Semipalmated Sandpiper – Page 2 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Semiplamated & Buff-breasted Sandpiper

It was back out to Boundary Bay for the rising tide this afternoon. As I headed west along the beach from 104 St, there was not much around except for a couple of Peregrine Falcons. Not a good omen when you shore birding.

About half way to the pilings one of them landed on the beach for s short spell. On reaching the pilings it was quiet except for a few Least Sandpipers. Continuing west to 96 St. out on the mud flats,

… there were some Semipalmated Plovers. Then I noticed there were several shore birds hunkered down and hiding in the vegetation.

It was a mixed group of Pectoral Sandpiper,

… Semipalmated Sandpiper,

… Western Sandpiper and Least Sandpiper. At this point I decided to focus on the Semipalmated Sandpiper.

The next photo opportunity was back towards the pilings again,

… where the Semipalmated was mixed in with some Least Sandpipers.

Least Sandpiper & Semipalmated Sandpiper

At one point I managed to get a Least and Semipalmated Sandpiper together.

The Semipalmated Sandpiper being fewer in numbers can be challenging to get at times. I was pretty happy with todays results.

Once back up on the dyke the falcons were still keeping the flocks on the move.

Then something quite extraordinary occurred. Six Peregrine Falcons and a Northern Harrier were hunting a lone shore bird singled out of the flock and the victor was the Harrier. Here you can see it on the beach with the prey and four of the falcons still circling. At this point I met up with some fellow birders who had also marvelled at what had just transpired. Then to top the afternoon off,

… we met another group that had just found a Buff-breasted Sandpiper. It was flushed by one of the Peregrine before I could attempt to get closer. I tried relocating it without success, but still a great end to another wonderful day on the bay.

Afternoon At The Ruins

“The Ruins” is a phrase coined by my cousin when she saw a photo of the old pilings and remnants of what used to be a cannery in Boundary Bay.

The Ruins, pilings of old cannery at Boundary Bay.

To the local birders it is just the pilings between 96 St. and 104 St. which is where I decided to spend some time this afternoon.

Lots of Lesser Yellowlegs around again today.

Once again they were quite cooperative,

… foraging in front and all around me.

A few Baird’s Sandpiper came and went, but I did not have as much luck with them.

The pleasant surprise of the afternoon,

… was this Red-necked Phalarope. Then the birds scattered a couple of times, but when I looked up I could not see anything.

It was not until looking over my shoulder I saw the Peregrine Falcon roosting on some driftwood not too far off on the beach. Once it left the birds started returning.

Some Least Sandpiper landed right in front of me,

… and got quite close working their way along the edge of the tidal pool around the pilings.

Being the smallest of the peeps, you cannot complain when they are in this close proximity to you and your camera.

Not much bigger than the Least, some Semipalmated Sandpiper showed up just as I was leaving. Another good afternoon on the bay considering I stayed in the same spot!

Red-necked Stint & Others

There were a couple of interesting sightings to consider when it came time to decide where to go today. I went with the Red-necked Stint in Boundary Bay as this is a bird I have yet to see and photograph. I arrived prior to the not so high tide, but conditions along the beach were ideal for the type of bird I was hoping to see. Encouraging news from a couple of birders already there, including Kevin who initially located it, that the Red-necked Stint was present again this afternoon. Now to try and find the one amongst the hundreds of Semipalmated Plovers, Least Sandpipers and Semipalmated Sandpipers. Not having any luck from the dyke, I spent a short time out on the beach. While it was seen again by some, I was not one of them. On returning to the dyke several others birders arrived also hoping to catch a glimpse of this rare visitor. It was not long before it was located again and this time I did manage some distant views, but no photos. With all these people here to see the bird I was not about to head back out on to the beach and risk flushing it. Once everyone had good looks at the bird and were starting to leave I made my way back down to the beach. I was joined for a short while by Roger who helped in relocating the bird again, but once again no photos. After Roger left I continued on, after all there were other birds around. One first of the summer/fall,

… were some Baird’s Sandpiper. There were only a few that I saw. As noted earlier,

… there were lots of Semipalmated Sandpipers,

… Least Sandpipers,

… and Semipalmated Plovers. The next interesting photo opportunity,

… a Red-necked Phalarope.

Likely the same bird Roger had spotted while with me earlier on the beach. While photographing the Phalarope I was still watching the other sandpipers coming and going when lo and behold,

… the Red-necked Stint made an appearance.

The Red-necked Stint is a rare Asian visitor/migrant in these parts.

Needless to say this made my afternoon and a nice addition to the life photo list.