It was a pleasant afternoon and a half decent crowd at Reifel when I arrived to help out on the trails today. A favourite visitors are always asking about is owls,
Great Horned Owl
… and much to their delight one of the Great Horned Owls was in a decent spot for viewing today. While the adults and two juveniles this year have been viewable from a distance earlier in the year, this was probably the closest one has been in a while.
With not much else happening,
Dowitcher
… I decided to spend some time with the Dowitchers.
Dowitcher
They were in the southwest field along with some Yellowlegs,
Dowitcher
… with a few taking advantage of the great day for a little bathing.
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.
Dowitcher
I still struggle with identifying Dowitchers (Short-billed/Long-billed), but this one was taking a time out form foraging for food.
Lesser Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs are still out numbering Greater Yellowlegs.
Stilt Sandpiper
Then the three Stilt Sandpipers showed up together.
Lesser Yellowlegs & Stilt Sandpipers
Here the three are tagging along behind a Lesser Yellowlegs.
Stilt Sandpipers
With all the tall vegetation along the side of the dyke it was difficult to get photos.
Stilt Sandpiper
Hopefully they stick around for the weekend visitors.
I started off this morning at Reifel. Right off the bat I came across this interesting mix of birds in the pond behind the gift shop.
Canada Goose, Mallard, Dowitchers
A Canada Goose, Mallard and some Dowitchers.
Canada Goose
New arrivals are popping up all over the place now.
Sandhill Crane Nest
And it will be about another week before we see any action around the Sandhill Crane nest.
While Wilson’s Warblers were few and far between on my last visit,
Wilson's Warbler
… they were all over the place today.
Wilson's Warbler
This female was staying put foraging in one area,
Wilson's Warbler
… providing a better opportunity for some closer shots.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Of course there are still plenty of Yellow-rumped Warblers around as well.
While not a great photo op,
Black-headed Grosbeak
… I did see my first Black-headed Grosbeak of the year. So, not a bad morning at Reifel.
A Bar-tailed Godwit had been seen the last couple of days out in Boundary Bay. A fairly rare visitor for this area, particularly in the spring. Having to work I was unable to get out when it was first sighted and decided to give it a try this afternoon. However, there was no sign of it or any Plovers that it had been seen with.
With a title of “Friday the 13th” the day obviously did not bode well for someone.
Peregrine Falcon with Dowitcher
This afternoon in the bay it was this Dowitcher falling prey to a Peregrine Falcon.
