Boundary Bay – Page 30 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

A Buffy Day

Later this afternoon I headed out Boundary Bay. I knew the tide was going to be low, but was hoping to find some of the regulars along the beach. I started off at 104 St. and headed west to 96 St. without seeing anything. At 96 St. I headed down from the dyke and out on to the beach, waiting and watching. It was not too long before I noticed a small group come in settle on the beach.

It was a small group of Semipalmated Plovers.

These are probably the smallest plovers seen around here, about 18 cm in length.

It took a little time before I got these shots.

I took my time allowing the group to be comfortable with me there.

This is probably the closest I have gotten to these tiny plovers.

Next up were some Least Sandpipers.

They are not very big either, only about 15 cm in length,

… but a couple came in fairly close.

For size comparison to the next bird of the day, here is Least Sandpiper with a Baird`s Sandpiper in the background.

The Baird`s Sandpiper is a little larger at 19 cm in length.

I ended up only about 7-8 m from this group.

While some in this group were busy foraging,

… others like the one in the background were content to rest.

Being so close to all these birds I probably spent more time just watching and enjoying than photographing.

It was now just after 6:30 pm and I decided to start back toward 104 St. Still checking out the regulars along my way, something different caught my attention as I approached the old pilings.

A lone Buff-breasted Sandpiper.

Definitely the bonus bird for the day, and as I have been discussing size of the others, the largest at 21 cm in length.

While I had only come out for, and was quite happy with the regulars,

… locating one of the rarer shore birds seen here each year was great. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper normally migrates south through the interior of Canada, but we will usually get a few sightings each fall here on the west coast.

Could not ask for a better finish to a lovely afternoon on Boundary Bay.

Stilt, Wilson’s & Pectoral

After the morning showers I headed out to the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. On starting down the east dyke trail I noticed several warblers. Unfortunately they were staying in the tree tops. An unidentified fly catcher also remained elusive amongst the branches. Near the end of the trail I came across half a dozen Brown Creepers.

They were working the trees on both sides of the trail. These little guys can be tough to get as they forage for insects while moving up the tree trunks.

At least with that many in the area I had a chance for a couple of shots.

After checking the inside trails and still not finding any cooperative warblers I headed to the outer ponds. I was not expecting to find much as the tide was out and there likely would not be much around. While scanning a few of the usual peeps, Dowitchers and Lesser Yellowlegs I noticed something different.

It was a Stilt Sandpiper.

I followed it along and waited for it to come in a little closer.

This is the first Stilt Sandpiper I have seen with this fall’s migration.

Seen every year, they are not as common as some of the other Sandpipers. While watching the Stilt, something else caught my eye,

… a Wilson’s Phalarope.

Another good shore bird to see considering I was not expecting much here. After these pleasant surprises and a brief break I headed out to Boundary Bay. The bird I was wanting to get there were Pectoral Sandpipers.

While walking along the beach I located one small group.

They were a little wary at first,

… but I took my time moving in and they soon settled and continued foraging.

I have found that Pectoral Sandpipers are fairly approachable. And then poof,

… they were gone thanks to the Peregrine Falcon. It looks like the only it manage to get so far was some seaweed.

While trudging back along the beach I came across the bonus bird of the day.

A Horned Lark.

I think this is the first time I have seen one in this area of Boundary Bay.

A nice find to end the day, but why did it have to pick a piece of styrofoam to perch on?

Accipiter, Sandpipers & Gull

Headed out to Boundary Bay a littler earlier this afternoon. I wanted to get there before the tide started to come in. The hope being to get some sandpipers out on the sand. On starting out west along the dyke from 104 St. there was not much around. There was one Peregrine Falcon around which could be problematic. Then on reaching 96 St. there was another bird of prey,

… this Cooper’s Hawk. While watching the accipiter I noticed some shore birds arriving. I made my way down to the beach and located a couple of small groups of mixed birds.

First up were some Least Sandpipers.

I managed a couple of shots while they foraged amongst the sea weed,

… and then standing atop a pile of it.

Next up were the larger Baird’s Sandpiper.

I managed to get fairly close again to these birds.

With this one quite willing to strike a classic pose. I was hoping to find some Pectoral Sandpipers and spend some time with them now they are back in the area. No such luck today so the consolation bird,

… was this immature Ring-billed Gull.

It was busy along the shoreline now that the tide was coming in,

… and provided a few photo opportunities to finish off the afternoon.