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Nesting News

Well the talk of the last few days at Reifel has been the Sandhill Crane pair. It started with them pushing away the juvenile from last year. Then spending a brief day or two preparing the nesting site they used last year. And yesterday morning the first egg arrived.

Sandhill Crane Nest
Sandhill Crane Nest

I stopped by early this afternoon to get this shot. Now to wait and see if a second egg will be laid. If all goes well, it should be around the middle of May the chick(s) hatch.

A Blue Day

I started off this morning at Reifel. Lots of Barn, Tree and Violet-green Swallows hawking for insects. Heard my first Common Yellowthroat of the season for the sanctuary, but no photos. With nesting season well underway for some waterfowl, so are the turf wars.

Canada Goose
Canada Goose

I love the posturing of the Canada Goose when protecting its territory.

Canada Goose
Canada Goose

The geese have started nesting,

Canada Goose
Canada Goose

… with this Canada Goose tending to the eggs.

After Reifel I headed down to Boundary Bay Regional Park in Tsawwassen to check for the Mountain Bluebird again. I got encouraging news while walking out along the dyke from another birder indicating six Bluebirds had been seen.

Mountain Bluebird
Mountain Bluebird

It took a few minutes, but I located them foraging along beach.

Mountain Bluebird
Mountain Bluebird

They would perch nicely at times on the tops of the thistles.

Mountain Bluebird
Mountain Bluebird

They moved about quite a bit and did spend time in the trees as well. I counted eight Mountain Bluebirds while I was there. Finally some blue in my day. Hopefully they stick around for a while so I can spend some more time with them. Then there was this,

Northern Harrier
Northern Harrier

… on my way out to finish my afternoon and a good day.

A Bay Day

Headed out to a couple of different spots in Boundary Bay this afternoon. First stop was in Tsawwassen to check again for the reported Mountain Bluebird. No sign of it, but there were lots of Savannah Sparrows around.

Savannah Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow

So I spent a little time with them.

Savannah Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow

Then it was off to Ladner and the bay area at the foot of 72 St.

Short-eared Owl
Short-eared Owl

There were a few Short-eared Owls up and about hunting the marsh. Just not the photo opportunities like the other week.

Short-eared Owl
Short-eared Owl

This one taking a break to surveil the marsh from the high ground, so to speak.

And to finish the afternoon,

Northern Harrier
Northern Harrier

… this adult male Northern Harrier.