Long-eared Owl

After the down pour this morning it did clear up and I headed out to Boundary Bay to try and relocate the Long-eared Owl. It was still fairly windy, but pleasant enough. After walking both east and west along the dyke I came up emptied handed. As there was still time left I figured I would head out to Reifel. As I was leaving the parking area a lump along the ditch west of the road caught my eye. On closer examination with binoculars it was in fact the Long-eared Owl. Time to park again, get the gear out and wait to see if would come out more into the open.

After initially flying up to a post along the ditch it then made its way to a tree alongside the road. It then flew down to a fence post beside the road.

After this it flew back down to roost in the tall grass. With it not moving I went back out onto the dyke to check for Short-eared Owls. While there were a couple over the marsh, no real photo opportunities arose. When heading back to the car I could see the Long-eared was still roosting in the grass. Then I noticed another owl on a post along the ditch as well. Thinking it was a Short-eared I took a quick look through the camera. Much to my surprise it was another Long-eared Owl.

This second bird then flew down and roosted in the blackberry on the edge of the ditch.

I was happy seeing one again. Two definitely made my day.

American Bittern & Long-eared Owl

I started off in the morning at Reifel, the plan being to help out on the trails with the usually busy Sunday visitors. I made a quick pass down the east dyke trail and counted five Northern Saw-whet Owls. None of which were in good locations for photos. I then headed to the outer trails and the southwest marsh area. Target birds were a Northern Goshawk and American Bittern. While there was no sign of the Goshawk, but the Bittern did not disappoint.

It was busy meandering through the tall grass and fishing in the slough.

I spent a few hours along the south dyke pointing out this accommodating bird to visitors.

Needless to say everyone, including myself, was treated to great views of a bird that usually does not like crowds.

When taking a break from the trails I was informed that a Long-eared Owl had apparently been sighted out in Boundary Bay. Having missed it a few days ago I decided to head out there. On arriving it was not hard to locate, just look for the paparazzi!

Word had gotten out and it definitely had drawn a crowd. Unfortunately there some who just had to get closer and subsequently flushed the bird from the tree.

The owl moved a few times settling low in the grass and bushes. Something seemed to have its attention when it flew a short distance and down into another grassy area. I thought maybe it had caught a vole.

No such luck, but it was sitting nicely out in the open. It then moved off east along the dyke. I had hoped it might start hunting, but did not stay airborne long before alighting in the grass again.

All in all, a productive day with shots of what are usually a couple of elusive birds.

Long-eared Owl

Common to the interior portions of British Columbia a regular winter visitor to the Reifel, Boundary Bay and Lower Mainland areas is the Long-eared Owl. While roosting during the day they can be hard to spot in dense trees or bramble. But, every once and a while, they will show up a little more out in the open.

Such was the case this Sunday at Reifel when this Long-eared Owl was located beside the centre dyke trail. While still somewhat obstructed by branches, it did provide good views and a photo opportunity.