The Sunshine Coast Natural History Society held their monthly bird walk at Sargeant Bay on Sunday, March 16. The location was chosen in the hope of finding early migrant species, specifically rufous hummingbird, yellow-rumped warbler and violet-green or tree swallows. None of these species were found but the group accumulated a list of 33 species anyway. Despite the absence of the hoped-for migrant, there was still much vocal evidence that spring is underway. All the species that were singing their spring songs were species that winter on the Coast: Pacific wren, ruby-crowned kinglet, song sparrow, spotted towhee and red-winged blackbird. The wren and the kinglet are two of our best vocalists, both singing long, effusive songs. Members of the woodpecker family do not sing, but in lieu of song they drum on hollow branches and trees, which serves the same purpose in attracting a mate. Red-breasted sapsucker and northern flicker were both drumming at Sargeant Bay.
Though our target species failed to appear at Sargeant Bay, they have already been recorded elsewhere on the Coast: the warbler at Wilson Creek estuary on March 6 (Mari Petznek), the rufous hummer on Garden Bay Road on the 14th (Michael Jackson) and violet-green swallows on the 10th at Oyster Bay, Pender Harbour (John Field). Other (largely) migrant species to appear are a single American goldfinch and a single band-tailed pigeon.
Robins are one of our most familiar birds but they almost entirely desert the Coast in the winter months. Small numbers begin to trickle back in late February, and that turns into a torrent in March, with thousands appearing. The biggest flock to date was 90 at the Sechelt golf course on the 12th.
Trumpeter swans migrate along the Sunshine Coast during March, heading north to Yukon and Alaska to breed. A flock of 40 was reported on the 17th. Flocks often put down on the ocean to rest and may also appear on freshwater lakes and ponds.
Sooty grouse are very vocal at this time of year but are found at mid-elevations requiring a trip up a logging road. Listen for a deep “hoop, hoop” call. Good luck in actually setting eyes on a bird, as they are very elusive.
A great horned owl has been found on a nest, in the same general location as last year.
To report your sightings or questions contact me at [email protected] or 604-885-5539. Good Spring Birding.
