Baird’s Sandpiper – Page 7 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Pipit, Baird’s & Pectoral

The tide was not very high this afternoon and was already well on its way out when I arrived at Boundary Bay later in the afternoon. An initial recce from the dyke was not turning up much other than some Baird’s and Pectoral Sandpipers.

After making my way down to the beach to start my walk back I noticed a couple of American Pipits along the shoreline. This small slender bird normally nests further north or in higher terrain.

During migration it is common to see them along the beach foraging for insects. I have seen them in this area for a few weeks now.

Next up,

… were several Baird’s Sandpipers.

There was about half a dozen of them that I could see this afternoon.

They were in the same area as a larger group of Pectoral Sandpipers.

Wanting to try and get something a little different this afternoon,

… I got this one fanning its wings after bathing.

And this one while taking a bath.

Meanwhile the others continued to forage along the beach.

A Buffy Day

Later this afternoon I headed out Boundary Bay. I knew the tide was going to be low, but was hoping to find some of the regulars along the beach. I started off at 104 St. and headed west to 96 St. without seeing anything. At 96 St. I headed down from the dyke and out on to the beach, waiting and watching. It was not too long before I noticed a small group come in settle on the beach.

It was a small group of Semipalmated Plovers.

These are probably the smallest plovers seen around here, about 18 cm in length.

It took a little time before I got these shots.

I took my time allowing the group to be comfortable with me there.

This is probably the closest I have gotten to these tiny plovers.

Next up were some Least Sandpipers.

They are not very big either, only about 15 cm in length,

… but a couple came in fairly close.

For size comparison to the next bird of the day, here is Least Sandpiper with a Baird`s Sandpiper in the background.

The Baird`s Sandpiper is a little larger at 19 cm in length.

I ended up only about 7-8 m from this group.

While some in this group were busy foraging,

… others like the one in the background were content to rest.

Being so close to all these birds I probably spent more time just watching and enjoying than photographing.

It was now just after 6:30 pm and I decided to start back toward 104 St. Still checking out the regulars along my way, something different caught my attention as I approached the old pilings.

A lone Buff-breasted Sandpiper.

Definitely the bonus bird for the day, and as I have been discussing size of the others, the largest at 21 cm in length.

While I had only come out for, and was quite happy with the regulars,

… locating one of the rarer shore birds seen here each year was great. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper normally migrates south through the interior of Canada, but we will usually get a few sightings each fall here on the west coast.

Could not ask for a better finish to a lovely afternoon on Boundary Bay.

Accipiter, Sandpipers & Gull

Headed out to Boundary Bay a littler earlier this afternoon. I wanted to get there before the tide started to come in. The hope being to get some sandpipers out on the sand. On starting out west along the dyke from 104 St. there was not much around. There was one Peregrine Falcon around which could be problematic. Then on reaching 96 St. there was another bird of prey,

… this Cooper’s Hawk. While watching the accipiter I noticed some shore birds arriving. I made my way down to the beach and located a couple of small groups of mixed birds.

First up were some Least Sandpipers.

I managed a couple of shots while they foraged amongst the sea weed,

… and then standing atop a pile of it.

Next up were the larger Baird’s Sandpiper.

I managed to get fairly close again to these birds.

With this one quite willing to strike a classic pose. I was hoping to find some Pectoral Sandpipers and spend some time with them now they are back in the area. No such luck today so the consolation bird,

… was this immature Ring-billed Gull.

It was busy along the shoreline now that the tide was coming in,

… and provided a few photo opportunities to finish off the afternoon.