Monday, April 04, 2011

Birthday Soaking

Other Brave Souls!
After making the bold statement in my previous post regarding my new species objective of 130 for this current trip, today couldn't have got off to a worst start!

The weather here at present is the worst I've experienced during my stay with a chilly 4C, accompanied by heavy persistent rain and low cloud with yet another Pacific low waiting in the wings. In fact it's typical Vancouver weather for this time of year, and of course the consequence is that any migration will have once again stalled.

That said, I donned my waterproofs and went in search locally in the hope of catching anything that may have bravely come through overnight, Terns, Bonaparte's Gull which occasionally pass through, or even Osprey! I felt the seawall was the best option, travelling further afield in these conditions was a no brainer.

I must say that after my ninety minute walk I'd decided that I may well be becoming a little complacent and need to shake the trend. Although I'd recorded nothing new, I had a pretty good tally which included of note: Lesser Scaup, Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, Harlequin Duck, Common Merganser, Red-necked Grebe, American Wigeon, Surf Scoter, Barrow's Goldeneye, Wood Duck, Pelagic Cormorant, Double-crested Cormorant, Pigeon Guillemot, Glaucous-winged Gull, Mew Gull, Bald Eagle and even two Harbour Seals, quite a haul by a Brit birders standard!

A final walk around the Lost Lagoon, which yielded nothing more, before heading up to the apartment for lunch, thoroughly soaked but a happy birthday boy! Who knows what goodies the present fairy may bring tonight!