[stumblingpiper]

Sarting off the list and ready to go!

Here are 5 to jump start our year: Robin, Quail, Starling, House Sparrow, Flicker. All in the backyard here in Kelowna.

American Robin


California Quail (Male and Female)


Starling


House Sparrow


Northern Flicker

I have a couple of more I might be able to add. I usually start with the Townsend's Solitaire, but alas, he's not around so far this year! Fingers crossed.
Enjoy!
James

[stumblingpiper]

Lol. I love that the first word I wrote was misspelled! Great "Sart" to the year! I went for a little hike today in Knox Mountain Park in Kelowna. Rather quiet on the bird front, but did pick up 3 birds. These first two are the two birds that have always kicked off the year for me. The Pygmy Nuthatch and the Townsend's Solitaire.

Pygmy Nuthatch


Townsend's Solitaire

The third bird is part of a small flock of Turkeys that make Knox Mountain Park home. In recent years it was a flock of four. It has dwindled to three ... all females. They hang around the north end of the Park...


This one is usually hard for the list, so glad to have it knocked off early!
Enjoy!
James

[NewWestBirder]

Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) by Randy, on Flickr

Thanks for starting us off James. This contribution is a lifer for me. Great way to start the year.

[stumblingpiper]

That's a great way to start the year, Randy! And a bird we haven't had for a couple of years either (I think Zach had the last one). Awesome. I can add another one from the backyard ... this little Sharp-shinned Hawk decided to hang out for a while and see if he could get some lunch.

[GMcD]

The last 6 months for me have been slow for posting here - life stuff that takes priority. I HAVE been getting out birding/photographing when I can, and the last month of dour weather has certainly contributed to the shack nasties. I did manage to get out today when a little bit of brightness showed up, so here are my 2026 starting contributions:

Common Merganser flock by GMcD2008, on Flickr

American Wigeon drake by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Golden Crowned Sparrow by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Spotted Towhee by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Song Sparrow by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Black Capped Chickadee by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Dark Eyed Junco by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[GMcD]

And a couple more that I had from the other day and today:

Bufflehead hen in flight by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Bushtit by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[stumblingpiper]

Thanks for posting early, GMcD!
I understand Life Stuff ... glad you can find the time to contribute again this year.
I picked up a couple of more today from the House near Knox Mountain Park.
Our routine, year-round visitors are these Goldfinches. I'll post a nice male in the spring!


I'm also happy to see that the Bohemian Waxwings have returned for their usual Mountain Ash Berry assault. haha.




Enjoy,
James

[GMcD]

Some beautiful sunny weather today, but a harsh frosty breeze all morning down at the river. Duck activity was minimal during the king tide, but the always cooperative Mallards were hanging around. Also managed to tag a Double Crested Cormorant, a pair of House Finches and a Bald Eagle to add to the list.

Mallard duck pair by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Double Crested Cormorant by GMcD2008, on Flickr

House Finch female by GMcD2008, on Flickr

House Finch male by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Bald Eagle by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[GMcD]

The stormy weather kept me indoors most of the day, but the rain stopped and a glimmer of brightness to the southwest got me motivated to take a walk around the neighbourhood. Very little bird activity unless you count the hundreds of gulls soaring overhead in the breezy winds coming down the channel. However, one of the local Anna's Hummingbirds was perched next to the walkway at eye level, so I blasted off some electrons. Dull light, high ISO, but lots of pixels on the bird.

Anna's Hummingbird male by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[GMcD]

After enduring the granular intense rain today, the skies brightened and there was enough light to entice me out for a walk around the neighbourhood. We can add the female Anna's Hummingbird to join the male, and as well, a Fox Sparrow popped out from the bushes to poke around in the path.

Anna's Hummingbird female by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Fox Sparrow by GMcD2008, on Flickr

[stumblingpiper]

Went for a little walk today in Knox Mountain Park to downtown Kelowna (Rotary Park at the Waterfront).
Was able to add a few more birds to our list!
GMcD -- I see your Eagle and raise you two -- male and female! lol


I also shot this male Bufflehead to add to your hen!


This was near the beach at Knox Mountain Park. I also saw this Pied-billed Grebe there ..


When we made it in to the Rotary Park, I saw this Hooded Merganser and females ...


My wife and I heard some chattering in the trees and saw this Kingfisher trying to chase off a Great Blue Heron!

Belted Kingfisher


Great Blue Heron (if someone has a better image, please add!)

There was also this confused Red-Winged Blackbird still here for some reason.


On our way back up into Knox Mountain Park, we ended up in a "Bird Wave." Chickadees, Nuthatches, and some Bluebirds and Juncos. I was able to capture this Mountain Chickadee.

I also saw this pair of Western Bluebirds eating the Oregon Grape berries ...

Male Bluebird


Female Bluebird

Overall, it was a pretty productive hike!
Enjoy!
James