Northern Harrier – Page 3 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Grebe & Cormorant

This afternoon’s walk was to Brunswick Point which is one of my favourite spots to try and get Northern Shrike at this time of year. On starting the stroll out the dyke my attention was drawn to the river.

There was a Horned Grebe active near the old cannery pilings,

… along with a Double-crested Cormorant fishing close to the river bank.

The mouth of the river can be a good spot to get a variety of sea birds.

While I did not see any Shrikes, the usual Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls were active over the marsh.

Hawks, Woodpecker & Robin

The weather was borderline when I headed out this afternoon, still overcast with the occasional shower. Not bad enough to keep me indoors though and I made my way to the North 40 to check on a couple of things. I had only just started my walk,

… when this adult male Northern Harrier made an appearance hunting over the fields.

One of things I wanted to check on was a pair of Cooper’s Hawks I have been following here for years. They nest in this area each year, but wherever the nest is, it has always been tucked away well inside the tree. On checking this years nest,

… I was happy to see three fairly large juveniles inside. Once again there was no way to get a clear shot, but still fun to observe. Probably will not be long before they fledge.

Next while watching some sparrows,

… this Downy Woodpecker showed up briefly on the bramble looking for bugs.

The other thing I was wanting to check for was the Lazuli Bunting. They have showed up here in previous years, but I have yet to see one or hear any reports of them this year.

On my way back to the car,

… this juvenile American Robin stopped and posed briefly providing a nice end to the walk.

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.