It’s been a while since I’ve posted observations on the natural history of feral carts that I’ve found and photographed here on Vancouver Island—I moved my cart related posts over to a separate blog but it’s now time to bring them back home. No real reason to keep them separate and it’s just too time consuming to keep multiple blogs …
Shopping Carts
Black Barred Camel-cart
A typically rural/suburban cart, the field habitat of the Black Barred Camel-Cart is slowly being encroached upon by big box stores and residential development. Black Barred Camel-cart Classification: B/1 or possibly A/9 Earlier this week I spotted a cart in an all too common situation. Clearly disturbed by the noise of the near constant traffic of Comox Road this Black …
Shy Blue Tipper
Shy Blue Tipper showing its characteristic defensive position. Shy Blue Tipper Classification: B/1 or possibly A/9 The defensive behaviour of this cart makes it easy to identify. When approached by a perceived threat it immediately places the nose of its basket to the ground and raises its rear wheels to the sky. Shy Blue Tipper with wheels raised in defense. …
West Coast Rollout
I love this time of year when spring migration is just starting and the number of shopping carts on Vancouver Island are starting to build. Hard to believe with the recent snow fall we’ve had that last week we were battling through a couple of windy and wet days. It’s often said that storm days are great for birding since …
Beige Rustler Returns
Beige Rustlers are early winter migrants on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Look for them in back alleys and other edge habitat, particularly in areas thick with fallen leaves. Beige Rustler Classification: B/1 or possibly A/9 While out on a family walk around the neighbourhood I spotted another lifer for me – the Beige Rustler. These large carts are late winter …
Silver Rivercarts Return to Spawn
Salmon aren’t the only species returning to the Courtenay River to spawn. The Courtenay River is awash in life and death these days. Spawned out salmon litter the banks of the river. Gulls have gathered to feed on the carcasses and countless diving ducks are feasting on salmon eggs washed downstream. With death comes new life. Silver Rivercart Classification: B/12 …
Greater Orange Weaver
Greater Orange Weaver – a species typically found in developed floodplains and agricultural land. Greater Orange Weaver Classification: B/1 or possibly A/9 This large orange cart was a delightful sighting. It had wandered down onto a stream side path, far away from its usual disturbed habitat of developed floodplain or agricultural land. A distinctive cart, the males of this species …
Crimson Wanderers Gathering
A mixed group of Crimson Wanderers – an adult male, and two females, and a 1st year male. Crimson Wanderer Classification: B/1 A sure sign of spring is the staging of herds of Crimson Wanderers. At this time of year mixed groups of both adult and juvenile carts gather near traditional feeding locations and begin to pair off for breeding …
Blue-banded Silver Spinner
Classification: B/1 Closely related to the Red-banded Silver Spinner, I found this Blue-banded Silver Spinner lurking near a dumpster a mere block from my house in Courtenay, British Columbia. Unlike its non-aggressive cousin, the Blue-banded Silver Spinner must be approached carefully. Use significant care, especially if one has young children present. This is an aggressive shopping cart. If you are …
Northern Seaside Shambler
There, in the moonlight. Do you see it? A Northern Seaside Shambler! Rising from Mud Northern Seaside Shambler Classification: B/1, B/21 Keep your eyes open and carefully search the shorelines and estuaries of the Pacific Northwest at this time of year. If you’re lucky, you may get to see the rare Northern Seaside Shambler, a marine shopping cart that emerges …