Outdoors TheReview Colony of gannets on crowded cliff _ Earlier this year, Mary and | were passing Mandarte Island on the far side of Sidney Spit on our way to a cod reef where we often fished. Again we were struck by the great number of glaucous-winged gulls and dark cormorants breed- ing on the small island. The rocky contours were awash with alabas- ter bird droppings which had accu- mulated over many years, suffocat- ing the natural vegetation. I cut the motor and our ears were immediately assailed by he cries of thousands of gulls in concert. “Do you know where I am night now?” Mary said. “Sure, sitting in our little fishing boat off Mandarte.” “Silly, don’t be so prosaic. I’m on a larger craft, 3,000 miles to the east. And we’re just rounding the comer of Bonaventure Island, off Perce Rock on Gaspe.” “You mean where we saw the great colony of gannets?”’ “Of course. Remember how' they were jammed together on the _ cliffs. That was one of the most exciting days that I’ve ever had birdwatching.” “Tt was something all nght.”’ “Remember, the cliffs were great snowdrifts with their gleam- ing white bodies and the air was full of them flying in every direc- tion.” “And when the airborne ones came into land, it looked as though _ still more great snowflakes were whipping in.” “Yes, then we climbed to the top of the cliffs by that narrow path and suddenly we were were night among them. Thousands and thou- sands of them, nesting shoulder to shoulder.” “Their individual territories were certainly small. They didn’t seem -to enjoy being crowded so closely together. There was cer- tainly some competition for space.” “T never expected to see so many spectacular birds at arm’s present a charity luncheon _|fashion show & sale at The Blue Peter - Restaurant November 28th. Benefits to ‘4 / The Silver Threads. The Blue Peter address: 2270 Harbour Rd., length. They didn’t mind our pres- ence at all! And many of them had a single egg in a rude nest, or hardly a nest at all.” “Do you remember how they incubated the egg?” “Yes, that was' funny. I saw an exchange at the nest. The sitting bird left the nest and its mate took ' over. It wrapped its big black, rubbery-looking webbed feet around the egg and settled. I’d never seen that before,” Mary smiled. “Yes, gannets don’t develop brood patches, patches on the breast from which they pluck most of the feathers in order to bring their warm skin next to the egg. They use their feet instead.” “And Vil always remember the way they fished! Hundreds and hundreds of them cruising smoothly .above the blue, foam- flecked waves below. Then, as though someone fired a starting pistol, they all shot vertically downward together and plunged below the surface like silver arrows from a longbow. Great towering splashes rose into the air like miniature geysers.” “Do you remember the chicks?” “Yes, dark greyish black, and almost naked. They made me think of the ugly duckling which became a stunningly beautiful 2 Swan. Then we climbed to the top of the cliffs by that narrow path and suddenly we were were fight among them’ off Resthaven Dr.. Sidney. Tel. 656-4551 S GA NNET. S CY HAMPSON photo NOW now it’s on sale. *Pre-cooked wt. SIDNEY DQ DOUBLE BURGER HERE’S A HEFTY HUNK OF A DEAL Sink your teeth into something special at Dairy Queen®. Our 1/3 lb.” tender Homestyle Double Burger® looks, cooks, and tastes like homemade. And The Sidney Dairy Queen is a participating sponsor of the British Columbia-Children’s Hospital through the Children’;s Miracle Network Telathon. Limited time offer 2323 Bevan Ave. 656-3339 If you have been drinking. . . Call my Uncle at MAXWELL’S TOWING 655-4442 and you and your car will get home Safely, for only $30.00 plus G.S.T. anywhere on the Peninsula or Victoria. °4 HOUR SERVICE 7 DAYS A WEEK TOWN OF SIDNEY SNOW CLEARING In the event of snowfall property owners are advised that the Town of Sidney By-Law No. 353 requires you to clear snow and ice from the sidewalk in front of your premises. The Town of Sidney will keep major arterial and collector streets open and clear snow from as many downtown streets as possible. In addition snow and ice are cleared. from the sidewalks at intersections and bus stops. The co-operation of all property owners in this matter is greatly appreciated. D. L. Reynolds, Superintendent Works and Services, Town of Sidney WIN! 21” TOSHIBA STEREO TV. with CARVER SOUND SYSTEM \ a ae An Aa | ADAMS Fiat 8) #3 - 9843 2nd St. sidney 656-4351 univensitY GOCMEM CAPHoLs. McKENZIE AT SHELBOURNE 721-1171 384-6811 & Ooo NAME: ADDRESS: POSTAL CODE: ———— PHONE: ——— CONTEST RULES 1. 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