Where: Piper Spit, Burnaby Lake (Burnaby) Weather: Cloudy, light showers, 4°C (felt like 1C)
The Outing
Good news: After cleaning my camera (again) it behaved, even in cold temperatures and light rain. It probably behaved better than I did!
Bad news: The weather was frigid and windy and wet and generally awful (spring in 16 days!) but we made the best of the abbreviated window we had for birding. Ironically, we passed on yesterday because of the forecast, and it turned out to be the better day. You win this time, Mother Nature!
I got to Burnaby Lake a bit early and shot one of two buffleheads near the turtle nesting area. I think I spotted a hooded merganser, which we rarely (ever?) see at the lake, but wasn’t able to get any shots before it disappeared.
Near the pier, a few people had left seed, attracting oodles of towhees, juncos, song sparrows and chickadees–including a rarely-seen chestnut-backed chickadee. Alas, I did not get more than a couple quick chances for shots, and they are Not Good™. Maybe next time!
We did see several chonky squirrels. I swear they get bigger every time I see them. I’m not judging, I’m just saying they might start waddling soon.
Up to this point the weather had been mediocre but tolerable. We moved onto the pier and it was like stepping through a portal into OH YEAH IT’S STILL WINTER, as the wind picked up, the rain started and it was not fun. But we persevered and eventually the wind settled, the sun even poked out for a few minutes, and the showers eased (somewhat). But it was still icy cold. Do not like. I am ready for summer.
The water was lower than last visit–quite low, in fact–which meant the shorebirds were closer, allowing us to better capture their preening, bathing, flapping and head-bobbing. Geese and gulls were in abundance, but drama was minimal. Too cold, maybe. Even two coots started something, then just kind of gave up after a few seconds.
In all, not bad for a quick trip, given the conditions, but I will not object to temperatures with two numbers in the near future.
The Shots
Soon™.
The Birds (and other critters)
Sparrows and sparrow-adjacent:
- Chestnut-backed chickadee
- Black-capped chickadee
- Dark-eyed junco
- Red-winged blackbird
- Song sparrow
- Spotted towhee
Waterfowl:
- American coot
- Bufflehead duck
- Canada goose
- Dowitcher
- Green-winged teal
- Hooded merganser (maybe!)
- Mallard
- Northern pintail
- Scaup (Lesser and Greater)
- Wood duck
Common:
- American crow
- Seagull
Raptors:
- None!
Non-birds:
- Black and gray squirrels
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