Blog – Page 78 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Western Sandpiper

While it was overcast and the tide was out a ways, I still headed out to Boundary Bay to check the tidal flats. There were lots of peeps scattered about.

In particular Western Sandpipers,

… so I decided to spend some time with them.

They were all around and quite comfortable with me tagging along taking photos.

Then one of them in particular caught my eye.

This one stuck out from the others with a distinct buffy breast,

… so I stuck with it for a while.

It also helped that it was being more than cooperative.

Mixed in with this group of Western were some Least Sandpipers,

… and a couple of Semipalmated Plovers.

Another Sunday afternoon volunteering at Reifel. Not a huge crowd today, but there have been some interesting birds around of late. The focus of attention today, however, was Purple Martin. In particular the nesting boxes in the northwest marsh as there had been reports recently they may be nesting here. So I made my way out along the outside dyke just beyond the tower. From a few different vantage points you could see the Purple Martin coming to roost on the poles above the nesting box. Eventually I could see the adult female land at the opening of a nest box and exhibit feeding behaviour. While watching this a Peregrine Falcon showed up overhead,

… and the Purple Martin were up harassing it right away. This was the afternoon’s entertainment. As for getting a closer look at the nesting box, it was difficult as they are some distance out in the marsh. As more birders with scopes stopped by, you could see at least two juveniles being fed at the opening in the nest box.

As you can see from this crop, they are just too far away for the camera. The nesting box in question is the lower left one on the right pole (adult present at opening with another atop the pole). What makes all this interesting is that while Purple Martin have been seen at the sanctuary before, this may be the first nesting record.

Least, Killdeer & Baird’s

It was overcast and windy, but had a chance to get back out to Boundary Bay before the rain started. At least there were a few shore birds around this afternoon. I did not spot anything out of the ordinary, just the usual suspects for this time of year.

I had some Least Sandpiper work there way toward me,

… and then go by right in front of me. Nice to get the tiny ones this close. But what I was slowly working my way towards were two Killdeer.

I find it can be hit and miss with these birds as to how close they will let you get.

Today they were cooperating and when the two Killdeer got together,

… they started to vocalize and put on a bit of a display.

A pleasant change of pace to have some quality time with these plovers. The last bird mixed in with this group I photographed,

… was a Baird’s Sandpiper. Also around this afternoon were Pectoral Sandpipers, Western Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plovers and Black-bellied Plovers.