A heavy fog came in just after the 1 pm start of the Mar.21 Brant Count. Reduced visibility allowed observers to view only the shore line. At Rathtrevor Beach, before the fog, there were several people and two off leash dogs keeping the birds away. 21 Brant were in the water just off the sand staying away from the people.
Parksville Beach was in the fog with reduced visibility. 8 Brant and ~200 Dunlin were seen flying. Lots of people and two kites on the beach. The central region of the survey area was under heavy fog.
At the Little Qualicum Estuary there were 23 Brant visible near shore and large flocks of birds were just out of view that we could hear in the fog. Walking toward the river 42 Brant, Am.Wigeon and Northern Pintail came close to shore. Eerily, we heard hundreds of unseen Brant when they flew off.
The survey from 13:00 to 15:00 was conducted by 15 volunteers.
Total Brant: 94
Our next Brant Count is Tuesday, March 28.