Unexpected "Feeder Bird"
When i peripherally saw some commotion on the window feeder
i didn't think too much of it - the Steller's Jays that are now around since fall routinely scare and disrupt the other birds with their raucous mannerisms
I did note that nothing returning to feed was a bit strange.
A few minutes later i decided to shake the tube feeders to check that the seeds continue to flow ok.
As i leaned out an unusual bird (that i hadn't noticed)
flew off...and gaining height went quite high up into a nearby Douglas Fir.
I practice my "birds in flight " to continually improve my ID skills -- but this had me a bit stumped.
I have had robins coming in to get cotoneaster and hawthorne berries i put on the feeding station - so i thought perhaps i was seeing a Hermit Thrush.
My view was as it flew away - so only a view from behind as it went almost vertically looking to perch at top of its altitude(by flight characteristics) .
So with an inconclusive verdict i went to my truck for my binoculars.
From the window i couldn't get a view of where i thought it had landed....obscured by branches.
I then went to the other side of the house and from the driveway scoured the area of tree i thought was good for landing spot.
OOooo
This is what i found....
I grabbed my scope ,and although other attempts at digiscoping were just frustration - i somehow managed - just by hand & somehow fluked out and got this vid doc. thru the scope with my phone.
Afterward spent some nice time enjoying scope views.
I enjoy the mock eyes at back of head
Northern Pygmy-Owl NOPO (Glaucidium gnoma)
Central Saanich BC
20180129_155811 NPOW used
Taken January 29th 2018
PS
i have heard the birds going off at different times this fall/winter but always figured it was a Barred Owl
PS
i have also had an Immature Northern Shrike scatter the feeder birds and then sit perched for over a half hour.
That time (years ago now) i was obviously more observant then with the NOPO
I will have to "look smaller" when that happens in the future.
Also
When i hear scolding & alarms around neighbourhood
i am usually just thinking Barred Owl or Hawk....
Unexpected "Feeder Bird"
When i peripherally saw some commotion on the window feeder
i didn't think too much of it - the Steller's Jays that are now around since fall routinely scare and disrupt the other birds with their raucous mannerisms
I did note that nothing returning to feed was a bit strange.
A few minutes later i decided to shake the tube feeders to check that the seeds continue to flow ok.
As i leaned out an unusual bird (that i hadn't noticed)
flew off...and gaining height went quite high up into a nearby Douglas Fir.
I practice my "birds in flight " to continually improve my ID skills -- but this had me a bit stumped.
I have had robins coming in to get cotoneaster and hawthorne berries i put on the feeding station - so i thought perhaps i was seeing a Hermit Thrush.
My view was as it flew away - so only a view from behind as it went almost vertically looking to perch at top of its altitude(by flight characteristics) .
So with an inconclusive verdict i went to my truck for my binoculars.
From the window i couldn't get a view of where i thought it had landed....obscured by branches.
I then went to the other side of the house and from the driveway scoured the area of tree i thought was good for landing spot.
OOooo
This is what i found....
I grabbed my scope ,and although other attempts at digiscoping were just frustration - i somehow managed - just by hand & somehow fluked out and got this vid doc. thru the scope with my phone.
Afterward spent some nice time enjoying scope views.
I enjoy the mock eyes at back of head
Northern Pygmy-Owl NOPO (Glaucidium gnoma)
Central Saanich BC
20180129_155811 NPOW used
Taken January 29th 2018
PS
i have heard the birds going off at different times this fall/winter but always figured it was a Barred Owl
PS
i have also had an Immature Northern Shrike scatter the feeder birds and then sit perched for over a half hour.
That time (years ago now) i was obviously more observant then with the NOPO
I will have to "look smaller" when that happens in the future.
Also
When i hear scolding & alarms around neighbourhood
i am usually just thinking Barred Owl or Hawk....