Least Flycatcher, catbirds and waterthrushes May 31

[Gord]

Early this morning I had a treat, and unexpected one at that, of a Least Flycatcher singing away in a small bit of habitat. I managed a photo and decent views which is nice given usually they're a bit higher up. I don't think it is close enough to the road unfortunately being halfway between Young Road and the tracks and far enough from Airport/Kiernan Drive to hear it.

_0239120 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr


Up at Hope Airport in the evening there was a male Grey Catbird at both the east and west end. The east end fella had a real routine going of some mimicry including starling, Willow Flycatcher, robin and Rufous Hummingbird.

I thought he was in the thicket somewhere which is typical for them but not today. He was at the top of a small tree.

_0239132 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr


Savannah Sparrow in the lupines

_0239130 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr


A pair of Cedar Waxwings passing a berry back and forth for pair bonding. The male has the red wax tips in the tail as well which I've rarely seen.

_0239146 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr


Northern Waterthrushes are back at Silver Lake. There are two males singing past the boat launch about 300 meters. Vaux's Swift were bathing in the lake by splashing the surface. Too bad it was a bit dark to get enough shutter speed to capture the action.

_0239203 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr

_0239221 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr

_0239222 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr

_0239223 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr


A young Western Tanager male

_0239175 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr


This Swainson's Thrush came out on a log in the lake and was eating something off the moss. Nice to see one out from its usual cover

_0239214 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr


Finally, one of the Barrow's Goldeneye hens has some chicks having a nap under her wings

_0239232 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr