Birding in BC Community

A sunny afternoon at Iona Beach Park provided a good opportunity for a walkabout. I was trying to find more Kinglets in the grove of cottonwoods at the east end of the park, but they were few and far between, spotted a few, but they stayed 5+ meters up in the trees. Saw three Bewick's Wrens flitting around low in the brambles, and a few Robins, Towhees, and various sparrows. I decided to take a walk out to the north arm of the Fraser and check the shoreline for anything interesting. A few flocks of Dunlins whooshed past heading north across the river, and I found a small group of Least Sandpipers foraging along the waters edge. We can add the Least Sandpiper to the list. Apologies for the red reflections in the water, a whole line of Seaspan barges were lined up, moored on the pilings there.

Least Sandpipers by GMcD2008, on Flickr

There are lots of Black Oystercatchers around lately. This one was feasting at Piper's Lagoon yesterday.

Black Oystercatcher by Bill Gyles, on Flickr

Finally, a clear sunny dawn - time for a dawn patrol on the west dyke in Richmond. Beautiful conditions, cool, crisp, frost on the ground, Red Winged Blackbirds singing, and not too many people. Alas, not much birdy action, a few Song Sparrows flitting along the path, a couple of Anna's Hummingbirds perched on the small trees along the way, a couple of Coyotes waaayyy out there and a couple Harriers popping up and down occasionally.

It was a nice walk, and managed to tag a hen Harrier to go with the male Harrier posted earlier, and a Marsh Wren popped up to give me a pose. So we can add the Marsh Wren to the list.

Northern Harrier hen by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Marsh Wren by GMcD2008, on Flickr

A beautiful sunny day, great to get out for some fresh air. I know the Kingfisher has been posted, but it was a male, so here's a female Belted Kingfisher to make the pair.

Belted Kingfisher female by GMcD2008, on Flickr

_H3A3432-Female American Kestrel by Patrick Covello, on Flickr

A Female American Kestrel at Colony Farm

Pat

Wow! Great shots everyone ... way to fill in the gaps. I'll add the Adult Cooper's Hawk for you Pat. He/she was hunting in my backyard ... I guess the Sharp-shinned Hawk told him it was a good lunch spot. lol


(Sorry about the size of my previous photos ... flickr changed my settings I guess when they upgraded or something. I'm back to large. )

Nice Job everyone, we are at 74 birds so far! Great pictures. Here's the link to the current list:
viewtopic.php?p=92489#p92489

Here are a male Wood Duck and a Chestnut-backed Chickadee at Buttertubs Marsh. The Wood Duck caught the sun just right for some iridescence.

Male Wood Duck by Bill Gyles, on Flickr

Chestnut-backed Chickadee by Bill Gyles, on Flickr

Some great birds folks. Well done. Adding one more.

Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) by Randy, on Flickr

In spite of the dull day, I decided to wander down to the pier at London's Landing to see what was happening as the tide went out. The usual Wigeons, Mallards, and Green Winged Teals doing duck business, and a group of Buffleheads moving around and foraging in the channel. Then I saw what I thought were some Common Merganser hens way out there...as they moved closer and I got the optics on them - cool, Red Breasted Mergansers. We can add the Red Breasted Merganser to the list.

Red Breasted Mergansers by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Canada, Greater-white Fronted and Black Brant Geese were all at Parksville Community Park yesterday. Canada, we have already; here are the other two.

Greater White-fronted Goose by Bill Gyles, on Flickr

Brant Geese by Bill Gyles, on Flickr