Grebes, Gulls & Loons

After dropping off family that were visiting for the long weekend at the ferry, I noticed there were several Loons along the causeway. Not having been there in a while, thought I would give them a try today. Of course there were none in sight when I started my walk.

Horned Grebe
Horned Grebe

There were, however, good numbers of Horned Grebe.

Horned Grebe
Horned Grebe

They were busy diving and catching small fish. While a little leery initially,

Horned Grebe
Horned Grebe

… they went about their activities not too far off from the shoreline. I was not the only one interested in the Grebes.

Ring-billed Gull
Ring-billed Gull

This Ring-billed Gull was adhering to the old adage, why catch your own when you can take someone else’s.

Bonaparte's Gull
Bonaparte’s Gull

A couple of Bonapate’s Gulls hoping for the same did not fair as well. As I continued along the ferry causeway towards the terminal there were some Loons.

Common Loon
Common Loon

Unfortunately, despite the high tied they were not coming in that close this afternoon.

Black Oystercatcher
Black Oystercatcher

Of course there are always some of the regulars along the causeway to make up for this. Such as the Black Oystercatcher, of which there were about six around,

Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron

… and a few Great Blue Heron. Then on my way back with the sun going down,

Common Loon
Common Loon

… one last chance for a Common Loon with this juvenile.

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,

Gadwall
Gadwall

… 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.

Lesser Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs

Today most of those present,

Lesser Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs

… were Lesser Yellowlegs.

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

Bonaparte's Gull
Bonaparte's Gull

… was this Bonaparte’s Gull.

Bonaparte's Gull
Bonaparte's Gull

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

Red-necked Phalarope
Red-necked Phalarope

There were four Red-necked Phalaropes,

Red-necked Phalarope
Red-necked Phalarope

… 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.

Semipalmated Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Semipalmated Plover

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

Killdeer
Killdeer

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