The Arrowsmith Naturalists completed their second weekly count on Tuesday, Mar. 14. Strong winds and choppy seas kept the Brant in sheltered coves and pools.
In the north survey area there were several hundred ducks near the shoreline plus 20 Harbour Seals just off shore. Fourteen Brant were seen, through the wind and rain, at Little Qualicum Estuary with a flock of American Wigeon and Northern Pintail ducks.
In the Central area observers were excited to find 485 Brant at the Admiral Tryon pools and an additional 18 Brant near Seacrest beach.
There were no Brant found in the southern area of the survey, Rathtrevor Beach, possibly due to the strong southeasterly wind.
A total of 517 Brant were counted by 13 volunteer observers.
Our next count is Mar. 21.
Cheers,
Jim Goodwin
Photo by Debbie McAmmond π