A spell of Covid, bad weather, and a crowded calendar have kept me from getting out much lately – but on one of my last outings I meet this Greater White-front Goose (Anser albifrons) relaxing with a flock of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) as well as a few smaller Cackling Geese (Branta hutchinsii) at Jericho Park.
No doubt you’ve noticed posts have dropped off significantly since I was monitoring gull nests last summer. To that end, and risking awkward feelings of narcissism, I’m going to expand the topics I write about.
So, let’s talk about botany, a topic that has become increasingly important to me as I learn more about birds, biodiversity, and ecosystems.
As the chill and damp of autumn return to Vancouver, a few species of gulls become more common around the city.
Many people I talk to are often surprised to learn there is more than on type of “seagull”. However, if you start paying any attention to gulls you’ll quickly notice you’re able to differentiate the common species where you live.
Short-billed Gull
Short-billed Gull
One of the gulls you’ll see more often is the Short-billed Gull – until a few years ago known as a Mew Gull.
Last Sunday marked the beginning of the B.C. Coastal Waterbird Survey season. This is my third year volunteering with Birds Canada to help gather information on
population trends and the health of birds using our coastal waters.
I was hoping to write an entry about the first visit to my survey site – my stretch of beach is quite rocky, and during winter months it becomes treacherous and even impassable, as the photograph below demonstrates.
