CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography
Birding in British Columbia, Canada
Today it was back out to Brunswick Point to try again for Northern Shrike. Oddly enough I came across one almost right away at the first big bend in the trail.
While not unusual to see them here, I usually try to get them further along. There is one stand of trees they tend to like and will perch more in the open providing for a cleaner shot. Today it was not to be though. While in that area watching and waiting,
… there was a large flock of Dunlin active along the frozen shoreline.
This afternoon’s walk was to Brunswick Point which is one of my favourite spots to try and get Northern Shrike at this time of year. On starting the stroll out the dyke my attention was drawn to the river.
There was a Horned Grebe active near the old cannery pilings,
… along with a Double-crested Cormorant fishing close to the river bank.
The mouth of the river can be a good spot to get a variety of sea birds.
While I did not see any Shrikes, the usual Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls were active over the marsh.
This afternoons walk was to Brunswick Point where a Tropical Kingbird had been spotted yesterday. As I started off my walk, I paused briefly to watch some sparrows.
While doing so I got this Song Sparrow in a puddle at the end of taking a bath. Not long after this I came across a couple of other birders watching the Kingbird. Waiting for it to come out more into the open,
… another Song Sparrow stopped and posed nicely nearby.
Then it was time to focus on the Tropical Kingbird again.
It was busy catching dragonflies,
… and would then rest briefly before venturing out for another one.
The Tropical Kingbird is a rare bird for this area, but can usually be seen each fall in the lower mainland area. This bird provided some great viewing and photo opportunities.