George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary – Page 37

Owl & Swallows

A lovely summer afternoon and a moderate crowd at Reifel this afternoon when I showed up to help out on the trails. While fairly quiet on the birding front, there have been a couple of Mourning Doves and Eastern Kingbirds for a change of pace of late. The highlight for most though,

… was this Great Horned Owl along the east dyke trail. I spent a good part of the afternoon with the camera set up on it providing this view to visitors.

Meanwhile back at the Tree Swallow nest,

… I continue trying to get shots of the adults arriving with food for the chicks. I managed to see three juveniles in the nest at once today.

Finch, Cranes & Wigeon

Another nice spring afternoon to be out volunteering at Reifel, just a lower number of visitors than I had expected. On the birding front it was fairly quiet according to those that did the morning walk. There was a Hermit Thrush just east of the parking lot, a pair of Hairy Woodpeckers and Yellow-rumped Warblers along the east dyke. I started off by heading down the east dyke trail. While I could see and hear them, none of the Yellow-rumped Warblers were cooperating for photos. I did not relocate the woodpeckers, but while at the northeast corner,

… watching some of the regulars this House Finch did pose nicely for me. I spoke to one young visitor who was eager to share the fact he had seen a Bittern by the tower so that was my next stop. While this area is a good spot to see them, I did not find it. I then made my way back towards the inner display ponds. When approaching them,

… I found the resident male Sandhill Crane napping adjacent to the trail. Of greater interest though,

… was the female arranging sticks on the nesting island in the pond. While they have been hanging around the area of late, today was the first time to see them active and preparing the nesting area they have used the last few years. In past years the chick(s) have usually hatched around the May long weekend, give or take a day or two. One more regular while spending time at the inner ponds,

… was this American Wigeon.

White-fronted & Pied-billed

While the morning was not great, it did perk up this afternoon and I made my way out to Reifel to help out on the trails. Along the way River Rd. West was blocked in both directions because of a fire requiring a detour through the local farm roads. This could throw a few potential visitors unfamiliar with the local roads for a loop. Compared to last Sunday, there were not many vehicles in the lot when I arrived. One recent sighting of interest at the sanctuary was a Townsend’s Solitaire along the centre dyke. I mad a few passes along there throughout the day but had no luck locating it. Another spring arrival were some Yellow-rumped Warblers and I marvelled at all the singing Ruby-crowned Kinglets. While checking the west dyke another call caught my attention,

… that of the Greater White-fronted Goose.

Three of them flew into the outer ponds, but only stayed a short while before flying off. Meanwhile back on the inner ponds a pair of Pied-billed Grebe had been entertaining visitors throughout the day.

I managed this shot of one while fishing prior to calling it a day.