Semipalmated Plover

Buff-breasted Sandpiper

There have been recent sightings of Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Iona recently, but that is not my preferred spot for photographing shorebirds. So when one was reported yesterday at Boundary Bay, I made my out there this afternoon a couple of hours before the high tide. On starting my walk west along the tidal flats from 104 St. I noticed some activity right away fairly close to the dyke.

Along with Western and Least Sandpipers were some Semipalmated Plovers.

I am used to seeing these little plovers further out on the flats,

… but was certainly not complaining as they were being quite cooperative. While watching the Semipalmated Plovers,

… the main goal for the day was spotted a little further to the west.

The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was moving around a fair bit,

… but did not seem to mind myself and another birder/photographer tagging along. It has been a few years since I have had a chance like this with a Buff-breasted Sandpiper and it provided plenty of great photo ops.

Odd birds out this afternoon,

… was a small group of Sanderling. Not usually a spot I would expect to see them. All this was happening between 104 St. and the pilings, so I did not have to go very far to have a great afternoon photographing these shorebirds.

Headed out to Boundary Bay for the rising tide on what was a beautiful afternoon. While walking west along the beach there was no action close to the dyke in the tidal pools. Once near the pylons I could see some movement further out on the sand. On getting a little closer it turned out to be a small group of Semipalmated Plovers. They were a little wary of me at first,

… but with a little patience they relaxed and moved towards me.

Closer is always better with these tiny plovers.

There were also a couple of Western and Least Sandpipers mixed in with them.

Several of the Semipalmated Plovers were more than cooperative and provided good photo opportunities. While walking back towards the dyke with a couple of other birders,

Semipalmated & Baird's Sandpiper — Semipalmated & Baird’s Sandpiper

… a small group of Baird’s Sandpiper flew in and amongst them was a Semiplamated Sandpiper. The other birders had been watching the Black-bellied Plover flock and sighted Red Knot, Hudsonian Godwit and Bar-tailed Godwit. A good variety of birds on the bay today.

A Semipalmated Day

It was back out to Boundary Bay this afternoon. Timing was better this time as I would be there for the rising tide. While walking west from 104 Street along the beach I encountered some Baird’s Sandpipers again in the same area as last week. Then things started to pick up with lots of the smaller peeps around. On checking the mixed groups closely,

… there were a few Semipalmated Sandpipers present. Also different from my last visit,

… the Semipalmated Plovers were a little more cooperative this afternoon. Finishing off this photo session of the little guys,

… was some Least Sandpipers. In addition to these peeps there were several Western Sandpiper present and then on my way back with the tide almost all the way in, a few Pectoral Sandpipers showed up as well.