August: Out with a Roar

Aug 29 2014 Reifel Migtatory Bird Sanctuary Delta B.C

If early August birding was somewhat slow the last few days of the month certainly made up for it. At Boundary Bay I was able to find small flock of Semipalted Sandpipers, a species I hadn't seen very often. As is often the case I spent an hour winning the trust of the birds only to have them spooked by an unleashed dog.

Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla)
I found a small flock of Semipalmated Sandpiper mixed in with a few Western Sandpiper.
Note the shorter bill.

I only averaged of one outing a week but as August came to a close I did manage to include the Stilt Sandpipers and the Ruff or Reeve at Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. The Ruff was a 'Lifer' and only the second time I had seen Stilts in the Lower Mainland. I had previously seen them in Churchill, Manitoba where they were in full breeding plumage. For more on that trip see June 2013 blog.
There were also a number adult and juvenile Sora and Virginia Rail at Reifel which delighted many who had not seen the birds before. A small flock of transient Sandhill Cranes proved very popular with visitors, especially the photographers and out of town visitors.

Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) at Reifiel

Sora (Porzana carolina)

There were four rails in the West Field, two Virginia and two Sora. Adults and juveniles of both species were evident. It was a quite a treat as the shy and secretive birds showed well as they fed along the pond edges.

Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola)

Ruff (Philomachus pugnax)
The female Ruff (above) is referred to as a Reeve.

Stilt Sandpiper (calidris himantopus)



On the breeding ground the adult birds use Leks in a similar fashion the grouse family.

Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca)

The ponds at Reifel held both Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs giving the opportunity to differentiate the two species.

Although my birding was somewhat curtailed I am lucky to have seen some excellent birds as well as meeting up with some fellow birders who I haven't seen for a while. Meanwhile I hope to keep up with the blog on a more regular basis once school is back, whenever that is!

"It's never too late to start birding"

John Gordon 

Langley/Cloverdale

Good Birding, Good Friends and Good Laughs.

Sept 9 2013 Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Westham Island, Delta B.C.

Size comparison between Lesser Yellowlegs (foreground) and Greater Yellowlegs (background)
September is one of the best times to see these two species together. Note the comparative size and beak lengths. 

It was so good to be out in the fresh air again. The fog was clearing over Boundary Bay and the cool morning air would soon be replaced by the scorching sun and clear blue sky. The first sounds I hear are three American Pipits flying overhead. Out on the mudflats a Semipalmated Sandpiper crouches low as a Northern Harrier flies past on the hunt for a Savannah Sparrow or Townsend's Vole. My camera, still idle is left unattended while I enjoy the scene before my eyes. Sometimes, especially moments like these I just don't feel the need to be photographing, just being in the Here and Now is enough.
I decided to go to Reifel as the tide might push some shorebirds into the holding ponds where over the weekend a Stilt Sandpiper was spotted. I have photographed them before in Churchill, Manitoba and once last Fall at Reifel. Although none was seen this time there was a chance encounter with a Virginia Rail, that some of us in attendance (you know who you are) managed, despite all the fancy gear some not very good pictures. One of our party didn't manage any shots at all  as he was busy on his phone BOTH times the secretive bird ventured out from the reed bed. We all had a good laugh at his expense, even he had to chuckle at his timing.
Anyway here is the shot of the rail, albeit not in the best light and not quite in focus. Also a Sandhill Crane that flew overhead against the ONLY cloud in the sky, Murphy's law, Eh!

Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola)

Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis)

Good Birding
John

The More Eyes the Better

Nov 16 2012 

Cool and Overcast

George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary.

I figured that joining a group of experienced birders would not only be a great social event but educational as well, especially a walk led by noted naturalist Al Grass. The group consisted mostly of members of the White Rock and Langley Field Naturalists.
Within minutes Wim pointed out two Great-horned owls perched in a cedar and we were still in sight of the parking lot. Making our way around the sanctuary we eventually tallied fifty five species in three hours.
It was also a time for me to photograph "birders" birding for my upcoming presentation "Where to Bird in The Lower Mainland". The show is slated to be shown in early March at the FVRL White Rock library. I'l be showing some of my images (a work in progress) as well as location shots. Also included will be  tips on what camera gear one might need to photograph birds, including budget set-ups for those who don't want to get too seriously in debt but want to make a photo collection and perhaps self-publish the results in a coffee table book. The event is free but pre-registrsation is requested.
Anyway, I include a few of the photographs from Fridays Reifel trip including what appeared to be a wounded Snow Goose that may have been hit by stray shot. Sightings of the Great-horned owl, the Rough-legged hawk and a Northern shrike were the highlights of the day for what turned out to be yet another wonderful day in Beautiful B.C..
A special thanks to Anne Gosse who arranged the trip. Her blog and more info about upcoming trips visit:
http://anneisforthebirds.wordpress.com

Brown creeper

Golden-crowned sparrow

Great-horned owl

Hooded merganser 

Red-winged blackbird

Sandhill crane

Wood duck

Snow goose