[stumblingpiper]

Well ... I'm starting this challenge a couple of days early, because I'll be out on Monday. lol. Here's to seeing who posts the first bird of the year! The last couple of years it's been the Townsend's Solitaire or the Pygmy Nuthatch. Will see which bird gets the honor this year!

I'm setting our goal this year for 250 birds! We can do this! Good luck and have fun everyone!
James

[stumblingpiper]

Ok, well I guess the first bird will be the Townsend's Solitaire again. This bird (or his/her cousin/brother/sister) has been hanging out around our house for the last 6 years. There's a large juniper bush on the hillside behind us that always has berries. He/She loves them!


The other birds that also love them are these Bohemian Waxwings. Such beautiful creatures!



Although the summer/mating color of these Goldfinches is glorious, I still like the Winter variation too ...


Finally, we have this Covey of Quail that have been hanging around all fall and winter ... there's about 50+ birds floating around the backyard ... here's a shot through my office window.


I'll post a better image of the Quail and Goldfinches later ... just wanted to get our year jumpstarted!

Enjoy,
James

[NewWestBirder]

I find it hard to say this year, with so much misery going on in different parts of the world these days, but Happy 2024 everyone. Lets hope the new year sees a break out of peace.

Nice opening shots James. Here is my opening contribution. The bad news its a very poor image, which required some post-processing, and aggressive cropping to turn it from a long distance over dark photo to what you see. The good news is, its a bird that I don't think made our 2023 list.

Pinyon Jay by R Varga, on Flickr

I stood around for about 3 and a half hours, getting colder as time went by, along with about 20 other birders, in a quiet neighborhood in West Vancouver, waiting for a sighting. It finally happened, but was very very long distance, and it was very dull lighting against an cloud covered background. Very tough photographic conditions but glad to get this first time bird.

[stumblingpiper]

I agree ... a little peace would go a long way! Very nice (rare) addition for this year! Off to a great start! Thanks, Randy!

[GMcD]

It was relatively bright out yesterday morning along the south arm of the Fraser River and managed to get a few of the common locals:

Thayers Gull02 Jan01_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Thayers Gull

Ring Billed Gulls02 Jan01_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Ring Billed Gulls

Coopers Hawk03 Jan01_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Juvenile Coopers Hawk

Northern Shoveler04 Jan01_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Northern Shovelers

Northern Pintail02 Jan01_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Northern Pintail

GW Teal Snipe01 Jan01_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

A Two-fer - A Wilson's Snipe and a Green Winged Teal in the marsh beside London's Landing Pier

Double Crested Cormorant01 Jan01_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

A Double Crested Cormorant on a mission

Common Mergansers01 Jan01_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

A flock of Common Mergansers foraging along Steveston Channel

[GMcD]

Some bright periods again this morning (January 3rd.) and I took a walk along the river to London Heritage Farm to see if I could find a few more of the local birds to add to the new 2024 list. Mission successful - it was a target rich environment. I'll start with some additional ducks - Gadwalls, American Widgeons, and Mallards:

Mallard04 Jan03_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Mallard pair01 Jan03_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Gadwall pair01 Jan03_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

American Widgeon02 Jan03_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[GMcD]

And now for a few Sparrows to add to the 2024 list: White Crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, and Golden Crowned Sparrow.

White Crowned Sparrow05 Jan03_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Song Sparrow02 Jan03_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Golden Crowned Sparrow03 Jan03_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[GMcD]

A couple of Wrens to add to the 2024 challenge - a Bewick's Wren and a Pacific Wren. Both spotted at the London Heritage Farm in the back near the community gardens area on the west side of the farm. Why do Pacific Wrens always like to be in the deepest darkest areas....tough little guys to get a decent photo of, that's for sure.

Pacific Wren04 Jan03_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Bewicks Wren03 Jan03_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[GMcD]

A couple of Kinglets were flitting around in the London Farm area, again, tough little guys to get a photo of due to their frenetic activity - they never stay still.
A Ruby Crowned Kinglet and a Golden Crowned Kinglet:

Ruby Crowned Kinglet03 Jan03_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Golden Crowned Kinglet02 Jan03_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[GMcD]

A couple of geese examples to get on the 2024 list: There is a flock of Cackling Geese in our neighborhood as well as the unruly mob of Canada Geese that hang out along the Gilbert Beach area. The Cackling Geese are an in-flight shot but they are distinctive by their short necks and the interesting "cackling" sounds they make as they fly past.

Canada Goose05 Jan03_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Cackling Geese02 Jan03_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[GMcD]

And some other forest birds spotted in the London Farm west gardens area:
Hutton's Vireo, Chickadee, Fox Sparrow, Dark Eyed Junco, and a VERY early Orange Crowned Warbler:

Orange Crowned Warbler08 Jan03_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Huttons Vireo02 Jan03_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Fox Sparrow02 Jan03_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Chickadee04 Jan03_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Junco02 Jan03_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[GMcD]

And my final post of the day - a Bald Eagle, A Great Blue Heron and an Anna's Hummingbird:

GBH02 Jan03_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Bald Eagle01 Jan03_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Annas Hummingbird01 Jan03_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[stumblingpiper]

lol. Way to go GMcD! (Not sure what your name is ... haha) You're going to make me have to get the "birds already seen" list going sooner rather than later. Those are some lovely photos!
James

[NewWestBirder]

GMcD: "Target rich environment" indeed. That made me laugh. Nice shots.

[GMcD]

Another surprise sunny break earlier today - the Iphone weather app and Environment Canada are hit or miss during the winter anyway - luckily I can look out my window and the river is a 5 minute walk away so I can get out there on short notice.

Small update today, January 4, 2024:

Hooded Mergansers and Red Breasted Mergansers near the London's Landing pier this afternoon.

Hooded Merganser pair01 Jan04_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Red Breasted Merganser04 Jan04_2024 by GMcD2008, on Flickr