August 2018
As mentioned, pretty well everything in August was seen at Reifel. The most common shorebirds arrive quite early, the Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs. Identification between the two can be tricky unless seen together. This one is definitely a Greater based on bill length.
Greater Yellowlegs - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC
August 4, 2018
Some species are still engaged in nesting activity at this time of year. These Barn Swallow chicks may have been a second batch for the parents. This nest was inside a bird blind and remained open to the public.
The chicks were placid while waiting for food to be delivered.
Barn Swallows - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - August 4, 2018
When food arrived, it became a begging competition!
Barn Swallows - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - August 4, 2018
At this time of year most of the ducks are done with nesting and are taking it easy. They also moult into eclipse plumage at this time and can lose their ability to fly until the new feathers grow in. They can still swim and stay close to water to avoid predators. This Mallard seems quite content.
Mallard (F) - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - August 11, 2018
These Sandhill Cranes were also in the process of moulting.
Sandhill Cranes - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC
August 19, 2018
The last August photo was taken in our backyard where a Nuthatch stopped for a drink.
Red-breasted Nuthatch - Backyard, North Delta BC - August 30, 2018
September 2018
In September the shorebird migration picks up steam and monitoring the BC Rare bird alert is a frequent activity. One of the rarer shorebirds is the Buff-breasted Sandpiper. This is a medium sized sandpiper with a buffy yellow colouring and a large eye-ring.
I went out to Boundary Bay on the Labour Day Monday afternoon and was fortunate to meet up with some other birders. Together we were able to locate the bird and I took some decent photos.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper - Boundary Bay, Delta BC - September 3, 2018
Later in the month I was again at Reifel and was very fortunate to help find another rare shorebird, in this case a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. I did get credit for this on the rare bird alert, my first ever such recognition.
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - September 22, 2018
The next two shots were taken on the same day at Reifel. I've always liked the rounded look of the Fox Sparrow.
Fox Sparrow - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - September 22, 2018
These Shovelers look like they are in a synchronized feeding competition.
Northern Shovelers - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - September 22, 2018
The final shot selected for September is another of the Yellowlegs, this time a mixture of Lesser and Greater (I think...). I believe the two on the left are Lesser and the other three are Greater.
Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - September 22, 2018
October 2018
The final month for this post does not have any Reifel photos. My other favourite location is Lighthouse Marine Park in Point Roberts WA. Not only is the gas cheap, but this park has a rocky active shoreline, much different from the placid Boundary Bay.
I often seen Killdeer in among the rocks on the shore looking for any morsels of food underneath. Something about these birds makes them very photogenic.
Killdeer - Lighthouse Marine Park, Point Roberts WA
October 8, 2018
In mid-October I received an email from my friend Mary-Jean. She had seen and photographed a male Rusty Blackbird at Burnaby Lake Park. The rare bird alert revealed that both a male and a female had been sighted.
I crossed my fingers that the birds would stay for a few days and finally got there on Sunday the 14th. The male was easy to find and there were a few birders there already. I did not see the female.
The Rusty is the most attractive of the blackbirds in my opinion. I guess the Yellow-headed would be a close second.
Rusty Blackbird - Burnaby Lake Regional Park, Burnaby BC - October 14, 2018
The photo conditions were very good on this day and even the Red-winged Blackbird looked pretty good.
Red-winged Blackbird - Burnaby Lake Regional Park, Burnaby BC - October 14, 2018
The last photo taken on this day was of a male Wood Duck straining the lake water for edible plants.
Wood Duck - Burnaby Lake Regional Park, Burnaby BC - October 14, 2018
My last shot for this month was taken back at Point Roberts. A Horned Grebe has a pretty good sized Flounder for a meal. They seem to be able to swallow them whole.
Horned Grebe - Lighthouse Marine Park, Point Roberts WA
October 21, 2018
Two more months to document in the next post and the 2018 Blog will be done.
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