Pectoral Sandpiper – Page 9 – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

After the morning showers I headed out to the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. On starting down the east dyke trail I noticed several warblers. Unfortunately they were staying in the tree tops. An unidentified fly catcher also remained elusive amongst the branches. Near the end of the trail I came across half a dozen Brown Creepers.

They were working the trees on both sides of the trail. These little guys can be tough to get as they forage for insects while moving up the tree trunks.

At least with that many in the area I had a chance for a couple of shots.

After checking the inside trails and still not finding any cooperative warblers I headed to the outer ponds. I was not expecting to find much as the tide was out and there likely would not be much around. While scanning a few of the usual peeps, Dowitchers and Lesser Yellowlegs I noticed something different.

It was a Stilt Sandpiper.

I followed it along and waited for it to come in a little closer.

This is the first Stilt Sandpiper I have seen with this fall’s migration.

Seen every year, they are not as common as some of the other Sandpipers. While watching the Stilt, something else caught my eye,

… a Wilson’s Phalarope.

Another good shore bird to see considering I was not expecting much here. After these pleasant surprises and a brief break I headed out to Boundary Bay. The bird I was wanting to get there were Pectoral Sandpipers.

While walking along the beach I located one small group.

They were a little wary at first,

… but I took my time moving in and they soon settled and continued foraging.

I have found that Pectoral Sandpipers are fairly approachable. And then poof,

… they were gone thanks to the Peregrine Falcon. It looks like the only it manage to get so far was some seaweed.

While trudging back along the beach I came across the bonus bird of the day.

A Horned Lark.

I think this is the first time I have seen one in this area of Boundary Bay.

A nice find to end the day, but why did it have to pick a piece of styrofoam to perch on?

Late this afternoon I headed out to Boundary Bay for the high tide. I was a little late as when I arrived the tide was already up to the dyke. Then I was greeted by a group of birders already there who promptly joked how I could turn around and go home as there was nothing there. Not exactly the way you want to start. We chatted briefly and some left to check out other areas.

I decided to stick around and headed west along the dyke. Only a few minutes in to my walk I noticed something brown in amongst the Ring-billed Gulls.

It was a Whimbrel. I had seen one fly by about three weeks ago, but it did not land. This was a good start considering nothing was around earlier. While watching and waiting to see if the Whimbrel would move in to a better spot,

… a Peregrine Falcon swooped in and flushed everything including the gulls. So much for a better shot of the Whimbrel.

Further along the dyke I noticed a few different species of sandpipers around the old pilings. I slowly worked my way down to the beach and set up.

The first to wander in fairly close was a Baird’s Sandpiper.

These were the first Baird’s I have seen this season.

And so far, so good with the birds not being to concerned with my being there.

Next up in this group were some Least Sandpipers.

They have been frequenting the bay for awhile now.

Another first for this season in this mixed group were some Pectoral Sandpipers.

They were also quite cooperative and unconcerned with me.

The bonus birds,

… were three Ruddy Turnstones.

While watching the Turnstones, this Pectoral Sandpiper wandered by in front of me.

Then it was back to the Turnstones,

… for a couple more shots. It was nice being a little closer to them than last week. This was turning into a good afternoon when,

… the Peregrine Falcon made another pass along the dyke flushing everything again.

At least I managed a couple of flight shots. After this I started back as some plovers were starting to land in that area. I met up with a couple of other birders still around and we managed to spot a Godwit amongst the plovers, but it far too distant for any photos. While continuing to scan the beach area I saw the Whimbrel fly by and land back in the area I had just left. Wanting to try for some better shots of it I headed back.

Once again it started off amongst some Ring-billed Gulls,

But soon moved off on its own,

… while foraging along the beach.

It was a little leery of me,

… but did not mind providing I did not push the boundaries. This is something you have to watch and get a feel for with each bird.

While taking these last shots of the Whilbrel I wandered right into to some more Pecs.

The light was fading now and it was time to head back. Considering initial indications were that nothing was around, it turned into a great afternoon and fairly lengthy post.

Tag: Pectoral Sandpiper

Stilt, Wilson’s & Pectoral

Sandpipers & Falcon