Northern Saw-whet Owl

Bohemian Waxwing

Got a chance for a brief walk on this cold, but sunny afternoon. Headed out to Reifel and was surprised at being the only visitor there when I pulled into the parking lot. Three Red-breasted Sapsuckers had been seen earlier in the day so I started off down the east dyke trail in search of them. Unfortunately there was no sign of Sapsuckers,

… but there was one Northern Saw-whet Owl sleeping away the day.

Other visitors did eventually show up and one couple I met up with along the centre dyke trail had spotted a group of Bohemian Waxwing.

They had counted eight birds busy feeding on the crab apple.

They were some distance away, but I was not going to complain as it has been awhile since I have seen/photographed Bohemian Waxwing here.

The parking lot was no where near being full when I showed up to help out at Reifel this afternoon. Not too surprising given it was a fairly gloomy and damp day. The Harris’s and Swamp Sparrows continue as well as the Bohemian Waxwings. The highlight for most visitors today,

… were the Northern Saw-whet Owls. There were three along the east dyke, two on the north dyke and four elsewhere for a total of nine today. This one being the most photogenic even with his head tucked in while snoozing away the afternoon.

Northern Saw-whet Owl

It was overcast, but the rain held off for the most part this afternoon. It was a small crowd again this Sunday at Reifel. Not much happening on the birding front either.

Fortunately this Northern Saw-whet Owl was roosting in the open along the east dyke trail. They had been noticeably absent for just over a week, so it was good to see one again. It was the highlight for most of the visitors today while it snoozed the afternoon away.