George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary – Page 3 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Godwits + Phalarope

On arriving to help out at Reifel this afternoon there was not a large crowd of visitors, but that is normal for this time of year. The highlight from yesterday was some Marbled Godwits that had shown up and that I was hoping would return today.

Initially I walked the inner trails waiting until later in the afternoon to check the outside when the tide would start to come in and push the shorebirds into the ponds. When I did eventually head out to the west field, there was not much going on. It was not until closer to 4 pm that things finally started to happen.

Eight Marbled Godwit flew in together.

Seeing one or two is usually a treat, but eight at one time is pretty uncommon around here.

There was also a Wilson’s Phalarope among the birds showing up.

At first it was resting in a clump of grass,

… but eventually got up and started foraging for food.

In addition to the Godwits and Phalarope there were also Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitcher, Short-billed Dowitcher, Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper and Western Sandpiper. A pretty good variety for this time of year.

More Great Egret

A nice day, the May long weekend and lots of visitors when I showed up at Reifel to help out this afternoon. The highlight from the morning was the return of the Great Egret. Unfortunately it was seen flying off to the west prior to my arrival. Then while learning of other sightings from the morning walk,

… it flew back in to the sanctuary landing atop an evergreen.

From there it eventually flew down landing on this post in the rear of the house pond.

Then it was time to do a little fishing,

… and take time out for striking the occasional pose. Note the beautiful plumage of this adult bird which was even more evident,

… when at one point it ruffled up all its feathers. Needless to say, the Great Egret delighted all that passed by this pond today.

Great Egret

Prior to getting to my to-do list for the afternoon I was checking a few things online. One of which was the BC Bird Alert site (Vancouver and area section) and noted that a Great Egret had been reported at Reifel. So much for the to-do list and I packed up my gear and headed out.

On arriving I learned the bird was still present in Robertson Slough, the one adjacent to the driveway. It had first been spotted in the house pond in the sanctuary and then moved to the slough. As visibility of portions of the slough along the driveway are obstructed by trees and bushes, it took a couple of passes and some help from Kathleen, the manager, to find it.

It was tucked in along the far bank of the slough foraging for fish.

It would routinely move to different locations and provided the opportunity for this flight shot.

We do not see a lot of them in this area and the last time I saw a Great Egret at the sanctuary was Sep/Oct 2015. There has also been another recent sighting it Langley.