Blog – Page 142 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

More Stilts

I headed out to Reifel again this morning. On checking the outer ponds by the tower I caught a brief glimpse of a Stilt Sandpiper with some Lesser Yellowlegs, but they all got flushed before I could get any photos. On moving to the outside trail I located three Stilt Sandpipers, but now the light was all wrong and then a Peregrine swooped through and flushed them all again.

I continued scanning the outer ponds locating the usual Dowitchers, Western, Semipalmated, Least and Pectoral Sandpipers. There were a few Killdeer around and then another nice find for the day were two Red-necked Phalaropes. Unfortunately they were too far off for any photos.

Not wanting to give up on the Stilts I made another trip along the outside dyke.

I still struggle with identifying Dowitchers (Short-billed/Long-billed), but this one was taking a time out form foraging for food.

Lesser Yellowlegs are still out numbering Greater Yellowlegs.

Then the three Stilt Sandpipers showed up together.

Here the three are tagging along behind a Lesser Yellowlegs.

With all the tall vegetation along the side of the dyke it was difficult to get photos.

Hopefully they stick around for the weekend visitors.

Stilt, Wilson’s & Pectoral

After the morning showers I headed out to the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. On starting down the east dyke trail I noticed several warblers. Unfortunately they were staying in the tree tops. An unidentified fly catcher also remained elusive amongst the branches. Near the end of the trail I came across half a dozen Brown Creepers.

They were working the trees on both sides of the trail. These little guys can be tough to get as they forage for insects while moving up the tree trunks.

At least with that many in the area I had a chance for a couple of shots.

After checking the inside trails and still not finding any cooperative warblers I headed to the outer ponds. I was not expecting to find much as the tide was out and there likely would not be much around. While scanning a few of the usual peeps, Dowitchers and Lesser Yellowlegs I noticed something different.

It was a Stilt Sandpiper.

I followed it along and waited for it to come in a little closer.

This is the first Stilt Sandpiper I have seen with this fall’s migration.

Seen every year, they are not as common as some of the other Sandpipers. While watching the Stilt, something else caught my eye,

… a Wilson’s Phalarope.

Another good shore bird to see considering I was not expecting much here. After these pleasant surprises and a brief break I headed out to Boundary Bay. The bird I was wanting to get there were Pectoral Sandpipers.

While walking along the beach I located one small group.

They were a little wary at first,

… but I took my time moving in and they soon settled and continued foraging.

I have found that Pectoral Sandpipers are fairly approachable. And then poof,

… they were gone thanks to the Peregrine Falcon. It looks like the only it manage to get so far was some seaweed.

While trudging back along the beach I came across the bonus bird of the day.

A Horned Lark.

I think this is the first time I have seen one in this area of Boundary Bay.

A nice find to end the day, but why did it have to pick a piece of styrofoam to perch on?

Accipiter, Sandpipers & Gull

Headed out to Boundary Bay a littler earlier this afternoon. I wanted to get there before the tide started to come in. The hope being to get some sandpipers out on the sand. On starting out west along the dyke from 104 St. there was not much around. There was one Peregrine Falcon around which could be problematic. Then on reaching 96 St. there was another bird of prey,

… this Cooper’s Hawk. While watching the accipiter I noticed some shore birds arriving. I made my way down to the beach and located a couple of small groups of mixed birds.

First up were some Least Sandpipers.

I managed a couple of shots while they foraged amongst the sea weed,

… and then standing atop a pile of it.

Next up were the larger Baird’s Sandpiper.

I managed to get fairly close again to these birds.

With this one quite willing to strike a classic pose. I was hoping to find some Pectoral Sandpipers and spend some time with them now they are back in the area. No such luck today so the consolation bird,

… was this immature Ring-billed Gull.

It was busy along the shoreline now that the tide was coming in,

… and provided a few photo opportunities to finish off the afternoon.