Post by Gord on Aug 26, 2008 21:53:42 GMT -8
Here's the last of my trip.
After leaving 104th I headed for Reifel Island. I always enjoy a walk there. After arriving and tip-toeing through the hoards of begging mallards in the parking lot I made it to the trail. I started off along the East Dyke Trail. It was not overly busy but there were a few warblers, chickadees, finches and sparrows. Time was ticking so I made good time for the ponds. I was disappointed to see few shorebirds in there. No doubt most were out on the flats as the tide was not a real large one. There were Greater Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitchers and very interestingly, five Semipalmated Sandpipers together near a flock of about a dozen Western Sandpipers. They flew before I could capture a photo! There were also four Wilson's Phalaropes spinning wildly in the water.
I spoke with a fellow who clued me in that there was a Northern Waterthrush that had been reported for a few days on the East Dyke. (I had forgotten to check the list that John Ireland, sanctuary caretaker, posts). So naturally I made my return through that area but to no avail.
Near the entrance it was busy at the bird feeders. Quite a few House Sparrows.
And lots of Red-winged Blackbirds. Many without tails as they are in moult. Sure makes for a goofy looking bird!! ;D ;D ;D
A Great Blue Heron posed very nicely.
Then I headed for Tswasswan with what little time I had left. At the tip I got out to check for Black Turnstones. There were plenty! I chose a rock and sat on it to wait for all the traffic to calm down from an unloading ferry.
I also saw Pelagic and Double-crested Cormorants, some Harlequin Ducks, a lone Surf Scoter and lots of Harbor Seals sunning on the rocks. There were also quite a few young Glaucous-winged Gulls on the rock island out from the jetty. Clearly they nested on there. I could not spot a Wandering Tattler although I checked closely.
I returned to my car and was able to do a little birding from the car thanks to the calmed traffic and the fact that BC Ferries was operating minus one boat. I saw Black Oystercatchers and was also able to see that amazing Willet on his/her favourite log right at the base. One cannot visit Tswasswan without stopping to see the Willet.
Coming home I had just enough energy to check out the pond near the house. While taking the garbage out the evening before I heard a small flock of sandpipers flying over. Delightfully, there was a Semipalmated Sandpiper among a small number of Western and Least Sandpiper. I managed some long-distance photos for the record. Also here, but just a fly over, were three Greater Yellowlegs and about a dozen Long-billed Dowitchers. The Semi Sandpiper made species 14 for that little bit of habitat.
That was my outing! Aside from paying the price for wearing sandals on the riprap at Tswasswan (OUCH!!
) it was a great day!
After leaving 104th I headed for Reifel Island. I always enjoy a walk there. After arriving and tip-toeing through the hoards of begging mallards in the parking lot I made it to the trail. I started off along the East Dyke Trail. It was not overly busy but there were a few warblers, chickadees, finches and sparrows. Time was ticking so I made good time for the ponds. I was disappointed to see few shorebirds in there. No doubt most were out on the flats as the tide was not a real large one. There were Greater Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitchers and very interestingly, five Semipalmated Sandpipers together near a flock of about a dozen Western Sandpipers. They flew before I could capture a photo! There were also four Wilson's Phalaropes spinning wildly in the water.
I spoke with a fellow who clued me in that there was a Northern Waterthrush that had been reported for a few days on the East Dyke. (I had forgotten to check the list that John Ireland, sanctuary caretaker, posts). So naturally I made my return through that area but to no avail.
Near the entrance it was busy at the bird feeders. Quite a few House Sparrows.
And lots of Red-winged Blackbirds. Many without tails as they are in moult. Sure makes for a goofy looking bird!! ;D ;D ;D
A Great Blue Heron posed very nicely.
Then I headed for Tswasswan with what little time I had left. At the tip I got out to check for Black Turnstones. There were plenty! I chose a rock and sat on it to wait for all the traffic to calm down from an unloading ferry.
I also saw Pelagic and Double-crested Cormorants, some Harlequin Ducks, a lone Surf Scoter and lots of Harbor Seals sunning on the rocks. There were also quite a few young Glaucous-winged Gulls on the rock island out from the jetty. Clearly they nested on there. I could not spot a Wandering Tattler although I checked closely.
I returned to my car and was able to do a little birding from the car thanks to the calmed traffic and the fact that BC Ferries was operating minus one boat. I saw Black Oystercatchers and was also able to see that amazing Willet on his/her favourite log right at the base. One cannot visit Tswasswan without stopping to see the Willet.
Coming home I had just enough energy to check out the pond near the house. While taking the garbage out the evening before I heard a small flock of sandpipers flying over. Delightfully, there was a Semipalmated Sandpiper among a small number of Western and Least Sandpiper. I managed some long-distance photos for the record. Also here, but just a fly over, were three Greater Yellowlegs and about a dozen Long-billed Dowitchers. The Semi Sandpiper made species 14 for that little bit of habitat.
That was my outing! Aside from paying the price for wearing sandals on the riprap at Tswasswan (OUCH!!
) it was a great day!
