Birding in British Columbia – Page 136 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Pipit, Baird’s & Pectoral

The tide was not very high this afternoon and was already well on its way out when I arrived at Boundary Bay later in the afternoon. An initial recce from the dyke was not turning up much other than some Baird’s and Pectoral Sandpipers.

After making my way down to the beach to start my walk back I noticed a couple of American Pipits along the shoreline. This small slender bird normally nests further north or in higher terrain.

During migration it is common to see them along the beach foraging for insects. I have seen them in this area for a few weeks now.

Next up,

… were several Baird’s Sandpipers.

There was about half a dozen of them that I could see this afternoon.

They were in the same area as a larger group of Pectoral Sandpipers.

Wanting to try and get something a little different this afternoon,

… I got this one fanning its wings after bathing.

And this one while taking a bath.

Meanwhile the others continued to forage along the beach.

Eurasian Collared Dove

While I have been out a couple of times since my last post, there just has not been much in the way of photos to talk about. Two days in a row I had a Great Horned Owl, but not in a spot that was any good for pictures. While not a good photo op, it did make the day for a few visitors at Reifel. I had my camera set up on the owl while volunteering there this afternoon.

While set up on the owl I noticed and was also pointing out another bird in the area. A Eurasian Collared Dove. While watching it I was thinking of a recent journal by Mike Yip (Vancouver Island Birds) where he discussed the spread of this species.

They are not native to the area and were introduced in the Bahamas in the mid 1970’s. Since then they have gradually been making there way north. Several years ago it would be quite rare to see one around here. Now they seem to be well established in some areas of the Lower Mainland. They have been in the Westham Island area for at least a couple of years, but this year is the first I have been seeing them regularly within the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary.

On a side note, it was Mike’s suggestion that got me started blogging about my bird photography and outings.

One bird I was hoping to see and photograph this afternoon was a White-throated Sparrow that had been spotted, but no luck there.

More Pecs

It was back to Boundary Bay late this afternoon. The initial walk and check of the tidal pools was only turning up Pectoral Sandpipers.

So I figured why not.

I always enjoy spending time with these cooperative sandpipers.

After my initial approach,

… it was not long before they were in close.

I was also easily moving between the small groups.

Sometimes not even having to do that as one group moved by,

… and another moved in.

Then there were those that just wanted to rest.

On my way back there was plenty of activity with the rising tide. Lots of Black-bellied Plovers, Sanderling and Western Sandpipers. The flocks seemed skittish and always on the move, so I felt it unlikely I would be able to get close enough.