George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary – Page 70

More Stilts

I headed out to Reifel again this morning. On checking the outer ponds by the tower I caught a brief glimpse of a Stilt Sandpiper with some Lesser Yellowlegs, but they all got flushed before I could get any photos. On moving to the outside trail I located three Stilt Sandpipers, but now the light was all wrong and then a Peregrine swooped through and flushed them all again.

I continued scanning the outer ponds locating the usual Dowitchers, Western, Semipalmated, Least and Pectoral Sandpipers. There were a few Killdeer around and then another nice find for the day were two Red-necked Phalaropes. Unfortunately they were too far off for any photos.

Not wanting to give up on the Stilts I made another trip along the outside dyke.

I still struggle with identifying Dowitchers (Short-billed/Long-billed), but this one was taking a time out form foraging for food.

Lesser Yellowlegs are still out numbering Greater Yellowlegs.

Then the three Stilt Sandpipers showed up together.

Here the three are tagging along behind a Lesser Yellowlegs.

With all the tall vegetation along the side of the dyke it was difficult to get photos.

Hopefully they stick around for the weekend visitors.

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?

Peregrine & Mink

I started off this morning at Reifel. On entering the sanctuary I could see there was something roosting in the usual raptor snag.

This Peregrine Falcon was scanning the nearby ponds in some nice morning light. I mention the light as there was not much else going and I happened across what was likely the same bird in the same tree on my way out just before noon.

This time it was stretching and fanning its wings. Some great action to catch, but as you can see the light is all wrong. The sun is above and behind the Falcon. The other reason for bringing this up was another couple present at the time. He was carrying a tripod and wearing a back-pack with his camera gear inside. While I was catching the action, he was scrambling for his gear.

I could hear the mumbling while he was still fumbling with his camera that never made it on to the tripod and the Falcon flew off. The point, or question being, why would you be in a target rich environment with your camera gear packed up? Opportunities like this can be hard to come by and are fleeting moments at best. You have to have your gear ready. Now if only this bird had done that first thing this morning with the nice light.

I then headed home briefly for a bite to eat and then returned to the sanctuary to help out on the trails for the remainder of the afternoon. Not much had changed on the bird front, but while checking the shore birds on the outer ponds a mink scampered out on to the trail, saw me and went back into the bushes. I backed off a little and waited.

It was not long before it emerged back on to the trail.

This time it did not seem to mind my being there,

… and actually started sauntering toward me. That was until some other people came along the trail and it disappeared again. It was nice this one was relatively dry and fluffy, not dripping wet or swimming which is how I usually see them.