On August 14, I got this wonderful emailed Bird Update from John Tschopp: A resident on Collins road in Pemberton came home today to find a beautiful live sculpture floating on his garden pond. A single American White Pelican decided to test the waters of Pemberton. This is a first for Pemberton and will be added … Continue reading Meet the pelican who took a right turn at the beach and ended up in Pemberton
Says John Tschopp, "It is common around here to hang up a Hummingbird Feeder and feed the little friends sugar water. Sharon has a few groups of plants in the garden she calls Beebalm. The flowers of this plant are very attractive to the Hummingbirds. The little birds feed all day long on these bright … Continue reading Sighted: Rufous Hummingbirds drawn by the lure of beebalm
John Tschopp reports a busy bird feeder for Mother's Day on the weekened To see two kinds of Grosbeaks side by side, one has to come to Pemberton. The picture shows one Black headed Grosbeak, male, three Evening Grosbeaks, one male two females and a male Purple Finch. So much colour ! Tschopp admits to … Continue reading Mother’s Day bird visitations – grosbeaks, purple finch, pigeons, cowbirds
Here in Pemberton Valley, spring migration is in full swing, reports John Tschopp. The Yellow rumped Warblers move in waves. Purple Finches and White-crowned Sparrows sing all day long. The Swallows scout for a nest hole. Today a rare visitor was with the Robins in our yard. A Townsend's Solitaire spent the afternoon with us. … Continue reading Spring migration and the Townsend’s Solitaire: Bird watch with John Tschopp
If a cold and hungry hawk is going to get itself entangled in the netting of your chicken coop, attempting to source itself a nice New Year’s Day dinner, the best possible scenario is to be John Tschopp’s neighbour. The 40-year Pemberton resident unwittingly designated himself as my go-to guy for any bird-related questions, when … Continue reading Counting Birds, Wrestling Hawks: All in a day’s work for John Tschopp
This morning, Pemberton birders gathered to count birds. It was cold. Cold, but beautiful, says Count organizer, John Tschopp, offering this as definitive proof of the claim:
Meet the Northern Saw-whet Owl who has recently taken up residence in a chicken coop at mid valley. John Tschopp reports that "The hens don't seem to mind its presence." And none seem too camera-shy, either. Happily for us.
The public participation component of the Breeding Bird Survey that took place on Saturday June 11 suffered under the rain, reports John Tschopp. Volunteers had to pass up some locations altogether because of steady rain. On Sunday, the weather window sent John out scouting some of the missed locations. He advises: The Lazuli Buntings are … Continue reading Counting birds in the rain
At the Christmas Bird Count 2015, John Tschopp and the counting crew observed that Grey-crowned Rosy Finches had picked Pemberton Valley to spend the winter. Two months later, John reports that these attractive birds are still here. GCRF spend their breeding season in high alpine and arctic tundra. Until the days get longer and warmer, … Continue reading Sighted: Grey-crowned rosy finches
The keeners were up and at it at 8am this morning... but the Christmas Bird Count is underway all week, having started on Saturday. Any species seen between Saturday and Friday can be recorded as a count week bird. Birder-wrangler, John Tschopp shared these two pics of a flock of Pine Grosbeaks and a Pygmy … Continue reading Christmas Bird Count is underway
The Wellness Almanac 