Birding in British Columbia – Page 102 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Plovers & Pipits

The high tide was not going to be very high at all today, but I still ventured out to Boundary Bay. Early in the walk I was not turning up any shore birds at all.

Even the Peregrine Falcon was left to harass some of the waterfowl without success. Eventually in front of the mansion a Greater Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitcher and a handful of Pectoral Sandpipers showed up.

I did manage this shot of a Pectoral Sandpiper and Greater Yellowlegs together which is kind of interesting showing the size difference between the two species. On my way back things were not looking much brighter. On the birding front that is, it was a beautiful afternoon to be out for a walk. Then some movement out in the sand caught my eye.

There was a small group of Semipalmated Plovers resting,

… tucked in amongst some seaweed and other vegetation.

This one was a little more out in the open,

… and allowed for this shot stretching its wings while on one leg. From here I headed to the pilings. Still no shore birds, but another recent arrival was present.

Some American Pipits were busy foraging for insects. They will show up along the shore line and neighbouring fields at this time of year when migrating south.

I set up low and close to the pilings and hoped for the best. This particular bird did alight on one of the stumps not too far off. I was happy to end the walk with these shots. These slender little birds can be difficult to get at times.

Pectoral & Savannah

Back out to Boundary Bay for my walk this afternoon. Tides were not ideal, but you never know what you may find. There was nothing going on at the pilings so I carried on to the mansion. It was quiet there as well on my arrival.

Then some Pectoral Sandpipers started to arrive. There was around 50 and I scanned them all closely hoping to find a Sharp-tailed, but no such luck.

Today’s activity shots for the Pectoral Sandpipers,

… was bath time. Several took to splashing about in the water.

Then they settled in along the waters edge. There were a few peeps mixed in with them along with a couple of Lesser Yellowlegs, but nothing out of the ordinary made an appearance. On my way back I stopped at the pilings for a while. Not a single shore bird showed up while I was there. During my recent visits to this area I had noticed some other regular visitors to the pilings.

A flock of Savannah Sparrows routinely show up and spend time here.

So I took a little time to try a get a couple of shots of them before calling it a day.

Phalarope & Pectoral

It was back to Boundary Bay this afternoon to continue trying for some of the rarities that have been seen of late. The tide was way out as I started west from 104 St. and not a single shore bird in close by the time I reached the pilings. Usually there is something lurking in there at this time of year. As I continued west there was lone shore bird moving about in a shallow tidal pool.

All on its own was this Red-necked Phalarope.

The Red-necked Phalarope seemed quite content scurrying around foraging for food. On reaching the area in front of the mansion the Ruff was present with the Yellowlegs, so there was hope for a better shot of it. At least until a Peregrine Falcon came in scattering everything. When the Yellowlegs returned the Ruff was no longer amongst them.

There were more Pectoral Sandpiper here today.

More often than not, they are quite willing to cooperate,

… and are not adverse to striking nice poses for you.

This one provided the action shot catching quite a large worm. Of course while watching the Pectoral Sandpiper I was hoping the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper seen the other day might make an appearance. No such luck, but there is always next time.