Post by Gord on Sept 7, 2012 23:45:59 GMT -8
Yesterday took part of the day to recharge and rejuvenate with some birding. Figured since I needed to head west, I would incorporate the bird watching in that direction.
Hit Boundary Bay at 112th Street in the morning. Wow, have things changed since I was there last with road construction, new overpasses and the likes. Anyway, headed off on a walk. I could see shorebirds in several spots towards the 'Mansion' so wandered off in that direction. Not too long into it among the Black-bellied Plovers were a pair of Red Knots. Nice little birds and it's been a couple years since I've last seen them. I could not get the digiscope on them as they were moving around too much so no pictures.
A little later while scoping a flock of plovers I noticed one a bit smaller and darker. A juvenile American Golden-Plover!
Even peeking up from behind the Black-bellied Plovers a difference can be noted.
One can see how they got the 'Golden' label. Black-bellied Plovers are no slouches in the looks department, but this little guy shines just a bit more.
I was able to see the primary wing projection on the bird. Four primary feathers showing make it an American Golden-Plover. Three would make it the less-common Pacific Golden-Plover.
Certainly is a cute little guy! Note the Short-billed Dowitcher behind. more on them later.
In addition to the above mentioned shorebirds there were still a few Semipalmated Plovers, lots of Western Sandpiper and Sanderling, a few Least and Pectoral Sandpipers, Long and Short-billed Dowitchers, Greater Yellowlegs and a lone Black Turnstone that flew by in a sandpiper flock. I dont think Ive ever seen one away from their preferred habitat of large rocks (and stones, of course, to engage in turning)
.
Western Sandpiper
Sanderling
Lots of ducks about with N. Pintail the most numerous but no shortage of American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal and Mallard. A few Northern Shovelers too. With all the food about there were two Peregrine Falcons who made several sorties during the morning. A young Northern Harrier flew past too.
Three Caspian Terns added variety among the Ring-billed, Glaucous-winged, California and hybrid gulls.
Small birds were represented with many Savannah Sparrows. Several flocks of American Pipits flew around and were in the fields. A couple small flocks of Horned Lark were heard and I managed to count about 5 as they landed in a field. Yellow and Orange-crowned Warblers were in the hedgerows.
After having a leisurely lunch in keeping with the day's theme of low-key and casual. I worked my way towards Reifel Bird Sanctuary taking the back way to check on my old stomping grounds. Yes, significant changes have occurred. Way more greenhouses than I remember for starts.
At Reifel, I met Dave and Dot Pepper as they were heading out. After a nice hello, I went off to see what was to be seen.
In one of the ponds was this male Cinnamon Teal well into molt.
Further along was a lone Red-necked Phalarope swimming around like a duck.
I stopped in the shade to watch the shorebirds and eventually noticed among the dowitchers a slightly smaller bird that on casual glance looks the same. Turns out to be a Stilt Sandpiper and it gave me the best views Ive ever had of this rare species for around here.
It's on the left
Delightful. I also enjoyed looking at the differences between the Long-billed and Short-billed Dowitchers. I think that's a post for the Identification section later. This tale is stretching out as it is.
Also plenty of yellowlegs. This one with a dirty foot is a Lesser Yellowlegs.
A Lorquin's Admiral landed nearby and easily pulled my attention away from the birds for a moment or two.
Two Virgina Rail and a Sora were heard among the grass. Several Wood Duck looked very nice in the sunshine
After a bit more casual wandering around, decided it was time to head for home. As on the way in that morning, I checked to see if the Western Kingbirds were still around at 0 Avenue. In late August the kids and I saw one with a juvenile. None were seen today which probably is not exceptional as they're heading south by now.
Great day!
Hit Boundary Bay at 112th Street in the morning. Wow, have things changed since I was there last with road construction, new overpasses and the likes. Anyway, headed off on a walk. I could see shorebirds in several spots towards the 'Mansion' so wandered off in that direction. Not too long into it among the Black-bellied Plovers were a pair of Red Knots. Nice little birds and it's been a couple years since I've last seen them. I could not get the digiscope on them as they were moving around too much so no pictures.
A little later while scoping a flock of plovers I noticed one a bit smaller and darker. A juvenile American Golden-Plover!
Even peeking up from behind the Black-bellied Plovers a difference can be noted.
One can see how they got the 'Golden' label. Black-bellied Plovers are no slouches in the looks department, but this little guy shines just a bit more.
I was able to see the primary wing projection on the bird. Four primary feathers showing make it an American Golden-Plover. Three would make it the less-common Pacific Golden-Plover.
Certainly is a cute little guy! Note the Short-billed Dowitcher behind. more on them later.
In addition to the above mentioned shorebirds there were still a few Semipalmated Plovers, lots of Western Sandpiper and Sanderling, a few Least and Pectoral Sandpipers, Long and Short-billed Dowitchers, Greater Yellowlegs and a lone Black Turnstone that flew by in a sandpiper flock. I dont think Ive ever seen one away from their preferred habitat of large rocks (and stones, of course, to engage in turning)
.Western Sandpiper
Sanderling
Lots of ducks about with N. Pintail the most numerous but no shortage of American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal and Mallard. A few Northern Shovelers too. With all the food about there were two Peregrine Falcons who made several sorties during the morning. A young Northern Harrier flew past too.
Three Caspian Terns added variety among the Ring-billed, Glaucous-winged, California and hybrid gulls.
Small birds were represented with many Savannah Sparrows. Several flocks of American Pipits flew around and were in the fields. A couple small flocks of Horned Lark were heard and I managed to count about 5 as they landed in a field. Yellow and Orange-crowned Warblers were in the hedgerows.
After having a leisurely lunch in keeping with the day's theme of low-key and casual. I worked my way towards Reifel Bird Sanctuary taking the back way to check on my old stomping grounds. Yes, significant changes have occurred. Way more greenhouses than I remember for starts.
At Reifel, I met Dave and Dot Pepper as they were heading out. After a nice hello, I went off to see what was to be seen.
In one of the ponds was this male Cinnamon Teal well into molt.
Further along was a lone Red-necked Phalarope swimming around like a duck.
I stopped in the shade to watch the shorebirds and eventually noticed among the dowitchers a slightly smaller bird that on casual glance looks the same. Turns out to be a Stilt Sandpiper and it gave me the best views Ive ever had of this rare species for around here.
It's on the left
Delightful. I also enjoyed looking at the differences between the Long-billed and Short-billed Dowitchers. I think that's a post for the Identification section later. This tale is stretching out as it is.
Also plenty of yellowlegs. This one with a dirty foot is a Lesser Yellowlegs.
A Lorquin's Admiral landed nearby and easily pulled my attention away from the birds for a moment or two.
Two Virgina Rail and a Sora were heard among the grass. Several Wood Duck looked very nice in the sunshine
After a bit more casual wandering around, decided it was time to head for home. As on the way in that morning, I checked to see if the Western Kingbirds were still around at 0 Avenue. In late August the kids and I saw one with a juvenile. None were seen today which probably is not exceptional as they're heading south by now.
Great day!
