Boundary Bay – Page 8 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Semipalmated Plover

Headed out to Boundary Bay for the rising tide on what was a beautiful afternoon. While walking west along the beach there was no action close to the dyke in the tidal pools. Once near the pylons I could see some movement further out on the sand. On getting a little closer it turned out to be a small group of Semipalmated Plovers. They were a little wary of me at first,

… but with a little patience they relaxed and moved towards me.

Closer is always better with these tiny plovers.

There were also a couple of Western and Least Sandpipers mixed in with them.

Several of the Semipalmated Plovers were more than cooperative and provided good photo opportunities. While walking back towards the dyke with a couple of other birders,

Semipalmated & Baird's Sandpiper — Semipalmated & Baird’s Sandpiper

… a small group of Baird’s Sandpiper flew in and amongst them was a Semiplamated Sandpiper. The other birders had been watching the Black-bellied Plover flock and sighted Red Knot, Hudsonian Godwit and Bar-tailed Godwit. A good variety of birds on the bay today.

Western Sandpipers & Plovers

An interesting find out on Boundary Bay this afternoon, a Little Stint. I headed out that way and on arrival learned they had lost track of the bird. I came prepared and had my boots on and decided to walk the beach while I was there. After walking close to the dyke, I checked out the groups of shore birds moving around way out on the tidal flats.

There were lots of Western Sandpipers,

… and Black-bellied Plovers on the move.

Unfortunately I had no luck in relocating the Stint.

Ruff

Made my first trip out to Boundary Bay in quite some time this afternoon. A few interesting birds have been spotted of late: Bar-tailed Godwit, Ruddy Turnstone, American Golden Plover, Red Knot and Red-necked Phalarope. While I did not see any of these recent highlights,

… I did see the Ruff as it flew in right beside me while walking along the beach. This particular bird has been in the area for about a month now.

While Ruff will show up in this area, this bird is an escapee from a study colony at Simon Fraser University. Apparently it is an in-between sized ‘faeder’ male – a female mimic. Still an interesting bird to see and photograph.

A couple of links to SFU:

Molecular Genetics Of Alternative Reproductive Morphs In Ruffs

Ruff courtship a matter of genes