Reifel Chase October 16

[Dave]

Rick called me at 3pm this afternoon to informed me the Wood Sandpiper appeared for the 2nd time at Reifel Refuge. A quick glance at my wife, a generous nod, and I was off on the chase! We raced to Reifel only to find out that the bird had not been seen for almost an hour. We (along with many, many others) scoped and scoped but nothing to show. As a nice bandaid for our wounds, a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper pocked out of the vegetation near the tower! A new North America bird for me! So that was nice, but not quite as nice as the wished for Wood Sandpiper. I have seen both birds quite often during my China year, but there is something special about seeing them on this side of the ocean.

A whirl-wind few hours...and probably the first time that I have "dropped all and ran" after a bird, aside from local sightings. Apparantly this chasing can be rather addictive, so I may need ensure that a healthy balance in life between "birds" and "things more important than birds" is maintained.

Maybe we need to form a support group. Heehee

Here are some pics of the Sharp-tailed (shot from the other side of the pond!)

Can you find it?



Here is a little help.....



Dave Beeke
Popkum, B.C.

[Wetlander]

Ha! Hi, I'm Kevin... and I'm a birder ...

[Gord]

Dave, nice Sharp-tailed! I can see it there...bird facing to the right...about 15 birds from the left...the one Im pointing at now!

Balance is certainly important!! All the birding today means I wont bother calling about anything for a few weeks (Save a day for the Abbotsford CBC though!)

Below is my guess at the Sharp-tailed. Reminds me of the one I saw at Boundary Bay. I think I was with Jason and it was a lifer for both of us.

[Gord]

Kev, almost woke the kids here with my guffaw! ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Chris]

I saw that the Wood Sandpiper was seen a few days ago. I was somewhat surprised to see it reappear again after not being seen for a few days. It is amazing that this bird made it over here from Asia. I guess it shows to pay attention to what you see because I would have passed this off as a yellowlegs.

If it wasn't for mid-terms (another reason to add to the long list of reasons for hating mid-terms) I probably would go to Reifel tomorrow to see if the Wood Sandpiper is there.

Nice picture of the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. He has been there for a while now I believe. Great species to add to your North American list Dave.