George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary – Page 47

Phalarope & Teal

A beautiful day and lots of people out enjoying it at Reifel this afternoon. There was some activity in the outer ponds with Dunlin, Western Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs and Long-billed Dowitcher present.

The highlight though was this lone Wilson’s Phalarope.

Even better was that it was coming in close to the dyke trail.

It was getting everyone’s attention,

… which is not so hard being quite pretty and standing out from the crowd.

At the end of the day on my way out I stopped by the inner pond to check for the Cinnamon Teal which was seen again earlier in the day.

It was initially foraging back in the reeds,

… but with a little patience it did make its way somewhat closer. The fact nobody else was around probably helped as they are usually quite shy and leery of people. A nice end to a fun afternoon.

Teal, Sparrow & Mink

A lovely afternoon, although still on the cool side with the breeze. The intent this afternoon was to try for warblers at Reifel, but I got side tracked again on hearing there were a couple of Cinnamon Teal around. While I did locate one, it was in a pond well off the trail and too far for photos. At another pond they frequent there were some Green-winged Teal.

Not quite the shot I was hoping for, but fun to get this Green-winged Teal pair foraging together. While watching the teal,

… this House Sparrow landed nearby for a short while. Then the bonus shot of the day occurred on my way out along the east dyke trail.

This Mink came running right up to me with a bullfrog in its mouth. The lighting was a little harsh, but there is not much you can do about that in these spur of the moment situations.

Blackbird & Goslings

Things have picked up a little at Reifel. As I noticed the other day at the North 40, lots of Yellow-rumped Warbler have arrived at the sanctuary as well. Another interesting sighting, but no photo, was of a Cinnamon Teal. But the odd man out this afternoon,

… was this Yellow-headed Blackbird. Usually only seen here as they pass through. Iona Island is one spot locally where they will stay. I did not spend any time with the warblers as I got side tracked.

Some of the first Canada Goose goslings have started to arrive.

Hard to pass up these new arrivals up,

… they are just too cute.

Another outing will have to be made to catch up with the warblers.