Ten Thousand Hours of Birding. (Vignettes)

Ten thousand hours of birding (Vignettes)

 Dec 31, 2024  

On Jan 12 2012 I decided to keep a dairy of my birding adventures. I am not too sure why. I had read somewhere that devoting ten thousand hours to something is akin to an apprenticeship. I only counted the amount of time I actually birded. I made numerous cryptic notes from which I am drawing on to make this account. See day below.

 Day 1 April 2 2012

I had been visiting Campbell Valley Park which is close to my home. I photographed Ring-necked Ducks, Mallards, Fox and Song Sparrows, a Brown Creeper, a Northern Flicker, Black-capped and  Chestnut-backed Chickadees and a Cooper's Hawk. I hadn't yet started using eBird but was birding everyday. I was transitioning into 'retirement' after thirty years of being a community newspaper photographer.

100 Hours. May 12 2012. Okanagan Valley, BC. Canada

I birded the Okanagan Valley for the first time. The terrain, the weather and the birds were so different from the Lower Mainland. The Okanagan was a revelation. I had seven lifers that day. Mountain Chickadee, Say's Phoebe, Calliope Hummingbird, Pygmy Nuthatch, California Quail, Yellow-breasted Chat and Lark Sparrow. I birded 12 hours a day for five days.

Calliope Hummingbird

1000 Hours. July 22 2013 Boundary Bay 112 st, Delta BC

I had read online that an American Kestrel was catching grasshoppers along the dyke. Sure enough the bird was there, flying down to the ditch every few minutes, reappearing with a grasshopper. A behaviour I hadn't seen before or since.  I'm glad I made the effort. My dairy does not mention any other details so I presume I went straight home and there not much else to see.

American Kestrel.

2500 Hours Feb 8 2016 Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary

I had a Northern Saw-whet Owl at Reifel then over to Brunswick Point for Western Meadowlarks and Brant. Finally a short drive to Boundary Bay to photograph Short-eared Owls. I appears that during this time I was on a mission to photograph as many of the Lower Mainland species as I could. I had recently upgraded my camera gear to a 500mm F 4 lens which was far better although much heavier than the 300mm F4. Those images are a good as anything I am doing now with newer technology. 

Northern Saw-whet Owl

5000 hours July 29 2019 RSPB Frampton, Lincolnshire UK.

I met up with a Birding Pal John Clarkson from Louth. His UK list is in the mid five-hundreds, a really a dedicated twitcher and brilliant birder. We have since birded together on several occasions. Less than ideal conditions and time of year but we did find a Turtle Dove in the scope, a lifer. I still want to see one close-up. Unfortunately the species may not have too much time left due to habitat destruction in Africa. I shot some excellent video of an Oystercatcher feeding a chick.

 Later in the day we stopped at Red Hill (Chalk Hills) and picked up a Yellowhammer, another bird that is barely hanging on due to intensive industrial farming. Other good birds that day were Ringed-Plover and Wood Sandpiper. We dipped on a Willow Tit for the third time.

7500 Hours Island 22/Bamford Rd Dec 31/ 2021  Chilliwack -5c 

There was a howling wind at Island 22. The Fraser River almost frozen over. My notes don't mention what particular species I was looking for at Island 22 but afterwards I drove to Banford Rd where I dipped on  Snow Buntings.  It was the last day of my 2021 Fraser Valley Big Year with no new birds to add to the two-hundred and six species that I had seen during the year. It was a tremendous amount of fun birding and discovering new birding spots like the Columbia Valley, Island 22 and Chilliwack Mountain. I also made many friends in the Fraser Valley birding community whose help and advice I am forever grateful.

A frozen Fraser River/Island 22.

10000 Hours Deception Island, Antarctic Peninsular. Nov 7 2024

Sailed overnight from Elephant Island South Georgia to Deception Island on the Antarctic Peninsula . There were several species of albatross as well as Snow Petrels and Southern Fulmars, Whales included Sei, Humpback and Right. We photographing their flukes for later identification and passed files onto the resident biologist. None of the whales breached but we did have Hourglass Porpoises following the ship.

Snow Petrel.

          I surpassed the ten-thousand hour mark during a Nov 2024 visit to Deception Island in Antarctica. Looking out from the expedition ship at the crashing waves and a statue of Ernest Shackleton made the moment just a little more memorable.

I have now stopped logging the hours. The memories stored away in thirteen diaries, a reminder of my birding adventures, the places, people and birds I encountered.

  Just for the record 10,000 hours is 417 days or 1.1408 years. 

"It's never too late to start a journal"

 John Gordon (JOGO)

Langley/Cloverdale

Barn Owls and the Heat Dome of 2021

Larry Pynn has written an article about Barn Owls and how they suffered during the Heat Dome of June 2021. One of my pics was used to illustrate the article.

 https://hakaimagazine.com/news/climate-change-and-housing-adaptation-owl-edition/

The Narwal: Extreme Heat and Habitat Loss

 July 28 2020 

Extreme heat a strain for birds already burdened by habitat loss

Habitat conservation and action on climate change are needed to lessen threat to at-risks species.

See story in the The Narwal which used my Red-breasted Sapsucker and Merlin images.

This Merlin had two hungry offspring to keep happy.

Click on the link below

Birds and Heatwaves 

 The image below was not used as the Narwal magazine format is for landscape rather than vertical. The vertical shot below would make a perfect cover shot. Don't forget to leave room the magazine's name and inside contents. 

"It's never too late for deadlines"

John Gordon Photography

Langley/Cloverdale

BC. Canada

Aldergrove Lake Park

 Aldergrove Lake Park

May/June 2021

The warm spring weather has been a welcome change. Even June has been kind, not too hot nor too cold. The winter boots, toque and hand warmers long put away, the coffee flask exchanged for a bottle of water. The smell of new growth in the air is intoxicating. Eastern Cottontails scurry along the trails. There's a plentiful banquet for all the creatures of the forest. At the Aldergrove Park Bowl a colony of Savannah Sparrow hatchlings can be heard, soon fledglings will be appear, climbing the long grass in search of insects and seeds. 

Adult Savannah Sparrow

The same cannot be said for an adjoining portions of the park that have already been hayed and where dozens of Savannahs can be seen 're-nesting' or perhaps salvaging nests that weren't destroyed by the bailer. A park representatives I spoke to told me a new contract is being put in place so that haying is held-off in future seasons, good news the birds. Wardens in the park are also aware of ground nesters along the trails, especially Song Sparrows. Now if only the dog walkers would keep their animals on lease and pick up their poop, life would be perfect.

The Aldergrove Bowl
iPhone 8 HDR

The winter chattering of Pacific Wren and the delicate whispering of Golden-crowned Kinglets has been replaced by the Western Tanager and Black-headed Grosbeak, meanwhile the orchestral leader and beautiful songster, the Swainson's Thrush can be heard on every trail. Sometimes referred to as the 'Salmonberry bird' their arrival coincides with the first ripening ruby coloured berries.

Swainson's Thrush

I could listen the trumpeting sound of the little brown thrush all day long. Hours go by and I realize half a day has passed and I have left my lunch in the car. Thank goodness for the bottle of water and sunscreen, meanwhile a melted snack bar will have to make do.  

On a photographic note I have dispensed with a big lens and tripod and now carry a DSLR and small 500mm F 5.6 lens held on my chest with a Cotton Carrier. I can walk all day, my hands free to use my bins to quickly observe birds and make sound recordings. Everything fits in a small bag. This set-up has radically changed the way I photograph and bird. I am now recording some of my favourite images. The only downside of the long fixed lens are the landscape shots which I need to illustrate my photo stories, for those I use my iPhone as seen in this blog and other posts. 

Salmonberry in various stages of ripening.

A pair of Townsend's Warblers dance around the forest canopy gleaning insects. It's understandable why they venture north each summer, the forest is it crawling with emerging insects and for the next few months, an inexhaustible supply of nutritious food.

Most Townsend Warblers are migratory to British Columbia, with different populations of the species wintering in two separate areas. Some Townsend's Warblers winter along the West Coast from Oregon south to Mexico's Baja Peninsula, while others move further south to the highlands of central Mexico and Central America (American Bird Conservancy)

Townsend's Warbler

While looking at the Aldergrove Park Big Rock a Townsend Warbler lands beside me. Amazing what can happen when a person is quiet and still. 

More about the Big Rock

Immature American Bullfrog in Pepin Brook. I had originally
posted it as a Red-legged Frog.

Orange-crowned Warbler

I heard a rustle in the bushes and slowly turned around to catch a Douglas Squirrel munching on some fresh plant material. I watched for several minutes until the little critter caught sight of me. 

Within seconds it was gone. Taking time to pause and listen to the birds has plenty of benefits. 

Douglas Squirrel

Smile for the camera.

Around Aldergrove Lake pond nineteen Western-painted Turtles soaked up the warmth, maybe a twentieth was hiding out of sight. A poster asks park visitors to report turtle sightings. A Common Garter snake sunned on the pathway. Finally the forest has gone quiet, it's time to head home for an afternoon nap, life can be so good at times.

,

"It's never too late for a walk in the park"

John Gordon

Langley/Cloverdale

BC Canada

Bird Watching During a Pandemic

 

A few weeks ago Black Press contacted me about an article they were putting together about birding for seniors. Birding has seen a huge spike in popularity in recent years among all age groups but particularly seniors. Despite the current situation with Covid-19 many groups and clubs are still offering opportunities for seniors and others to get out in a responsible manner. One example is the Langley Field Naturalists, other groups are also offering walks that follow strict social distancing and health protocols. We have had numerous walks around the Lower Mainland and we even have some new faces attending. I've met many who are despondent and are having a tough time with the isolation. To those I  I urge you to get out on your own, with your family unit or in a safe group and take walk in the forest, listen to the birds, take a very deep breath, relax and try to put everything into perspective. Nature is perfect and it will see us all  through these uncertain times.

*Note: Since the article was published just a few weeks ago cases of Covid-19 have begun to rise and the health authorities are asking everything to take even more precautions. Please keep this in mind when you read the article.

Follow the link below to read the whole story. 

John with Canada Jay/Photo Carlo Giovanella

Link to Birdwatching during a Pandemic

                                                              Birding for Seniors/Covid19

 

   Langley Field Naturalists

"Its never too late to get out birding"

John Gordon

Langley/Cloverdale

BC Canada

 

Various Places/Various Birds

April 10/15 Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary/Richmond Nature Park/Boundary Bay.

Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary

On arriving at Reifel we were saddened to hear the Sandhill Crane had lost both eggs. Whether they had been predated or otherwise we couldn't confirm, only that the birds had abandoned their nest. Sanctuary manager Katherine mentioned they might have another attempt to lay depending how amorous they feel.

The goal was to find a pair of Swamp Sparrows which may to may not be breeding in the Reifel's reed beds. Normally the species heads into the interior to breed so it will be interesting to see what unfolds. I almost got a clear shot but there's always another day. 

Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana)

On the way out of the sanctuary the Harris Sparrow was hanging around with the Golden-crowned Sparrows.

It's looking a bit rough as it changes into adult plumage.

Harris Sparrow (Zenotrichia querula)

Richmond Nature Park

I just felt like going to photograph some hummingbirds. The nature park has both Rufous and Anna's Hummingbirds and numerous feeders.

Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna)
Juvenile I think?

 Male Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)

Next up was the surprise arrival of a flock of Red Crossbill. They came in so quickly for a drink at a small pond that I ended up underexposing the few shots I did manage to fire off. The result grainy pix.

Male Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirosta)

Juvenile males?

Juvenile female Red Crossbill.

After all the excitement that lasted just a few minutes, it was back to the other birds where a number of species were sharing a feeder with a Douglas Squirrel.

Douglas Squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasii)

 Male Purple Finch ( Carpodacus purpureus)

Male House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus)

Female Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

I photographed this Great Blue Heron while waiting for the Golden Eagle. If I remember right I shot it handheld with the 500mm F4 because I had just arrived and hadn't put up my tripod.

Below is a Bald Eagle shot from the same spot but this time on a tripod. I have dozens of Bald Eagle shots but this one has a little more expression in the bird's face than most.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

About a month ago Boundary Bay was inundated with Bald Eagles. From one spot alone a group of us counted 180 birds wheeling around in the thermals. As the weather warms the eagles slowly disperse and us birders turn our attentions to warblers, terns and shorebirds. Some of us will head to the Interior for desert and alpine species and others for the prairies to bird for grassland species.  Wherever your birding takes you I wish you the best of luck and good birding.

"It's never too late to start birding"

John Gordon

Langley/Cloverdale

BC Canada

Sweet Light, Northern Harriers and Snow Geese

Nov 12 2013 Boundary Bay 72nd Ave. Delta British Columbia.

There I was on Boundary Bay, one of Canada's best winter raptor locations. Practically alone, the only others in sight were a horseback rider, a duck hunter and some joggers and one other photographer (the latter please contact me if you are reading this)
The sky was overcast, just a hint of blue sky over Point Roberts. Rather than work with the flat light we chatted away. Suddenly a shaft of sunlight pierced the leaden sky. The game was on. We both set up our lenses waiting for the afternoon "sweet light" Dark sky and cloud hid the Coast Mountains while on the dyke the cold wind was tempered by the warmth of the late afternoon sun. If I had to choose just one word to describe all this, it would be bliss with a big B!
Before long the Northern Harriers began hunting in earnest. The newly arrived Short-eared owls could be seen hunting out on the foreshore. Soon they'll habituate themselves to all the human activity and like the Harriers, will soon be hunting closer to the dyke and within range of the lens.
Our first pictures were of the flock of Snow Geese, perhaps as many as five thousand. They flew overhead, honking and flying. Waves and waves of them flew toward a freshly ploughed field on 72nd Ave.

Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens)

As the afternoon progressed the light became softer making it ideal for catching the last of the fall colours. This Northern Harrier skirted along the dyke and over the golf course and straight toward me. Panning the flight of the bird combined with a fast shutter speed helped me secure this pleasing image.

Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
This shot I took Nov 8 on the way to Boundary Bay. Who says the sun never shines on the Wet Coast

Whimbrels (Perseverance Pays Off)

 176 Street and 8th Ave, Delta  and 176 Street and 8th Ave,  Surrey, B.C. Sunny 24c

The day started with a tip that there were 12 Whimbrel on 112th Ave in Delta. It was noon and the fields where the birds were feeding was shimmering from the heat. Sunscreen and a hat were the order of the day. A farmer was preparing the soil for a potato crop and the Whimbrel were feeding on the disturbed ground. A few Killdeer, Crows, American Robins and Savannah Sparrows were also taking the opportunity to find an easy meal.
Fellow photographer Raymond and myself spent several hours skulking around the hedgerows hiding from the birds but as soon as we got anywhere near a Red-tailed hawk and then a noisy farm vehicle would push then back out of range. The shimmering heat coming off the fields made photography difficult and almost impossible to get anything in sharp focus. Another problem was that the birds were almost the same colour as the soil making for a very drab images. Every single shot from 112th was eventually deleted.
After several hours and wanting to get out of the sun the decision was made to head for the cool of the Little Campbell River to look looking for warblers or flycatchers. The cool forest glade soon revealed a  a number of Pacific-slope Flycatchers and a Swainson's Thrush. Being out of the scorching sun was a great relief and the backlit Maple leaves made ideal props for the diminutive flycatchers.
After an hour or so the light was beginning to soften and as evening approached and it was back to 176 Street to stalk the Whimbrel flock which we estimated to be between 185-225 birds. an exact account was difficult as there were even more birds in another field. The Whimbrel were feeding on a freshly hayed field and despite the dry weather there seemed an abundance of worms for them to feed on. Here are the results of the photo session. Total time spent photogtaphing six hours plus four hours looking for the birds. time well spent, you bet!
 I have to admit that I would have settled for any in-focus shot after spending so much time trying to find the birds so I was elated to have at least 50 keepers from the day plus the bird was also a 'Lifer'

Whimbrel (Numenenius phaeopus)

Picking off a single bird is easier than trying to follow a flock. Nikon D300 500mm  F4 with 1x4 converter.

These large sandpiper like birds can stand 18 inches high. Most breed in the Arctic, the Hudson Bay area, the West  Coast and winter south of the USA.