There were decent crowds while volunteering at Reifel this afternoon in spite of it being the last major long weekend of the summer. Birding wise though, it was relatively quiet. One bird, however, did delight many visitors. A Red-necked Phalarope spent most of the day in one of the centre display ponds.
Red-necked Phalarope
While these shore birds are routinely seen in the outer ponds at this time of year, it is not often they are seen here. This provided a unique opportunity for a lot of visitors to see this little beauty up close while it swam and foraged at the edge of the pond next to the path.
Having missed on a couple of good birds yesterday, I headed out to Boundary Bay this morning. I made my way straight out to the pilings from 104 St. On approaching I was encouraged to see a group of Yellowlegs foraging in the area. Now it was time for a closer look.
Ruff
It was not too long before I spotted the Ruff on the west side of the pilings.
Ruff
The Ruff is a fairly rare visitor to this area, it has been 4 1/2 years since I last saw and photographed one in the Boundary Bay area.
Ruff
Based on the rather buffy appearance this bird is likely a juvenile. Then they all left after being spooked by something. I waited and eventually the Yellowlegs and a couple of Dowitchers returned, but no Ruff. I will give it another go this afternoon.
A Buff-breasted Sandpiper had been reported in a field along 72 St. A turf farm frequented by shore birds, but not a great spot to try and get photos. So on Tuesday I headed out to Boundary Bay in the hopes it would make an appearance there. I walked from 104 St. to the mansion with no sighting of the Buff-breasted.
Baird’s Sandpiper
There were some Baird’s Sandpiper resting along the beach.
Western Sandpiper
And as the tide came in,
Western Sandpiper
… the Western Sandpiper were looking to roost on anything that would keep them above the rising water. For these photos I am out in the water shooting back into towards shore.
In addition to the Buff-breated Sandpiper continuing in the same location, a Ruff had also been observed yesterday in Boundary Bay. I made my way out there again this afternoon. Scouring the beach all the way to the mansion I was not coming up with anything out of the ordinary. I had ignored some birders signalling me from the dyke to check this area out.
Pectoral Sandpiper with Western Sandpiper
I did turn up some Pectoral Sandpipers,
Pectoral Sandpiper with Western Sandpiper
… sharing a clump of eelgrass with some Western Sandpipers. But, I should have paid attention to my friend Tak who was waiving to me. Turns out they were in contact with some other birders who had the Ruff back at the pilings. By the time I got back there and talked to them it had gone. On top of that I learned a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper had also been sighted in the area today. Guess where I will be tomorrow?!
