Sooke, British Columbia, Canada: Spring/Summer 2002 - 2003
Harlequin Duck: April 01, 2002. A pair of Harlequin Ducks on their breeding grounds along the Upper Sooke River near its confluence with the Leech River. This pair was first observed March 30, 2002. Harlequin Ducks had not previously been recorded as breeding along the Sooke River, although old-timers in Sooke are not at all surprised by the observation. Harlequins commonly pass the winter at Whiffin Spit, Sooke (see next).
Harlequin Duck: April 07 2002. A male Harlequin Duck guards its territory along the Upper Sooke River near its confluence with the Leech River. The female is probably away on her nest incubating and will return at dusk to feed on small fish and insects.
Short-billed Dowitcher: April 11 2002. Two Short-billed Dowitchers “tank up” on their way north. Whiffin Spit, Sooke BC.
Rufous Hummingbird: April 16 2002. By the spring equinox, Rufous Hummingbirds are usually firmly established in the Sooke area. This displaying male was photographed in an Apple tree at home, Sooke BC.
Violet-green Swallow: April 29 2002. The Violet-green Swallow is most common in urban parts of Sooke. This one’s guarding a next box at home, Sooke BC, and young were successfully raised. Swallows compete with Chestnut-backed Chickadees for our boxes; House Sparrows can’t get in the diamond-shaped opening although they try very hard!
Semipalmated Plover: May 10 2002. A Semipalmated Plover, one of 15 observed that day at Whiffin Spit, Sooke BC. These birds are common spring and late summer/early fall migrants.
Black-legged Kittiwake, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull: May 25 2002. Along the seashore at Jordan River BC, an half hour’s drive west of Sooke, a Black-legged Kittiwake calls stridently as California and Glaucous-winged Gulls gather attentively. Jordan River’s a great place to see these birds in the spring.
American Goldfinch: May 28 2002. A male American Goldfinch in a “flowering” European Larch at home, Sooke BC. These birds are uncommon but very welcome summer residents.
Pacific-slope Flycatcher: June 09 2003. A lisping “Suuhwiit” call identifies the Pacific-slope Flycatcher, virtually identical to its Cordilleran cousin to the South-east. It has built a nest over a porch light at a Sooke residence (next).
Pacific-slope Flycatcher: June 09 2003. Pacific-coast Flycatcher nest with three eggs (next)
Pacific-slope Flycatcher: July 4 2003. Nearly a month after the previous photos were taken, here’s one of the pair taking prey to the nest. Looks like a beetle, possibly a Cerambycid.
American Robin: July09 2000. An American Robin steals cherries from a tree at home, Sooke BC.
Great-horned Owl: July 11 2003. A Great-horned Owl in an exotic conifer at a friend’s farm in Sooke BC.
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