The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.
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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October 2020
Salish Sea, PacificNorthwest
It’s migration season for water birds and the local bays are livening up with the early arrivals. Yesterday I saw my first group of Buffleheads, hurrah!
The 3 Surf scoters who have been around for a few weeks were hanging around with the newly arrived Buffies. In these early days of the season, the Buffies will stay a ways out in the bay. In another month they’ll come closer to the beach as their numbers increase.
My phenology records show they are right on time. Thankfully! I look forward to the Buffies all year.
2020: October 20
2019: October 27
2018: October 14
2017: October 22
2016: October 21
2015: October 27
2014: October 14
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Horned grebes are usually the first water birds to return to the bays here. This year they were late, the first time they weren’t back by September.
There have only been a few up until today, the early arrivals. Records show the last couple of years before this they were unusually early.
2020: October 2
2019: September 9
2018: September 6
2017: September 29
2016: September 25
2015: September 21
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Hooded mergansers nest pretty locally, in freshwater ponds and lakes. However I don’t see them until they show up in the saltchuck, where they prefer to feed over the winter. Their appearance is variable.
2020: September 18
2019: October 17
2018: September 15
2017: October 3
2016: September 20
2015: September 9
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Surf scoters are even more variable. This year I first saw some in September, during the time we were getting dense wildfire smoke.
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These are early days still for the water birds. Their numbers will increase for another month, and then we’ll be seeing big flocks. Yesterday I saw my first real flock of Horned grebes, about a dozen.
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Partly cloudy today in the PNW islands. Breezy out of the NW. Cool, temps in the 40s and 50s.
What’s up in nature in your area today?
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