American Tree Sparrow

I have made a few trips out to Boundary Bay trying to get more pictures of the American Tree Sparrows. I managed to see six a couple of day ago, but no photos. Being a slightly brighter grey day outside today, I was back out there again this afternoon.

I located them in the same area, east of 72 St. about half way along the golf course.

While I did not manage a proper count of them today,

… I did manage to get a few shots this time.

Once again they seemed to be sticking to the golf course side of the dyke.

Bonus shot of the day, this Yellow-rumped Warbler. Still lots of them around along with a Lincoln’s Sparrow and a flock of about a dozen Meadowlarks.

American Tree Sparrow

Sunny and cold again today as I made my way back out to Boundary Bay. This time it was to look for the Palm Warblers and American Tree Sparrows that had been sighted recently. I passed several people watching and photographing the Golden Eagle on my way to the dyke. Once there I made my west in search of the Palm Warblers.

While I did find some Yellow-rumped Warblers, no sign of the Palm. There were a few Harriers and Short-eared Owls active on both sides of the dyke with several people watching and photographing them.

While making my way back east adjacent to the golf course,

… even I took time out to photograph this Northern Harrier hunting the fairways. Back to the task at hand,

… I did finally locate a couple of American Tree Sparrows mixed in with some White-crowned Sparrows. Unfortunately they did not stick around and give me a chance for a better shot. Then on my way back to the car as the sun was setting,

… this Northern Harrier to end the afternoons walk.

American Tree Sparrow

The last day of another year and this afternoon’s target bird was a Gyrfalcon. One had been sighted recently in the Boundary Bay area around 112 St. On checking the surrounding area and speaking with a few other birders, there was no sign of the bird today.

As the light rain was stopping, I decided to stop at 72 St. on the way home for another winter visitor. Heading east along the dyke it was at the end of the adjacent golf course that I spotted a likely group of sparrows. At first look I was just seeing White-crowned Sparrows,

… then the ones I was looking for, American Tree Sparrow. There were a few of them in the mixed flock and they were constantly on the move between the mash and the trees on either side of the trail.

This stretch of Boundary Bay is usually a good spot to see American Tree Sparrows each winter. A good end to 2013.

Happy New Year!