Black-throated Gray Wobbler

Black-throated Gray Wobbler

Last weekend I stumbled upon a single Black-throated Gray Wobbler in Campbell River, a Vancouver Island town that is prime habitat for many different species of feral shopping carts.

Like the very similar Green-throated Gray Wobbler, this is a cart that can be fairly secretive for most of the year and very difficult to find. You're more likely to see this species in the spring when it moves into more open areas during rutting season.

Note the black decorative plumes on the right side of the male cart in the photograph below. Typically males of this species will have plumes on both sides of the basket. When competing for available females, jostling males will often lose plumes in the violent contest for a mate. More attractive, stronger males retain more of their plumes, and thus are more desirable to females.

An older Black-throated Gray Wobbler
that didn't fair too well in this spring's rut.

On the edges of established breeding territories you'll find the less successful males. This older male had retreated from the main arena, a little worse for wear after an encounter with a younger cart.

Listen for the clashing of the baskets and the low rumbling moan of the wheels of these rutting Black-throated Gray Wobblers in the quieter areas of small towns and cities on Vancouver Island this spring. It is a spectacle like no other.

Greater Gray Roller

I took a drive up to Campbell River, British Columbia this week and I thought I'd spend some time scouting for wild carts on the back streets of Campbelton on the northern edge of town. It's an area with some light industry, a few big box stores nearby, and plenty of empty lots and back alleys. In other words, prime cart hunting habitat.

Carts tend to be solitary macro-invertebrates so it took me a while before I spotted this Greater Gray Roller.

A Greater Gray Roller attempting to
blend in with its surroundings.

This wild cart is in the same genus as the Common Blue Roller but it's a larger, more imposing looking cart. Like the Common Blue, it is a predator but rather than waiting and ambushing prey it actively stalks it. And like the Common Blue, it is also an introduced species on Vancouver Island.

Some caution is required when viewing this large cart but during the day it is fairly easy to intimidate. Once confronted it will often wheel away into a side street or tuck behind a dumpster until the threat has moved on.

The large Greater Gray Roller - note the distinct
blue markings including a bright throat patch and blue tassels.

It is at night when Greater Gray Roller is more active that you are the most vulnerable - listen carefully for the tell-tale squeak of its front wheels if you happen to be roaming narrow side streets which are its preferred habitat.

Large and powerful, the striking blue throat patch, blue bar and tassels contrast with the dull gray of the body. This cart is easily separated from other less aggressive carts by its size and behaviour.

A gorgeous find and well worth the drive north to Campbell River on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.