Muskrat

First Outing & Post For June

I started my walk this afternoon at Reifel. Western Tanager & Bullock’s Oriole had both been seen recently and were on the wish list. First pass along the east dyke trail did not turn up either of these birds.

While checking the outer ponds I did stumble upon this cooperative subject.

This Tree Swallow stretched it wings a couple of times,

… while busy preening.

Also in the outer ponds were at least a dozen Blue-winged Teal, a Cinnamon Teal and the usual Green-winged Teal.

Blue-winged, Green-winged and Cinnamon Teal

Something flushed them and I managed this distant shot with all three species.

The marsh adjacent to the south dyke is still a good place to spot a Muskrat.

Then it was back to the east dyke trail and a final check for the target birds.

Still no sign of them,

… but the Black-headed Grosbeaks are still around.

To finish the afternoon I headed out to Boundary Bay by the airport.

I managed to get the Western Wood-pewee with its catch.

Along with another static pose while it was obliging me.

The Lazuli Bunting continue in the area, but I am still working on getting a clean shot. None the less, it was a great afternoon to be out and good start for the month.

Phalarope & Muskrat

The last afternoon of the May long weekend I spent volunteering and helping out on the trails at the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. I was kept busy speaking with visitors and answering questions. Particularly about the Sandhill Cranes and their new arrival. The chick is still doing well and they are staying in the closed off trail area. Good views can still be had from the adjoining trail.

I did manage one distant photo of an interesting migrant.

This Wilson’s Phalarope was hanging around one of the inner ponds. Stopped by a few times during the course of the afternoon, but it was not moving any closer.

One other critter entertaining visitors along the inside trails,

… was this Muskrat busy foraging for and eating roots. Not much in the way of photos, but still a great day to be out and taking it all in.

The rain did eventually let up this afternoon and I headed out for a walk. It was not long, however, before it started again. It was still fairly windy as well, so not much on the bird front. I did manage to find a Muskrat foraging and eating in the marsh.

It would swim out, dive to retrieve a root, and then return into the reeds to eat it.

The only chance for a photo of it in the open was while it was swimming above water.

Fun to watch, but difficult to get a clear shot of it today.