Red-necked Phalarope – Page 4 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

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.

Duck, Gull, Sandpipers & Plovers

Not having been there in several days I headed out to Reifel this afternoon. It was fairly quiet for a Sunday as far as people go. It was also relatively quiet on the birding front as well. New arrivals are still showing up,

… but the Gadwall due tend to be a little later with their broods.

On the shore bird front there were a number of Yellowlegs present.

Today most of those present,

… were Lesser Yellowlegs.

One bird I would not expect to find on the inner ponds,

… was this Bonaparte’s Gull.

Around here you would normally find them in open water and along the shore line.

There were four Red-necked Phalaropes,

… but they were not coming very close to the dyke.

After Reifel I headed down to Boundary Bay Regional Park in Tsawwassen for the high tide. A Pacific Golden Plover had been seen there earlier in the week.

It had been seen frequenting the area with some Semipalmated Plovers,

… and Killdeer. While I managed some shots of the Semipalmated Plovers and Killdeer, there was no sign of the Golden Plover.

Mammals, Birds & Reptiles

The afternoon started with some volunteer work at Reifel. A small group helping out to get the newsletter, Marshnotes, ready for mailing. Once this was done, it was time for a walk. While heading out the east dyke trail some movement along the edge of the path caught my eye.

There was a group of shrews busy foraging in the grass.

Some appeared to be juveniles and were fairly small.

To give you an idea how tiny they are, that dark blob in the upper left corner is a fly.

In the north marsh this Heron was taking time to preen and look after that itchy spot.

This particular post seems to be a regular roost for the Herons.

The outer ponds had some of the expected shore birds. Least, Semipalmated & Western Sandpipers along with the Dowitchers, Yellowlegs and Killdeer.

A pleasant surprise were these three Red-necked Phalaropes. Too far off for a decent picture, but nice to see. That makes both Wilson’s & Red-necked Phalaropes seen here in the last couple of weeks.

Another sign fall is coming, I am starting to see more Hooded Mergansers arriving.

This one with a small fish in there with the weeds.

There was about half a dozen this afternoon in the outer ponds. So that covers the mammals and birds.

The reptile for the afternoon was this Red-eared Slider Turtle. While seen regularly around here, they are not native to British Columbia. The population resulting from pets being tuned loose in the wild.