Stilt Sandpiper – Page 2 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Things Picking Up On The Bay

By picking up I mean in spite of the tide being out there were still good numbers and variety of birds out on Boundary Bay this afternoon. I started off along the beach from 104 St. and headed west. The target bird today was Stilt Sandpiper as several have been frequenting the area of the mansion, a large house on the dyke between 88 St. and 96 St.

I got side tracked briefly by some Least Sandpipers, but moved on as I had a ways to go. On reaching the area in front of the mansion there were lots of Lesser Yellowlegs. While watching this one bird foraging it caught a worm,

… which wriggled free,

… resulting in a startled reaction by the Lesser Yellowlegs.

It then recaptured the worm, wandered off and eventually swallowed it.

Then I managed this shot of a Lesser Yellowlegs snoozing in the eelgrass.

Not far away from the sleepy Yellowlegs,

… were some Semipalmated Plovers. Also in with the plovers,

… were some Western Sandpipers.

I continued to scan the Yellowlegs groups as the Stilt will frequently be found with them.

Then when checking one group of Yellowlegs just after I started making my way back,

… was this lone Stilt Sandpiper.

The Stilt Sandpiper also took a brief time out in the middle of the tidal pool. But the nap was short lived,

… as a Peregrine Falcon came in a made several passes at the flocks of shore birds. At least I managed a few shots of my target bird before everything was scattered by the falcon. As I continued my way back I noticed not everything scattered. There was a small peep that had taken cover in a clump of eelgrass.

Waiting a few minutes it eventually came out and I could see it was a Least Sandpiper. Not much after that for some distance,

… until I happened upon a small group of Baird’s Sandpipers. Initially startled by the sound of the shutter,

… it soon settled and carried on foraging along the beach. Then there were good numbers of Lesser Yellowlegs coming in all around me near the pilings, but the Peregrine returned and scared them off once again. The last group encountered,

… was another small flock of Semipalmated Plovers. All in all, a good afternoon. With this number and variety of birds with tide out you can tell things are picking up and hopefully a sign of good things to come.

Sora

After not being able to do it last weekend, I made my way out to volunteer on the trails at Reifel this afternoon. There were a few more people than in recent weeks and some interesting birds to boot. Just inside the entrance a Sora had been showing well around the warming hut area. As luck would have it, it was not present when I went to check.

The Barn Swallow nest on the side of the warming hut was entertaining several folks.

These chicks will not be in the nest much longer. From here I carried on to the outer ponds. Some of the usual shore birds present were Yellowlegs, Dowitchers, Western Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper and Least Sandpiper. Highlights were,

… a couple of Red-necked Phalarope,

… around fifteen Stilt Sandpipers,

… and about a half dozen Wilson’s Phalarope. An honourable mention goes to the Virginia Rail that made a quick flight from one patch of bullrush to another between the shore birds. Not wanting to give up on the Sora, I made my way back to the warming hut area. Some birds splashing away taking a bath caught my attention and on closer examination the Sora was one of them.

It then made its way back and forth along the waters edge.

Or should I say muddy edge. Not the best back drop for photos, but fun to see and spend some time with this infrequent visitor to the sanctuary.

Stilt, Yellowthroat & Eagle

After the showers ended and the sun making an appearance, I made my way out to Reifel. I figured I would give the outer ponds one more shot for the Ruff. Alas, it was not to be.

Still present with the Dowitchers though was the Stilt Sandpiper.

This afternoon it was a little closer in to the trail.

What I enjoyed about this photo opportunity was getting a Stilt Sandpiper in breeding plumage. All my other photos are non-breeding plumage or juveniles. While photographing the Stilt Sandpiper,

… a Common Yelowthroat flew in and posed nicely on a bush right beside me.

I managed a few shots and then it was time for it to leave with a parting thanks from me. On my way home I stopped by the Bald Eagle nest on River Rd.

Can you imagine scratching your itch with those?!

After a couple of shots of the Bald Eagle it was time to call it a day.