Arbutus overhanging Roberts Bay, Shoal Harbour Sanctuary, provide a valuable berry mast for Mallards, and Kingfisher perch.

Part of large flock of 101 Common Mergansers fishing beneath Arbutus in Roberts Bay, October 7th, 2014

Heerman’s Gull in full breeding plumage (white head).

Status of the Heerman’s Gull in Shoal Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary, 2014

Heerman’s Gulls, looking like tanned cousins of their boreal cousins, the Mew Gull, share a common roost on Sidney’s Surfside Islets, overlooking Sidney Channel Important Bird Area (below, Sept 27th). They share these roosts with a diverse community of migratory shorebirds and seabirds in September and October. With Mount Baker in the hazy background, it is a spectacular vista ( photo below). Continue reading →