We went out to wander around Ft. Langley, BC, today. Frost gave everything a fresh look.
Monthly Archives: November 2015
Moon Over Burnaby
The moon over Burnaby, BC, on a clear, cold night.
Ferns, Fungi, Flow — A Byrne Creek Walk
I scoured Byrne Creek in SE Burnaby, BC, for spawning salmon this morning but saw none, dead or alive. There could possibly be a few hiding in the shadows of the sediment pond — the sun is so low on the horizon that even on a sunny day it can be hard to see into the pond.
It appears that this year’s salmon run may be drawing to a close on Byrne Creek. Volunteer streamkeepers occasionally see them through the end of November, and rarely into early December. It’s been a decent year for this creek, with a combined total of chum and coho approaching 40 fish.
On the way back up the ravine I took advantage of the post-rain sunshine to get some nature shots along the trail.
A forest in a drop of water
Northern Harriers Abound at Boundary Bay
Yumi and I headed out to Boundary Bay in Delta, BC, today. We parked at the end of 72nd, and walked along the dyke a couple of kilometers west of 72nd, back, and a click or so east, and back.
There were lots of Northern Harriers today, among other birds, including a short-eared owl.
Cold, Glorious Day at Centennial Beach, Tsawwassen, BC
Best Spawner Year on Byrne Ck in Burnaby Since 2011
I just completed a quick tally of email spawner patrol reports (I may be out a fish or two) and it looks like we’re on track for the best spawner year on Byrne Creek in SE Burnaby, BC, since 2011. So far I think we have processed 28 chum and 4 coho.
It’s a bit hard to compare, because in some recent years we’ve seen many more fish than we’ve eventually found carcasses, even though we’re consistent in areas covered and frequency of patrols. (Extended periods of heavy rain can flush and/or bury carcasses.)
But in terms of comparing carcasses processed (to confirm species, size, sex, and spawning status), we’re looking good.
It also looks good in that most of the female chum found have spawned. Of the two female coho processed so far, one had spawned.
Thanks to all the volunteers going out patrolling, and let’s hope we still get some more fish!
For those curious to know, our best spawner year since fish passage was restored on Byrne Creek at the Fraser outfall about 30 years ago was just over 90 combined chum and coho in 2004.
BTW, volunteer streamkeepers process every salmon carcass found on the creek. We are able to do this because the spawning area can be traversed on foot in an hour to two hours depending on conditions and numbers of fish seen, and because the returns are so low. We do three to five patrols a week from mid-October to late December.
Folks Brave Wind & Rain to View Salmon on Byrne Ck
Six hardy souls braved the wind and rain on the Burnaby Parks-sponsored Byrne Creek salmon tour today. The water was high and dirty, and as leader of the tour, I had little hope of seeing salmon. But we persevered and were rewarded by a couple of chum cruising near the surface of the sediment pond! Thank you chum!
It was uplifting to witness the excitement of people seeing salmon in their own neighbourhood for the first time.
Thanks to Byrne Creek Streamkeepers volunteers Ray and Yumi for joining me, and thanks to the three folks who showed up for the tour despite the challenging weather. All expressed interest in potentially participating in other Byrne Creek events!
A ghostly chum in the rain, swimming up the culvert under Southridge Drive in SE Burnaby, BC
Spawner Patrol on Byrne Ck in SE Burnaby Turns Up Lots of Chum
Had a good spawner patrol on Byrne Creek in SE Burnaby, BC, today. Volunteer streamkeepers have been tallying spawner returns here for some 15 years or more. Our best year was over 90 combined chum and coho, and this year we’re off to a pretty good start. Seven chum and one coho in this shot.
NOTE: Streamkeepers have training and permission from DFO to walk the creek, look for live salmon returning to spawn, and to collect data on carcasses. Please enjoy the sight of spawning salmon respectfully and do not enter the creek.
Excellent SEHAB Meeting in Langley, BC
Whew, home after a 2-1/2-day SEHAB (Salmonid Enhancement & Habitat Advisory Board) meeting in Langley, BC.
Thanks to all the BC stewardship groups that contributed to this meeting through their volunteer SEHAB regional reps and DFO Community Advisors. And thanks to DFO staff who came to the meeting to share their insights and give suggestions on how the board can be most successful in moving issues forward.
We have put together what we feel is an excellent document of proactive, constructive advice to share with management at DFO Pacific Regional HQ in Vancouver tomorrow.
SEHAB meets three times a year in locations across British Columbia to listen to local stewardship and Salmonid Enhancement Program groups, and share their successes and concerns with senior DFO management.
I have had the privilege of serving on this volunteer board for many years, including several on the executive as secretary and chair of the Communication Committee, and am always impressed by the wealth of knowledge and experience that folks bring to the table.
Fruitful Spawner Patrol on Byrne Creek in Burnaby
Volunteer streamkeepers had a good spawner patrol on Byrne Creek in Burnaby, BC, today.
We saw 19 live chum, and processed 7 dead ones — one male and six spawned females. Yay!
Also saw two fish that were likely coho, one large, one perhaps a jack, both very shy and hiding under snags.
The photo shows three fish found in close proximity to each other. One male and two spawned females. Had to guesstimate a length for the bottom one, as some critter had been having a feast.
As we were observing a pair spawning, another chum swam right past me!
A pair of chum on a redd (nest). Shot from Meadow Ave. bridge.
NOTE: Streamkeepers have permission from Fisheries and Oceans to count spawning salmon, and to process carcasses to collect data on size, species, sex, etc. Please observe spawning salmon from a reasonable distance and do not harass them.
Chum in motion.