Richard Swanston is a bird watcher in Canada with a special interest in brant. He lives near Vancouver BC and looks for brant in Boundary Bay and other locations near there.
Dear Friends:
Just some background on the Boundary Bay, Fraser Delta Area. To locate this neck of the woods find Vancouver, B.C. Canada and head South almost to the U.S.A. In fact Boundary Bay stretches from Point Roberts in Washington [A small tip of land 5 miles square that is part of the U.S.A., Whatcom County but attached to Canada] past Delta, Surrey and White Rock B.C. Canada to Blaine, Washington U.S.A.
This Bay is low, sloping and shallow in most area's with two small rivers draining into the eastern end. Wintering bird life here is unique in all of Canada with 310 species recorded (220 species occur annually). [R. Butler R.W. Campbell].
I'm an amateur bird watcher with a special interest in Brant Geese. I've been reading bands for four years or more and have assisted in three studies of Brant in our local area. What is important about Brant in our area is that they indicate the health of the Bay and foretell the impact that our increased population is having on all birds that use the Bay. They are easily disturbed by human activity. In the past, the numbers of brant wintering here declined dangerously 1962-83, 1970-37, 1982-29. [R. Butler, R. W. Campbell]. But, in the last few years numbers have increased!
I hope you all grow to appreciate Brant Geese and come to realize that like all wild creatures they are special, beautiful and unique.
And please let me know if you spot any Yellow Banded Birds with the colour band on the LEFT LEG with low number's 001, 004, to 029.
Thank YOU Richard Swanston
