Birding in British Columbia 2012

Just a sample of the birds we filmed in British Columbia in the last couple of months. Some are migratory, some are rare like the The Long-billed Curlew and some are common like the Canada Geese.

Wild Clematis in the forest after the rain

Filmed May 4, 2012 at Mission Creek Park...

The Wild Clematis was the first delicate flower we came upon. This one is mauve, but apparently there are also yellow ones. They grow in predominantly shaded areas in the forest, using other trees for structure. They do not have tendrils like most vines.

music by 03 - zero-project - 03 - Twilight poem

Ticks are out - Meet the intruder!

Not too much bothers Cindy except for ticks. She felt something on her neck after a hike, saw it a tick and gave it a flick! It landed somewhere on the carpet. DOH!! Meanwhile after vacuuming to try and suck it up, it had not actually flicked, but had stuck on her clothes and once again she felt it on my neck!! I rescued the tick! lol Meet the intruder!

Spring is tick is season of the tick. This one came home with us from our trip up to Myra Canyon. These little things pose a danger to humans and animals.

Ticks feed on blood by attaching to animals or people with their mouth parts. Females are a little larger than males and when they're full of blood can be as big as a grape. Younger tick life stages are smaller and, when unfed, are lighter in colour. People and pets can pick up ticks by brushing against vegetation.

Lyme disease is an illness caused by the bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, which can be spread through the bite of certain types of ticks. Lyme disease in humans can have serious symptoms but can be effectively treated. Lyme disease has been reported in parts of Europe, Asia, and throughout much of North America.

The Mountain Bluebird ~ Sialia currucoides

Bluebirds are considered fairly common, but their numbers have declined substantially during the last century. Populations have been given a boost by the birdhouse boxes that have become popular in many parks and backyards.

Bluebirds eat small fruits and hunt insects, spiders, and other creatures from above. The birds perch, watch, and then swoop to the ground to pounce on their prey.

Pairs mate in spring and summer, when they construct small, bowl-shaped nests. Females lay four or five eggs and incubate them for about two weeks. Young remain in the nest, cared for by both parents, for an additional 15 to 20 days. Bluebirds often have two broods in a season. Sometimes, a young bluebird from the first brood will remain in the nest and assist its parents in caring for the second.