I achieved a bit of fame with my Sept 22 visit to Reifel as I spotted a rare sandpiper (sort of ) and got a mention on the BC Rare Bird Alert.
September 22, 2018
Most of this post features photos taken on this date. Here's an introductory shot for those who've never visited Reifel...
Reifel Bird Sanctuary - September 2018
At this time of year, there are many larger shorebirds at the sanctuary, primarily Yellowlegs (Greater and Lesser) and Dowitchers (Long-billed and Short-billed).
Greater Yellowlegs and Long-billed Dowitchers - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC
September 2018
The species above are the most common. It's a challenge to see (and identify) Lesser Yellowlegs and especially Short-billed Dowitchers.
This movie shows a Greater Yellowlegs in action:
Another ID challenge is the common Song Sparrow vs the scarcer Fox Sparrow. Here's a typical western Song Sparrow:
Song Sparrow - Reifel Bird Sanctuary - September 2018
And here's a Fox Sparrow, which is also somewhat different from the eastern variety...
Fox Sparrow - Reifel Bird Sanctuary - September 2018
More easily identified is the Red Squirrel:
Red Squirrel - Reifel Bird Sanctuary - September 2018
Along the trail I spotted this very cool spider's web, the Nikon was perfect for this kind of close-up:
A common species of duck here is the Northern Shoveler. It might be confused with the Mallard, but the bill is much larger and the colouring on the male is more brownish than green. Here's a male and female together.
Northern Shovelers - Reifel Bird Sanctuary - September 2018
By this time I was in the southwest marsh and was seeing the larger shorebirds again:
Greater Yellowlegs - Reifel Bird Sanctuary - September 2018
Long-billed Dowitcher - Reifel Bird Sanctuary - September 2018
Suddenly, there was a noise overhead, a flock of Sandhill Cranes relocating inside the Sanctuary.
Sandhill Cranes - Reifel Bird Sanctuary - September 2018
Sandhill Cranes - Reifel Bird Sanctuary - September 2018
The second shot looks to me that they are flying in a war zone, but it's just the background trees partially out of focus...
And now my moment of fame...
I was now in the southwest marsh area and had met with Brian, the resident birding expert at Reifel and a pair of other birders. Brian was trying to show us the difference between Long-billed and Short-billed Dowitchers. I believe the photo below may have one of each...
Dowitchers and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper - Reifel Bird Sanctuary - September 2018
However, Brian did not see the bird on the right which as a rare Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper - Reifel Bird Sanctuary - September 2018 (2018 Bird # 194)
I snapped a few more shots of the bird, unfortunately Brian didn't see it and it was flushed by a raptor shortly after my last shot.
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper - Reifel Bird Sanctuary - September 2018
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper - Reifel Bird Sanctuary - September 2018
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and possible Short-billed Dowitcher (left) 2018 Bird # 195
Reifel Bird Sanctuary - September 2018
I did get credit for seeing the Sandpiper and had a photo published in Reifels' Marsh Notes magazine. Fame at last!
September 27, 2018
My next visit wa not quite as exciting, but I did see a bird I'd only seen once earlier in the year.
American Tree Sparrow - Reifel Bird Sanctuary - September 2018
This bird is rare in the Lower Mainland, but does show up in the winter. I saw it in January at Brunswick Point in Delta.
American Tree Sparrow - Reifel Bird Sanctuary - September 2018
Finally, here's a shot of a Trumpeter Swan at at the sanctuary:
Trumpeter Swan - Reifel Bird Sanctuary - September 2018
