You haffta Love Spring!!

Migration is wonderful. It’s a wonderful thing to read about and learn about; it’s a fascinating natural phenomenon. 

But it’s even better to experience first- hand.  

And experiencing North American migration from the perspective of an Australian naturalist is truly a fantastic experience which I already know I am going to miss. 

How good is it to see great numbers of birds everywhere when the previous day there was none?  I’ve had this experience first with Robins who suddenly appeared overnight to claim key positions around the town of Nakusp and then went on to swell their population further filling every field around town in numbers that are clearly in the hundreds. Now Dark eyed Juncos have arrived, their little flocks seemingly in every backyard and flitting by every roadside; their bright white tails like bold banners declaring their identity loudly and clearly. 

The last few days in and around Nakusp have reminded me [as if I need reminding] why I love birding. The first migrants of many species are coming through and one never knows exactly what to expect. 

Two visits to Brouse, near Nakusp, in two days saw Canada Geese and dwindling numbers of Wigeon, Pintail and Mallard, some five Kildeer, a small plover at home on moist meadows, Five or Six Turkey Vultures soaring and swooping around the birth sites of a few calves. Tree Swallows and Violet Green Swallows taking insects whose last thoughts, sadly were, “It’s Spring!” Noisy Northern Flickers using the technology of Telegraph Poles to amplify their territorial percussions across the land. Robins everywhere. A single FOY Yellow-rumped warbler flycatching from the fenceline. And perhaps best of all Mountain Bluebirds conspicuously making their way north in small groups of fives and sixes.

Also at Brouse a great FOY mammal - ground squirrel; heaps of them in fact. Their calls and scurrying activity attracting the attention of a creeping coyote.

This afternoon along the Nakusp waterfront Common Loons celebrated their arrival with their most Canadian of calls. Another FOY for my Nakusp list.  Horned Grebes are now wearing their spring finery complete with bold yellow ear tufts; a vision from my past visit to Scotland back in 1992 where I first saw them as breeding Slavonian Grebes on a small pond outside of the famous Cairngorms NP. FOY Savannah Sparrows, their eyebrows more brightly yellow than any I remember from 2009. A single Townsend’s Solitaire trying to disguise itself by fluffing up, perhaps unwilling to let go of the idea of winter just yet. And most surprisingly a single Say’s Phoebe – another from the flycatcher group – a bird not recorded annually from Nakusp – but indeed a welcome addition to my growing local list!

And in-between times? My FOY Nakusp Coopers Hawk landing unannounced in the neighbouring block. Another screaming past view of Merlin. Spotted Towhee making the backyard list [which I’m not really keeping].  And Juncos – lots of Juncos of different races.

It’s a pity school is getting in the way of my education!