Campbell River Christmas Bird Count – January 2, 2012

Another early morning and I was on my way north to Campbell River to do my second (and last) Christmas Bird Count of the 2011/12 count period. I didn’t do the Campbell River count last year (substituting it with the Nanaimo CBC) and, since I was able to do the Comox count this year, I thought it would be good …

Brandt’s, not Brant’s

A Brandt’s Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) showing off its exotic blue gular patch and white breeding feathers. If I only had a dollar for every time I’ve seen the confusion in the spelling of Brandt’s and Brant, I might be able to afford my dream birding trip to Ecuador. Right now we are nearing the end of the Brant Goose migration …

Searching for Brandt's Cormorant

Yesterday I was in charge of the kids for a couple of hours so I decided that a trip up to Campbell River was in order. I figured that after about 3o minutes of driving they would both be asleep and I could do some roadside birding along the shoreline. In particular, I was hoping to find some Brandt’s Cormorants …