Post by nickinthegarden on Aug 7, 2018 17:27:21 GMT -8
I dropped into Brydon Lagoon yesterday and then went back again this morning when I was not as pleased with my photographic efforts as I wanted to be. Both days it was surprisingly birdy compared to some of the local places in Abbotsford have been lately. Lots of ducks in eclipse plumage, most were Mallards I believe, although I did see a Pied-billed Grebe and an American Wigeon. There were two Belted Kingfishers making a lot of fuss, I am not sure if it was one trying to drive the other away or one wanting to be fed. Unfortunately the amount of foliage around the lagoon's edges made clear visibility difficult. There were a couple of Great Blue Herons also and they did not want to share the fishing either. Many House sparrows were hanging near the entrance and yesterday a Cooper's hawk made a run at them. Both days I saw and heard Eurasian-collared Doves and I explained to one woman who heard them she was not hearing an owl, although today I did hear a Barred Owl in the forest to the west of the Lagoon making the "Who cooks for you" call.
Today I spotted a Merlin perched above a Downy Woodpecker who was working away at some shrubs, fortunately for the Downy two Anna's Hummingbirds drove off the Merlin.
Merlin by Nick, on Flickr
Yesterday I spotted a Green Heron on the west end of the Lagoon. It did not stay there very long as there were many walkers and unleashed dogs around. This morning I went earlier and waited quite a while until it showed up again. I was able to have it to myself with little disturbance and watch it catch several tiny fish. It eventually moved further north on the Lagoon when another Green Heron showed up. This one was a little smaller and may have been a juvenile.
"Gotcha!" by Nick, on Flickr
Lots of small birds about, Steller's Jays, Common Yellowthroat, House Finches, Black-capped Chickadees and a lone Cedar Waxwing eating the berries off this tree. I am not sure if they were Sour cherries or Saskatoon berries something else.
Cedar Waxwing by Nick, on Flickr
While I was watching the Green Heron a woman came by and mentioned that she had just seen a small deer near east end of the lagoon.
Today I spotted a Merlin perched above a Downy Woodpecker who was working away at some shrubs, fortunately for the Downy two Anna's Hummingbirds drove off the Merlin.
Merlin by Nick, on Flickr
Yesterday I spotted a Green Heron on the west end of the Lagoon. It did not stay there very long as there were many walkers and unleashed dogs around. This morning I went earlier and waited quite a while until it showed up again. I was able to have it to myself with little disturbance and watch it catch several tiny fish. It eventually moved further north on the Lagoon when another Green Heron showed up. This one was a little smaller and may have been a juvenile.
"Gotcha!" by Nick, on Flickr
Lots of small birds about, Steller's Jays, Common Yellowthroat, House Finches, Black-capped Chickadees and a lone Cedar Waxwing eating the berries off this tree. I am not sure if they were Sour cherries or Saskatoon berries something else.
Cedar Waxwing by Nick, on Flickr
While I was watching the Green Heron a woman came by and mentioned that she had just seen a small deer near east end of the lagoon.