Birds and Bears

Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Sunshine Coast Regional District, British Columbia, Canada
A bit of a shift in perspective this time. 
Spring arrived here around the same time as Covid-19 arrived in BC and the Canada Geese and Mallards started showing off their broods at the marsh (a short walk from my house) about three weeks ago. The goslings are growing quickly and I need my walking stick to fend off the hissing mamas and papas but it’s really a treat to see them in their flotillas exploring their environment. For an extra treat this morning there was a Red-winged blackbird on the ground, showing off his lovely red shoulder patches; even prettier when he flew away.
There seem to be mostly geese this year. Maybe the eagles that watch over the marsh very closely have discouraged the ducks. There is one Mallard hen who took a chance and when she first appeared with her brood, there were twelve. She’s not the best mom as her ducklings are generally scattered all over the place — not sure how many are left. She should have stopped at four!
In my own yard, I had a White Crowned sparrow hanging out for awhile but I’m guessing the crows in my neighbourhood discouraged him. A few years ago I had a nesting pair in the rhodos and they had three to feed when they emerged with their brood. They were very busy!
I’m finding the crows to be quite entertaining. They’ve clearly decided that Daffy and I are no threat and they hang out here quite a bit. They’re doing a great job of yanking out the moss in the front yard. A few days ago I was lucky enough to witness a ‘Corvid Romance in the midst of the Covid-19 Corona Crisis’. We watched them for at least half an hour. Very cool. I made a short video!
However, I have not given up my Twitter enthusiasm and have come across all manner of bird ‘Tweets’ and YouTube clips. Here are just a few: 
Wash/maintain your distance (scroll down for more) https://twitter.com/ProBirdRights/status/1238931210610434048
Swarming birds in the shape of a hedgehog: https://twitter.com/Rainmaker1973/status/1256586764636114944
I also follow a few bird photographers who post the most incredible photos!
Like these (scroll down): https://twitter.com/HappyPixr
Or these (scroll down for some amazing photos of blue jays): https://twitter.com/harry_fosters
Just so you know, I’m not a birder but I have a friend who is. I’ve learned that not all the bird songs I hear are robins. ; )
A few weeks ago we were walking along a route we visit regularly and decided that maybe we should take a different trail. There was a bear heading our way, moving very slowly as if it had just woken from a long slumber. Which leads to my segue into bears, starting with this: 
A very polite Canadian grizzly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p29zFLTcGKA
… and neither bird or bear, but definitely Canadian (from Gros Morne Park, Newfoundland) Always move for a moose: https://twitter. com/KellyCanuckTO/status/1259646125226831880
Just a little add on, if you’d like to help Canada track Covid-19 you can sign on here, with Flu Watchers: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/flu-influenza/fluwatcher.html
Note: The FluWatchers program gathers data on healthy participants as well as those experiencing cough and fever. It is important that you try to answer the questionnaire each week whether you are healthy or sick. That will allow us to calculate more accurate rates of illness each week.
I get a reminder every Monday to complete a questionnaire for the previous week; just 2 questions. That’s it!
Stay tuned! I'll be sending another post soon.

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Comments

Angela
2020-05-13

Lovely to hear about all the birds around you. I haven’t seen gosling or duckling in our area yet. There is a mourning dove pair in one of the trees around my house. I hear them all day long,and, I love it.

Wendy Hibberd
2020-05-14

I worry about the little baby geese and ducks at this time of year when they are so small. I love the clips you added to your blog! Put a big smile on my face. The birds are so beautiful sight and sound and the bears AND moose are rather awesome! Thanks!

Sandy
2020-05-15

The wildlife seems to be taking advantage of the fact that less people are out and about. We have crows, robins, sparrows, and pheasants regularly appearing with the odd hopeful hummingbird buzzing the deck. I've stopped feeding them as I worry about the quality of the sugar water if I can't clean it every day...we do have a variety of natural flowers they enjoy in the garden instead!

2025-02-06

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