Birding in British Columbia – Page 20 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Common Redpoll

There was only a handful of visitors when I arrived to help out at Reifel this afternoon. Not surprising given the rain and wind. Highlight from the morning walk were some Common Redpoll seen along the inside grassy trail. I started off down the east dyke where a Great Horned Owl was at the northeast corner in one of its usual roosts. Along the centre dyke trail,

… a Barred Owl was also in one of its regular spots in a birch tree. Then while making my way back to the middle of the display ponds where all the trails converge (sometimes referred to as the triangle),

… I came across the large flock of Common Redpoll.

They were busy feeding on the catkins.

It has been a while since I have had a chance to photograph Common Redpoll. Despite the weather, it was the bright spot of my day.

Barn + Short-eared Owls

Headed out to Boundary Bay on a cool and overcast afternoon. On arriving there were several other photographers watching some Short-eared Owls close to 72 St. Still wanting to find some wintering sparrows I continued east beyond them, but did not get too far before this Short-eared Owl landed on a fence post beside me.

While scanning the fields it started vocalizing.

Then prepared to take flight again.

Kind of hard to ignore them when they are providing opportunities like this.

The flight shots were taken as they were hunting over the golf course. After this diversion I continued east and spotted some activity in a crabapple.

This Purple Finch was busy feasting on the berries. Further along while watching some sparrows,

… I was pleasantly surprised when this Barn Owl flew in landing briefly.

It then moved a short distance away to another stump while continuing to scan the marsh,

… and then flew off over the tall grass on the north side of the dyke. The Barn Owl was a definite bonus for today’s walk.

New Years Eve

New Years Eve also found me volunteering at Reifel. The sun was out and there was a good crowd. Today turned out to be raptor day at the tower.

From the top of the tower this Bald Eagle was roosting nicely in an evergreen. While watching it,

… this Red-tailed Hawk landed in an adjacent tree. Not often you end up shooting down on a hawk like this. While continuing to watch the eagle,

… this Northern Harrier did a fly by. To provide a nice end to this episode,

… the Bald Eagle eventually took off passing close by the tower as it headed out to the marsh. On my way back as the sun was starting to go down,

…the moon was rising.

Happy New Year!