Whimbrel – CrazyM Bird & Nature Photography

Whimbrel & Snow Buntings

Today’s destination was the Tsawwassen Ferry causeway for Snow Buntings. I believe the first sightings this fall/winter were at Iona, but they have returned again to the causeway. While the skies were sunny, it was on the cool with the breeze. Arriving on the south side I was distracted right away,

… by a Whimbrel.

It was busy foraging for food along the shoreline with the regular Black Oystercatchers.

While the bird seemed fairly cooperative, it kept getting flushed by a kite surfer when he would go zipping by. Fortunately I still managed a few decent shots before moving on.

About half way down the causeway I located the Snow Buntings feeding on the ground.

They seemed a little skittish, so I stayed put in one area they seemed to favour.

Here they would perch on the driftwood when moving between the beach and road. It has been over a year since I have photographed either Whimbrel or Snow Bunting at this location, so I would count today’s outing as a success.

Whimbrel & Black-bellied Plover

While I knew some work was being done along the Tsawwassen Ferry Causeway it was fairly quiet on my last visit. Today, on the other hand, it was well underway with trucks and excavators in a few spots on both sides of the causeway. It put a bit of a damper on my walk but,

… there were still three Whimbrel present on the south side.

Still reluctant to let me get too close,

… they did let me tag along for a little while.

Odd man out along the causeway this afternoon,

… was this lone Black-bellied Plover.

Perhaps being on its own was why it was cooperative and allowing to walk along with it. Given the work going on, I did not try getting to the end to check for Turnstones.

Shore Birds & Water Birds

On seeing reports of Turnstones and Surfbirds at the Tsawwassen Ferry Causeway I decided to head down there this afternoon for the rising tide. While making my way out to the tip of the causeway some movement caught my eye.

A Whimbrel was wondering amongst the rocks close to the shoreline.

It was wary of my presence and not going to let me get close. While watching the Whimbrel I stumbled across a Black Oystercatcher family.

Black Ostercatcher nest in this area,

… and these are the two juveniles in this family group. I had noticed some Comorants earlier while making my way along the beach.

Remembering to check over my shoulder every once in a while I managed to get this flight shot of a Pelagic Comorant as it approached from behind me.

And then this distant photo of one with its catch.

Then one started hanging around a little closer in to shore.

At one point it got startled by something and scampered off across the water,

… landing a short distance away. Then while I was still sitting on the same rock,

… a Common Loon leisurely made its way toward,

… and then by me. Still not having moved,

… a Harbour Seal came by from the other direction. Turned out to be a good spot to stop and watch after not locating the Turnstones or Surfbirds. Carrying on my way back,