Post by Gord on Oct 22, 2024 23:24:48 GMT -8
It's not always that a birding report title just falls into my lap like it did today.
I got out for some birding and while the weather looked a bit damp at first light, it would steadily improve as the day went on. Willband was considered as potential place to visit. I had my boots along thinking that after that rain, it would be a bit flooded. It was flooded, and the gate was closed too. Since my last visit, no parking signs were added along the road so pulling off along the side and going anyway wasn't an option. Judging on what I could see from the road, and experience in the past, I don't think boots would have kept me dry anyway.
Opted for the Matsqui Trail instead and on my way over there saw my first Trumpeter Swans of the fall. At the radio tower field there were six American Kestrel and a few others I saw in my travels. Seems more than usual which is nice to see. I parked at the east end of Page Road and wound up enjoying quite a nice walk. At a vantage point to the river I could see a raft of ducks. One bird looked good for a female Black Scoter which was not expected at all especially since it was hanging out next to a Surf Scoter.
_0249001 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
Got her doing their trademark head dip when flapping the wings
_0248992 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
The Horned Grebes also suggests a stop over on their way to the coast. I was happy I got the distant shots and didn't try for closer as a boat sent them on their way downstream and I would have been unhappy to not have documented the unusual scoter finds.
It was quite birdy and while I had no real plan and was letting the day unfold as it would, I ended up spending a bit of time here. It was not very busy people-wise which was nice and while dogs should always be leashed, all owners were very considerate and leashed up when they came close to other users. Quite a few waterfowl in the field and a less than usual sight of a Wood Duck in with the Mallards, teal and wigeon. A few Western Meadowlark and American Pipits as well. Saw my first Northern Shrike of the fall. Was not quite done with waterfowl more associated with salt water as a lone Red-breasted Merganser was by itself.
_0249038 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
A Sharp-shinned Hawk flew over quite low
_0249010 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
A few Yellow-rumped Warblers were along the trail. It was interesting to see them feeding at the very tops of the trees, and later they came down and did some feeding on the ground. Neat warblers.
_0249053 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
While I was looking at the merganser, a good-sized sturgeon jumped and in my binoculars which was quite a sight. Like a bear sighting, the fish was "BIG" but to put a number to it I would say at last six feet long. I would see two others during my walk; both smaller. It was birdy as mentioned and I found myself on to a second page in my notebook fairly soon and was a bit surprised to see well over 50 species tallied at the end. But then I guess the site isn't that much different from Island 22 where good diversity can also be found with the river, forest and fields.
I worked my way over to the south side of the highway and enjoyed some gulls in the fields, sparrows and this Long-tailed Duck along Angus Campbell Road. At first from a distance I thought it was a bag floating in the water as it was the only thing in the flooded field. It seemed a bit jumpy and did not like a tractor that went past and it got up and flew. I was really worried an eagle would come for it as it seemed a little heavy on its wings. Might just be how they fly but it seemed to be possible easy pickings. It stayed low to the water and came right around again and landed again. I left it be as I didn't want it to fly up and away on my account and get caught. Sure is interesting that several ocean oriented waterfowl were seen today.
_0249266 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
_0249263 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
_0249218 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
A Great Blue Heron enjoying the late afternoon sunshine maybe a bit more than I was.
_0249312 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
I got out for some birding and while the weather looked a bit damp at first light, it would steadily improve as the day went on. Willband was considered as potential place to visit. I had my boots along thinking that after that rain, it would be a bit flooded. It was flooded, and the gate was closed too. Since my last visit, no parking signs were added along the road so pulling off along the side and going anyway wasn't an option. Judging on what I could see from the road, and experience in the past, I don't think boots would have kept me dry anyway.
Opted for the Matsqui Trail instead and on my way over there saw my first Trumpeter Swans of the fall. At the radio tower field there were six American Kestrel and a few others I saw in my travels. Seems more than usual which is nice to see. I parked at the east end of Page Road and wound up enjoying quite a nice walk. At a vantage point to the river I could see a raft of ducks. One bird looked good for a female Black Scoter which was not expected at all especially since it was hanging out next to a Surf Scoter.
_0249001 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrGot her doing their trademark head dip when flapping the wings
_0248992 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrThe Horned Grebes also suggests a stop over on their way to the coast. I was happy I got the distant shots and didn't try for closer as a boat sent them on their way downstream and I would have been unhappy to not have documented the unusual scoter finds.
It was quite birdy and while I had no real plan and was letting the day unfold as it would, I ended up spending a bit of time here. It was not very busy people-wise which was nice and while dogs should always be leashed, all owners were very considerate and leashed up when they came close to other users. Quite a few waterfowl in the field and a less than usual sight of a Wood Duck in with the Mallards, teal and wigeon. A few Western Meadowlark and American Pipits as well. Saw my first Northern Shrike of the fall. Was not quite done with waterfowl more associated with salt water as a lone Red-breasted Merganser was by itself.
_0249038 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrA Sharp-shinned Hawk flew over quite low
_0249010 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrA few Yellow-rumped Warblers were along the trail. It was interesting to see them feeding at the very tops of the trees, and later they came down and did some feeding on the ground. Neat warblers.
_0249053 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrWhile I was looking at the merganser, a good-sized sturgeon jumped and in my binoculars which was quite a sight. Like a bear sighting, the fish was "BIG" but to put a number to it I would say at last six feet long. I would see two others during my walk; both smaller. It was birdy as mentioned and I found myself on to a second page in my notebook fairly soon and was a bit surprised to see well over 50 species tallied at the end. But then I guess the site isn't that much different from Island 22 where good diversity can also be found with the river, forest and fields.
I worked my way over to the south side of the highway and enjoyed some gulls in the fields, sparrows and this Long-tailed Duck along Angus Campbell Road. At first from a distance I thought it was a bag floating in the water as it was the only thing in the flooded field. It seemed a bit jumpy and did not like a tractor that went past and it got up and flew. I was really worried an eagle would come for it as it seemed a little heavy on its wings. Might just be how they fly but it seemed to be possible easy pickings. It stayed low to the water and came right around again and landed again. I left it be as I didn't want it to fly up and away on my account and get caught. Sure is interesting that several ocean oriented waterfowl were seen today.
_0249266 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr_0249263 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr_0249218 by Geordie LaForge, on FlickrA Great Blue Heron enjoying the late afternoon sunshine maybe a bit more than I was.
_0249312 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr
