October 2024
Birds of Lasqueti
by Sheila Ray
BIRDS NOT ON LASQUETI
Recently someone asked me if I have seen every species of bird on Lasqueti. I quickly answered, “no way!” There are always surprises, like the three Whimbrel I saw land on the beach at Boot Point. I’m always hoping to see a Goshawk or a Pygmy Owl. Lately I’ve been wondering about common birds that I rarely, if ever, see here.
European Starlings, a bird introduced to North America from Europe and found in virtually all human-modified habitats, are seen occasionally, often around chicken coops, but are not the ubiquitous nuisance they are on other islands. Similarly, some Feral Pigeons, also called Rock Doves, used to hang out at the dock, but I haven’t seen any around there for a while. Every so often someone reports seeing a beautiful white dove, but I don’t have to listen to the incessant cooing of the Eurasian Collared-Dove like one does on Vancouver Island.
It surprises me that the House Sparrow, introduced in New York in 1850, has never bothered coming to Lasqueti, although they are common as close as French Creek. The Black-capped chickadees that occur across North America aren’t here, but they are not on Vancouver Island either. Instead, we have the Chestnut-backed chickadee. A few times Dippers have been seen on Lasqueti, but it is not surprising that they are very occasional, because we don’t have the rushing rivers that they like. I always thought it would be nice if we had a population of California Quail, with their cute little top-nots, but a farmer from Salt Spring Island said they are a real nuisance, scratching in newly planted gardens. Bush Tits would be fun, but I’ve never seen any here. Purple finches are often seen at feeders as well as in our forests, but the closely related and common House Finch is rarely seen, although I hear them continuously singing in gardens in Columbia Beach. And what about the Stellar’s Jay, British Columbia’s provincial bird? I’ve only heard of it being seen here once.
There are times I wish the Ravens weren’t here. But no. They are the only bird that is seen at every Christmas Bird Count, from Nunavut to Victoria and keep us entertained and on our toes. – Sheila Ray