] 10 Nov Re: LBBG and 28 Thayer's Gulls at Robert Lake! [M Lancaster ] 9 Nov Blue Jay [Chris Charlesworth ] 09 Nov LBBG and 28 Thayer's Gulls at Robert Lake! [Russell Cannings ] 8 Nov RE: late swallows ["Rick Howie" ] 8 Nov Re: late swallows ["Andy Raniseth" ] 08 Nov Nanaimo,Vancouver Island, bird alert--November 08, 2009, ["backyard_store" ] 08 Nov Re: SnowxCanada Goose Hybrid ["S Thomson" ] 08 Nov Re: RE: Re: SnowxCanada Goose Hybrid [Russell Cannings ] 8 Nov Nutcracker numbers and Dipper demise ["A & J Ginns" ] 8 Nov RE: late swallows ["Rick Howie" ] 8 Nov RE: Note from Birding Community E-bulletin - November 2009 ["Rick Howie" ] 8 Nov late swallows [Chris Siddle ] 8 Nov RE: Note from Birding Community E-bulletin - November 2009 ["Wayne Weber" ] 8 Nov RE: Note from Birding Community E-bulletin - November 2009 ["Rick Howie" ] 7 Nov RE: Re: SnowxCanada Goose Hybrid ["Rick Howie" ] Subject: Re: Leucistic Canada Goose and others From: Russell Cannings <russellcannings AT shaw.ca> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:12:58 -0800 Hi Rick, I haven't seen the white goose recently but then again I never managed to see it! Russ ----- Original Message ----- From: Rick Howie Date: Friday, November 20, 2009 12:47 pm Subject: [bcintbird] Leucistic Canada Goose and others To: BCINTBIRD > On Thursday, there was a leucistic Canada Goose along the South > ThompsonRiver near Rivershore Golf Course east of Kamloops. It > was a bit too distant > to see if it matched details of the Okanagan bird earlier this > fall, but > looked very similar in general tones. Does anyone know if the > Okanagan bird > is still present? > >   > > There were also 42 Bald eagles between Kamloops and Chase as > they munch away > on salmon carcasses. Swans were scattered along the river but I > did not have > the opportunity to count and sort species. > >   > > Karen Willies also has had a White-throated Sparrow at her > feeder in > Kamloops. > >   > > At various times during the summer and fall, we have had > aggregations of > from 9-19 Eurasian Collared Doves, so they have definitely moved > in en masse > this year. They have been around in small numbers for 4-5 years > but this > year was notable. Nest building was observed but I don't believe > eggs or > young have been confirmed. > >   > > Cheers > >   > > Rick Howie  > > Kamloops > >   > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Leucistic Canada Goose and others From: "Rick Howie" <r.howie AT shaw.ca> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:45:38 -0800 On Thursday, there was a leucistic Canada Goose along the South Thompson River near Rivershore Golf Course east of Kamloops. It was a bit too distant to see if it matched details of the Okanagan bird earlier this fall, but looked very similar in general tones. Does anyone know if the Okanagan bird is still present? There were also 42 Bald eagles between Kamloops and Chase as they munch away on salmon carcasses. Swans were scattered along the river but I did not have the opportunity to count and sort species. Karen Willies also has had a White-throated Sparrow at her feeder in Kamloops. At various times during the summer and fall, we have had aggregations of from 9-19 Eurasian Collared Doves, so they have definitely moved in en masse this year. They have been around in small numbers for 4-5 years but this year was notable. Nest building was observed but I don't believe eggs or young have been confirmed. Cheers Rick Howie Kamloops [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Another Rusty Blackbird From: "Rick Howie" <r.howie AT shaw.ca> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:31:00 -0800 HI Russ et al: just yesterday, I received a report of 3 Rusty Blackbirds at a feeder in Knutsford just south of Kamloops. They are always a scarce commodity here even though they breed sparsely in the local area. Rick Howie -----Original Message----- From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Russell Cannings Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 3:12 PM To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [bcintbird] Another Rusty Blackbird Hi all, This afternoon Ann Gibson and I had a female RUSTY BLACKBIRD at the Kelowna dump. This was a different bird from the one Ilya and I had on Saturday so there are probably two around! In terms of gulls, the main highlight amongst the regulars was a very dark adult hybrid Western x Glaucous-winged Gull-- it's mantle was a shade darker than the Californias and its primaries were ashy-black. Regards, Russ Cannings Kelowna, BC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Another Rusty Blackbird From: Russell Cannings <russellcannings AT shaw.ca> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:11:49 -0800 Hi all, This afternoon Ann Gibson and I had a female RUSTY BLACKBIRD at the Kelowna dump.  This was a different bird from the one Ilya and I had on Saturday so there are probably two around!  In terms of gulls, the main highlight amongst the regulars was a very dark adult hybrid Western x Glaucous-winged Gull-- it's mantle was a shade darker than the Californias and its primaries were ashy-black. Regards, Russ Cannings Kelowna, BC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Riddle me this...? From: "chapbird" <dchapman AT 2020properties.com> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:38:03 -0000 Thanks Rick and Michael And a poem ta Boot! That really did nail what I saw. Very odd how different the National Geographic pic's for Townsends Solitaires (I first consulted) were from those in Sibleys. Sibleys had it bang on to what I observed. Should cross consult more often. ;) David --- In bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com, "Rick Howie" wrote: > > Thanks Jim: well I don't have much time, but that was a 5 minute respite > that is fun. I suffer from the great Canadian rhyming affliction. > > Rick Howie > > -----Original Message----- > From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf > Of Jim Mitchell > Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 8:42 PM > To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com > Subject: Re: [bcintbird] Riddle me this...? > > Rick..... You have way too much time on your hands. > But that sure sounds like the original description doesn't it. > > jim > > > Rick Howie wrote: > > > > Hi David: I'm with Michael on the solitaire identification. It is too late > > in the season for the flycatchers. > > > > Who is bland and gray and white > > > > And flutters near the ground in flight > > > > Feathers light on throat and chest > > > > With whitish bars on wings at rest > > > > He looks a somewhat slender thing > > > > Both eyes apiece with narrow ring > > > > His notch-ed tail is thin and long > > > > His voice pleasant with bubbly song > > > > Bugs are feasts snatched from the air > > > > He is of course the Solitaire > > > > Opps, I thought you wanted a riddle > > > > Cheers > > > > Rick Howie > > > > Kamloops > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com > > [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com > > ] On Behalf > > Of Michael Shepard > > Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 3:00 PM > > To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com > > Subject: RE: [bcintbird] Riddle me this...? > > > > Hi, > > > > I think Townsend's Solitaire might match that description. > > > > Cheers, > > > > Michael G. Shepard > > > > Victoria BC > > > > _____ > > > > From: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com > > [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogrou > > ps.com] On > > Behalf > > Of chapbird > > Sent: November 17, 2009 2:56 PM > > To: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com > > Subject: [bcintbird] Riddle me this...? > > > > On the Eastern Shore of Okanagan Lake. > > 11:00 AM today > > Overall bland > > Dark (grey?) head and back. > > Lighter under throat and chest > > Much lighter exhibited in wings during flight > > Fine white secondary? edges > > Relatively slender appearing > > Decent size est. 7-8" total length > > Long straight tail with "V" notch in end > > Distinct 3/4 white eye ring > > small purple? spot on shoulder > > Exhibited some hovering behavior near ground > > > > Was guessing Pewee or Flycatcher but couldn't find one in the book > > that fit > > the bill. > > Help me out here. > > David > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > To contact the moderator email > bcintbird-owner AT yahoogroups.com > Also, consider joining these groups. > bcbirds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com an all BC group. > If you have pictures to share try this group. > http://groups-beta.google.com/ > From here you have to join the bcintbird-pics group before you can see the > pictures. > Yahoo! Groups Links > Subject: Re: Fw: quail eggs From: M Lancaster <mbl.tenbel AT googlemail.com> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:20:22 -0000 Thanks Len, Not the first to correct me!! Barry M B Lancaster, Currently - Tenerife, Islas Canarias ----- Original Message ----- From: "Len Jellicoe" To: Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 5:57 PM Subject: Re: [bcintbird] Fw: quail eggs > Hi Barry > Maybe it was isinglass; > The wheels are yeller, the upholstery's brown, > The dashboard's genuine leather, > With isinglass curtains y' can roll right down, > In case there's a change in the weather. > See you in the field > Len Jellicoe > Abbotsford, BC > Canada > > > On 18-Nov-09, at 9:40 AM, M Lancaster wrote: > >> Just post second world war, it was permissible (for a fee) to >> collect the first clutch of gull's eggs at a local gullery. These >> were preserved for future use in baking etc by coating them with a >> liquid which I know as "icing glass". >> >> No idea what it was or whether it still exists. Nail varnish or >> clear varnish would do as well I guess. One can get the latter in >> "eggshell finish". >> >> Barry >> M B Lancaster >> Currently, Tenerife, Islas Canarias. >> From: Peter Blokker >> To: bcintbirds >> Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 4:52 PM >> Subject: [bcintbird] Fw: quail eggs >> >> Hi all, >> Does anybody out there have some advice for this lady? >> Thanks, >> Peter Blokker >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: Dave Smith >> To: Peter & Gerda Blokker >> Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 5:06 PM >> Subject: quail eggs >> >> Hi Peter >> >> A friend has found a nest with several California quail eggs in it, >> obviously deserted in the spring. She wonders how she can preserve >> the eggs to make them a little more able to withstand "show and >> tell-ing". If you have any tips, she will be glad to receive them. >> >> Thanks, >> Kathy Smith >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------- >> >> Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. >> Checked by AVG Free Edition. >> Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.23.16/1430 - Release Date: >> 5/13/08 7:31 AM >> >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >> >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >> >> > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > ------------------------------------ > > To contact the moderator email > bcintbird-owner AT yahoogroups.com > Also, consider joining these groups. > bcbirds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com an all BC group. > If you have pictures to share try this group. > http://groups-beta.google.com/ > From here you have to join the bcintbird-pics group before you can see the > pictures. > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > Subject: RE: Fw: quail eggs From: liz bredberg <ebredberg AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:42:14 -0800 (PST) Yep, I was heading there too, I knew about the flocculent use.  So I googled and found a wiki article (sorry for the language) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isinglass, which notes that it can be painted on things to preserve them.  It also finally explains to me why some wines are kosher and some aren't--some wine finings apparently have been made with gelatin.  I've puzzled over that for years and never really got a good answer until this evening. A day of resolving mysteries.  Only now I've got the Surrey with the Fringe on the Top stuck in my brain. Liz What would the world be, once bereft Of wet and wildness? Let them be left, O let them be left, wildness and wet; Long live the weeds and the wilderness yet. --Gerald Manley Hopkins, Inversnaid --- On Wed, 11/18/09, Rick Howie wrote: From: Rick Howie Subject: RE: [bcintbird] Fw: quail eggs To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 10:56 AM   HI Barry and Len: I suspect it was isinglass. This is a collagen or protein substance obtained from the swim bladders of fish. I have used it as a flocculent to clear dead yeast when making wine at home. It is used in beer etc. But it has some adhesive properties that enable it to be used to repair parchment and soft things that can be glued together. So perhaps it was painted on the eggs where it would stick and then dry to a somewhat hard surface thus providing more durability. Isinglass curtains are actually something quite different. This is an old name for thin, transparent sheets of mica that were used as windows in carriages, lanterns and the like before newer products were developed. Now another important and similar sounding product that could be used while preparing eggs is "ice in glass." It should be used with additives such as scotch, rum or rye along with water or a flavored diluant of some description. This allows the main ingredient to be used over a longer time period and reduces the evaporation of the all-important alcohol constituent. This latter combination of chemicals is very tricky to administer. Over - use causes the eggs to be dropped or sometimes crushed due to the effects on the egger's dexterity. It may be the toxic fumes. Some less knowledgeable people are actually quite successful at using the latter products when they don't really know what they are doing. For example, dipping the eggs in the ice in glass mixture is absolutely the wrong thing to do. It has no benefit to the egg's longevity but somehow prevents the user from developing the toxic effects. The eggs survive and the applicator feels much better before toddling off to bed - a novel but quite wasteful use of the ice in glass product which is quite expensive anyway. I raise my ice in glass to isinglass. Rick Howie -----Original Message----- From: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com] On Behalf Of Len Jellicoe Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 9:57 AM To: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com Subject: Re: [bcintbird] Fw: quail eggs Hi Barry Maybe it was isinglass; The wheels are yeller, the upholstery's brown, The dashboard's genuine leather, With isinglass curtains y' can roll right down, In case there's a change in the weather. See you in the field Len Jellicoe Abbotsford, BC Canada On 18-Nov-09, at 9:40 AM, M Lancaster wrote: > Just post second world war, it was permissible (for a fee) to > collect the first clutch of gull's eggs at a local gullery. These > were preserved for future use in baking etc by coating them with a > liquid which I know as "icing glass". > > No idea what it was or whether it still exists. Nail varnish or > clear varnish would do as well I guess. One can get the latter in > "eggshell finish". > > Barry > M B Lancaster > Currently, Tenerife, Islas Canarias. > From: Peter Blokker > To: bcintbirds > Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 4:52 PM > Subject: [bcintbird] Fw: quail eggs > > Hi all, > Does anybody out there have some advice for this lady? > Thanks, > Peter Blokker > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Dave Smith > To: Peter & Gerda Blokker > Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 5:06 PM > Subject: quail eggs > > Hi Peter > > A friend has found a nest with several California quail eggs in it, > obviously deserted in the spring. She wonders how she can preserve > the eggs to make them a little more able to withstand "show and > tell-ing". If you have any tips, she will be glad to receive them. > > Thanks, > Kathy Smith > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - > > Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.23.16/1430 - Release Date: > 5/13/08 7:31 AM > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------ --------- --------- ------ To contact the moderator email bcintbird-owner AT yahoogroups. com Also, consider joining these groups. bcbirds-subscribe AT yahoogroups. com an all BC group. If you have pictures to share try this group. http://groups- beta.google. com/ From here you have to join the bcintbird-pics group before you can see the pictures. Yahoo! Groups Links [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Fw: quail eggs From: "Ferne" <fmdalton AT netscape.ca> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:44:58 -0800 Ahhh...Thank you Len. I can't even remember if I actually saw that but the music is familiar in a vague sort of way...Bill may have the lyrics locked in his brain...He's a fan of musicals...I'll have to ask. ----- Original Message ----- From: Len Jellicoe To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 11:12 AM Subject: Re: [bcintbird] Fw: quail eggs Hi Ferne From the musical Oklahoma. Remember "Surrey With The Fringe On Top"? Rick has me in the rhyming mood. See you in the field Len Jellicoe Abbotsford, BC Canada On 18-Nov-09, at 10:48 AM, Ferne wrote: > Okay Len, what and who? Sounds worth following up. Tried one poem > search and couldn't find it. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Fw: quail eggs From: Laurie Rockwell <hardrock AT vip.net> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:51:21 -0800 Barry, Could this also be called glycerine? I recall years ago a model railroader in Vernon who made imitation lakes out of it. Someone told me that they kept eggs in the winter in a vat of glycerine. Cheers..............Laurie R M Lancaster wrote: >Just post second world war, it was permissible (for a fee) to collect the first clutch of gull's eggs at a local gullery. These were preserved for future use in baking etc by coating them with a liquid which I know as "icing glass". > >No idea what it was or whether it still exists. Nail varnish or clear varnish would do as well I guess. One can get the latter in "eggshell finish". > >Barry >M B Lancaster >Currently, Tenerife, Islas Canarias. > > Subject: Re: Fw: quail eggs From: Len Jellicoe <jellicoes AT shaw.ca> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:12:46 -0800 Hi Ferne From the musical Oklahoma. Remember "Surrey With The Fringe On Top"? Rick has me in the rhyming mood. See you in the field Len Jellicoe Abbotsford, BC Canada On 18-Nov-09, at 10:48 AM, Ferne wrote: > Okay Len, what and who? Sounds worth following up. Tried one poem > search and couldn't find it. > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Fw: quail eggs From: "Rick Howie" <r.howie AT shaw.ca> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:56:49 -0800 HI Barry and Len: I suspect it was isinglass. This is a collagen or protein substance obtained from the swim bladders of fish. I have used it as a flocculent to clear dead yeast when making wine at home. It is used in beer etc. But it has some adhesive properties that enable it to be used to repair parchment and soft things that can be glued together. So perhaps it was painted on the eggs where it would stick and then dry to a somewhat hard surface thus providing more durability. Isinglass curtains are actually something quite different. This is an old name for thin, transparent sheets of mica that were used as windows in carriages, lanterns and the like before newer products were developed. Now another important and similar sounding product that could be used while preparing eggs is "ice in glass." It should be used with additives such as scotch, rum or rye along with water or a flavored diluant of some description. This allows the main ingredient to be used over a longer time period and reduces the evaporation of the all-important alcohol constituent. This latter combination of chemicals is very tricky to administer. Over - use causes the eggs to be dropped or sometimes crushed due to the effects on the egger's dexterity. It may be the toxic fumes. Some less knowledgeable people are actually quite successful at using the latter products when they don't really know what they are doing. For example, dipping the eggs in the ice in glass mixture is absolutely the wrong thing to do. It has no benefit to the egg's longevity but somehow prevents the user from developing the toxic effects. The eggs survive and the applicator feels much better before toddling off to bed - a novel but quite wasteful use of the ice in glass product which is quite expensive anyway. I raise my ice in glass to isinglass. Rick Howie -----Original Message----- From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Len Jellicoe Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 9:57 AM To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [bcintbird] Fw: quail eggs Hi Barry Maybe it was isinglass; The wheels are yeller, the upholstery's brown, The dashboard's genuine leather, With isinglass curtains y' can roll right down, In case there's a change in the weather. See you in the field Len Jellicoe Abbotsford, BC Canada On 18-Nov-09, at 9:40 AM, M Lancaster wrote: > Just post second world war, it was permissible (for a fee) to > collect the first clutch of gull's eggs at a local gullery. These > were preserved for future use in baking etc by coating them with a > liquid which I know as "icing glass". > > No idea what it was or whether it still exists. Nail varnish or > clear varnish would do as well I guess. One can get the latter in > "eggshell finish". > > Barry > M B Lancaster > Currently, Tenerife, Islas Canarias. > From: Peter Blokker > To: bcintbirds > Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 4:52 PM > Subject: [bcintbird] Fw: quail eggs > > Hi all, > Does anybody out there have some advice for this lady? > Thanks, > Peter Blokker > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Dave Smith > To: Peter & Gerda Blokker > Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 5:06 PM > Subject: quail eggs > > Hi Peter > > A friend has found a nest with several California quail eggs in it, > obviously deserted in the spring. She wonders how she can preserve > the eggs to make them a little more able to withstand "show and > tell-ing". If you have any tips, she will be glad to receive them. > > Thanks, > Kathy Smith > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > > Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.23.16/1430 - Release Date: > 5/13/08 7:31 AM > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To contact the moderator email bcintbird-owner AT yahoogroups.com Also, consider joining these groups. bcbirds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com an all BC group. If you have pictures to share try this group. http://groups-beta.google.com/ From here you have to join the bcintbird-pics group before you can see the pictures. Yahoo! Groups Links Subject: Re: Fw: quail eggs From: "Ferne" <fmdalton AT netscape.ca> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:48:28 -0800 Okay Len, what and who? Sounds worth following up. Tried one poem search and couldn't find it. Ferne ----- Original Message ----- From: Len Jellicoe To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 9:57 AM Subject: Re: [bcintbird] Fw: quail eggs Hi Barry Maybe it was isinglass; The wheels are yeller, the upholstery's brown, The dashboard's genuine leather, With isinglass curtains y' can roll right down, In case there's a change in the weather. See you in the field Len Jellicoe Abbotsford, BC Canada On 18-Nov-09, at 9:40 AM, M Lancaster wrote: > Just post second world war, it was permissible (for a fee) to > collect the first clutch of gull's eggs at a local gullery. These > were preserved for future use in baking etc by coating them with a > liquid which I know as "icing glass". > > No idea what it was or whether it still exists. Nail varnish or > clear varnish would do as well I guess. One can get the latter in > "eggshell finish". > > Barry > M B Lancaster > Currently, Tenerife, Islas Canarias. > From: Peter Blokker > To: bcintbirds > Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 4:52 PM > Subject: [bcintbird] Fw: quail eggs > > Hi all, > Does anybody out there have some advice for this lady? > Thanks, > Peter Blokker > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Dave Smith > To: Peter & Gerda Blokker > Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 5:06 PM > Subject: quail eggs > > Hi Peter > > A friend has found a nest with several California quail eggs in it, > obviously deserted in the spring. She wonders how she can preserve > the eggs to make them a little more able to withstand "show and > tell-ing". If you have any tips, she will be glad to receive them. > > Thanks, > Kathy Smith > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > > Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.23.16/1430 - Release Date: > 5/13/08 7:31 AM > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To contact the moderator email bcintbird-owner AT yahoogroups.com Also, consider joining these groups. bcbirds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com an all BC group. If you have pictures to share try this group. http://groups-beta.google.com/ >From here you have to join the bcintbird-pics group before you can see the pictures. Yahoo! Groups Links [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Fw: quail eggs From: Len Jellicoe <jellicoes AT shaw.ca> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:57:21 -0800 Hi Barry Maybe it was isinglass; The wheels are yeller, the upholstery's brown, The dashboard's genuine leather, With isinglass curtains y' can roll right down, In case there's a change in the weather. See you in the field Len Jellicoe Abbotsford, BC Canada On 18-Nov-09, at 9:40 AM, M Lancaster wrote: > Just post second world war, it was permissible (for a fee) to > collect the first clutch of gull's eggs at a local gullery. These > were preserved for future use in baking etc by coating them with a > liquid which I know as "icing glass". > > No idea what it was or whether it still exists. Nail varnish or > clear varnish would do as well I guess. One can get the latter in > "eggshell finish". > > Barry > M B Lancaster > Currently, Tenerife, Islas Canarias. > From: Peter Blokker > To: bcintbirds > Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 4:52 PM > Subject: [bcintbird] Fw: quail eggs > > Hi all, > Does anybody out there have some advice for this lady? > Thanks, > Peter Blokker > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Dave Smith > To: Peter & Gerda Blokker > Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 5:06 PM > Subject: quail eggs > > Hi Peter > > A friend has found a nest with several California quail eggs in it, > obviously deserted in the spring. She wonders how she can preserve > the eggs to make them a little more able to withstand "show and > tell-ing". If you have any tips, she will be glad to receive them. > > Thanks, > Kathy Smith > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > > Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.23.16/1430 - Release Date: > 5/13/08 7:31 AM > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To contact the moderator email bcintbird-owner AT yahoogroups.com Also, consider joining these groups. bcbirds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com an all BC group. If you have pictures to share try this group. http://groups-beta.google.com/ From here you have to join the bcintbird-pics group before you can see the pictures. Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcintbird/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcintbird/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: bcintbird-digest AT yahoogroups.com bcintbird-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: bcintbird-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Re: Fw: quail eggs From: M Lancaster <mbl.tenbel AT googlemail.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:40:08 -0000 Just post second world war, it was permissible (for a fee) to collect the first clutch of gull's eggs at a local gullery. These were preserved for future use in baking etc by coating them with a liquid which I know as "icing glass". No idea what it was or whether it still exists. Nail varnish or clear varnish would do as well I guess. One can get the latter in "eggshell finish". Barry M B Lancaster Currently, Tenerife, Islas Canarias. From: Peter Blokker To: bcintbirds Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 4:52 PM Subject: [bcintbird] Fw: quail eggs Hi all, Does anybody out there have some advice for this lady? Thanks, Peter Blokker ----- Original Message ----- From: Dave Smith To: Peter & Gerda Blokker Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 5:06 PM Subject: quail eggs Hi Peter A friend has found a nest with several California quail eggs in it, obviously deserted in the spring. She wonders how she can preserve the eggs to make them a little more able to withstand "show and tell-ing". If you have any tips, she will be glad to receive them. Thanks, Kathy Smith ---------------------------------------------------------- Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.23.16/1430 - Release Date: 5/13/08 7:31 AM [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Riddle me this...? From: "Rick Howie" <r.howie AT shaw.ca> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:16:44 -0800 Thanks Jim: well I don't have much time, but that was a 5 minute respite that is fun. I suffer from the great Canadian rhyming affliction. Rick Howie -----Original Message----- From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jim Mitchell Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 8:42 PM To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [bcintbird] Riddle me this...? Rick..... You have way too much time on your hands. But that sure sounds like the original description doesn't it. jim Rick Howie wrote: > > Hi David: I'm with Michael on the solitaire identification. It is too late > in the season for the flycatchers. > > Who is bland and gray and white > > And flutters near the ground in flight > > Feathers light on throat and chest > > With whitish bars on wings at rest > > He looks a somewhat slender thing > > Both eyes apiece with narrow ring > > His notch-ed tail is thin and long > > His voice pleasant with bubbly song > > Bugs are feasts snatched from the air > > He is of course the Solitaire > > Opps, I thought you wanted a riddle > > Cheers > > Rick Howie > > Kamloops > > -----Original Message----- > From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com > [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com > ] On Behalf > Of Michael Shepard > Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 3:00 PM > To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com > Subject: RE: [bcintbird] Riddle me this...? > > Hi, > > I think Townsend's Solitaire might match that description. > > Cheers, > > Michael G. Shepard > > Victoria BC > > _____ > > From: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com > [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogrou > ps.com] On > Behalf > Of chapbird > Sent: November 17, 2009 2:56 PM > To: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com > Subject: [bcintbird] Riddle me this...? > > On the Eastern Shore of Okanagan Lake. > 11:00 AM today > Overall bland > Dark (grey?) head and back. > Lighter under throat and chest > Much lighter exhibited in wings during flight > Fine white secondary? edges > Relatively slender appearing > Decent size est. 7-8" total length > Long straight tail with "V" notch in end > Distinct 3/4 white eye ring > small purple? spot on shoulder > Exhibited some hovering behavior near ground > > Was guessing Pewee or Flycatcher but couldn't find one in the book > that fit > the bill. > Help me out here. > David > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > ------------------------------------ To contact the moderator email bcintbird-owner AT yahoogroups.com Also, consider joining these groups. bcbirds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com an all BC group. If you have pictures to share try this group. http://groups-beta.google.com/ From here you have to join the bcintbird-pics group before you can see the pictures. Yahoo! Groups Links Subject: Re: Riddle me this...? From: Jim Mitchell <butcher99 AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:41:48 -0800 Rick..... You have way too much time on your hands. But that sure sounds like the original description doesn't it. jim Rick Howie wrote: > > Hi David: I'm with Michael on the solitaire identification. It is too late > in the season for the flycatchers. > > Who is bland and gray and white > > And flutters near the ground in flight > > Feathers light on throat and chest > > With whitish bars on wings at rest > > He looks a somewhat slender thing > > Both eyes apiece with narrow ring > > His notch-ed tail is thin and long > > His voice pleasant with bubbly song > > Bugs are feasts snatched from the air > > He is of course the Solitaire > > Opps, I thought you wanted a riddle > > Cheers > > Rick Howie > > Kamloops > > -----Original Message----- > From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com > [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com > ] On Behalf > Of Michael Shepard > Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 3:00 PM > To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com > Subject: RE: [bcintbird] Riddle me this...? > > Hi, > > I think Townsend's Solitaire might match that description. > > Cheers, > > Michael G. Shepard > > Victoria BC > > _____ > > From: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com > [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogrou > ps.com] On > Behalf > Of chapbird > Sent: November 17, 2009 2:56 PM > To: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com > Subject: [bcintbird] Riddle me this...? > > On the Eastern Shore of Okanagan Lake. > 11:00 AM today > Overall bland > Dark (grey?) head and back. > Lighter under throat and chest > Much lighter exhibited in wings during flight > Fine white secondary? edges > Relatively slender appearing > Decent size est. 7-8" total length > Long straight tail with "V" notch in end > Distinct 3/4 white eye ring > small purple? spot on shoulder > Exhibited some hovering behavior near ground > > Was guessing Pewee or Flycatcher but couldn't find one in the book > that fit > the bill. > Help me out here. > David > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > ------------------------------------ To contact the moderator email bcintbird-owner AT yahoogroups.com Also, consider joining these groups. bcbirds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com an all BC group. If you have pictures to share try this group. http://groups-beta.google.com/ From here you have to join the bcintbird-pics group before you can see the pictures. Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcintbird/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcintbird/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: bcintbird-digest AT yahoogroups.com bcintbird-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: bcintbird-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: RE: Riddle me this...? From: "Rick Howie" <r.howie AT shaw.ca> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:22:21 -0800 Hi David: I'm with Michael on the solitaire identification. It is too late in the season for the flycatchers. Who is bland and gray and white And flutters near the ground in flight Feathers light on throat and chest With whitish bars on wings at rest He looks a somewhat slender thing Both eyes apiece with narrow ring His notch-ed tail is thin and long His voice pleasant with bubbly song Bugs are feasts snatched from the air He is of course the Solitaire Opps, I thought you wanted a riddle Cheers Rick Howie Kamloops -----Original Message----- From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Michael Shepard Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 3:00 PM To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [bcintbird] Riddle me this...? Hi, I think Townsend's Solitaire might match that description. Cheers, Michael G. Shepard Victoria BC _____ From: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com] On Behalf Of chapbird Sent: November 17, 2009 2:56 PM To: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com Subject: [bcintbird] Riddle me this...? On the Eastern Shore of Okanagan Lake. 11:00 AM today Overall bland Dark (grey?) head and back. Lighter under throat and chest Much lighter exhibited in wings during flight Fine white secondary? edges Relatively slender appearing Decent size est. 7-8" total length Long straight tail with "V" notch in end Distinct 3/4 white eye ring small purple? spot on shoulder Exhibited some hovering behavior near ground Was guessing Pewee or Flycatcher but couldn't find one in the book that fit the bill. Help me out here. David [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Riddle me this...? From: "Michael Shepard" <mgshepard AT pacificcoast.net> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:59:39 -0800 Hi, I think Townsend's Solitaire might match that description. Cheers, Michael G. Shepard Victoria BC _____ From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of chapbird Sent: November 17, 2009 2:56 PM To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [bcintbird] Riddle me this...? On the Eastern Shore of Okanagan Lake. 11:00 AM today Overall bland Dark (grey?) head and back. Lighter under throat and chest Much lighter exhibited in wings during flight Fine white secondary? edges Relatively slender appearing Decent size est. 7-8" total length Long straight tail with "V" notch in end Distinct 3/4 white eye ring small purple? spot on shoulder Exhibited some hovering behavior near ground Was guessing Pewee or Flycatcher but couldn't find one in the book that fit the bill. Help me out here. David [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Riddle me this...? From: "chapbird" <dchapman AT 2020properties.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:55:32 -0000 On the Eastern Shore of Okanagan Lake. 11:00 AM today Overall bland Dark (grey?) head and back. Lighter under throat and chest Much lighter exhibited in wings during flight Fine white secondary? edges Relatively slender appearing Decent size est. 7-8" total length Long straight tail with "V" notch in end Distinct 3/4 white eye ring small purple? spot on shoulder Exhibited some hovering behavior near ground Was guessing Pewee or Flycatcher but couldn't find one in the book that fit the bill. Help me out here. David Subject: RE: Fw: quail eggs From: "Rick Howie" <r.howie AT shaw.ca> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:39:27 -0800 You are absolutely right Len. The rotted contents may well be under pressure and poking the hole needs to be done with care and aimed strategically. I should have mentioned that. I love the analogy of miniature hand grenades. LOL A pressurized goose egg. Now there is a bomb ! Pow! Rick Howie -----Original Message----- From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Len Jellicoe Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 11:28 AM To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [bcintbird] Fw: quail eggs Not sure if anyone else has a solution but from experience with goose eggs I would say say she is handling miniature hand grenades. The gases built up in there are are waiting to escape with a great force. The slightest jostle could make them explode all over her. I kept some abandoned goose eggs for over a year thinking they would dry out. One day I tapped one to test it? and I spent the next hour wiping off : > ) See you in the field Len Jellicoe Abbotsford, BC Canada On 17-Nov-09, at 8:52 AM, Peter Blokker wrote: > Hi all, > Does anybody out there have some advice for this lady? > Thanks, > Peter Blokker > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Dave Smith > To: Peter & Gerda Blokker > Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 5:06 PM > Subject: quail eggs > > Hi Peter > > A friend has found a nest with several California quail eggs in it, > obviously deserted in the spring. She wonders how she can preserve > the eggs to make them a little more able to withstand "show and > tell-ing". If you have any tips, she will be glad to receive them. > > Thanks, > Kathy Smith > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > > Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.23.16/1430 - Release Date: > 5/13/08 7:31 AM > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To contact the moderator email bcintbird-owner AT yahoogroups.com Also, consider joining these groups. bcbirds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com an all BC group. If you have pictures to share try this group. http://groups-beta.google.com/ From here you have to join the bcintbird-pics group before you can see the pictures. Yahoo! Groups Links Subject: Re: Fw: quail eggs From: Len Jellicoe <jellicoes AT shaw.ca> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:27:48 -0800 Not sure if anyone else has a solution but from experience with goose eggs I would say say she is handling miniature hand grenades. The gases built up in there are are waiting to escape with a great force. The slightest jostle could make them explode all over her. I kept some abandoned goose eggs for over a year thinking they would dry out. One day I tapped one to test it? and I spent the next hour wiping off : > ) See you in the field Len Jellicoe Abbotsford, BC Canada On 17-Nov-09, at 8:52 AM, Peter Blokker wrote: > Hi all, > Does anybody out there have some advice for this lady? > Thanks, > Peter Blokker > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Dave Smith > To: Peter & Gerda Blokker > Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 5:06 PM > Subject: quail eggs > > Hi Peter > > A friend has found a nest with several California quail eggs in it, > obviously deserted in the spring. She wonders how she can preserve > the eggs to make them a little more able to withstand "show and > tell-ing". If you have any tips, she will be glad to receive them. > > Thanks, > Kathy Smith > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > > Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.23.16/1430 - Release Date: > 5/13/08 7:31 AM > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To contact the moderator email bcintbird-owner AT yahoogroups.com Also, consider joining these groups. bcbirds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com an all BC group. If you have pictures to share try this group. http://groups-beta.google.com/ From here you have to join the bcintbird-pics group before you can see the pictures. Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcintbird/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcintbird/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: bcintbird-digest AT yahoogroups.com bcintbird-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: bcintbird-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Annual Swan & Eagle Count From: "Rick Howie" <r.howie AT shaw.ca> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:06:04 -0800 Hi Folks: the annual interior swan and eagle count is scheduled for January 19, 2010 for those who traditionally participate. Although I think that I provided the results of 2009 verbally, I apologize for not getting the written report completed. It will be forthcoming. I look forward to another round of results in this long-standing census. Rick Howie kamloops [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Fw: quail eggs From: "Rick Howie" <r.howie AT shaw.ca> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:45:40 -0800 Hi Peter: the normal technique is to make a small hole on the side of the egg and blow the contents out so that the shell will dry and be preserved for many years. The contents of her eggs may now be rotted or contain dead embryos so the experience may not be a pleasant one. With a small syringe, she may be able to extract the contents if no embryos are involved. Either way, the raw portions must be removed. The resulting shell will be somewhat fragile but a little care during show and tell should allow them to survive. A cardboard or wooden box lined with cotton batten would make a decent cradle. Here is a website with some vernerable instructions. http://www.aou.org/committees/collections/docs/KiffSpecimenPreparation1989.p df Rick Howie -----Original Message----- From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Peter Blokker Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 8:53 AM To: bcintbirds Subject: [bcintbird] Fw: quail eggs Hi all, Does anybody out there have some advice for this lady? Thanks, Peter Blokker ----- Original Message ----- From: Dave Smith To: Peter & Gerda Blokker Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 5:06 PM Subject: quail eggs Hi Peter A friend has found a nest with several California quail eggs in it, obviously deserted in the spring. She wonders how she can preserve the eggs to make them a little more able to withstand "show and tell-ing". If you have any tips, she will be glad to receive them. Thanks, Kathy Smith ---------------------------------------------------------- Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.23.16/1430 - Release Date: 5/13/08 7:31 AM [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Fw: quail eggs From: "Peter Blokker" <pfblokker AT telus.net> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:52:53 -0800 Hi all, Does anybody out there have some advice for this lady? Thanks, Peter Blokker ----- Original Message ----- From: Dave Smith To: Peter & Gerda Blokker Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 5:06 PM Subject: quail eggs Hi Peter A friend has found a nest with several California quail eggs in it, obviously deserted in the spring. She wonders how she can preserve the eggs to make them a little more able to withstand "show and tell-ing". If you have any tips, she will be glad to receive them. Thanks, Kathy Smith -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.23.16/1430 - Release Date: 5/13/08 7:31 AM [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Vernon CBC From: "Peter Blokker" <pfblokker AT telus.net> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:02:43 -0800 Hi birders, Our CBC will be held on Sunday,Dec.20. Many of you have participated in the past and we hope you will join us again! Please contact me and let me know the preferred area you would like to cover. Peter Blokker pfblokker AT telus.net 250-545-8297 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Lake Country CBC Dec 14 2009 From: "Howard Braun" <hbraun2 AT shaw.ca> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:43:17 -0800 _____ From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of tforder2001 Sent: November-16-09 3:15 PM To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [bcintbird] Lake Country CBC Dec 14 2009 Hi Birders, Just a reminder that the Lake Country CBC will be held on Dec 14th again this year. Look forward to seeing everyone again> There have been numerous people involved in this regularily for several years now, and hope most of you can be there again this year, Also wlecome to anyone who wants to join us for the first time. Please send me an email to trevor.forder AT gmail.com if you can make it , and include any area or birding buddy preferences. Bye for now, Trevor Forder [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Re: Snow Bunting From: liz bredberg <ebredberg AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:18:27 -0800 (PST) Yep, one of the high points in an all-too-brief visit to the Yukon last April was these little swirls of buntings.  Sheer magic. And then there were the swans on Marsh Lake and the hoary redpolls.  Wow.  Liz What would the world be, once bereft Of wet and wildness? Let them be left, O let them be left, wildness and wet; Long live the weeds and the wilderness yet. --Gerald Manley Hopkins, Inversnaid --- On Mon, 11/16/09, Michael Force wrote: From: Michael Force Subject: RE: [bcintbird] Re: Snow Bunting To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, November 16, 2009, 5:33 PM   Hi Birders, It was extremely blustery the other day and the heaving swells recalled small rolling hills, but alas, we didn't see a single Snow Bunting—habitat was all wrong! However, I do appreciate the imagery conjured up reading these messages. It's been ages since I've seen a Snow Bunting. I did see some Western and California Gulls though... happy birding, Michael Force currently aboard NOAA ship McArthur II 80 nautical miles south of San Clemente Island, CA pagodroma AT yahoo. com --- On Mon, 11/16/09, Rick Howie wrote: From: Rick Howie Subject: RE: [bcintbird] Re: Snow Bunting To: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com Received: Monday, November 16, 2009, 9:14 AM   HI Folks: snow buntings appearing in a swirl of snowflakes is an experience that I have enjoyed many times. It seems almost as if the buntings are disguised as snowflakes most of the time and choose to metamorphose periodically in the teeth of a squall and delight us with their appearance. I have often pondered where they are when the weather is nice. My assumption is that they are often on the ground feeding and out of view for much of the time. Blustery weather may cause them to move around a little more and become visible more frequently, but I have no data to prove the notion. I only know that when the weather is blustery and I am in the grasslands wondering if anything will appear, I often think "its Snow Bunting weather". Rick Howie Kamloops -----Original Message----- From: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com] On Behalf Of chapbird Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 8:42 AM To: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com Subject: [bcintbird] Re: Snow Bunting The "Swirl of Snowflakes" / flashes of bright white was exactly how they were first spotted. They landed along the cut slope above the road down to the water, We got good looks there, then they displayed the white and flew again further down the road where we got further good looks. On the ground they are not nearly as white this time of year and actually quite beautifully coloured with grey, rust, orange, black highlights, and white. It was awesome! --- In bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com, M Lancaster wrote: > > David, > I have been fortunate to see Snow Buntings on two separate occasions on the east coast of the UK. I have vivid memories of a 'swirl of snowflakes' suddenly appearing and then disappearing as the birds landed to become almost invisible on the shingle beach. > > Truly breath taking. > > Barry > M B Lancaster > Currently, Addlestone UK > ----- Original Message ----- > From: chapbird > To: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com > Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 2:52 AM > Subject: [bcintbird] Snow Bunting > > > > Yesterday I went out with the regular once-a-month- Saturday CONC group. We toured the Vernon area. It was a bit nippy but an absolutely spectacular "Blue Bird" day. Among 36 other species we had excellent repeated looks at Snow Bunting along the Road down into Kekuli Provicial Park off 97. > A lifer for me and at least one other. > Doin the Jig! > David > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _ The new Internet Explorer® 8 - Faster, safer, easier. Optimized for Yahoo! Get it Now for Free! at http://downloads. yahoo.com/ ca/internetexplo rer/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Re: Snow Bunting From: Michael Force <pagodroma AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:33:50 -0800 (PST) Hi Birders, It was extremely blustery the other day and the heaving swells recalled small rolling hills, but alas, we didn't see a single Snow Bunting—habitat was all wrong! However, I do appreciate the imagery conjured up reading these messages. It's been ages since I've seen a Snow Bunting. I did see some Western and California Gulls though... happy birding, Michael Force currently aboard NOAA ship McArthur II 80 nautical miles south of San Clemente Island, CA pagodroma AT yahoo.com --- On Mon, 11/16/09, Rick Howie wrote: From: Rick Howie Subject: RE: [bcintbird] Re: Snow Bunting To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Received: Monday, November 16, 2009, 9:14 AM   HI Folks: snow buntings appearing in a swirl of snowflakes is an experience that I have enjoyed many times. It seems almost as if the buntings are disguised as snowflakes most of the time and choose to metamorphose periodically in the teeth of a squall and delight us with their appearance. I have often pondered where they are when the weather is nice. My assumption is that they are often on the ground feeding and out of view for much of the time. Blustery weather may cause them to move around a little more and become visible more frequently, but I have no data to prove the notion. I only know that when the weather is blustery and I am in the grasslands wondering if anything will appear, I often think "its Snow Bunting weather". Rick Howie Kamloops -----Original Message----- From: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com] On Behalf Of chapbird Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 8:42 AM To: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com Subject: [bcintbird] Re: Snow Bunting The "Swirl of Snowflakes" / flashes of bright white was exactly how they were first spotted. They landed along the cut slope above the road down to the water, We got good looks there, then they displayed the white and flew again further down the road where we got further good looks. On the ground they are not nearly as white this time of year and actually quite beautifully coloured with grey, rust, orange, black highlights, and white. It was awesome! --- In bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com, M Lancaster wrote: > > David, > I have been fortunate to see Snow Buntings on two separate occasions on the east coast of the UK. I have vivid memories of a 'swirl of snowflakes' suddenly appearing and then disappearing as the birds landed to become almost invisible on the shingle beach. > > Truly breath taking. > > Barry > M B Lancaster > Currently, Addlestone UK > ----- Original Message ----- > From: chapbird > To: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com > Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 2:52 AM > Subject: [bcintbird] Snow Bunting > > > > Yesterday I went out with the regular once-a-month- Saturday CONC group. We toured the Vernon area. It was a bit nippy but an absolutely spectacular "Blue Bird" day. Among 36 other species we had excellent repeated looks at Snow Bunting along the Road down into Kekuli Provicial Park off 97. > A lifer for me and at least one other. > Doin the Jig! > David > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] __________________________________________________________________ The new Internet Explorer® 8 - Faster, safer, easier. Optimized for Yahoo! Get it Now for Free! at http://downloads.yahoo.com/ca/internetexplorer/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Snow Bunting From: "chapbird" <dchapman AT 2020properties.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:13:19 -0000 It did not go unnoticed by the way that the day after our first good snow of the year...we saw Snow Bunting! --- In bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com, Laurie Rockwell wrote: > > Rick , > > I have fond memories of watching squadrons of Snow Buntings from my > windows or large deck in 100 Mile House near Horse Lake. Our house was > about 20m from the neighbours 50 acres of rolling hay fields,for good > viewing,.Tthere were always lots of succulent grass heads gone to seed > to attract the buntings. Often,however, I got to watch them fly in close > formation as they rose and fell again to the ground,much like waxwings > do, as they foraged over deep snow,in the sun, at -30 degrees of more! > > Cheers................Laurie > > Rick Howie wrote: > > >HI Folks: snow buntings appearing in a swirl of snowflakes is an experience > >that I have enjoyed many times. It seems almost as if the buntings are > >disguised as snowflakes most of the time and choose to metamorphose > >periodically in the teeth of a squall and delight us with their appearance. > > > >I have often pondered where they are when the weather is nice. My assumption > >is that they are often on the ground feeding and out of view for much of the > >time. Blustery weather may cause them to move around a little more and > >become visible more frequently, but I have no data to prove the notion. I > >only know that when the weather is blustery and I am in the grasslands > >wondering if anything will appear, I often think "its Snow Bunting weather". > > > > > > > >Rick Howie > > > >Kamloops > > > > > > > Subject: Re: Lake Country CBC Dec 14 2009 From: "Lesley Robertson" <lessismore AT telus.net> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:07:24 -0800 Hi Trevor We are happy with the area we had last year. Elke & Joyce Fraser & I plan to be available. We don't mind where you put us if last year's area is gone to others Lesley ----- Original Message ----- From: tforder2001 To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 3:15 PM Subject: [bcintbird] Lake Country CBC Dec 14 2009 Hi Birders, Just a reminder that the Lake Country CBC will be held on Dec 14th again this year. Look forward to seeing everyone again> There have been numerous people involved in this regularily for several years now, and hope most of you can be there again this year, Also wlecome to anyone who wants to join us for the first time. Please send me an email to trevor.forder AT gmail.com if you can make it , and include any area or birding buddy preferences. Bye for now, Trevor Forder [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lake Country CBC Dec 14 2009 From: "tforder2001" <trevor.forder AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:15:05 -0000 Hi Birders, Just a reminder that the Lake Country CBC will be held on Dec 14th again this year. Look forward to seeing everyone again> There have been numerous people involved in this regularily for several years now, and hope most of you can be there again this year, Also wlecome to anyone who wants to join us for the first time. Please send me an email to trevor.forder AT gmail.com if you can make it , and include any area or birding buddy preferences. Bye for now, Trevor Forder Subject: Re: Re: Snow Bunting From: Laurie Rockwell <hardrock AT vip.net> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:38:27 -0800 Rick , I have fond memories of watching squadrons of Snow Buntings from my windows or large deck in 100 Mile House near Horse Lake. Our house was about 20m from the neighbours 50 acres of rolling hay fields,for good viewing,.Tthere were always lots of succulent grass heads gone to seed to attract the buntings. Often,however, I got to watch them fly in close formation as they rose and fell again to the ground,much like waxwings do, as they foraged over deep snow,in the sun, at -30 degrees of more! Cheers................Laurie Rick Howie wrote: >HI Folks: snow buntings appearing in a swirl of snowflakes is an experience >that I have enjoyed many times. It seems almost as if the buntings are >disguised as snowflakes most of the time and choose to metamorphose >periodically in the teeth of a squall and delight us with their appearance. > >I have often pondered where they are when the weather is nice. My assumption >is that they are often on the ground feeding and out of view for much of the >time. Blustery weather may cause them to move around a little more and >become visible more frequently, but I have no data to prove the notion. I >only know that when the weather is blustery and I am in the grasslands >wondering if anything will appear, I often think "its Snow Bunting weather". > > > >Rick Howie > >Kamloops > > > Subject: RE: Re: Snow Bunting From: "Rick Howie" <r.howie AT shaw.ca> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:14:55 -0800 HI Folks: snow buntings appearing in a swirl of snowflakes is an experience that I have enjoyed many times. It seems almost as if the buntings are disguised as snowflakes most of the time and choose to metamorphose periodically in the teeth of a squall and delight us with their appearance. I have often pondered where they are when the weather is nice. My assumption is that they are often on the ground feeding and out of view for much of the time. Blustery weather may cause them to move around a little more and become visible more frequently, but I have no data to prove the notion. I only know that when the weather is blustery and I am in the grasslands wondering if anything will appear, I often think "its Snow Bunting weather". Rick Howie Kamloops -----Original Message----- From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of chapbird Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 8:42 AM To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [bcintbird] Re: Snow Bunting The "Swirl of Snowflakes" / flashes of bright white was exactly how they were first spotted. They landed along the cut slope above the road down to the water, We got good looks there, then they displayed the white and flew again further down the road where we got further good looks. On the ground they are not nearly as white this time of year and actually quite beautifully coloured with grey, rust, orange, black highlights, and white. It was awesome! --- In bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com, M Lancaster wrote: > > David, > I have been fortunate to see Snow Buntings on two separate occasions on the east coast of the UK. I have vivid memories of a 'swirl of snowflakes' suddenly appearing and then disappearing as the birds landed to become almost invisible on the shingle beach. > > Truly breath taking. > > Barry > M B Lancaster > Currently, Addlestone UK > ----- Original Message ----- > From: chapbird > To: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com > Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 2:52 AM > Subject: [bcintbird] Snow Bunting > > > > Yesterday I went out with the regular once-a-month-Saturday CONC group. We toured the Vernon area. It was a bit nippy but an absolutely spectacular "Blue Bird" day. Among 36 other species we had excellent repeated looks at Snow Bunting along the Road down into Kekuli Provicial Park off 97. > A lifer for me and at least one other. > Doin the Jig! > David > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Snow Bunting From: "chapbird" <dchapman AT 2020properties.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:41:56 -0000 The "Swirl of Snowflakes" / flashes of bright white was exactly how they were first spotted. They landed along the cut slope above the road down to the water, We got good looks there, then they displayed the white and flew again further down the road where we got further good looks. On the ground they are not nearly as white this time of year and actually quite beautifully coloured with grey, rust, orange, black highlights, and white. It was awesome! --- In bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com, M Lancaster wrote: > > David, > I have been fortunate to see Snow Buntings on two separate occasions on the east coast of the UK. I have vivid memories of a 'swirl of snowflakes' suddenly appearing and then disappearing as the birds landed to become almost invisible on the shingle beach. > > Truly breath taking. > > Barry > M B Lancaster > Currently, Addlestone UK > ----- Original Message ----- > From: chapbird > To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com > Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 2:52 AM > Subject: [bcintbird] Snow Bunting > > > > Yesterday I went out with the regular once-a-month-Saturday CONC group. We toured the Vernon area. It was a bit nippy but an absolutely spectacular "Blue Bird" day. Among 36 other species we had excellent repeated looks at Snow Bunting along the Road down into Kekuli Provicial Park off 97. > A lifer for me and at least one other. > Doin the Jig! > David > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > Subject: South Okanagan Birding From: Russell Cannings <russellcannings AT shaw.ca> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:40:45 -0800 Hi all, Today despite extreme wind warnings Ilya P and I got out for some birding in the southern part of the valley.  First off we met up with Thor Manson at White Lake for a solid search for partridge.  We walked and walked but had no luck with the chickens  BUT we did have a few nice birds sailing by in the wind including a late WESTERN MEADOWLARK, 2 adult GOLDEN EAGLES, a couple AMERICAN KESTRELS, and a NORTHERN SHRIKE.  Closer to Willowbrook a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK made a close pass of the car, then we rolled onto Rd. 22 for an owl search---- we were not disappointed!  We walked into the woods north of the bridge and within 5 minutes I flushed a male LONG-EARED OWL!  Then about 25 minutes later we found a roosting NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL!  Not too bad.  The wind was really getting going by then so we high-tailed it back to OK Falls where we headed up Shuttleworth for some forest birding as the sun went down.  Other than a male HAIRY WOODPECKER and a flock of BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES it was pretty quiet up there. A very enjoyable day despite the cold! Russell Cannings Penticton, BC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Snow Bunting From: M Lancaster <mbl.tenbel AT googlemail.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:37:23 -0000 David, I have been fortunate to see Snow Buntings on two separate occasions on the east coast of the UK. I have vivid memories of a 'swirl of snowflakes' suddenly appearing and then disappearing as the birds landed to become almost invisible on the shingle beach. Truly breath taking. Barry M B Lancaster Currently, Addlestone UK ----- Original Message ----- From: chapbird To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 2:52 AM Subject: [bcintbird] Snow Bunting Yesterday I went out with the regular once-a-month-Saturday CONC group. We toured the Vernon area. It was a bit nippy but an absolutely spectacular "Blue Bird" day. Among 36 other species we had excellent repeated looks at Snow Bunting along the Road down into Kekuli Provicial Park off 97. A lifer for me and at least one other. Doin the Jig! David [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Snow Bunting From: "chapbird" <dchapman AT 2020properties.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:52:56 -0000 Yesterday I went out with the regular once-a-month-Saturday CONC group. We toured the Vernon area. It was a bit nippy but an absolutely spectacular "Blue Bird" day. Among 36 other species we had excellent repeated looks at Snow Bunting along the Road down into Kekuli Provicial Park off 97. A lifer for me and at least one other. Doin the Jig! David Subject: Nanaimo,Vancouver Island, bird alert--November 15, 2009, From: "backyard_store" <thebackyard AT shaw.ca> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:03:50 -0000 NANAIMO BIRD ALERT To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 e-mail us at thebackyard AT shaw.ca call the Bird Alert at 250-390-3029 Also check the birdstore blog for the latest bird alerts and updates: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com Post your sightings on this site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages Birds of British Columbia: http://www.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/efauna/SpeciesChecklists.html International Birdwatching Guides http://www.guidedbirdwatching.com Birdwatching contacts and information find a local birder to go birdwatching with: http://www.birdingpal.org/ Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone number, along with the date and location of your sighting. Sunday November 15, 2009: The Sunday Bird Walk went to Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. The rain fell all morning and it was very windy. The highlights included seeing a Barred Owl perched in full view on a branch. A small flock of unidentified Shorebird flew over us. A Wilson's Snipe circled around us for several minutes. Five birders heard and saw the following twenty-seven species of birds: Canada Geese, Mallard, Hooded Merganser, American Wigeon, Gadwall, Wood Duck, American Coot, Pied-billed Grebe, Wilson's Snipe, Great Blue Heron, Barred Owl, Glaucous-winged Gull, Northern Flicker, Rock Pigeon, Varied Thrush, American Robin, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch and House Sparrows. A first fall female Common Yellowthroat was seen in a backyard in Columbia Beach. Saturday November 14: Three Trumpeter Swans were seen flying over a field off highway 19, between Nanoose Bay and Parksville. One Brant Goose was seen at the Parksville Beach Community Park in with a flock of American Wigeon. One Snow Goose was seen in with a flock of Canada Geese at Winchelsea School Grounds along Renz Road in Parksville. Steller's Jays and Anna's Hummingbirds are visiting feeders along Benson View Road opposite Witchcraft Lake in Nanaimo. An American Dipper was seen in a stream that runs into Witchcraft Lake in Nanaimo. A Chukar was seen alongside Church Road by the three-way stop in Parksville. Four Steller's Jays and Anna's Hummingbirds are visiting feeders in the 4600 block of Lost Lake Road in Nanaimo. An Anna's Hummingbird is visiting feeders along Valewood Drive in Deerwood Estates in north Nanaimo. Friday November 13: One Snow Goose and three Cackling Geese were seen in with a large flock of Canada Geese in the Winchelsea School grounds along Renz Road in Parksville. A Sharp-shinned Hawk was seen scouting the feeders in a backyard along Meridian Way in Parksville. Thursday November 12: Three Short-eared Owls, two Northern Harriers, two Eurasian Wigeon and a Northern Shrike were seen at the Nanaimo River Estuary in south Nanaimo. Four Brant Geese were seen offshore heading south from Yellowpoint in Cedar. Tuesday November 10: The Tuesday bird walk went to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. The morning was cloudy with showers but the sea was calm. A Varied Thrush greeted us as we started the walk. The highlights included the sighting of a Red-tailed Hawk perched high in a tall tree overlooking the estuary and the flooded mudflats. Three Gadwall, four Northern Shovelers and a flock of Dunlin shared the incoming tide on the mud flats. A male and female Long-tailed Duck, Surf, White-winged and Black Scoters, Harlequin Ducks, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loons, Common Loons, Horned Grebes, Double-crested Cormorant and Pelagic Cormorant were playing hide and seek with us by diving and popping up out of the water. Fifteen birders saw and heard the following fifty-one species of birds: Canada Goose, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon , Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Killdeer, Dunlin, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Ancient Murrelet, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Purple Finch, House Finch and Pine Siskin. Sunday November 08: Three Rufous Hummingbirds were seen visiting feeders along Cosgrove Crescent in Nanaimo. Three Greater White-fronted Geese. three Cackling Geese and two Gadwall were seen at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a bird please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store AT 250-390-3669 Toll Free AT 1-888-249-4145 e-mail: thebackyard AT shaw.ca ********************************** Arrowsmith Naturalists Guest speaker, Haida Bolton will talk about "Camp Uganda, an educational camp in the Wildlife Education Centre for underprivileged Uganda Children and their parents." Monday November 23, 2009 AT 7:30 pm. Springwood School Parksville ********************************** The Nanoose Naturalists Thursday December 10, 2009 AT 7:00 pm Nanoose Library, Nanoose Bay ********************************** Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on the Sunday and Tuesday mornings. We leave from the Store at 9 A.M. Sunday Mornings and go to a different location in and around Nanaimo and from the Parksville Beach Community Park at 9 A.M. on Tuesdays and go to different areas in and around the Oceanside area. ************************************************************** The Tuesday Bird Walk on November 17, 2009 will be going to Columbia Beach. Meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park near the parking area at the Lion's Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area off Admiral Tyron Bld. at about 9: 15 A.M. ***************************************************** The Sunday Bird Walk on November 22, 2009 will be going to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo. Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking lot of Hammond Bay Road at about 9:20 A.M. ******************************************************* Good birding Neil Robins THE BACKYARD Wildbird & Nature Store 6314 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8 250.390.3669 250.390.1633 fax thebackyard AT shaw.ca CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com Subject: Nov. list From: Laure Neish <natureneish AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:36:23 -0800 Hi I just checked the list and BALD EAGLE and CASSIN'S FINCH can also be checked off. Laure -- Canon 40D + Canon 300mm IS f/2.8 x 1.4 telex - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Laure Wilson Neish Penticton, BC Canada http://natureniche.zenfolio.com/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: November List From: "A & J Ginns" <ginnsj AT shaw.ca> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:06:37 -0800 Here are several species I've seen this month that are not yet ticked-off on the November list: Pied-bill Grebe N. Harrier Goshawk Mourning Dove Eurasian Collard Dove Toensend's Solitaire Brewer's Blackbird, and Evening Grosbeak Cheers, Jim Ginns ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.424 / Virus Database: 270.14.47/2478 - Release Date: 11/03/09 07:36:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: some Kelowna birds From: Russell Cannings <russellcannings AT shaw.ca> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:31:33 -0800 Hi all, Like Chris, Ilya Povalyaev and I were out birding the Kelowna area for the entire day.  We started off at Chichester where it was a nippy -8 degrees.  Highlights there included a single YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, 1 SHARP-SHINNED and 1 COOPER'S HAWK.  Next we headed over to Robert Lake to look for the Lesser Black-backed Gull.  No luck on the frozen pan (we did see 5 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE in a nearby field amongst Canadas and Cacklers) so we headed over to the dump.  Lots more gulls and ducks but we could not find the target bird.  Around 10 we met up with Ann Gibson at the old McCurdy feedlot site; we searched for rare sparrows but alas no luck.  We were pleased however to get great looks at a smart-looking NORTHERN SHRIKE, as well as a single NORTHERN PINTAIL in a side pond.  From there we headed down to Sutherland Bay.  Hardly any gulls but picked up a few more duck and grebe species for the day list.  Next we hit Maude Roxby where gulls were plentiful but no black-backed!  A good number of swans representing both species called back and forth in Mud Bay and a trip of CANVASBACKS gave us some hope so we headed on to the Mouth of Mission Creek where there was virtually nothing!  On to Munson's Pond where the usual species were tallied including 8 GREAT BLUE HERONS (take that Chris!) and our only MOURNING DOVES of the day.  Back at Robert Lake we once again struck out with the dark-backed bird in a final act of desperation we checked back into the dump.  This time success!!!  The LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL posed nicely 15 meters away--( we got pictures Barry, I'll send them to you soon!).  Then as the sun was falling over the garage heaps I picked out a 1rst year MEW GULL and then even better, a RUSTY BLACKBIRD amongst the other blackbirds and starlings!!!  Our final stop of the day was at the foot of Burtch Road, where we found a single SAVANNAH SPARROW-- is that your bird Chris?  It was smack-dab in the middle of the field. Not sure how many species we had but it was a great day! Time to look for some owls... Russell Cannings Currently in Penticton, BC   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: some Kelowna birds From: Chris Siddle <chris.siddle AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:31:21 -0800 Hi birders, I was in Kelowna very early this morning so I checked Munson Pond and found an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW along the hedgerow west of the pond with a small flock of DARK-EYED JUNCOS (including my first Slate-coloured male of the fall) and AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES. Also in the general area were WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, which were expected and a SAVANNAH SPARROW which wasn't ... expected, that is. In the pond, presumably standing on a submerged mud bank, were the same group of 5 sulky GREAT BLUE HERONS doing their best to remain motionless, with their heads tucked into their.... um... well, tucked out of sight. As I left, I was surprised to see that an additional three had joined the five so that the pond now looked like it had sprouted a strange, shaggy crop of headless apparitions. At Robert Lake the Lesser Black-backed Gull dropped in to have a bit of a rest with usual other gull species. Chris S [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Wilson's Warbler in Penticton From: Laure Neish <natureneish AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:20:35 -0800 This late male was foraging near the Rose Garden -Sicamous area. There were also a flock of about 10 Cedar Waxwings still feeding on berries and I saw the Am. Dipper near the dam. -- Canon 40D + Canon 300mm IS f/2.8 x 1.4 telex - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Laure Wilson Neish Penticton, BC Canada http://natureniche.zenfolio.com/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Glaucous-winged x Western Gull hybrid in Penticton From: Laure Neish <natureneish AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:23:33 -0800 http://natureniche.zenfolio.com/p474972890/h726462#h726462 I only took one shot of this gull today which caught my eye as I was once again trying to get Bufflehead action photos. But it appears to be a second year cross which I discovered online is sometimes called an "Olympic Gull", perhaps since it is so common in Washington state and Oregon. Any comments? How common are they here in the Okanagan? -- Canon 40D + Canon 300mm IS f/2.8 x 1.4 telex - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Laure Wilson Neish Penticton, BC Canada http://natureniche.zenfolio.com/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: November birds From: Laurie Rockwell <hardrock AT vip.net> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:06:56 -0800 Dick, You may add : Gadwall Americam Wigeon Common Goldeneye Cheers...........Laurie R -- Know Thyself Coaching Summerland, BC, Canada 250-494-7558; knowthyselfcoaching AT vip.net Member International Coach Federation If you do not go within,you will go without Subject: FRGU and LBBG continue From: Russell Cannings <russellcannings AT shaw.ca> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:13:56 -0800 Hi all, This morning I spotted the 1rst winter FRANKLIN'S GULL again, this time in the side channel beside Alki Lake (aka the dump). I also got brief looks at the LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL as it took off from the dump and flew back towards Robert Lake. Although it was not a great look, the primaries appear fresh and fully-grown in. Will hope for a better view! I also picked out what I believe is the same suspicious bird I saw yesterday, the one I thought might be a Kumlien's. With a much better vista today, I'd say it's a small-billed (prob. female?) Thayer's Gull whose primaries show more white than typical birds. Regards, Russell Cannings Kelowna, BC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) From: "Rick Howie" <r.howie AT shaw.ca> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:30:47 -0800 I like the photos with water in action being stirred up by the birds. It re-emphasizes the intimacy with that medium that the birds share. It reminds me that they do not always live on a placid water body. Rather, they create brief periods of turmoil when they scamper around or take off and land, adding sparkling texture to their environment. Rick Howie -----Original Message----- From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Laure Neish Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 6:55 AM To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [bcintbird] Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) Thanks Rick, I'm still trying to get a really good action shot, but either the birds are obscured by their self-created waves/splashes or the light hasn't been good enough. They are fun to watch though! and its the one time of year I get to hear their grunty noises. Laure Subject: Re: Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) From: Laure Neish <natureneish AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:54:42 -0800 Thanks Rick, I'm still trying to get a really good action shot, but either the birds are obscured by their self-created waves/splashes or the light hasn't been good enough. They are fun to watch though! and its the one time of year I get to hear their grunty noises. Laure On Tue, Nov 10, 2009 at 11:44 PM, Rick Howie wrote: > > > Lots of exceptional shots there Laure. Nicely done. > > Rick Howie > > -----Original Message----- > From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com [mailto: > bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf > Of Laure Neish > Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 7:55 PM > To: BC interior birds list; Bird Pix > Subject: [bcintbird] Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) > > I've been enjoying watching the pre-breeding antics (pair bonding) of this > "smartly dressed" little duck in Penticton. This particular group is at the > Okanagan lakefront near the S.S. Sicamous and the males start their display > with much head pumping and turning it from side to side. Then one will > lower > its head and move in on another male or female, and charge. Other display > activities include a short flight of about 20m ending in a sudden skidding > halt. I've tried to show some of these displays on my gallery but could use > a few more sunny days to get decent contrast.. > The first photo is at this link, then hit the arrow key... > http://natureniche. > > zenfolio.com/p435944511/h362f28bf#h362f28bf > > -- > Canon 40D + Canon 300mm IS f/2.8 x 1.4 telex > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > Laure Wilson Neish > Penticton, BC Canada > http://natureniche. zenfolio.com/ > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > -- Canon 40D + Canon 300mm IS f/2.8 x 1.4 telex - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Laure Wilson Neish Penticton, BC Canada http://natureniche.zenfolio.com/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To contact the moderator email bcintbird-owner AT yahoogroups.com Also, consider joining these groups. bcbirds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com an all BC group. If you have pictures to share try this group. http://groups-beta.google.com/ From here you have to join the bcintbird-pics group before you can see the pictures. Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcintbird/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcintbird/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: bcintbird-digest AT yahoogroups.com bcintbird-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: bcintbird-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: RE: Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) From: "Rick Howie" <r.howie AT shaw.ca> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:44:57 -0800 Lots of exceptional shots there Laure. Nicely done. Rick Howie -----Original Message----- From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Laure Neish Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 7:55 PM To: BC interior birds list; Bird Pix Subject: [bcintbird] Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) I've been enjoying watching the pre-breeding antics (pair bonding) of this "smartly dressed" little duck in Penticton. This particular group is at the Okanagan lakefront near the S.S. Sicamous and the males start their display with much head pumping and turning it from side to side. Then one will lower its head and move in on another male or female, and charge. Other display activities include a short flight of about 20m ending in a sudden skidding halt. I've tried to show some of these displays on my gallery but could use a few more sunny days to get decent contrast.. The first photo is at this link, then hit the arrow key... http://natureniche. zenfolio.com/p435944511/h362f28bf#h362f28bf -- Canon 40D + Canon 300mm IS f/2.8 x 1.4 telex - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Laure Wilson Neish Penticton, BC Canada http://natureniche. zenfolio.com/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Re: Munson's Pond Nov 10, 2009 Wite Goose From: "Rick Howie" <r.howie AT shaw.ca> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:41:19 -0800 Hi again Sue: I see female Mallards and female Buffleheads in the photos. Rick Rick Howie RP Bio Aspen Park Consulting 4898 Spurraway Rd. Kamloops, BC V2H 1M6 ph - 250-578-7542 fax - 250-578-7543 cell - 250-371-2551 -----Original Message----- From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of sue_thomson51 Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 11:26 PM To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [bcintbird] Re: Munson's Pond Nov 10, 2009 Wite Goose --- In bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com, "Rick Howie" wrote: > > HI Sue: the new lens sounds like an exciting purchase and I know that you > will enjoy it a lot. In your bufflehead photos, I see mallards and redheads > but no teal unless I missed them. The light goose is likely a leucistic > Canada based on your photos and the ones sent earlier. I say likely only > because leucism is a lack of all pigments versus albinism which as a lack of > melanin. I think that your bird still has some pigmentation. It clearly > seems not to be a hybrid as we discussed earlier. > > > > Cheers > > Rick Howie > > > > > >WOW! A Redhead!!! That's number 118 for my list! Too cool! Thanks, Rick. Do you see any females there, too? I obviously was doubting the Green-winged Teal but it is the only one I had seen that has a red head (sorta). There was two males and a female at Chichester October 31. I also figured the goose was leucistic. Yes, there was colour in it, which, to me, ruled out it being an albino. I had a leucistic House Sparrow here all summer but it is gone now. She was born here and I had hoped it would stick around so I could watch it grow up and maybe have a brood next year. Was curious to see if the lack of colour would carry over to its young. Hope the neighbour's cats didn't get it. Cheers, Sue > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Munson's Pond Nov 10, 2009 Wite Goose From: "sue_thomson51" <s_thomson AT telus.net> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:25:40 -0000 --- In bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com, "Rick Howie" wrote: > > HI Sue: the new lens sounds like an exciting purchase and I know that you > will enjoy it a lot. In your bufflehead photos, I see mallards and redheads > but no teal unless I missed them. The light goose is likely a leucistic > Canada based on your photos and the ones sent earlier. I say likely only > because leucism is a lack of all pigments versus albinism which as a lack of > melanin. I think that your bird still has some pigmentation. It clearly > seems not to be a hybrid as we discussed earlier. > > > > Cheers > > Rick Howie > > > > > >WOW! A Redhead!!! That's number 118 for my list! Too cool! Thanks, Rick. Do you see any females there, too? I obviously was doubting the Green-winged Teal but it is the only one I had seen that has a red head (sorta). There was two males and a female at Chichester October 31. I also figured the goose was leucistic. Yes, there was colour in it, which, to me, ruled out it being an albino. I had a leucistic House Sparrow here all summer but it is gone now. She was born here and I had hoped it would stick around so I could watch it grow up and maybe have a brood next year. Was curious to see if the lack of colour would carry over to its young. Hope the neighbour's cats didn't get it. Cheers, Sue > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > Subject: RE: Munson's Pond Nov 10, 2009 Wite Goose From: "Rick Howie" <r.howie AT shaw.ca> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:28:04 -0800 HI Sue: the new lens sounds like an exciting purchase and I know that you will enjoy it a lot. In your bufflehead photos, I see mallards and redheads but no teal unless I missed them. The light goose is likely a leucistic Canada based on your photos and the ones sent earlier. I say likely only because leucism is a lack of all pigments versus albinism which as a lack of melanin. I think that your bird still has some pigmentation. It clearly seems not to be a hybrid as we discussed earlier. Cheers Rick Howie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Munson's Pond Nov 10, 2009 Wite Goose From: "sue_thomson51" <s_thomson AT telus.net> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:21:16 -0000 Cripes ... I can't believe I spelled "white" wrong ... where's the slapping forehead smiley? I know better. :( Cheers, Sue Subject: Munson's Pond Nov 10, 2009 Wite Goose From: "sue_thomson51" <s_thomson AT telus.net> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:08:49 -0000 I was at Munson's today and saw the white goose that was mentioned earlier so took some pics of it. They are in the photo album here but they are so small that things are barely recognizable, so I also put them here: http://s207.photobucket.com/albums/bb174/grammafreddy/Munson%202009-11-10/ Needless to say, I can't wait for my 50-500mm lens to get here ... As well as that goose, there were also at least 6 pairs of Buffleheads and quite a few of what I think are Green-winged Teal. Perhaps somebody can confirm that or let me know what they are? A herd of Starlings and four Flickers were also there. Thanks. Cheers, Sue Subject: Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) From: Laure Neish <natureneish AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:55:20 -0800 I've been enjoying watching the pre-breeding antics (pair bonding) of this "smartly dressed" little duck in Penticton. This particular group is at the Okanagan lakefront near the S.S. Sicamous and the males start their display with much head pumping and turning it from side to side. Then one will lower its head and move in on another male or female, and charge. Other display activities include a short flight of about 20m ending in a sudden skidding halt. I've tried to show some of these displays on my gallery but could use a few more sunny days to get decent contrast.. The first photo is at this link, then hit the arrow key... http://natureniche.zenfolio.com/p435944511/h362f28bf#h362f28bf -- Canon 40D + Canon 300mm IS f/2.8 x 1.4 telex - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Laure Wilson Neish Penticton, BC Canada http://natureniche.zenfolio.com/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Franklin's Gull at Robert Lake From: Russell Cannings <russellcannings AT shaw.ca> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:34:27 -0800 Hi all, Today around 11am I spotted a first-winter FRANKLIN'S GULL flying over Robert Lake heading towards the dump.  Another late bird for November!  As usual there was a ton of gulls to pick through today; another high THAYER'S GULL count of 15ish today included a candidate for Iceland (Kumlien's) Gull.  It was packed in amongst some Thayer's and Herring Gulls; I could see the head quite well-- very short and slender bill, pale head and neck, yellow eyes.  Unfortunately the lower half of the bird was mostly obscurred.  I got a few glimpses of the primaries which appeared to be slate-gray with some white-edging.  Will have to keep an eye out for her in the future! Maude Roxby also had a nice selection of gulls today but no stand-out rarities.  I suppose the two highlights for the bay were a group of 7 sleeping TUNDRA SWANS (incl 2 juvs) and a single male COMMON GOLDENEYE (these guys are just coming back now I guess). Regards, Russell Cannings Kelowna, BC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: LBBG and 28 Thayer's Gulls at Robert Lake! From: Russell Cannings <russellcannings AT shaw.ca> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:10:09 -0800 p.s. I believe there is a growing wintering population of LBBGs in Colorado now, probably sharing an origin with our birds. ----- Original Message ----- From: M Lancaster Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 11:33 am Subject: Re: [bcintbird] LBBG and 28 Thayer's Gulls at Robert Lake! To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com > Thanks Russell, > As you are probably aware, LBB generally complete their moult on > the wintering grounds - which in the case of some birds is not > until Dec. or even occasionally Jan. P10 and P9 might still > therefore be growing. Morocco is a major wintering area as is S > Spain. This includes birds from Iceland and even the one or two > Greenland birds (that have been recovered) have migrated SE and > not SW as must be the case if the BC birds are from Greenland - > and I cannot think where else they would come from. > > With the number of LBB's being seen in Canada these days (mostly > on the East coast) it is interesting that, so far, no evidence > has been forthcoming as to their origin (at least as far as I am > aware). > There is of course the possibility that Heuglin's is involved on > the Pacific side of NA. Away from their breeding grounds it is > very difficult, usually impossible, to distinguish from LBB - or > so the evidence would seem. Timing of the moult being of assistance. > > Barry > M B Lancaster > Currently, Addlestone UK >   ----- Original Message ----- >   From: Russell Cannings >   To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com >   Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 4:27 PM >   Subject: Re: [bcintbird] LBBG and 28 Thayer's Gulls at > Robert Lake! > > >     >   Hi Barry, > >   So far this year the bird has been a fair distance away > and usually sleeping so I haven't had great looks at the > primaries.  Having said that, the bird appears to have > completed its PB molt and now looks like a standard "non- > breeding" adult.  I'll see if I can get a better look soon > and I'll let you know. > >   Regards, > >   Russell Cannings >   Kelowna, BC > >   ----- Original Message ----- >   From: M Lancaster >   Date: Monday, November 9, 2009 10:50 pm >   Subject: Re: [bcintbird] LBBG and 28 Thayer's Gulls at > Robert Lake! >   To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com > >   > With regards to The Lesser Black-backed Gull, has > anyone taken >   > photos. At what stage is the moult? >   > >   > Barry >   > M B Lancaster >   > Currently, Addlestone UK >   >   ----- Original Message ----- >   >   From: Russell Cannings >   >   To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com >   >   Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 8:15 PM >   >   Subject: [bcintbird] LBBG and 28 Thayer's > Gulls at Robert Lake! >   > >   > >   >     >   >   Hi all, >   >   Checked Robert Lake around 11:30am today. > The lake was >   > packed (I find that 10:45-11:45 seems to be the best > time in >   > terms of gull numbers). Among hundreds of the usual > suspects I >   > counted an astounding 28 adult THAYER'S GULLS!!! The > most I've >   > ever seen in one spot in the Okanagan. Two of them had > entirely >   > gray outer primaries but the pattern was consistant > with >   > Thayer's (lacking the extensive white webbing of > Iceland Gulls). >   > The adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was also present, > sleeping >   > quietly on the east side of the lake. >   >   Regards, >   >   Russell Cannings >   >   Kelowna, BC >   > >   >   [Non-text portions of this message have > been removed] >   > >   > >   > >   >   >   > >   > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >   > >   > > >   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > >   > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: LBBG and 28 Thayer's Gulls at Robert Lake! From: Russell Cannings <russellcannings AT shaw.ca> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:09:03 -0800 Good to know Barry.  I'm not too familiar with the timings of gull molt so that's greatly appreciated.  I seem to recall reading in the past that birds wintering in southern areas (e.g. the Gulf Coast of North America) take longer to complete their molt.  Although I've been a fair distance away mostly, the primaries appear fresh, although I now recall a conversation with Thor Manson in which I think he commented on a noticeably short "primary projection" in this bird.  Perhaps the feathers are indeed still growing in.  I will be sure to look carefully next time I see it! Cheers, Russ ----- Original Message ----- From: M Lancaster Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 11:33 am Subject: Re: [bcintbird] LBBG and 28 Thayer's Gulls at Robert Lake! To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com > Thanks Russell, > As you are probably aware, LBB generally complete their moult on > the wintering grounds - which in the case of some birds is not > until Dec. or even occasionally Jan. P10 and P9 might still > therefore be growing. Morocco is a major wintering area as is S > Spain. This includes birds from Iceland and even the one or two > Greenland birds (that have been recovered) have migrated SE and > not SW as must be the case if the BC birds are from Greenland - > and I cannot think where else they would come from. > > With the number of LBB's being seen in Canada these days (mostly > on the East coast) it is interesting that, so far, no evidence > has been forthcoming as to their origin (at least as far as I am > aware). > There is of course the possibility that Heuglin's is involved on > the Pacific side of NA. Away from their breeding grounds it is > very difficult, usually impossible, to distinguish from LBB - or > so the evidence would seem. Timing of the moult being of assistance. > > Barry > M B Lancaster > Currently, Addlestone UK >   ----- Original Message ----- >   From: Russell Cannings >   To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com >   Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 4:27 PM >   Subject: Re: [bcintbird] LBBG and 28 Thayer's Gulls at > Robert Lake! > > >     >   Hi Barry, > >   So far this year the bird has been a fair distance away > and usually sleeping so I haven't had great looks at the > primaries.  Having said that, the bird appears to have > completed its PB molt and now looks like a standard "non- > breeding" adult.  I'll see if I can get a better look soon > and I'll let you know. > >   Regards, > >   Russell Cannings >   Kelowna, BC > >   ----- Original Message ----- >   From: M Lancaster >   Date: Monday, November 9, 2009 10:50 pm >   Subject: Re: [bcintbird] LBBG and 28 Thayer's Gulls at > Robert Lake! >   To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com > >   > With regards to The Lesser Black-backed Gull, has > anyone taken >   > photos. At what stage is the moult? >   > >   > Barry >   > M B Lancaster >   > Currently, Addlestone UK >   >   ----- Original Message ----- >   >   From: Russell Cannings >   >   To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com >   >   Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 8:15 PM >   >   Subject: [bcintbird] LBBG and 28 Thayer's > Gulls at Robert Lake! >   > >   > >   >     >   >   Hi all, >   >   Checked Robert Lake around 11:30am today. > The lake was >   > packed (I find that 10:45-11:45 seems to be the best > time in >   > terms of gull numbers). Among hundreds of the usual > suspects I >   > counted an astounding 28 adult THAYER'S GULLS!!! The > most I've >   > ever seen in one spot in the Okanagan. Two of them had > entirely >   > gray outer primaries but the pattern was consistant > with >   > Thayer's (lacking the extensive white webbing of > Iceland Gulls). >   > The adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was also present, > sleeping >   > quietly on the east side of the lake. >   >   Regards, >   >   Russell Cannings >   >   Kelowna, BC >   > >   >   [Non-text portions of this message have > been removed] >   > >   > >   > >   >   >   > >   > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >   > >   > > >   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > >   > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Blue Jay & Townsend's Warbler From: Chris Charlesworth <c_charlesworth23 AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:24:00 -0800 Birders, This morning Chris Siddle and I went over to the Westside in Kelowna and tried for the BLUE JAY along Traders Cove Road. We heard the bird call several times and had a brief look at it while it sat on the roof of a house. Also here was a TOWNSEND'S WARBLER. Checking the Okanagan Checklist, this appears to be the first November record for the valley? We called in a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL here as well. A short drive up Bear Lk Rd provided us with a few goodies such as WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, CASSIN'S FINCH, CLARK'S NUTCRACKERS and RED CROSSBILLS. Along the trail at Bear Ck Park we had a WINTER WREN as well as the remains of a Great Horned Owl. Gellately Bay in West Kelowna was pretty quiet, with the highlight being a MERLIN sitting in the treetops and a tiny CACKLING GOOSE amongst a large group of CANADA GEESE. Chris Charlesworth Kelowna, BC _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live: Make it easier for your friends to see what you’re up to on Facebook. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9691816 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To contact the moderator email bcintbird-owner AT yahoogroups.com Also, consider joining these groups. bcbirds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com an all BC group. If you have pictures to share try this group. http://groups-beta.google.com/ From here you have to join the bcintbird-pics group before you can see the pictures. Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcintbird/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcintbird/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: bcintbird-digest AT yahoogroups.com bcintbird-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: bcintbird-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Re: LBBG and 28 Thayer's Gulls at Robert Lake! From: M Lancaster <mbl.tenbel AT googlemail.com> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:22:05 -0000 Thanks Russell, As you are probably aware, LBB generally complete their moult on the wintering grounds - which in the case of some birds is not until Dec. or even occasionally Jan. P10 and P9 might still therefore be growing. Morocco is a major wintering area as is S Spain. This includes birds from Iceland and even the one or two Greenland birds (that have been recovered) have migrated SE and not SW as must be the case if the BC birds are from Greenland - and I cannot think where else they would come from. With the number of LBB's being seen in Canada these days (mostly on the East coast) it is interesting that, so far, no evidence has been forthcoming as to their origin (at least as far as I am aware). There is of course the possibility that Heuglin's is involved on the Pacific side of NA. Away from their breeding grounds it is very difficult, usually impossible, to distinguish from LBB - or so the evidence would seem. Timing of the moult being of assistance. Barry M B Lancaster Currently, Addlestone UK ----- Original Message ----- From: Russell Cannings To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 4:27 PM Subject: Re: [bcintbird] LBBG and 28 Thayer's Gulls at Robert Lake! Hi Barry, So far this year the bird has been a fair distance away and usually sleeping so I haven't had great looks at the primaries. Having said that, the bird appears to have completed its PB molt and now looks like a standard "non-breeding" adult. I'll see if I can get a better look soon and I'll let you know. Regards, Russell Cannings Kelowna, BC ----- Original Message ----- From: M Lancaster Date: Monday, November 9, 2009 10:50 pm Subject: Re: [bcintbird] LBBG and 28 Thayer's Gulls at Robert Lake! To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com > With regards to The Lesser Black-backed Gull, has anyone taken > photos. At what stage is the moult? > > Barry > M B Lancaster > Currently, Addlestone UK > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Russell Cannings > To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com > Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 8:15 PM > Subject: [bcintbird] LBBG and 28 Thayer's Gulls at Robert Lake! > > > > Hi all, > Checked Robert Lake around 11:30am today. The lake was > packed (I find that 10:45-11:45 seems to be the best time in > terms of gull numbers). Among hundreds of the usual suspects I > counted an astounding 28 adult THAYER'S GULLS!!! The most I've > ever seen in one spot in the Okanagan. Two of them had entirely > gray outer primaries but the pattern was consistant with > Thayer's (lacking the extensive white webbing of Iceland Gulls). > The adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was also present, sleeping > quietly on the east side of the lake. > Regards, > Russell Cannings > Kelowna, BC > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: LBBG and 28 Thayer's Gulls at Robert Lake! From: Russell Cannings <russellcannings AT shaw.ca> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:27:52 -0800 Hi Barry, So far this year the bird has been a fair distance away and usually sleeping so I haven't had great looks at the primaries.  Having said that, the bird appears to have completed its PB molt and now looks like a standard "non-breeding" adult.  I'll see if I can get a better look soon and I'll let you know. Regards, Russell Cannings Kelowna, BC ----- Original Message ----- From: M Lancaster Date: Monday, November 9, 2009 10:50 pm Subject: Re: [bcintbird] LBBG and 28 Thayer's Gulls at Robert Lake! To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com > With regards to The Lesser Black-backed Gull, has anyone taken > photos. At what stage is the moult? > > Barry > M B Lancaster > Currently, Addlestone UK >   ----- Original Message ----- >   From: Russell Cannings >   To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com >   Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 8:15 PM >   Subject: [bcintbird] LBBG and 28 Thayer's Gulls at Robert Lake! > > >     >   Hi all, >   Checked Robert Lake around 11:30am today. The lake was > packed (I find that 10:45-11:45 seems to be the best time in > terms of gull numbers). Among hundreds of the usual suspects I > counted an astounding 28 adult THAYER'S GULLS!!! The most I've > ever seen in one spot in the Okanagan. Two of them had entirely > gray outer primaries but the pattern was consistant with > Thayer's (lacking the extensive white webbing of Iceland Gulls). > The adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was also present, sleeping > quietly on the east side of the lake. >   Regards, >   Russell Cannings >   Kelowna, BC > >   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > >   > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: LBBG and 28 Thayer's Gulls at Robert Lake! From: M Lancaster <mbl.tenbel AT googlemail.com> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:45:40 -0000 With regards to The Lesser Black-backed Gull, has anyone taken photos. At what stage is the moult? Barry M B Lancaster Currently, Addlestone UK ----- Original Message ----- From: Russell Cannings To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 8:15 PM Subject: [bcintbird] LBBG and 28 Thayer's Gulls at Robert Lake! Hi all, Checked Robert Lake around 11:30am today. The lake was packed (I find that 10:45-11:45 seems to be the best time in terms of gull numbers). Among hundreds of the usual suspects I counted an astounding 28 adult THAYER'S GULLS!!! The most I've ever seen in one spot in the Okanagan. Two of them had entirely gray outer primaries but the pattern was consistant with Thayer's (lacking the extensive white webbing of Iceland Gulls). The adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was also present, sleeping quietly on the east side of the lake. Regards, Russell Cannings Kelowna, BC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Blue Jay From: Chris Charlesworth <c_charlesworth23 AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 17:00:10 -0800 Birders, Late this morning I found a BLUE JAY along Traders Cove Road at its intersection with Siemens Road. Traders Cove Rd is found along Westside Road, just N. of Bear Ck Park. The Blue Jay was with several STELLER'S JAYS and other common yard type birds. I spotted the bird around 12:00 PM and Elke Fischer saw it again around 2:30 PM and it was still there. Chris Charlesworth Kelowna, BC _________________________________________________________________ Ready. Set. Get a great deal on Windows 7. See fantastic deals on Windows 7 now http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9691818 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: LBBG and 28 Thayer's Gulls at Robert Lake! From: Russell Cannings <russellcannings AT shaw.ca> Date: Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:15:41 -0800 Hi all, Checked Robert Lake around 11:30am today. The lake was packed (I find that 10:45-11:45 seems to be the best time in terms of gull numbers). Among hundreds of the usual suspects I counted an astounding 28 adult THAYER'S GULLS!!! The most I've ever seen in one spot in the Okanagan. Two of them had entirely gray outer primaries but the pattern was consistant with Thayer's (lacking the extensive white webbing of Iceland Gulls). The adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was also present, sleeping quietly on the east side of the lake. Regards, Russell Cannings Kelowna, BC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: late swallows From: "Rick Howie" <r.howie AT shaw.ca> Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 19:38:23 -0800 Yes Andy: you and Chris may be right. Could be a phenomenon we have overlooked in the past. Good to hear that the Chukar numbers seem solid. Rick Howie -----Original Message----- From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Andy Raniseth Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 6:26 PM To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [bcintbird] late swallows Hi Rick, On the thread of late Cliff Swallows, I mentioned to Ralph that I saw 2 Cliffs just west of Copper Creek about midway along the north side of Kamloops Lake on the afternoon of October 30 this year. Curiously, I beleive Don Cecile reported a group of at least 15 Cliff Swallows at Salmon Arm on the same day. Maybe these Swallows are more regular late stragglers than previously thought. Andy Raniseth P.S. Lots of Chukars along the CN mainline this fall. I counted well over 50 and possibly close to 100 between Savona and Kamloops that same afternoon. ----- Original Message ----- From: Rick Howie To: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 10:41 AM Subject: RE: [bcintbird] late swallows A good question Chris. It may be of interest to note that the closely-related Cave Swallow has been making unprecedented invasions of southern Ontario in late fall, into November. I have not read any details on what seems to be some sort of reverse migration phenomenon. Now I am not suggesting that our birds have been Cave Swallows. I know that the Kamloops birds (3) were Cliffs. However, one of the theories for the Cave Swallow movements relates to the prevalence of north-moving air masses that these birds follow to latitudes where they normally would not be at that time of year. It also seems to be associated in recent years with an expanding population of Cave Swallows. In the case of our sporadic Cliff sightings, it would be of interest to look at weather phenomena at the time. Or perhaps they are just wonky individuals. But why more wonks than in other species? We had Barn Swallows here on a Christmas Count once, so the frequency of late records for Kamloops is the same for both species (which are somewhat - related actually). But as you point out, there seems to be more late records for Cliffs than any other species. Normally, Barns tend to show up a bit later in the fall migration here than do Cliffs. Apart from these erratic records, I expect the end of season records for Cliffs to be around Sep. 24 whereas a few Barns may straggle through until about Oct. 12. (a record from Wayne Weber in the Nicola Valley). Cheers Rick Howie Kamloops -----Original Message----- From: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com] On Behalf Of Chris Siddle Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 8:13 AM To: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com Subject: [bcintbird] late swallows Phil and others, It was interesting to read of Phil's late Cliff Swallow in Williams Lake. Although Cliff Swallows traditionally disappear some time in August from British Columbia and, at best appear in small numbers occasionally in September, they almost always appear again in "the headlines" when a few show up very late in the fall. I remember years ago Gary Davidson seeing some over Arrow Lakes near Nakusp in November 1981 and 1982. Don Cecile had some a few days ago at Salmon Arm. The South OK checklist shows a record for late Oct. and one for early Nov. A glance at the Noteworthy Records in the Cliff Swallow account of The Birds of British Cloumbia, Volume 3, reveals an early Nov record from Kamloops in 1991, and one from Okanagan Landing in 1911. It's easy to dismiss such birds as stragglers but I feel there may be more going on here. We don't see the same pattern with other swallow species in the interior, do we? Why is it always Cliff Swallows? Any ideas? Chris Siddle [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: late swallows From: "Andy Raniseth" <araniseth AT shaw.ca> Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 18:26:04 -0800 Hi Rick, On the thread of late Cliff Swallows, I mentioned to Ralph that I saw 2 Cliffs just west of Copper Creek about midway along the north side of Kamloops Lake on the afternoon of October 30 this year. Curiously, I beleive Don Cecile reported a group of at least 15 Cliff Swallows at Salmon Arm on the same day. Maybe these Swallows are more regular late stragglers than previously thought. Andy Raniseth P.S. Lots of Chukars along the CN mainline this fall. I counted well over 50 and possibly close to 100 between Savona and Kamloops that same afternoon. ----- Original Message ----- From: Rick Howie To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 10:41 AM Subject: RE: [bcintbird] late swallows A good question Chris. It may be of interest to note that the closely-related Cave Swallow has been making unprecedented invasions of southern Ontario in late fall, into November. I have not read any details on what seems to be some sort of reverse migration phenomenon. Now I am not suggesting that our birds have been Cave Swallows. I know that the Kamloops birds (3) were Cliffs. However, one of the theories for the Cave Swallow movements relates to the prevalence of north-moving air masses that these birds follow to latitudes where they normally would not be at that time of year. It also seems to be associated in recent years with an expanding population of Cave Swallows. In the case of our sporadic Cliff sightings, it would be of interest to look at weather phenomena at the time. Or perhaps they are just wonky individuals. But why more wonks than in other species? We had Barn Swallows here on a Christmas Count once, so the frequency of late records for Kamloops is the same for both species (which are somewhat - related actually). But as you point out, there seems to be more late records for Cliffs than any other species. Normally, Barns tend to show up a bit later in the fall migration here than do Cliffs. Apart from these erratic records, I expect the end of season records for Cliffs to be around Sep. 24 whereas a few Barns may straggle through until about Oct. 12. (a record from Wayne Weber in the Nicola Valley). Cheers Rick Howie Kamloops -----Original Message----- From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Chris Siddle Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 8:13 AM To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [bcintbird] late swallows Phil and others, It was interesting to read of Phil's late Cliff Swallow in Williams Lake. Although Cliff Swallows traditionally disappear some time in August from British Columbia and, at best appear in small numbers occasionally in September, they almost always appear again in "the headlines" when a few show up very late in the fall. I remember years ago Gary Davidson seeing some over Arrow Lakes near Nakusp in November 1981 and 1982. Don Cecile had some a few days ago at Salmon Arm. The South OK checklist shows a record for late Oct. and one for early Nov. A glance at the Noteworthy Records in the Cliff Swallow account of The Birds of British Cloumbia, Volume 3, reveals an early Nov record from Kamloops in 1991, and one from Okanagan Landing in 1911. It's easy to dismiss such birds as stragglers but I feel there may be more going on here. We don't see the same pattern with other swallow species in the interior, do we? Why is it always Cliff Swallows? Any ideas? Chris Siddle [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Nanaimo,Vancouver Island, bird alert--November 08, 2009, From: "backyard_store" <thebackyard AT shaw.ca> Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:16:50 -0000 NANAIMO BIRD ALERT To report your sightings phone the Store at 250-390-3669 e-mail us at thebackyard AT shaw.ca call the Bird Alert at 250-390-3029 Also check the birdstore blog for the latest bird alerts and updates: www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com Post your sightings on this site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bcbirdingvanisland/messages Birds of British Columbia: http://www.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/efauna/SpeciesChecklists.html International Birdwatching Guides http://www.guidedbirdwatching.com Birdwatching contacts and information find a local birder to go birdwatching with: http://www.birdingpal.org/ Please remember, when reporting a sighting, to leave your name and phone number, along with the date, name and location of your sighting. Sunday November 08, 2009: The Sunday Bird Walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning started with light showers but the rain stopped and it was a pleasant morning for birding. The highlights included seeing a constant stream of thousands upon thousands of Bonaparte's Gulls flying into the mouth of the Little Qualicum River Estuary. We could see huge feeding frenzies of seabirds and gulls stretching along the horizon through the scopes. A flock of thirty Black Turnstones flew past low over the water. There were a large number of Bald Eagles were perched on the high Fir Trees along the river. At least ten Great Blue Herons were roosting on the estuary. Nine birders heard and saw the following forty-three species of birds: Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, Thayer's Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, European Starling, White-crowned Sparrows, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Purple Finch and House Finch. Saturday November 07: "Rare bird alert-Black-headed Gull" A winter plumaged Black-headed Gull was seen roosting with Glaucous-winged and Mew Gulls south of Qualicum Bay. The Black-headed gull is normally found in Europe, but is fairly common in Newfoundland and is found along the west coast of North America where it joins Bonaparte's Gull flocks. Four Cackling Canada Geese and three White-fronted Geese were seen again today at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. Friday November 06: A pair of Great Horned Owls were seen in Millstone Valley in East Wellington. Four Cackling Canada Geese and three White-fronted Geese were seen in with about two hundred Canada Geese at Buttertubs Marsh in Nanaimo. Wednesday November 04: A Spotted Sandpiper, a Sharp-shinned Hawk and Common Mergangers were seen from Sebastion Road in Lantzville. A Clark's Nutcracker was seen feeding among the drift logs high on the beach at Carmanah Point on the west side of Vancouver Island. Tuesday November 03: The Tuesday bird walk went to the Little Qualicum River Estuary in Qualicum Beach. The morning was cloudy and very windy at times with an occasional glimpse of the sun. The highlights of the morning included seeing thirteen Great Blue Herons resting among the tall grass on the estuary across from the houses at the start of the walk. We spotted twenty Bald Eagles perching on the tall fir trees along the river. There was a very large flock of Bonaparte's Gulls near the estuary. We watched as the gulls lifted from the water to put on their tern like show--moving in a cloud, dipping and diving as they flew. Dunlin and Black Turnstones moved along the gravel bars throughout the morning. There were several Sea Lions and Seals off shore along with Harlequin Ducks, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Black Scoters, Bufflehead and Common Goldeneye. Twenty-one birders saw and heard the following forty-three species of birds: Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, American Wigeon, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Harlequin Duck, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Black Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Dunlin, Bonaparte's Gull, Mew Gull, Ring-billed Gull, California Gull, Western Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Pigeon Guillemot, Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flicker, Northwestern Crow, Common Raven, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, American Robin, European Starling, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird and House Finch. Sunday November 01: A Northern Pygmy Owl was seen in a backyard along Garry Oak Drive in Nanoose Bay. For further information on these sightings or for help in identifying a bird please call The Backyard Wildbird and Nature Store AT 250-390-3669 Toll Free AT 1-888-249-4145 e-mail: thebackyard AT shaw.ca ********************************** The Nanoose Naturalists Guest Speaker Entemologist Evelyn Stokkink will talk about the life of the Ambrosia Beetle. Thursday November 12, 2009 AT 7:00 pm Nanoose Library, Nanoose Bay ********************************** Arrowsmith Naturalists Monday November 23, 2009 AT 7:30 pm. Springwood School Parksville ********************************** Everyone is welcome to join us for a 2-3 hour bird walk on the Sunday and Tuesday mornings. We leave from the Store at 9 A.M. Sunday Mornings and go to a different location in and around Nanaimo and from the Parksville Beach Community Park at 9 A.M. on Tuesdays and go to different areas in and around the Oceanside area. ************************************************************** The Tuesday Bird Walk on November 10, 2009 will be going to the Plummer Road side of the Englishman River Estuary in Parksville. Meet at the Parksville Beach Community Park near the parking area at the Lion's Playground at 9:00 A.M. or at the corner of Plummer Road and Shorewood Drive in Parksville at about 9:10 A.M. ***************************************************** The Sunday Bird Walk on November 15 will be going to Buttertubs Marsh. Meet at the Birdstore at 9:00 A.M. or at the parking area at Buttertubs Marsh off Bowen at about 9:20 A.M. ******************************************************* Good birding Neil Robins THE BACKYARD Wildbird & Nature Store 6314 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2L8 250.390.3669 250.390.1633 fax thebackyard AT shaw.ca CHECK OUT OUR BLOG---> www.thebirdstore.blogspot.com Subject: Re: SnowxCanada Goose Hybrid From: "S Thomson" <drdrdrx AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:42:30 -0000 Thank you both for your input, it does indeed appear to be a leucistic goose (a condition I was unaware of). Scott Thomson Westbank --- In bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com, Russell Cannings wrote: > > Hi Scott, > > I think I would agree with Rick.  Structurally, the photographed bird has no trace of Snow Goose genes.  I would guess it's a small female leucistic Lesser Canada Goose.  I would think a hybrid with a snow would have a largely brownish body, while showing white on the neck and around the face.  The head shape and bill shape would be intermediate and the bill would probably be pinkish.  Just my thoughts though... > > Cheers, > > Russ C > Kelowna, BC > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Rick Howie > Date: Saturday, November 7, 2009 10:29 pm > Subject: RE: [bcintbird] Re: SnowxCanada Goose Hybrid > To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com > > > HI Scott: let me initially say that I have no experience with > > Snow x Canada > > hybrids. But limited research suggests that many of them have > > the body > > colours of a Canada.  I don't get the sense that the white > > body plumage > > necessarily shows up.  White is a recessive characteristic > > in the Snow Goose > > population and I am not sure that it would be able to express > > itself very > > well   in a cross with a Canada. Your bird is quite > > small. I think that it > > may well be a leucistic individual of one of the smaller races > > of Canada > > Goose. Your bird seems to have a normal head and neck with a > > very dilute > > body plumage. > > > >   > > > > Best > > > >   > > > > Rick Howie > > > > Kamloops > > > >   > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com > > [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf > > Of S Thomson > > Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2009 8:08 PM > > To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com > > Subject: [bcintbird] Re: SnowxCanada Goose Hybrid > > > >   > > > >   > > > > I uploaded a couple pictures of the goose in question. Any input > > would be > > useful. I apologize for the quality of the pictures. > > > > --- In bcintbird AT yahoogrou > > ps.com, "S > > Thomson" wrote: > > > > > > There is what appears to be a Snow x Canada Goose hybrid on > > Munson pond. > > > > > > Scott Thomson > > > Westbank > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > Subject: Re: RE: Re: SnowxCanada Goose Hybrid From: Russell Cannings <russellcannings AT shaw.ca> Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:25:53 -0800 Hi Scott, I think I would agree with Rick.  Structurally, the photographed bird has no trace of Snow Goose genes.  I would guess it's a small female leucistic Lesser Canada Goose.  I would think a hybrid with a snow would have a largely brownish body, while showing white on the neck and around the face.  The head shape and bill shape would be intermediate and the bill would probably be pinkish.  Just my thoughts though... Cheers, Russ C Kelowna, BC ----- Original Message ----- From: Rick Howie Date: Saturday, November 7, 2009 10:29 pm Subject: RE: [bcintbird] Re: SnowxCanada Goose Hybrid To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com > HI Scott: let me initially say that I have no experience with > Snow x Canada > hybrids. But limited research suggests that many of them have > the body > colours of a Canada.  I don't get the sense that the white > body plumage > necessarily shows up.  White is a recessive characteristic > in the Snow Goose > population and I am not sure that it would be able to express > itself very > well   in a cross with a Canada. Your bird is quite > small. I think that it > may well be a leucistic individual of one of the smaller races > of Canada > Goose. Your bird seems to have a normal head and neck with a > very dilute > body plumage. > >   > > Best > >   > > Rick Howie > > Kamloops > >   > > -----Original Message----- > From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com > [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf > Of S Thomson > Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2009 8:08 PM > To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com > Subject: [bcintbird] Re: SnowxCanada Goose Hybrid > >   > >   > > I uploaded a couple pictures of the goose in question. Any input > would be > useful. I apologize for the quality of the pictures. > > --- In bcintbird AT yahoogrou > ps.com, "S > Thomson" wrote: > > > > There is what appears to be a Snow x Canada Goose hybrid on > Munson pond. > > > > Scott Thomson > > Westbank > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Nutcracker numbers and Dipper demise From: "A & J Ginns" <ginnsj AT shaw.ca> Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 11:46:57 -0800 Nutcracker flock: About 8am Sunday (Nov 8) I counted 80 Clark's Nutcrackers streaming over the house and some had past before I started counting. They were moving among the Ponderosa's making a delicate, crackling sound as they picked pine nuts out of the cones. Individuals only spent about a minute at each cone. Was that because only a few seeds are exposed and available for the picking or are the birds hyper and have the urge to keep-up-with-the-flock? Has the snow driven them down into the valley away from their favorite food, White-bark Pine seeds? Dipper Demise: Mid-afternoon Nov. 4 I had just set-up the spotting scope near the SS Sicamous (Penticton) and was scanning Okanagan Lake when a Dipper gave an alarm chatter. I did not look up as I was focused on what turned out to be a Red-necked Grebe. But it did register that the Dipper sounded close and above the dam; typically they are below the dam in the fast flowing water and on exposed rocks. The Dipper cried again from even closer to me and I looked up to see a dark bird, larger than a Dipper, about 2 m off the water and heading for a large willow. In the binocs I saw it was a Merlin shaking and fluffing it's feathers. At the same instant several Gulls started crying. They were fighting over something in the water that turned out to be a Dipper. In a couple of minutes the Gulls dispersed leaving an immature holding the limp Dipper. I surmised that the Merlin had caught the Dipper and was heading for a perch to pluck the prey. The Gulls, sensing an easy lunch, ambushed the Merlin and forced it into the water where the Dipper was released. Jim Ginns [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: late swallows From: "Rick Howie" <r.howie AT shaw.ca> Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 10:41:27 -0800 A good question Chris. It may be of interest to note that the closely-related Cave Swallow has been making unprecedented invasions of southern Ontario in late fall, into November. I have not read any details on what seems to be some sort of reverse migration phenomenon. Now I am not suggesting that our birds have been Cave Swallows. I know that the Kamloops birds (3) were Cliffs. However, one of the theories for the Cave Swallow movements relates to the prevalence of north-moving air masses that these birds follow to latitudes where they normally would not be at that time of year. It also seems to be associated in recent years with an expanding population of Cave Swallows. In the case of our sporadic Cliff sightings, it would be of interest to look at weather phenomena at the time. Or perhaps they are just wonky individuals. But why more wonks than in other species? We had Barn Swallows here on a Christmas Count once, so the frequency of late records for Kamloops is the same for both species (which are somewhat - related actually). But as you point out, there seems to be more late records for Cliffs than any other species. Normally, Barns tend to show up a bit later in the fall migration here than do Cliffs. Apart from these erratic records, I expect the end of season records for Cliffs to be around Sep. 24 whereas a few Barns may straggle through until about Oct. 12. (a record from Wayne Weber in the Nicola Valley). Cheers Rick Howie Kamloops -----Original Message----- From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Chris Siddle Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 8:13 AM To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [bcintbird] late swallows Phil and others, It was interesting to read of Phil's late Cliff Swallow in Williams Lake. Although Cliff Swallows traditionally disappear some time in August from British Columbia and, at best appear in small numbers occasionally in September, they almost always appear again in "the headlines" when a few show up very late in the fall. I remember years ago Gary Davidson seeing some over Arrow Lakes near Nakusp in November 1981 and 1982. Don Cecile had some a few days ago at Salmon Arm. The South OK checklist shows a record for late Oct. and one for early Nov. A glance at the Noteworthy Records in the Cliff Swallow account of The Birds of British Cloumbia, Volume 3, reveals an early Nov record from Kamloops in 1991, and one from Okanagan Landing in 1911. It's easy to dismiss such birds as stragglers but I feel there may be more going on here. We don't see the same pattern with other swallow species in the interior, do we? Why is it always Cliff Swallows? Any ideas? Chris Siddle [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Note from Birding Community E-bulletin - November 2009 From: "Rick Howie" <r.howie AT shaw.ca> Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 09:53:09 -0800 Hi Wayne: sorry for not clipping the excess messages. I forget that some folks like you store all of this stuff. Speaking of transmission band width, Shaw has just increased the size of allowable attachments to e-mail. It is now 20 megs. I am not sure what Telus allows, but it sure makes a difference in terms of sharing big reports, pictures etc. I would have thought that peer reviewers from the National Academy of Science would have commented on any uncertainties of evidence before publishing the paper, but I am not sure of this. As you say Wayne, both authors are highly-experienced. Hobson has produced many papers on isotope analysis of birds and other wildlife. Sometimes it is from feathers and sometimes from blood or other tissues. For the interest of Vancouver birders, he co-authored a 2006 paper on the use of farm fields as an important feeding habitat for Dunlin in the Fraser delta. Another bit of evidence to support the retention of our agricultural lands there and not turn them into housing, green houses etc. On a shorebird-related note, there is a recent paper in the J. Field Ornithology that uses isotopes to age 3 small peep species where plumage characteristics are misleading traits. Not much good to us scope-toters but does provide a bit of cautionary thinking when we attempt age least, western or semipalmated sandpipers. Although in truth, the authors are discussing attempts to differentiate "adolescent" shorebirds from true adults as opposed to identifying first year juveniles which is not so problematic. If anyone is interested in a pdf of the paper, just reply privately to this note and I will send it to you. I could send the Dunlin paper as well. They are small files. Rick Howie -----Original Message----- From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Wayne Weber Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 6:30 AM To: BCINTBIRD Subject: RE: [bcintbird] Note from Birding Community E-bulletin - November 2009 Interior Birders, The research unearthed by Laure has been reported on at least 10 other birding E-mail groups recently, mostly with apparently uncritical acceptance by those reporting it. The claim that some neotropical migrants breed twice in a year, once in the US and a second time in western Mexico, is an intriguing one. However, with all due respect to Sievert Rohwer and Keith Hobson, who are both highly experienced and respected ornithologists, I won't be convinced until they have evidence from leg-banded birds that nesting has occurred in both areas in the same year-- something that has not yet been shown. Evidence from brood patches, mineral composition of feathers, etc., rates as circumstantial evidence in my books. I'm with Barry-- don't necessarily believe everything you read! To answer Rick's comment, the link I saw earlier included the actual abstract of the paper, not a "second-hand account". While I would prefer to have seen the entire paper, the abstract gives a better indication of what the authors actually claimed than a report in the press. And a note to Rick, Laure and others-- when you contribute to a long-running thread, would you please clip some of the previous messages attached to your message? Rick's latest message included at least 7 previous messages, using up excessive bandwidth in transmission and storage. Wayne C. Weber Delta, BC contopus AT telus. net Always the skeptic! . [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: late swallows From: Chris Siddle <chris.siddle AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 08:13:20 -0800 Phil and others, It was interesting to read of Phil's late Cliff Swallow in Williams Lake. Although Cliff Swallows traditionally disappear some time in August from British Columbia and, at best appear in small numbers occasionally in September, they almost always appear again in "the headlines" when a few show up very late in the fall. I remember years ago Gary Davidson seeing some over Arrow Lakes near Nakusp in November 1981 and 1982. Don Cecile had some a few days ago at Salmon Arm. The South OK checklist shows a record for late Oct. and one for early Nov. A glance at the Noteworthy Records in the Cliff Swallow account of The Birds of British Cloumbia, Volume 3, reveals an early Nov record from Kamloops in 1991, and one from Okanagan Landing in 1911. It's easy to dismiss such birds as stragglers but I feel there may be more going on here. We don't see the same pattern with other swallow species in the interior, do we? Why is it always Cliff Swallows? Any ideas? Chris Siddle [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Note from Birding Community E-bulletin - November 2009 From: "Wayne Weber" <contopus AT telus.net> Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 06:29:49 -0800 Interior Birders, The research unearthed by Laure has been reported on at least 10 other birding E-mail groups recently, mostly with apparently uncritical acceptance by those reporting it. The claim that some neotropical migrants breed twice in a year, once in the US and a second time in western Mexico, is an intriguing one. However, with all due respect to Sievert Rohwer and Keith Hobson, who are both highly experienced and respected ornithologists, I won't be convinced until they have evidence from leg-banded birds that nesting has occurred in both areas in the same year-- something that has not yet been shown. Evidence from brood patches, mineral composition of feathers, etc., rates as circumstantial evidence in my books. I'm with Barry-- don't necessarily believe everything you read! To answer Rick's comment, the link I saw earlier included the actual abstract of the paper, not a "second-hand account". While I would prefer to have seen the entire paper, the abstract gives a better indication of what the authors actually claimed than a report in the press. And a note to Rick, Laure and others-- when you contribute to a long-running thread, would you please clip some of the previous messages attached to your message? Rick's latest message included at least 7 previous messages, using up excessive bandwidth in transmission and storage. Wayne C. Weber Delta, BC contopus AT telus.net Always the skeptic! From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Rick Howie Sent: November-08-09 1:16 AM To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [bcintbird] Note from Birding Community E-bulletin - November 2009 HI Barry: I think that you raise some good points that need clarification. Unfortunately, we are still led to a link that is a second hand account of the original research. So we cannot be sure that something was not lost in the translation. Your questions may be answered in the original and the news report just simplified some items such as the type of tissues used for isotope analysis. All in all, some interesting research.that may well have some implications for our understanding of at least some neotropical migrants and their breeding behavior. I knew one of the authors (Hobson) during university days, and I may formulate a question or two to send along to him. There is also a contact email for another author who may not mind an inquiry. Rick Howie Kamloops -----Original Message----- From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of M Lancaster Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2009 10:07 PM To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [bcintbird] Note from Birding Community E-bulletin - November 2009 Laure, Rick, As I indicated previously, the fact that females with brood patches categorised as "post breeding" occurred is not of itself an indication that breeding had not been attempted locally. The fact that no youngsters were found, might indicate that it had in fact taken place and failed. Isotopes are long lasting in feathers - what tissue was used that indicated recent aquisition? Nests were only found for two of the 5 species hypothetically double brooding etc etc. Quotes below: In the Mexican breeding ground, there was a complete absence of young birds, indicating the females had not bred in the area of the thorn forests. Active nests were found for two species and males of all five species were singing and defending territories or guarding females, behaviors associated with breeding. In addition, isotopic analysis of the birds' tissues showed that many had recently arrived in west Mexico from temperate areas farther north.In the Mexican breeding ground, there was a complete absence of young birds, indicating the females had not bred in the area of the thorn forests. I am not suggesting that the conclusions pronounced in this summary are wrong, just that the evidence presented is inadequate to accept without question and careful reading of the full text. I was trained at a very early age not to believe everything one reads - especially from fellow scientists! One can name 3 very good examples of proposed impending doom BSE, AIDS and now 'Global Warming' all of which have been shown subsequently not to be anything like the first indications of gloom. And don't even start me on economics!!! Barry M B Lancaster Currently, Addlestone UK [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Note from Birding Community E-bulletin - November 2009 From: "Rick Howie" <r.howie AT shaw.ca> Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 01:15:56 -0800 HI Barry: I think that you raise some good points that need clarification. Unfortunately, we are still led to a link that is a second hand account of the original research. So we cannot be sure that something was not lost in the translation. Your questions may be answered in the original and the news report just simplified some items such as the type of tissues used for isotope analysis. All in all, some interesting research.that may well have some implications for our understanding of at least some neotropical migrants and their breeding behavior. I knew one of the authors (Hobson) during university days, and I may formulate a question or two to send along to him. There is also a contact email for another author who may not mind an inquiry. Rick Howie Kamloops -----Original Message----- From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of M Lancaster Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2009 10:07 PM To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [bcintbird] Note from Birding Community E-bulletin - November 2009 Laure, Rick, As I indicated previously, the fact that females with brood patches categorised as "post breeding" occurred is not of itself an indication that breeding had not been attempted locally. The fact that no youngsters were found, might indicate that it had in fact taken place and failed. Isotopes are long lasting in feathers - what tissue was used that indicated recent aquisition? Nests were only found for two of the 5 species hypothetically double brooding etc etc. Quotes below: In the Mexican breeding ground, there was a complete absence of young birds, indicating the females had not bred in the area of the thorn forests. Active nests were found for two species and males of all five species were singing and defending territories or guarding females, behaviors associated with breeding. In addition, isotopic analysis of the birds' tissues showed that many had recently arrived in west Mexico from temperate areas farther north.In the Mexican breeding ground, there was a complete absence of young birds, indicating the females had not bred in the area of the thorn forests. I am not suggesting that the conclusions pronounced in this summary are wrong, just that the evidence presented is inadequate to accept without question and careful reading of the full text. I was trained at a very early age not to believe everything one reads - especially from fellow scientists! One can name 3 very good examples of proposed impending doom BSE, AIDS and now 'Global Warming' all of which have been shown subsequently not to be anything like the first indications of gloom. And don't even start me on economics!!! Barry M B Lancaster Currently, Addlestone UK ----- Original Message ----- From: "Laure Neish" gmail.com> To: ps.com> Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 2:38 AM Subject: Re: [bcintbird] Note from Birding Community E-bulletin - November 2009 > This research is a real eye-opener and invites so many more questions and > possibilities for study. Well for those who can cope with thorns and 100 > degree (F) heat. : ) > > Laure > > On Sat, Nov 7, 2009 at 6:03 PM, Rick Howie ca> wrote: > >> >> >> Yes, good point Laure. The paper indicates that the birds nesting during >> the >> second season had, in fact, already bred in northern latitudes. Quite >> interesting. Of the species noted, most are known to have second broods >> except the Cassins Vireo and Orchard Oriole, although they may have a >> second >> clutch if the first is destroyed. >> >> So perhaps they are saving themselves for the thorn forest season. It >> would >> be interesting to know whether a female who double broods in the north is >> capable of a third brood in the thorns. >> >> The researchers make a thoughtful point about habitat loss perhaps being >> critical in Mexico and not in the USA for one species. Not that we in >> Canada >> are free of eliminating habitat, but I have often mused over the fact >> that >> we seem to assume 100% of the guilt when we notice a decline in a species >> and think it is something we have done on the northern breeding grounds. >> Often it may well be, but neotropical migrants spend 8 months in habitats >> in >> other places, so there are other serious influences in their lives as >> well. >> >> >> Good piece Laure >> >> Rick Howie >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com [mailto: >> bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com ] On Behalf >> Of Laure Neish >> Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2009 6:56 AM >> To: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com >> Subject: Re: [bcintbird] Note from Birding Community E-bulletin - >> November >> 2009 >> >> If you click on the link at the end of the note, the summary from the >> PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, there are some author >> names >> with emails where one might get more info...? >> Laure >> >> On Fri, Nov 6, 2009 at 9:21 PM, Rick Howie >> ca> >> wrote: >> >> > >> > >> > HI Barry: interesting points. Reading the original paper would be >> valuable >> > because the phrasing in the note sent by Laure raises some unanswered >> > questions. For example, when using the term "second breeding season," >> > it >> is >> > not clear whether some individual birds are actually breeding for a >> second >> > time, or whether the birds that are breeding during this second season >> may >> > not have bred during the earlier season in northern latitudes. Are >> > these >> > birds ones that we might have determined to be "non-breeders" in BC for >> > example. They may have remained unmated, but happened to find a >> > suitable >> > mate on the way back south. It would also be interesting to know >> > whether >> it >> > is males, females or both that nest for a second time, if in fact they >> do. >> > We know, for example, that some promiscuous males in some species may >> mate >> > with several females. So is it possible that the same promiscuous males >> > find >> > previously unmated females in the southern latitudes and mate with >> > them. >> Or >> > is the whole southern nesting population an entirely different group of >> > breeders from the northern breeders? Late maturing individuals perhaps? >> > >> > If some species can double or triple clutch at northern latitudes, why >> not >> > have one clutch in the north and one farther south? The energetics >> > would >> > seem no less onerous. >> > >> > Lots of possible theories to uncover. So much we don't know. >> > >> > Rick Howie >> > >> > Kamloops >> > >> > >> > -----Original Message----- >> > From: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com >> > > 40yahoogroups.com> [mailto: >> > bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com > 40yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf >> > Of M Lancaster >> > Sent: Friday, November 06, 2009 8:41 PM >> > To: bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com > 40yahoogroups.com> >> > Subject: Re: [bcintbird] Note from Birding Community E-bulletin - >> November >> > 2009 >> > >> > I have seen this reference earlier but as I have not seen the full >> > paper >> I >> > merely offer some tentative thoughts - for the most part! >> > >> > The following statement is not correct, brood patches do grow feathers >> > after >> > breeding has finished - otherwise, we would be able to sex every >> migrating >> > female (that has attempted to breed) of every species that we catch >> > when >> on >> > migration. >> > >> > (To more efficiently transfer heat to eggs, the abdominal brood patch >> > becomes featherless and thickened with fluid when females are >> > incubating, >> > but as the young mature it dries out and remains featherless.) >> > >> > The area has been very little studied and much remains to be done. For >> > example, a YB Chat with a dried brood patch in JULY could have >> > attempted >> to >> > breed in that area. YB Chats are still breeding in the Okanagan in >> > July. >> > Yes >> > I know some isotope work has, or is being done - something which would >> > be >> > useful with OK Chats. >> > >> > No doubt if I catch sight of the full publication, my healthy >> > scepticism >> > will be abated. It is however well known that rainfall does induce >> breeding >> > in many species. Double brooding on the way N makes much more sense >> > than >> on >> > the way south since birds will have the whole summer in which to raise >> > another (at least) brood. I am sure that other species will be found to >> > have >> > adopted this strategy. Getting in an extra brood after a summer of >> > trying >> > (successfully or not) does not make as much sense - at least to this >> human. >> > Anyway, July is summer. >> > >> > From the point of view of the Okanagan, there is the possibilty that >> 'our' >> > chats (where do they go, where do they stop over) if they double brood >> > could >> > produce some of the unbanded individuals that are observed each spring >> > rather than being 'missed' birds or birds from other areas being >> > 'towed' >> up >> > by associating with 'ours' on the wintering grounds. >> > >> > These observations have important ramifications for the endangered >> > population of YB Chats in the Okanagan Valley and CWS should take >> > cognizance >> > of them. >> > >> > Barry >> > >> > M B Lancaster >> > Currently, Addlestone UK >> > ----- Original Message ----- >> > From: Laure Neish >> > To: BC interior birds list >> > Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2009 2:47 AM >> > Subject: [bcintbird] Note from Birding Community E-bulletin - November >> 2009 >> > >> > I thought this was interesting: >> > Laure >> > >> > SECOND STOPOVER BREEDING DOCUMENTED >> > >> > It is generally thought that most migratory North American songbirds >> > nest >> > in temperate North America, then start migrating to the Neotropics in >> > the >> > late summer and early autumn bound for the Caribbean, southern Mexico, >> > Central America, or parts of South America for the winter. >> > In the spring these species turn around and return to where they >> > nested, >> > either by retracing their same route, or sometimes by following a >> different >> > path. >> > >> > Although the distance of these migrations can be challenging, and the >> > dangers posed by inclement weather, predators, and the loss of suitable >> > stopover habitat may seem daunting, at least the timing of the annual >> cycle >> > sounds straightforward. However, for some songbird species this cycle >> > may >> > be far more complex than traditionally thought. >> > >> > Biologists studying songbirds stopping in western Mexico during >> > southward >> > migration found that for some species there is actually be a "second >> > breeding season" occurring during that migration. Amazingly, Sievert >> Rohwer >> > and his colleagues have discovered that at least five species - >> > Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Orchard Oriole, Hooded Oriole, Yellow-breasted >> Chat, >> > and Cassin's Vireo - regularly engage in a second breeding season >> > during >> > their stopover in the lowland thorn forests of coastal Sinaloa and Baja >> > California Sur before reaching their western Mexico wintering >> destination. >> > This second nesting occurs during the local monsoon season, which lasts >> > from >> > June through August. >> > >> > Further investigation of these findings is surely necessary. The >> discovery >> > of this surprising dual breeding season may reveal a flexibility in the >> > lives of these birds that was previously unknown. This discovery >> > underscores >> > the fact that future conservation plans may need to consider additional >> new >> > factors when being established. How many more North American species >> engage >> > in these complicated breeding systems is unknown. Similarly, how many >> > "migration stopover sites" may also prove to be "vital breeding sites"? >> > >> > These findings appeared in the PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF >> > SCIENCES in late October. To see this summary, visit: >> > www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-10/uow-fef102109.php >> > >> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >> > >> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >> > >> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >> > >> > >> > >> >> -- >> Canon 40D + Canon 300mm IS f/2.8 x 1.4 telex >> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - >> Laure Wilson Neish >> Penticton, BC Canada >> http://natureniche. zenfolio.com/ >> >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >> >> ------------------------------------ >> >> To contact the moderator email >> bcintbird-owner AT yahoogroups.com >> Also, consider joining these groups. >> bcbirds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com >> an >> all BC group. >> If you have pictures to share try this group. >> http://groups- beta.google.com/ >> From here you have to join the bcintbird-pics group before you can see >> the >> pictures. >> Yahoo! Groups Links >> >> >> > > > > -- > Canon 40D + Canon 300mm IS f/2.8 x 1.4 telex > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > Laure Wilson Neish > Penticton, BC Canada > http://natureniche. zenfolio.com/ > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > ------------------------------------ > > To contact the moderator email > bcintbird-owner AT yahoogroups.com > Also, consider joining these groups. > bcbirds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com an all BC group. > If you have pictures to share try this group. > http://groups- beta.google.com/ > From here you have to join the bcintbird-pics group before you can see the > pictures. > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Re: SnowxCanada Goose Hybrid From: "Rick Howie" <r.howie AT shaw.ca> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 22:29:35 -0800 HI Scott: let me initially say that I have no experience with Snow x Canada hybrids. But limited research suggests that many of them have the body colours of a Canada. I don't get the sense that the white body plumage necessarily shows up. White is a recessive characteristic in the Snow Goose population and I am not sure that it would be able to express itself very well in a cross with a Canada. Your bird is quite small. I think that it may well be a leucistic individual of one of the smaller races of Canada Goose. Your bird seems to have a normal head and neck with a very dilute body plumage. Best Rick Howie Kamloops -----Original Message----- From: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of S Thomson Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2009 8:08 PM To: bcintbird AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [bcintbird] Re: SnowxCanada Goose Hybrid I uploaded a couple pictures of the goose in question. Any input would be useful. I apologize for the quality of the pictures. --- In bcintbird AT yahoogrou ps.com, "S Thomson" wrote: > > There is what appears to be a Snow x Canada Goose hybrid on Munson pond. > > Scott Thomson > Westbank > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]