How do we know that fall is upon us? The kids are back in school, the swallows are gone, and the ducks are returning to the Sunshine Coast after their summer hiatus to the north and east. Oh yeah, it has started raining too.
During the winter, the sea ducks such as surf scoters, goldeneyes and buffleheads are one of the most visible parts of our birdlife. These species generally do not arrive on the Coast until late October and November when they are driven from the interior by freeze-up of the lakes. In late August, however, ducks such as pintails, green-winged teal, shoveler and American wigeon can be found in the head of Porpoise Bay. A visit to this location at this time of year will also be notable for the relative silence, as the purple martins that nest in the nest boxes on the pilings have now departed for South America, and their loud twitterings will not be heard again until late April next year.
This last weekend, I walked in various locations with grassy rather than forested habitat such as the berm at Sargeant Bay Provincial Park, and there was a very evident sparrow migration underway. Savannah sparrow is a super abundant migrant through the Sunshine Coast, and this species was very common. Lincoln’s sparrow is not as abundant and is more retiring than savannah but also present in good numbers. In low elevation treed habitat, particularly mixed conifer-deciduous forest, seven species of warblers can be detected as they head southwards. The eighth local warbler, common yellowthroat, is still common in many wetlands. Another species frequently heard in early September in mixed forest is the western tanager with its obvious “pit-er-ik” vocalization.
Birders find September exciting, as with the billions of birds on the move across North America, there is always the possibility of a rarity appearing. On Aug. 28, Arnold Skei located an ash-throated flycatcher at the Wilson Creek estuary, a rare straggler from further south and only the fourth record for the Sunshine Coast. On Aug. 29, Sue Hayer reported a sora rail on a tiny pond near Kinnikinnick Park in Sechelt.
To report your sightings or questions, contact Tony at [email protected] or 604-885-5539.
Good birding.
