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.

Tofino Trundler

I was out on the west coast of Vancouver Island this weekend and stumbled upon a rare species of cart endemic to the coastal towns of Tofino and Ucluelet.

A rare Tofino Trundler. Note how this shy cart uses
its cryptic colouration to blend in with its surroundings.

The Tofino Trundler is a very mellow cart and is non aggressive. Shy in nature, it spends most of its time rolling around the docks hoping to pick up any sort of scraps left behind by locals and tourists. Fairly unimposing and small in size, it is recognized by the patina of rust that is a result of constant exposure to the maritime air. Red highlights are noticeable in the right light conditions.

Count yourself lucky if you happen to stumble upon this delightful little trundler. Numbers have never been very high at this northern extent of its range and its solitary nature makes it difficult to find.

Spawned Out Crimson Wanderer

This is the time of year to be on the lookout for Crimson Wanderers as they make their way up the small creeks on Vancouver Island to spawn. It's a challenging time for female Wanderers: after the eggs are laid they spend their energy protecting the eggs, the males are off elsewhere gathered in small herds.

Sometimes the females don't survive the two weeks that it takes for the eggs to hatch into small aquatic nymphs. Such is the case with this female Crimson Wanderer that my wife Jocie discovered at the mouth of the Trent River south of Courtenay, British Columbia.

A Crimson Wanderer found on the Trent River estuary.

What appears to be a sad and tragic end to the life of this beautiful cart (and possibly its young) can also be seen as part of the circle of life. While this Wanderer wanders no more, its decaying body will continue to provide vital nutrients to other feral and wild carts.

Black Tiger-cart

Black Tiger-cart - digesting another
species of cart ... and possibly
a car transmission.

It's been a long time since I've been able to get out cart hunting (with my camera) but with the winter weather setting in on Vancouver Island, British Columbia I think that I might have a little more time to search out new species.

Last week I spotted this aggressive Black Tiger-cart near the popular Courtenay Airpark Lagoon walkway. Although normally rather timid around humans, these carts are active predators and often hunt in packs, separating the old and infirm carts from larger herds.

This Tiger-cart was alone and preoccupied with digesting its meal - in the basket you can see what remains of an unidentifiable cart and what looks to be an automobile transmission.

Field marks to look for - the sleek all black frame and medium sized basket (that is expandable to eat larger prey).

Field of Fear

A Common Blue Roller hunting
in an abandoned lot in
downtown Courtenay.

I spotted this Common Blue Roller in almost the same location where I saw one back in the fall of 2009, suggesting that for this species there may be some strong site fidelity.

Aggressive and unpredictable, these large predatory carts should be approached with caution. Given that there are plenty of outside cats in the neighbourhood it was likely stalking cats in this field.

One more reason to keep your pets inside.

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.

Green-throated Gray Wobbler

Green-throated Gray Wobbler

A gorgeous Green-throated Gray Wobbler in prime breeding colours seen in Courtenay, British Columbia, this week. More active after a sudden rainfall, this delightful cart is sure to bring a fresh smile to your face.

Listen for the melodious warble as this wild cart wanders its solitary way along the quiet roads of the suburbs and attempts to attract a mate. A sure sign that spring has finally arrived on the west coast!

Blue-banded Silver Spinner

The Blue-banded Silver Spinner - only the second
individual that I've seen in Courtenay, BC.

Blue-banded Silver Spinner - approach with caution. Back away slowly if charged. This cart is highly unpredictable, especially if backed into a corner. Read more about this intriguing predator.

Western Camel-cart

A shy and bashful looking Western Camel-cart.
Keep well clear of those front wheels!

I stumbled upon this beauty just a couple of blocks from my house on a quiet back alley in Courtenay, British Columbia - what a spectacular find!

Don't let the docile appearance and the demure tilt of the pale blue wheels of this wild cart fool you. Camel-carts are well know for their unpredictable and often aggressive behaviour. I gave this Western Camel-cart a wide berth, getting only close enough to take a few photographs before it got too surly.

Common Blue Rollers

A herd of Common Blue Rollers.

I first encountered this aggressive, introduced cart back in the fall of 2009. Know as an ambush predator, this herd (also know as a rollback) of Common Blue Rollers was remarkably calm - perhaps it was the poor weather that had driven them to seek shelter together.

You'll find Common Blue Rollers throughout North America - look for them lurking behind dumpsters and in ditches waiting for unsuspecting prey. Caution is advised when viewing them and approaching too closely is not recommended.

Detailed natural history accounts for species of other Vancouver Island carts can be found on my personal blog Island Nature.

Shy Blue Tipper

The Shy Blue Tipper
(defensive posture)

A new lifer for me today - the Shy Blue Tipper. When threatened, it positions itself basket down with wheels raised. The Tipper remains in this indelicate way until the predator, bored with the display, moves on.

Read more about the Shy Blue Tipper.