Good Day at Willband Creek Oct 31
Oct 31, 2022 21:59:45 GMT -8
oldfulica, Chris, and 4 more like this
Post by Gord on Oct 31, 2022 21:59:45 GMT -8
I needed to kill a couple hours in Abbotsford and since I was close to Willband Creek, figured as good a place as any. It's been a little while since I was there last and it would be nice to visit again.
The wind was not great to start, but it did settle down. The trails were slightly flooded but I was able to get around the main loop other than the west loop that takes one to the north ponds.
Lots of waterfowl action. I counted 17 Canvasback; the most I think I've seen there before. Nearby, were two male Redhead. They were in the main pond. Among the wigeon was a lone Eurasian Wigeon. From the viewing platform I could hear a Swamp Sparrow chipping. Walking south towards the bridge I was able to spot it.
_0225416 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
An adult Ring-billed Gull flew over low in the wind
_0225400 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
There's a new trail that heads south. Checking it out I was rewarded with a Townsend's Solitaire in a Mountain Ash. Its eyes might be larger than its stomach.
_0225418 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
_0225425 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
Purple Finches sure like berries and several Pacific Crab Apple trees had a small flock feeding on the little apples. It was one of those days where the birds happened to be where I was and towards the end I noticed I was needing a third page of notes. Noting 51 species was a bit of a surprise as for some reason it didn't feel like that much. I was watching for the American Bittern that several lucky people have enjoyed recently but my good fortune ended there.
The wind was not great to start, but it did settle down. The trails were slightly flooded but I was able to get around the main loop other than the west loop that takes one to the north ponds.
Lots of waterfowl action. I counted 17 Canvasback; the most I think I've seen there before. Nearby, were two male Redhead. They were in the main pond. Among the wigeon was a lone Eurasian Wigeon. From the viewing platform I could hear a Swamp Sparrow chipping. Walking south towards the bridge I was able to spot it.
_0225416 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrAn adult Ring-billed Gull flew over low in the wind
_0225400 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrThere's a new trail that heads south. Checking it out I was rewarded with a Townsend's Solitaire in a Mountain Ash. Its eyes might be larger than its stomach.
_0225418 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr_0225425 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrPurple Finches sure like berries and several Pacific Crab Apple trees had a small flock feeding on the little apples. It was one of those days where the birds happened to be where I was and towards the end I noticed I was needing a third page of notes. Noting 51 species was a bit of a surprise as for some reason it didn't feel like that much. I was watching for the American Bittern that several lucky people have enjoyed recently but my good fortune ended there.
