June 2018
Salish Sea, Pacific Northwest
Transitioning into summer, I’m seeing some typical birds and some more unusual ones this year. Here’s a few who I’ve crossed paths with on my walks down to the beach a quarter mile away.
Cedar Waxwings have been more abundant than usual, likely because there’s a bumper crop of Soapberry, aka Soopolalie aka Shepherdia canadensis berries this year. There’s a big patch of Soopalalie bushes along the beach road.
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We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
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On the beach itself, Brown headed Cowbirds were posturing, choosing mates. I’ve seen a flock hanging around — and on — the horses in the field behind the beach. Cowbirds parasitize other birds’ nests, laying eggs there to be cared for, and the question has been asked whether people should intervene, removing those eggs. The answer, according to Audubon, is no, unless it’s an endangered host. Birds may abandon a nest that has fewer eggs than they have become accustomed to, or cowbirds may go mafia and destroy the eggs/nestlings of a host if their egg goes missing.
www.audubon.org/...
Canada goslings are abundant. They are at all different stages of growth, from tiny yellow chicks to mostly chinstrapped. Families flock.
Other signs of new babies:
Besides nesting, birds are out taking care of business.
Unlike eagles, some birds are very emphatically a sign of certain seasons. Swallows are abundant right now. We have three reliable species, in order of numbers: Violet-greens, Barns and Rough wingeds.
But I did not expect to see this guy at this time of year! His season is winter. Very unusual seeing ducks at all in summer, and Buffleheads especially so. But a Buffie he is. Just saw him one day, all by himself. Perhaps he wasn’t able to fly when everyone else left in early May? He won’t be breeding this year.
That’s my bird phenology report for the first week of June along the beach road.
Bucket’s open for your nature observations.
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