Northern Flicker

Gyrfalcon

This afternoon I made my way out to Brunswick Point with the hope of getting the American Tree Sparrows that had been reported recently. While not seeing much in the first portion of the walk,

… there were a few Northern Flicker flying around the marsh. Then several sparrows started heading for cover in the trees trail side.

They were being chased by a very active Northern Shrike. While I did get a glimpse of some White-crowned Sparrows, no American Tree Sparrow (they were seen this afternoon). After watching the Shrike and sparrows a little longer I made my way further along the trail to an approaching group of birders and the surprise of the day. They had found a juvenile Gyrfalcon. It was sitting in some cottonwoods being harassed by Northern Harriers. It was too far away for a decent photo, but I set up to get a record shot anyways.

While doing so it took to the air briefly and I managed this flight shot. A healthy crop as it was still some distance away, but better than the ones of it roosting in the trees. The Gyrfalcon was definitely the highlight of today’s walk.

Still checking the sparrows on the way back I did get this of a White-crowned Sparrow.

Having checked a few other locations for fall/winter birds recently I headed out to Boundary Bay at the foot of 72 St. this afternoon. There were the usual Northern Harriers and a lone Short-eared Owl that I saw. A pleasant surprise was a small flock of Western Meadowlarks, but they were not cooperating.

The only birds that provided half decent photo ops for me,

was a few Northern Flickers.

Flicker & Grosbeak

Still not prepared to give up on the Swamp Sparrow I was back out at Reifel again this afternoon. Made a couple of passes along the west dyke trail to no avail. I might have to find a new nemesis bird. There were a couple of cooperative subjects though along the centre dyke trail. Of the many Northern Flicker currently around,

… this one stopped briefly on an old snag. Then not too far away,

… were a couple of Evening Grosbeak chowing down on the few remaining Pacific crab apple. It was difficult getting an angle on these birds through the branches.

As you can see in this shot there is a branch between the camera and the bird resulting in that faint line across the rump. Thought I had avoided this but my attention was more on focussing on the head. Sometimes you miss things like this and do not realise it until afterwards. That’s when there may be a few expletives followed by there is always next time.