Mostly sunny with temperatures reaching the mid-40s and a light breeze out of the west.
Temperatures overnight did drop below freezing, but things had warmed up significantly by midday when I went out to spend some time in the yard.
What drew me out just before lunch were the juncos in the yard. When I’ve been out the past few days, I haven’t managed to overlap much with the juncos visiting the feeder.
Today I saw one which had been banded as part of our banding project. By the time I had retrieved my camera, it had disappeared and didn’t come back before I went in for lunch.
This junco was banded as part of a multi-year winter bird banding project. I haven't checked when it was banded, but the most recent banding took place in 2019.
Juncos were still around after lunch and I spent a bit longer watching them. I saw the (a?) banded junco and was able to get pictures. I think it was probably the same one, but I’m not positive about that.
At least one junco started singing. It was less steady than I normally hear. I am guessing it’s a male that hatched last year and is learning to use his voice. However, I wonder if older males are rusty early on and practice their song a bit before going to stake out territory.
The (a?) Song Sparrow in the yard also sang while I was out. It did not seem to be singing in a way that was territorial. Usually they’re out on a prominent perch and sing repeatedly. This one just sang a couple times from a protected perch.
A few gulls gathered in the channel. More are likely to be there later in the week as processors take delivery and begin processing black cod.
Gull numbers were up a bit in the channel. I suspect the first boats are just starting to return with their catch, so I expect there will be more birds there in the coming days.
I have not yet confirmed fully as of posting, but believe this is Oligotrichum parallelum
I spent a bit of time at the end of Seward Avenue checking out mosses and liverworts on a rock outcrop. I recognized a couple, including some Oligotrichum parallelum, a species I just found for the first time recently. This is assuming I identified it correctly the first time, and I’m correct that today’s was the same. I collected a bit to verify more carefully.
Before going home, I sat on the rocks of the shorter breakwater by the Centennial Building. I picked that location for its sun exposure (enhanced by reflections of the glassy water). It’s far enough away from the main road, that traffic noise sounds distant. On the other hand, the boats are a bit louder. Only one went by while I was there. The relatively calm water meant only small waves lapped against the rocks. It sounded tinkly and a maybe even a bit musical.
This evening I made progress catching up publishing my most recent photojournal posts, including everything up through yesterday. I also finished uploading observations from a couple of the remaining days from last year. I only have a handful left to be done with the first half of the year.
My iNaturalist Observations for Today
