Greater White-fronted Goose

Newly arrived goslings were keeping visitors at Reifel entertained this afternoon. At first there was not much of note and then along the north dyke I saw my first Purple Martin of the year at the sanctuary. In the west field there were also some Cinnamon Teal, but too far off for photos.

The highlight of day was a small flock of Greater White-fronted Geese.

They were in the centre display ponds and provided great viewing and photo opportunities.

Compared to most chances I have had, it was a pleasant change of pace being this close for Greater White-fronted Goose pictures.

Greater White-fronted Goose

It was back out to Reifel with today’s high tide to see if I could get some better photos of the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. Unfortunately it was a no show,

… but not all was lost.

There were two Greater White-fronted Geese in the southwest field for a change of pace.

Sora & White-throated Sparrow

This afternoon was spent at Reifel helping out on the trails. Recent birds of note were Evening Grosbeak, Palm Warbler, White-throated Sparrow and hundreds of Greater White-fronted Geese. With this in mind the first stop was the lookout by Fuller’s Slough where the Palm Warbler had been seen. While I saw several Yellow-rumped, there was no Palm. Then it was down the east dyke trail,

… where the Greater White-fronted Geese were in the freshly harvested potato fields in the neighbouring Alaksen National Wildlife Area. There were over 400 hundred counted today. Continuing along the east dyke trail I was keeping an eye open for the White-throated Sparrow, but there was not much chance of it coming out with all the people. Next stop was the lookout at the northwest corner of the west field.

The Sora are still present,

… with two of them showing well to the delight of many visitors.

Better yet, they even provided some great photo opportunities. On checking the rest of the west and southwest fields, there were the usual Dowitchers and Yellowlegs. The Hudsonian Godwit has not been seen again since Tuesday. At the end of the day I made my way back along the east dyke trail. With no traffic the sparrows were coming out onto the trail,

… and the White-throated Sparrow among them. A good finish to the day.