Since it was such a beautiful day - and apparently the last one for a while...we went for a walk along the dike....and saw more Bald Eagles along this stretch than we recall ever seeing in the past, perhaps because the higher water level is stopping people from walking along the beach, also there was less in the way of boats roaring up and down the river.
of course you have to look for them....can you find the eagle in the above picture?
Some were seen flying overhead, a couple were way out in a farmers field, but most, like this adult were perched in trees between the river and the dike.
this is a 4 year old, just changing into it's adult plumage...
while this is a young one.
Three of them in this tree....
one was even by the nest....this time of the year they often start working on their nest.
There wasn't a lot of other bird activity today...
apart from Northwestern Crows....not in the big flocks they are sometimes in, but individually or in pairs.
After 22 years you'd think we'd be used to the ups and downs that happen here at the estuary. Just yesterday we were expressing concern that with the low water levels and potential lack of supervision out here for the upcoming Bald Eagle Festival, the habitat was going to suffer as people would be walking all over where they shouldn't be....
so imagine our shock when we went for a walk this morning,
to find that water levels had risen a foot or more over the entire area, just over night. Where did it all come from? We have no idea. We've had weeks of sunshine and dry weather. It rained over night but only lightly. It has been cold up country....just no logical explanation...
Sunday, that path was bone dry!
for the sake of the habitat - this is a very good thing. For eagle viewing, not so much, in fact if it comes up anymore there won't be any dry land for either eagles or people.
With the higher water, swans were back...the one looking to the right is a Tundra Swan, not sure about the rest. There were also a variety of ducks, so there will be something to see.
this pair surrounded by water...
while these guys were belly deep.
over at the log bay...water, water everywhere! Putting a stop to the people that were right down in there walking all over the exposed areas where fish had already spawned. Maybe Mother Nature was listening to our concerns!
The sunshine goes on and on....here at the estuary
water levels have dropped rapidly....Bald Eagle activity continues, especially now that they can get to the Salmon carcass....for how long though, who knows. Apparently the Chum Salmon run this year is dismal. The eagles don't car what kind of salmon they are eating but it is the Chum that runs up into all the little spots on the estuary. I heard yesterday that as of last week the Spawning channel had counted 2000 returning Sockeye Salmon and only 200 Chum.
at least right now the feast is being enjoyed. That is a Herring Gull in the foreground.
Over at Harrison Bay....well you wouldn't know this was the heart of eagle territory - didn't even hear one today!
in fact the last couple of visits, birds of all types have been in short supply!
We have noticed an increase in the number of Mallard, like this male and today there were a few Bufflehead way out on the river, the first we've seen this season. Also the single Western Grebe now has a friend, as we have seen two together the last couple of days. The pair of Loon continue to be seen as well.
As for song birds....
they are probably there, but not showing themselves very much. This Spotted Towhee was one of several today and there are usually a few Chickadees but that is about it.
Should mention that yesterday, I could tell by the calls, that there were a number of Tundra Swans way out off of the estuary, more duck's, like American Wigeon, are showing up as well.
This stretch of wonderful weather continues....
this was the scene at the boat launch this morning.....and for the first time this season...
a small Trumpeter Swan family was in close. Some Hooded Merganser there as well and a female American Wigeon.
Further out...
it was looking much more like you'd expect this time of the year. Helps that the water levels are dropping so not only will that expose salmon carcass, it gives places for the eagles to perch.
Later in the day things still looked busy with approximately 150 Bald Eagles out there...
a few a bit closer...
and this one was enjoying a meal in fairly close.
As you know, we walk the dike beside the Harrison River several times a week. The thing is, that dike has another section that goes in the opposite direction. For years we've been of the impression that you weren't allowed to walk there. Turns out that isn't the case.
we've been to this point before. It is right beside the railroad bridge. Out on this quiet bit of water (ie no boats roaring back and forth like just about everywhere else)...
there were two Common Loon.....this being one of them.
Also on the shore....
a Great Blue Heron....there was another further along the shore.
now we turn and start.....that is the Harrison River there...
our little dog had no problem leading the way....
Out there is the where the Harrison River flows into the Fraser River.
One Bald Eagle perched over looking the scene.
and on the way back....the moss covered remnants of the old boiler room for the sawmill that used to stand here many, many years ago.
Halloween....and the scariest thing has been how quiet it has been for birds the last few days.
the weather has been beautiful...this was the scene over at Harrison Bay yesterday but the list of birds seen was absolutely pitiful! The only item of note was....
that Western Grebe still out there. Haven't seen a swan at the bay yet although there were 30 or so in a field on the Agassiz side of Mt. Woodside the other day.
Today's walk was over to the park and a bit later in the day than normal...
but just as quiet. There were a few salmon spawning, although certainly not in the numbers one would hope for....
and if you really looked way out there...
there are some Bald Eagles...probably 50 or so...also a good size flock of Canada Geese has been moving in every late afternoon....not sure where they are spending their days.
Other than that there just wasn't much of anything...
although just like last year, Anna's Hummingbirds are the most reliably seen species.
What a beautiful day! First walk of the day was down to the boat launch in hopes those swans would be there. Of course they weren't. They may well have been ones heading further south who just dropped in for an overnight snooze.
Our main walk today was over at Harrison Bay...
there wasn't a lot of activity....
this gull is a hybrid but not exactly what type.
Bald Eagles were actually quite co-operative today....
from the shape of it's crop, it has had a good meal!
a little further along, this one was perched among the last of the fall foliage.
this one, and then there was this.....
'find the eagle' moment.
Other than eagles....out on the river....
that Western Grebe was spotted again... and along the shore, not one, but two...
Belted Kingfisher.
Now, late afternoon went back down to the boat launch and there weren't the 15 or 16 like last night, but....
there were a couple of swans way out there....so proof they are arriving back for the season. Also, I've been hearing for the past week or so, sounds that I thought were....
Greater Yellow-legs Sandpiper....Sunday this fellow was down there, just opposite the boat launch area, so the ID has been confirmed.
