Post by Gord on Nov 14, 2012 23:11:00 GMT -8
I needed to be in Abbotsford in the afternoon and figured since I was just that much closer west than I am now, Im might as well take the plunge and do a little birding a bit further out that way. The good birds kicking around certainly added a little spice to the idea.
Headed off in the morning and took the leisurely route along 0 Avenue. That's the way do this trip. Listening to the radio all the major routes were in the middle of some turmoil or another. I turned on some peaceful music and enjoyed a relaxing drive that encountered few little traffic.
Arrived in Delta just after 9:00. I figured I would see 104th St and if the Tropical Kingbird was still around. I know that Jason and Denis had tried for it on Monday without luck but figured worth a try. As I turned onto Hornby Drive from 112th St, a flock of juncos and sparrows flew across the road and I could see a handful of blackbirds in the field and near the barn. I thought might as well start enjoying the birds now. Good thing I did as soon after a bird among the starlings on the telephone wires flew out briefly and landed back on the wire. I was delighted to see the Tropical Kingbird! Had I just kept going, I would have missed it. The property owner was there at the time and she let me walk in and get a closer look.
A fine specimen that was very actively hunting away. A new bird for me.
This young Peregrine Falcon flew over but the kingbird did not seem too alarmed although it kept a close eye on it.
I decided to check out the foot of 112th Street and enjoyed large numbers of Black-bellied Plovers and Dunlin. Quite a few were in a corn stubble field too. Ducks are everywhere with a great many Northern Pintail and American Wigeon.
A pair of pintail that posed nicely
In a ditch just up from the foot of 112th St. was a Horned Grebe among some Mallards. I dont think I've ever seen a Horned Grebe in a ditch before.
From here I decided I would get up to Iona to see about a swallow. A couple big flocks of gulls and a few other distractions I managed to get back on the highway and headed north.
At Iona, was a little shocked at how much development has taken place. It's been quite a few years since I was out there last.
Approaching the park a nice Rough-legged Hawk was hunting over the foreshore.
I continued on in and as I was pulling in to park, I saw Mike Tabak and Peter Candido chatting on the viewing platform. Over the water I saw swallows and figured that the swallows continue to be using the area as expected. I got out, one foot still in my vehicle and enjoyed pretty good looks at the Cave Swallow. Mike and Peter then got excited when they saw the swallows because they had not seen them at all in the hour they were there! As soon as they came, they were gone again and I was feeling pretty fortunate that I had not came 30 seconds later. Had I stopped to get my camera I would have ended up hesitating and missing the best looks I would get. After catching up with Mike, Peter, and Brian (great to see you all) we saw swallows over the river. We went over with some other birders whom I didnt catch names and saw them again. Towards the end before I left they came back over the pond for a circle or two but almost right away left for the river again.
Here is the best photo I got of the swallow.
Another new bird for me.
I got a better one of this stately Great Blue Heron
By now it was close to noon, and I wanted to try a couple more spots before I had to head back east. On the way out, I saw another Rough-legged Hawk.
Next stop was Tswasswan. I really enjoyed this stop as well. A Long-tailed Duck male swam proudly by.
A Snowy Owl was on a log. The ducks, gulls and cormorants did not seem to mind.
There were tons of waterfowl out on the water. Among all the American Wigeon I saw four Eurasian Wigeon and a American/Eurasian Wigeon hybrid. There were about 75 Western Grebes, plenty of Horned Grebes, Surf and White-winged Scoter and quite a few Brant. Three Black Oystercatchers flew by making their usual racket. From near the ferries, I went to see if the Black Turnstones were around. I was a little surprised not to see one. Out on the rock 'island' I enjoyed seeing three species of cormorant. There were a good 20 if not more Brandt's Cormorant among the Double-crested and Pelagic Cormorants. It's been quite a few years since I have seen them. Two Harlequin Duck females were also seen.
With time getting on and no where to drive but east I left for my last stop at 72nd Street.
On my way down, a flock of American Robins were enjoying the hawthorn berries.
And just because no one takes pictures of starlings, I took one of this fine looking fellow in his winter colours.
I went for a walk to the east. There were lots of raptors around. A Short-eared Owl was hunting along the dyke. Soon after the owl, a couple Northern Harriers and a Rough-legged Hawk got into a brief turf-war. Plenty of Snowy Owls were out on the foreshore but pretty far out. I did see one fly in from the golf course later on though.
Lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers. I would count at least 20.
This leucistic Yellow-rumped really caught my eye at first.
A Short-eared Owl. I think there were about four of them.
Close to the pumphouse there was a nice Northern Shrike. I also watched more raptor drama. Two Peregrine Falcons had got a Dunlin separated from the safety of its flock. After a few swoops, one caught it. Almost right away a Northern Harrier flew after the falcon that was carrying the Dunlin. Sure looked like the harrier was hoping to convince the falcon to drop the bird via piracy. About the same time, I saw another falcon coming along low to the ground. The size and wingbeats suggested Gyrfalcon and as it got closer, it sure was. It swooped at a perched Snowy Owl a couple times before landing near to it. The raptors sure had attitude this afternoon!
On my way back, encountered this flock of Red-winged Blackbirds. Not one male to be found. I was interested to see this as often in blackbird flocks in the winter, Red-winged Blackbird males and sub-adult males are very numerous with females few to none. I think I have read somewhere that females migrate further south than males. Maybe with slightly different movement patterns in non breeding season males and females flock together?
As I was getting back to my vehicle, I enjoyed running into Jude and Al Grass who were leading a group of birders and sharing what we've seen.
And that was about it. From the highway as I passed 112th I saw a bird the right size for the kingbird acting like a kingbird (flew out a few feet and returned to its perch) so it looks like it is still there. I hurried back into Abbotsford via peaceful 0 Ave and made my commitments just on time. A wonderful day with great weather, nice birders to share it with and of course, a great many wonderful birds to enjoy and marvel over.
Headed off in the morning and took the leisurely route along 0 Avenue. That's the way do this trip. Listening to the radio all the major routes were in the middle of some turmoil or another. I turned on some peaceful music and enjoyed a relaxing drive that encountered few little traffic.
Arrived in Delta just after 9:00. I figured I would see 104th St and if the Tropical Kingbird was still around. I know that Jason and Denis had tried for it on Monday without luck but figured worth a try. As I turned onto Hornby Drive from 112th St, a flock of juncos and sparrows flew across the road and I could see a handful of blackbirds in the field and near the barn. I thought might as well start enjoying the birds now. Good thing I did as soon after a bird among the starlings on the telephone wires flew out briefly and landed back on the wire. I was delighted to see the Tropical Kingbird! Had I just kept going, I would have missed it. The property owner was there at the time and she let me walk in and get a closer look.
A fine specimen that was very actively hunting away. A new bird for me.
This young Peregrine Falcon flew over but the kingbird did not seem too alarmed although it kept a close eye on it.
I decided to check out the foot of 112th Street and enjoyed large numbers of Black-bellied Plovers and Dunlin. Quite a few were in a corn stubble field too. Ducks are everywhere with a great many Northern Pintail and American Wigeon.
A pair of pintail that posed nicely
In a ditch just up from the foot of 112th St. was a Horned Grebe among some Mallards. I dont think I've ever seen a Horned Grebe in a ditch before.
From here I decided I would get up to Iona to see about a swallow. A couple big flocks of gulls and a few other distractions I managed to get back on the highway and headed north.
At Iona, was a little shocked at how much development has taken place. It's been quite a few years since I was out there last.
Approaching the park a nice Rough-legged Hawk was hunting over the foreshore.
I continued on in and as I was pulling in to park, I saw Mike Tabak and Peter Candido chatting on the viewing platform. Over the water I saw swallows and figured that the swallows continue to be using the area as expected. I got out, one foot still in my vehicle and enjoyed pretty good looks at the Cave Swallow. Mike and Peter then got excited when they saw the swallows because they had not seen them at all in the hour they were there! As soon as they came, they were gone again and I was feeling pretty fortunate that I had not came 30 seconds later. Had I stopped to get my camera I would have ended up hesitating and missing the best looks I would get. After catching up with Mike, Peter, and Brian (great to see you all) we saw swallows over the river. We went over with some other birders whom I didnt catch names and saw them again. Towards the end before I left they came back over the pond for a circle or two but almost right away left for the river again.
Here is the best photo I got of the swallow.
Another new bird for me. I got a better one of this stately Great Blue Heron
By now it was close to noon, and I wanted to try a couple more spots before I had to head back east. On the way out, I saw another Rough-legged Hawk.
Next stop was Tswasswan. I really enjoyed this stop as well. A Long-tailed Duck male swam proudly by.
A Snowy Owl was on a log. The ducks, gulls and cormorants did not seem to mind.
There were tons of waterfowl out on the water. Among all the American Wigeon I saw four Eurasian Wigeon and a American/Eurasian Wigeon hybrid. There were about 75 Western Grebes, plenty of Horned Grebes, Surf and White-winged Scoter and quite a few Brant. Three Black Oystercatchers flew by making their usual racket. From near the ferries, I went to see if the Black Turnstones were around. I was a little surprised not to see one. Out on the rock 'island' I enjoyed seeing three species of cormorant. There were a good 20 if not more Brandt's Cormorant among the Double-crested and Pelagic Cormorants. It's been quite a few years since I have seen them. Two Harlequin Duck females were also seen.
With time getting on and no where to drive but east I left for my last stop at 72nd Street.
On my way down, a flock of American Robins were enjoying the hawthorn berries.
And just because no one takes pictures of starlings, I took one of this fine looking fellow in his winter colours.
I went for a walk to the east. There were lots of raptors around. A Short-eared Owl was hunting along the dyke. Soon after the owl, a couple Northern Harriers and a Rough-legged Hawk got into a brief turf-war. Plenty of Snowy Owls were out on the foreshore but pretty far out. I did see one fly in from the golf course later on though.
Lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers. I would count at least 20.
This leucistic Yellow-rumped really caught my eye at first.
A Short-eared Owl. I think there were about four of them.
Close to the pumphouse there was a nice Northern Shrike. I also watched more raptor drama. Two Peregrine Falcons had got a Dunlin separated from the safety of its flock. After a few swoops, one caught it. Almost right away a Northern Harrier flew after the falcon that was carrying the Dunlin. Sure looked like the harrier was hoping to convince the falcon to drop the bird via piracy. About the same time, I saw another falcon coming along low to the ground. The size and wingbeats suggested Gyrfalcon and as it got closer, it sure was. It swooped at a perched Snowy Owl a couple times before landing near to it. The raptors sure had attitude this afternoon!
On my way back, encountered this flock of Red-winged Blackbirds. Not one male to be found. I was interested to see this as often in blackbird flocks in the winter, Red-winged Blackbird males and sub-adult males are very numerous with females few to none. I think I have read somewhere that females migrate further south than males. Maybe with slightly different movement patterns in non breeding season males and females flock together?
As I was getting back to my vehicle, I enjoyed running into Jude and Al Grass who were leading a group of birders and sharing what we've seen.
And that was about it. From the highway as I passed 112th I saw a bird the right size for the kingbird acting like a kingbird (flew out a few feet and returned to its perch) so it looks like it is still there. I hurried back into Abbotsford via peaceful 0 Ave and made my commitments just on time. A wonderful day with great weather, nice birders to share it with and of course, a great many wonderful birds to enjoy and marvel over.
