Pileated Woodpecker

Snow Day!

Well today was one of the rare occasions we actually got some snow down here at sea level. Not wanting to pass up the opportunity I headed out to Reifel this afternoon. When I arrived there was only one other family group out in the sanctuary. Not often you practically have the place to yourself.

George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary

A shot from the warming hut overlooking the gift shop ponds. On the opposite side at Fuller’s Slough,

… a Black-crowned Night-Heron was roosting nicely on snow covered branches. Then it was down the east dyke trail. It was not long before I could hear the drumming sound of woodpecker. As I slowly made my way to the other side of the tree,

… a Pileated Woodpecker was busy looking for food. While this is usually a good area for them, there were no owls along here today. Next up was the centre dyke trail,

… where I found this American Robin foraging for the few remaining berries. While approaching the main covered viewing platform,

… this Great Blue Heron was moving slowly on a snow covered log in the slough.

Then one last shot of one of the inner display ponds. All in all, a fun day in the snow.

Off to an early start this morning getting to Reifel as soon as they opened. Being the second one in it would be quiet people wise for a short while, which is good from a photography perspective. The weather was good and I was looking forward to a productive walk. Alas, in spite of the favourable conditions, it was fairly quiet on the birding front.

A couple of the regulars did pause and strike a pose for me.

After a couple of laps on the inner trails I was headed back along the east dyke when I came across several visitors stopped along the path.

The subjects of their attention were a couple of Pileated Woodpeckers.

They were busy drumming away at the trees next to the trail.

They did not seem concerned about the gathering people in the least,

… and put on a good show for everyone that took time to stop and admire them.

This duo was definitely the highlight of my day and likely that of a few others as well.

Swans, Sparrows & Woodpecker

It was still pretty gloomy when I headed out this afternoon after the showers stopped. One winter visitor I have managed a few passing flight shots of, but nothing close, are the Trumpeter Swans. We will see them every winter in this area when they migrate south from there nesting grounds in northern parts of the province, the territories and Alaska.

While there are numerous places to find them, one particular farm field on Westham Island has been a favourite for them lately and provides easy viewing. The problem the last while has been they were usually too far off for photos.

On checking today,

… they were in a little closer.

The Trumpeter Swan is North America’s largest waterfowl.

Juvenile birds are grey/brown in colour with lighter legs and bill.

The adults are all white with black legs and bill. Like the Snow Goose, the reddish colour on the head and neck is from minerals in the soil they forage in.

As I was already on Westham Island, I figured I might as well head to Reifel for a quick walk. Given the weather and it being a weekday, there were not many people there. Turned it was pretty quiet on the birding front as well.

Some of the regulars like the Dark-eyed Juncos,

… and Song Sparrows were willing to pose.

As was this Pileated Woodpecker. Unfortunately the only clear view was too close. Not often bird photographers complain about being too close.