Burnaby Mountain Walk

June 13 2013 Burnaby Mountain, British Columbia, Canada

Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus)

A Swainson's Thrush searches for food on the forest floor, its song fills the air, combined with the songster the Wilson's Warbler, the Black-capped Chickadee and American Robin the forest is a cacophony of sound.
Further along the trail a sudden flash of red and yellow gives away a brilliantly coloured Western Tanager, a drabber but no less stunning female is not far behind. What a treat to see them so clearly but getting a photograph will require some stealth.
The Western Tanager had been my reason to visit Burnaby Mountain. The elevated location and deciduous woods of the mountain provides the perfect habitat and opportunity to see this very exotic looking bird.
An early morning jogger disturbed the Tanagers but they soon came down from the forest canopy to continue feeding on berries and caterpillars. The male landed in clear view just long enough for a few shots.

Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana)

The final shot is of a Wilson's Warbler, one of a pair that I believe have a nest nearby to the water tower. They kept flying back to the same bush, so dense it was hard to see if there was a nest or not.

Wilson's Warbler (Wilsonia pusilla)

Good Birding

Watching Bird Migrations on Radar

Watch birds migrate into the Vancouver and Victoria area via radar. It's fascinating.
Read more about this in Derek Lovitch's book

"How to be a Better Birder ISBN 978-0-691-14448-1

Thanks to Ann Nightingale (great name for a birder) for the link

Pacific Northwest Bird Migration on Radar

White-throated Sparrow (Zenotrichia albicollis)


I found this White-throated sparrow at Ladner Harbour Park in March. It has also been seen at the same feeder as the Dickcissel. The lighting was horrible and that is why I haven't posted before.