Category: Brunswick Point

Shrike, Swans & Owl

I had time to get out for a couple of hours later this afternoon. Wanting to try for some more shots of a Shrike, I headed back to Brunswick Point where I had photographed one a couple of days ago.

On arriving there was a Great Horned Owl tucked away in a conifer at the beginning of the trail. Its location was questionable for photos and I did not try to get any closer. Just around the corner from it I had a distant view of a Rough-legged Hawk. This is another winter visitor seen in this area every year. Then on speaking with a couple of other birders, they informed me there were a couple of Snowy Owls present as well. Unfortunately they were way out at the edge of the marsh at the waterline. I was not dressed to attempt a trek out there, so I carried on to look for the Northern Shrike.

On reaching the area I had previously seen it,

Northern Shrike
Northern Shrike

… it was not long before it showed up. While I did manage to get a little closer today by anticipating which trees to set up on,

Northern Shrike
Northern Shrike

… it did not hang around after these shots.

In addition to all the Snow Geese along the shoreline,

Trumpeter Swan
Trumpeter Swan

… there were some small groups of Trumpeter Swans coming and going.

Trumpeter Swan
Trumpeter Swan

They were still arriving on my way out with the sun going down.

In addition to the usual Northern Harriers cruising the marsh,

Short-eared Owl
Short-eared Owl

… there were also several Short-eared Owls up and about this afternoon. Perhaps a sign it may be time to shift into raptor and owl mode.

Robins & Shrike

I started off the morning at Reifel. While heading out along the east dyke trail I caught a glimpse of a Varied Thrush. It was with some Robins feeding on berries. Unfortunately it did not return, but I stayed with the Robins for a while.

American Robin
American Robin

They were frequenting a couple of trees to feast on the berries.

American Robin
American Robin
American Robin
American Robin

One just had to be patient,

American Robin
American Robin

… and wait for when they were unobstructed by branches.

Not having any luck with much else at the sanctuary, it was time for a change of venue. I headed out to Brunswick Point, located at the western end of River Rd. in Ladner. As it was still fairly windy, it was pretty quiet here birding wise as well. On the way back my luck changed. I noticed the distinct shape and colour of a regular winter visitor alight atop a small tree.

Northern Shrike
Northern Shrike

The Northern Shrike will normally scan for prey from a high perch like this. They are a predatory song bird that will eat insects, snakes, rodents and small birds. Sometimes referred to as the “Butcher Bird”, it will impale its prey on thorns or branches. This helps support the prey while it is eaten, a means to cache food for later and a way they mark their territory.