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Birds adjust to weather changes

The November weather has been exceptionally mild so far, and on Nov. 17, both Gibsons and Sechelt posted record high temperatures of 14C for the date. The prediction is for a milder than average winter for B.C.

The November weather has been exceptionally mild so far, and on Nov. 17, both Gibsons and Sechelt posted record high temperatures of 14C for the date. The prediction is for a milder than average winter for B.C. and colder than average east of the Rockies, based on the position of the jet stream. This scenario may lead to some changes in bird distribution as mild temperatures on the coast can mean fewer birds attending bird feeders based on more abundant wild food sources. Time will tell. 

Anna’s hummingbirds are now a common winter (and year round) resident of the Sunshine Coast, having colonized our area beginning in the 1970s. It is hard to over-estimate how common they have become around human habitation in the last 20 years. While hummingbird feeders have played a significant role in this expansion, they also thrive on the presence of exotic flowering plants in gardens. In my own garden, they are currently attending the fuchsia plants. The hummers also feed on insects and there are lots of those around right now with the mild temperatures. 

On the saltwater there have been good numbers of some species with higher than average numbers of red-necked grebes and red-breasted mergansers. As usual, there are high numbers of gulls of at least six species at Mission Point. On Nov. 11, Marcia Mason reported all four North American loon species on a morning’s birding in Roberts Creek. Common loons are the most regularly seen, Pacific loons occur in high numbers in spring and fall migration, while red-throated loons are uncommon winter visitors and yellow-billed loons are rare and sporadic winter visitors. The world’s only other loon species is the Arctic loon, a Eurasian species with very few occurrences in North America. 

The Sunshine Coast Christmas Bird Count will be on Saturday, Dec. 14 this year. More details to come in my next column. If anyone is interested in participating, please contact me. For your sightings or questions, email tony@whiskeyjacknaturetours.com