Week 3: Or should I say Weak Tree?

As we await the arrival of migrating birds, the number of birds in our nets may be low but that doesn’t mean we’re not staying busy!

Having our stations amongst some gorgeous mature trees comes with the inevitability of them falling from time to time, and our Rocky Point team arrived to find our usual access route blocked by a fallen tree one morning. Luckily we were able to continue operations, and even opened nets on time despite the detour!

A large fallen tree blocks the entrance road at Rocky Point (Ann Nightingale)

Swainson’s Thrushes have begun to increase in numbers at both sites as they disperse from their breeding territories, serenading us with lovely “peep”, “whit”, “bink” and “peeer” calls every morning. Large, boisterous flocks of Red Crossbills have also been visiting us daily, at times making it difficult to hear anything other than the sound of them calling and singing as they feed nearby! These fascinating birds use their highly specialized crossed bills to feed on conifers, lifting the scales and prying the seeds out of cones.

A Red Crossbill dislodges a seed from a Douglas-Fir cone at Rocky Point (Cathy Reader)

It has also been a great season so far for Red-breasted Nuthatches, with high numbers being detected at both stations daily. Despite them spending most of their time feeding above the height of our nets, we’ve even banded a few which is always a nice surprise!

Hatch-year male Red-breasted Nuthatch at Rocky Point (Rebecca Reader-Lee)

In other news this week, we are very thankful to our wonderful assistant bander Adam Ross for his efforts this season. He will be doing some travelling before returning to school in September for his Grade 12 year, but we look forward to seeing him back on weekends as a volunteer!

Adam Ross holds a young Red-breasted Sapsucker that he banded at Pedder Bay (Rebecca Reader-Lee)

We are also very excited to welcome back last year’s assistant bander Gaelin Armstrong, this time as a bander! He is returning to RPBO after spending the summer banding breeding birds in Alberta, and will be working with us for the remainder of the season.

A special thank-you to the volunteers, members and donors for your help and dedication so far this year! We would not be able to run this program without your support. Further information and updates about our organization, projects, upcoming events and how you can get involved can be found on our website, as well as Facebook and Instagram!

16-year-old volunteer Anna Wautier helps "shuttle" some birds to the Pedder Bay station (Robyn Byrne)

Rocky Point Banded Birds

Pedder Bay Banded Birds