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Post by Gord on Sept 23, 2009 21:35:35 GMT -8
I was heading out from Island 22 Regional Park on the dyke in the late morning and was just past the gate when I spotted this grebe in the Fraser River. Naturally, I guessed it was a Western Grebe but when I got it in my binoculars, Im sure my eyebrows shot up well above the binocular eye cups. I got out the scope for a closer look which further confirmed my excitement. It was swimming in behind the willows screening my view and I could see a boat coming downstream to possibly scare it away. After rocking the car back and forth a few times until I realized I still had my seatbelt on  I hopped out to capture some pictures of what I suspected is a Clark's Grebe. I managed a few before it dove, and reappeared much further away.      Friendly guy! It even waved a lobed (not webbed like a duck!) foot at me.  Lots of white on the face around the eye and on the lores. The bill is nice and yellow but not as yellow as I might have expected. Never mind expectations! A new life bird for me and not one that was included in the casual 'most wanted' list I had considered over breakfast. I need to muse over my 'most wanteds' more often!!! ;D ;D I hope it is still around for others to get a look. Sorry it took so long to share. |
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Post by Dave on Sept 23, 2009 22:25:49 GMT -8
Wow, Gord!!!!! Congrats on the lifebird. I sure enjoy reading all the updates. Glaucous Gull was impressive this early but Clark's Grebe tops it for sure!
Keep that camera clicking!
Very impressed on the Clarks....
Dave
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Post by Gord on Sept 24, 2009 12:41:25 GMT -8
The Clark's Grebe was seen again around noon today from the boat launch.
Thanks Dave! ;D
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Post by Chris on Sept 25, 2009 9:04:30 GMT -8
The Clark's Grebe was seen again today around 9:00. He is just to the right of the boat launch. Watch for a yellow bill instead of an olive colour bill and more white on the head instead of the black. He seems to be actively feeding and there are some Western Grebes in the vacinity as well.
It's an outstanding record for the area as this is the first reported sighting for the area.
Another great find Gord and great pictures of the bird.
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Post by b1schmor on Sept 25, 2009 11:40:51 GMT -8
Great find and glad to see it is still around. Gord, is this the first record for the checklist area?
Cheers,
Brent
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Post by Gord on Sept 26, 2009 19:49:15 GMT -8
Chris, glad you got it!! Congrats on a new bird for you.
Brent, this is the first record that I am aware of. Possibly others in the past were not recorded as Clark's Grebe as they were only split from Western Grebe in the 80's so anything prior would probably be in the books as Western Grebe.
I saw it again today, this time from the dyke just upstream from the gate. If it is not down near the boat launch, it seems to like this area as well. I suspect boat traffic somewhat affects its movements.
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Post by Wetlander on Sept 27, 2009 11:16:44 GMT -8
8:20am: Checked this morning (Sept 27) and spotted it along the dyke, upstream of the gate, right where Gord mentioned. Pretty sure it was the Clark's due the white by the eye and the orangy-yellow bill colour. Only got a couple of blurry distant photos, but you can kind of see the bill colour, which through the bins looked good with Gord's photos and my guides. Got to watch a Western a fair bit last year off Limbert Rd. and this one does seem to have a greyer back and show more white on the flanks as Sibley's mentions.  |
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Post by tysondanny on Sept 28, 2009 13:23:33 GMT -8
Hi all,
On September 27 at 1:00 pm the Clark's Grebe was still upstream from the boat launch at Island 22.
I do not know the checklist area but I photgraphed a CLGR on November 22, 1996 in Chilliwack along the Vedder Canal at Keith Wilson Road.
Good Birding,
Dan Tyson
Langley, BC
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Post by Chris on Sept 28, 2009 18:56:33 GMT -8
Glad to see that he's still around.
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Post by Gord on Sept 30, 2009 21:00:07 GMT -8
Dan, thanks for the record of the grebe back in 1996. Ive added it to our checklist.
Good to hear a few people are seeing it.
For those who have not, it was there again today. First it was at the boat launch but later in the morning it was upstream and easily viewed from the dyke.
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Post by b1schmor on Oct 3, 2009 22:11:51 GMT -8
Hello birders,
just wondering if anybody has checked for the grebe in the last few days. I finally have a chance to go for it on Sunday so any info, whether it is a yes or no, would be appreicated.
Thanks,
Brent Schmor
Harrison Mills
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Post by Gord on Oct 3, 2009 22:23:24 GMT -8
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I hopped out to capture some pictures of what I suspected is a Clark's Grebe. I managed a few before it dove, and reappeared much further away.
