Rainy Day Heron

After finishing some errands in the morning, it was still fairly gloomy and drizzly this afternoon. Needing some exercise and fresh air, I headed out in spite of the weather. Needless to say the parking was near empty when I arrived at Reifel. At least here there would be some protection from the weather on the trails should it take a turn for the worse.

It was fairly quiet on the birding front as well. A good looking Peregrine was perched above the east dyke trail. Other birds of prey included Eagles, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk and Northern Harriers. There were lots of sparrows flitting about along with a few Kinglets, Downy Woodpecker and Brown Creepers. No sign of the Common Redpoll that were seen in the last day or two. Unfortunately conditions were such that none provided any real good photo opportunities.

The only bird that did stay put and pose for me in the drizzle,

Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron

… was this Great Blue Heron. Like the rest of us, I’m sure it was just waiting for the rain to come to an end.

Common Merganser & Red-tailed Hawk

As New Year’s Day can be busy at Reifel, I headed out there this afternoon to assist with visitors on the trails. On my way in along the driveway something caught my attention in Robertson Slough.

Common Merganser
Common Merganser

This Common Merganser had caught itself quite the prize.

Common Merganser
Common Merganser

So much so, it was really struggling trying to get it down.

Common Merganser
Common Merganser

Finally, after about 15 minutes, it managed to get it down the hatch.

On arriving in the parking lot, there were good numbers of visitors today, but it was not overly crowded. Before starting my walk I was informed of a couple of birds of interest. A Barred Owl and an immature Northern Goshawk.

No sooner had I started down the trails a Red-tailed Hawk showed up.

Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk

The Red-tailed Hawk is one of the larger buteos,

Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk

… and common in this area year round. Large enough they will hunt ducks, so a place like this can be like a smorgasbord to them.

Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk

This younger Red-tailed Hawk seems to frequent the ponds regularly.

No luck on locating the Barred Owl or Northern Goshawk, but the rest of the afternoon was still enjoyable speaking with the many visitors and answering questions.

Pileated Woodpecker

Off to an early start this morning getting to Reifel as soon as they opened. Being the second one in it would be quiet people wise for a short while, which is good from a photography perspective. The weather was good and I was looking forward to a productive walk. Alas, in spite of the favourable conditions, it was fairly quiet on the birding front.

Song Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
Spotted Towhee

A couple of the regulars did pause and strike a pose for me.

After a couple of laps on the inner trails I was headed back along the east dyke when I came across several visitors stopped along the path.

Pileated Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker

The subjects of their attention were a couple of Pileated Woodpeckers.

Pileated Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker

They were busy drumming away at the trees next to the trail.

Pileated Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker

They did not seem concerned about the gathering people in the least,

Pileated Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker

… and put on a good show for everyone that took time to stop and admire them.

Pileated Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker

This duo was definitely the highlight of my day and likely that of a few others as well.