Where: Piper Spit at Burnaby Lake, Burnaby
Weather: Sunny, 25C
The Outing
The waterfowl were mostly sleeping when I was there, and at times I was the only one on the pier. That made for a peaceful outing, but made shots a bit more challenging.
Still, the weather was very nice, I didn’t get sunburned, and sleeping ducks are pretty dang cute.
The Shots
Snoozing in the sun
Song sparrow auditioning
Canada goose doing...something
Male blackbird bringing a female blackbird a treat. He did this repeatedly.
Cowbird with bent tail feathers.
Baby duck sleeping in the shade of a bench.
Pigeon with a "Whatchoo talkin' 'bout?" look
Male pigeon macking on an albino pigeon
Male pigeon desperately trying to impress the ladies
Where: Reifel Bird Sanctuary and Centennial Beach, both in Delta
Weather: Cloudy, 17C
The Outing
I’ve actually done several bird outings between this one and the last one I wrote about on May 24, but for some reason never put together write-ups or galleries. Lazy? Bad? Who can say! I may eventually put up at least galleries for each later.
For now, though, on to the most recent birding, which was also the first outing of Summer 2023. The weather was not particularly summer-like, as it was cloudy, windy and around 17C, but no rain, no hail and no risk of sunburn, so it was fine.
We started out early at Reifel I opted to keep my hoodie on. This was a wise choice.
We got some quick pics of the sandhill crane family adjacent to the parking lot to start, but the main pond was unusually quiet. We headed off toward the bird blinds, where Nic had seen an owl last week when I was in Kamloops, but alas, no owls on this day. Also, the left bird blind was closed due to birds nesting in it. They clearly do not understand what a bird blind is for.
The theme at Reifel was cowbirds, and plenty of them. We only saw a couple of chickadees, no squirrels at all, but plenty of ducks, geese, and the cowbirds, who were spread out across nearly the entire sanctuary. It was kind of weird.
As befits summer, the marshland is starting to look appropriately lush and green, besmirched only by that now abandoned sailboat, which is badly listing to port now and has been there for many weeks.
The outer trails were especially breezy and cool, but some workers pointed out an oriole nest we’ll keep an eye on in future visits. The inner trails were warmer, but festooned with giant swarms of flying bugs. Fortunately, they are not the biting kind. The swallows were very well supplied.
The oddest sight may have been a small group of Northern pintails. They should have migrated weeks ago, but they either got lost, lazy or just like it here.
Centennial Beach proved a bit lacking for raptors and killdeer (we saw the latter, but only flying overhead and away from the beach), but we did see Savannah sparrows and house finches. A few others, like goldfinches, teased with their presence, but never made for good shots. The weather improved enough that the sun almost came out a few times, and it was almost warm enough to doff the hoodie.
It’s warm and sunny as I type this the day after. 😛
Overall, it was nice to be out, and I got some of my best cowbird shots ever because a) they were plentiful and b) some of them stopped frantically jumping around and stood still for several moments.
The Shots
Sandhill crane staring contest
Cargo ship cruising past Reifel Bird Sanctuary
Scruffy mallard duck preening
Cowbird
Cowbird
Cowbird close-up
Cowbird
Female cowbird
Greta blue heron landing on top of a tree
Great blue heron perched on a treetop
Juvenile bald eagle soaring overhead
Canada goose pondering
Northern pintail either not knowing or not caring that he should have migrated by now
Swallow at the front door of its house
Great blue heron keeping vigil
A tiny island of incredibly cute sleeping ducklings, with mother nearby
Baby duck on the march
Duckling posing
A group of blue-winged teals gliding through a pond
A majestic bald eagle
Slightly less majestic bald eagle
Female wood duck in profile
Female house sparrow on a branch
One of the boggier parts of Reifel Bird Sanctuary
The weather this spring has led to some extreme algae growth on some ponds
A clear pond at the sanctuary
House finch perched at Centennial Beach
View looking over Boundary Bay at Centennial Beach
Anna's hummingbird sitting still for a few moments
Savannah sparrow singing on a log at Centennial Beach
House finch on concrete, Centennial Beach
The Birds (and other critters)
Sparrows and sparrow-adjacent:
Anna’s Hummingbird
Barn swallow
Blackbird
Brown-headed cowbird
Chickadee
European starling
Goldfinch
House sparrow
Savannah sparrow
Spotted towhee
Tree swallow
Waterfowl:
Blue-winged teal
Canada goose
Great blue heron
Killdeer
Mallard
Northern pintail
Wood duck
Common:
Crow
Seagull
Raptors:
Bald eagle
Non-birds:
Some giant freaky catfish (?) in a slough at Reifel
Where: Centennial Beach, Delta
Weather: Cloudy, 15C
The Outing
Nic and I headed out for the first time in three weeks, now that he is back in the Pacific time zone, in body, if not in mind. Alas, after two weeks of warm, summer-like weather, the clouds have returned. It actually wasn’t that cold overall, but the wind coming over the bay was a little chilly. Shorts weather, but without the chance of sunburn.
We did technically see two raptors, way up high–an eagle and what Merlin says was a northern harrier. I’ve never seen them fly in proximity before.
The birding turned out to be a bit better than expected, especially as we returned along the trails, with a goldfinch proving elusive, then somewhat more cooperative. All of my shots of it were poo. I did get one when it was up closer, but didn’t have time to properly focus. If it had sat still for two more seconds, I would have gotten a great shot.
I consoled myself by getting a bunch of shots of a positively adorable rabbit. While the first one dashed into the undergrowth before we could get any shots, the next proved suitably chill. And adorable. I’m going to assume there were about a thousand others we didn’t see, just out of sight.
I attempted to get some shots of diving swallows and managed a few that were surprisingly half-decent. Like, you can not just tell they’re swallows, you can see feathers and stuff. Neat!
Overall, it was nice to be back out. While better light would have been nice, at least we didn’t have to find the right spot to avoid the harsh glare of the sun. Yeah, that’s it!
The Shots
Tide out at Boundary Bay
A northern harrier and bald eagle, seemingly flying together. Or at least very close to each other.
Field of focal points
A bunny!
A bunny being even more adorable.
Brooding sky. It never threatened to rain, though.
Mallard in a pond
Female gadwall
Male gadwall trailing behind the missus
Killdeer with tail up
Killdeer pondering, possibly
Killdeer on the move
Starling in the seaweed
European starling with a look
Crow grooming, which looks kind of weird and creepy
Crow grooming nearly complete
Another shot of the tidal flats of the bay
The first and closest shot of the goldfinch. Also, the best shot, which gives you an idea of what the rest looked like (Narrator: Not good.)
This is cropped in quite close, so it's not exactly crisp, but you can clearly see the swallow about to nab a bug just above the surface of the water.
Diving swallow #2
Diving swallow #3
Diving swallow #4
Diving swallow #5
Diving swallow #6 to complete the set
Tree swallow, hanging out on the roof of his home
Poofy house sparrow declaring victory on ownership of the bird box
Where: Sapperton Landing, New Westminster
Weather: Sunny, 25C
The Outing
I returned to Sapperton Landing, unsure of what I would see, as it tends to be hit or miss. The weather was still summer-like, but not as weirdly hot.
The river was higher, which I thought might lead to fewer shorebirds, but I did spot two herons a-hunting, along with some ducks, both expected and less so. A gadwall couple was on hand (or webbed foot), but they can summer in the area. I did see a lone bufflehead, and as far as I know, they usually migrate away for the summer. Maybe he just likes it here too much to leave. He actually started snoozing on the river current.
Several families of geese were around, with their new broods. I got the “I’m going to hiss at you” stare from several mothers, though I stayed clear of them. This is where a telephoto lens also serves to protect you.
Songbirds were scarce, though I spotted a song sparrow nestled in a tree, and a couple of tree swallows were out. I took some shots of bugs and bees on the flowers, but most did not turn out, sadly. A surprise cormorant and a crow on a rapidly drifting log rounded out the birds.
Overall, a good time was had by me. And presumably by the birds.
The Shots
Tree swallow perched on the pier
Bufflehead duck not sure about migration
Cormorant having a stretch
Gosling in the grass
Heron close-up
This heron caught two fish at once. Impressive! Then it discovered it could not swallow both, so one was dropped back into the water.
Heron with a snack
This heron got all ruffled after eating, which I've never seen them do before
It's pollen time! Good for pollen-seeking bugs, bad for my allergies.
You can probably guess how I found this song sparrow nestled in a tree
Heron appears to be pondering, but is actually swallowing a fish. But maybe also pondering.
Where: Piper Spit, Burnaby Lake
Weather: Sunny, 20C
The Outing
I went on a solo trek to Piper Spit late morning/early afternoon, taking advantage of the sunny weather (after slathering myself with sunblock). With fewer people out on a weekday, the waterfowl weren’t quite as copious around the pier, but I still got some nice shots.
And babies! The geese and ducks both have oodles of little fluffballs in tow, following their moms and dads all over.
What wasn’t present were the winter migrants. The coots, pintails, scaups and others have all disappeared to their summer homes.
I also stuck to my new rule of only taking shots, including scenery shots, with my camera.
Overall, a pleasant outing, even if the variety of birds is now a bit diminished. The sun glinting off wood ducks and mallards almost makes up for it.
The Shots
Goose family
Gosling nibbling
Mama duck and her squadron of ducklings
Duckling
Male cowbird trying to impress female cowbird. The female cowbird was not impressed.
Male cowbird still trying to woo the lady.
Female cowbird departs abruptly.
Mallard shining in the sun.
Mallard trying to snooze.
Female wood duck gliding.
Blackbird in a tree.
There's always one goose going berserk.
"I claim this land in the name of hissing and pooping."
Jesus duck stretching.
Handsome boy
Yes, I am the most beautiful duck here.
Tree swallow obligingly pauses on a rail for me.
View of Burnaby Lake.
Pigeon is ready for its close-up.
The only herons were off in the distance.
A comma butterfly (I think), near the Brunette River.
This spotted towhee kept hopping toward me, posed for a bit with its green munchies, then darted off into the brush.
I’ll post the full gallery tomorrow (it’s getting late), but here are some shots of the first baby geese and ducks I’ve seen this spring at Burnaby Lake. The coots may be gone, but the fluffballs have arrived.
Baby goose! Fluffy and adorable. No hint of the hissing horror to come.Baby duck! Not as fluffy as a baby goose, but also doesn’t grow up to be a poopmonster.
Where: Sapperton Landing, New Westminster
Weather: Partly sunny, 17C
The Outing
With the weather being perfectly spring-like, I stretched my legs and spent an hour or so strolling along the path at Sapperton Landing, taking in the scenery along the Fraser River, and shooting what birds I could see.
I spotted a heron early on, which was nice, then realized there were at least four others with it. It was a heronfest, a bounty of herons, a heroncopia.
I actually got several decent shots of robins–score! And a terrifying shot of a crow cawing directly at my camera. And speaking of creepy, I shot a passing boat and when I zoomed in later a guy in the boat appeared to be staring back at me with a “I’ll git you!” look on his face.
Surprisingly, I saw a pair of gadwalls in the river, still not interested in migrating north, apparently.
In all, it was a fine little outing.
The Shots
Going for the catch
Fishy successfully acquired
Great Blue Heron and a gadwall couple that have not yet migrated north
Heron leaving, heron standing
Heron in flight over the Fraser River
Heron landing, cormorant in the background
Fish mosaic at Sapperton Landing
A pair of cormorants plying the river
Song sparrow in the grass being most birb
Hook and chain on a moored boat near Sapperton Landing
View of the Fraser, with log booms and the Port Mann Bridge in the background
Flower with bonus ladybugs
Song sparrow singing, as they do
Reflecting crow at the pier
Crow cawing directly at the camera. Terrifying.
I can't decide if towing giant barges of wood chips would be awesome or awful.
Life preserver on moored boat near Sapperton Landing
SkyBridge, Patullo Bridge, railroad bridge and the forthcoming Patullo Bridge 2.0
Where: Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Iona Beach
Weather: Sunny, around 18C or warmer
The Outing
With an unusually summer-like day forecast, we headed out mid-morning to Reifel, bedecked in t-shirts and shorts for the first time this year. I also brought sunblock, which proved to be very necessary.
Reifel was full of birds and full of people, many having booked no doubt due to the forecast, but the crowds thinned a bit after we’d been there awhile. The biggest changes we observed were:
Warblers. At first, we were just satisfied to get some shots, then realized the place was replete with warblers. They actually seemed to be crowding out the chickadees. I got at least two lifer shots.
Most of the winter migrants were still around, but their numbers were down quite a bit and a few, like the mergansers and scaups, were nowhere to be seen. I suspect the next time we visit, most of them will have moved on for the summer.
The geese were mostly tranquil. There was honking and some occasional nipping/alpha male nonsense, but they generally seemed more sedate. Maybe mating season mellows them out. Like, it’s hard to get a date when you’re going totally berserk.
After about four hours, we moved on to Iona Beach, where Nic wanted to find the elusive yellow-headed blackbird. We did see one, but did not get good photos (or in my case, any). Nic actually went back the next day on a Moby Dick-like quest and did get some shots. Even though he’s gotten great shots previously, so it’s not like it’s a lifer or anything. Weirdo! Or maybe he is assuming his final form as a Power Birder. First the yellow head, next the 600 mm lens.
We also saw a pile of warblers at Iona Beach. They were everywhere.
After journeying down the trails and past the barges, we agreed to walk across the tidal flats on the way back, as it would be quicker (in theory) and easier( in theory). It was neither!
But I found it strangely hilarious as the fairly firm sand gave way to increasingly mucky stuff, the kind that threatens to pull your shoes right off your feet. We never got our feet fully submerged, so I cal it a win. I also stuck to my plan to only take shots with my camera, and swapped out lenses several times for scenery shots and one poor ex-crab on the beach. A bit inconvenient compared to the phone, but my kit lens has some zoom capability, and it has a wider aspect ration, especially handy for the vast vistas of Iona Beach.
In all, it was a nice way to end the month, getting a nice preview of the warm summer weather to come.
And yes, I got a bit burnt in a few spots I missed with the sunblock. 😛
Where: Piper Spit (Burnaby Lake Regional Park), Richmond Nature House
Weather: Cloudy, intermittent showers, around 8-10ºC
The Outing
The forecast told of doom (or at least rain), so we headed out with trepidation to our first stop, Piper Spit. To avoid getting drenched, we parked at the Nature House, which didn’t help our step count, but did keep us safe from a potential drenching.
There was a bit of a breeze and as a result it was rather chilly. It did sprinkle on and off a bit, but not enough to interfere with the shoot. We once again saw a mix of spring and winter migrants, though the buffleheads were nowhere to be seen today.
A new arrival at the lake was the cowbird, tangling with the geese for some seed.
We moved on to the Richmond Nature House and spent time watching squirrels gorging themselves at the bird feeders. A few birds used them, too, but mostly stuck to grabbing seed that was spilled onto the ground. Doves and finches were mixed in with the usual suspects.
The hummingbird count was way down, but one particular rufous hummingbird repeatedly stopped to assert control on its territory. Nic got a little too close one time, and the rufous dive-bombed him to make its displeasure known. No one messes with hummingbirds. The rain actually held off completely here, so we opted to press our luck further and go to Colony Farm after a bite to eat.
Alas, the weather turned while we were eating, with The Rains arriving, so we bowed out at that point. Overall, though, we got a lot more in than we might have expected, given how wet the day was looking.
The Shots
Goose going berserk, as they do.
Goose berserker, mostly captured on camera.
Canada goose drinking up. Way up.
American coot ponders on an underwater log.
Extreme close-up of coot head.
Cowbirds have returned for 2023
Cowbird on deck
Glaucous-winged gull on the pier at Piper Spit
Female blackbird among the budding greenery
Mallard shining in the shower
Excited wood duck
Douglas squirrel gorging on seed. Seriously, I think it ate its own weight.
Squirrel eyeballing the next feeder to raid
Surveying the food store
House finch hanging out on the birth bath
Mourning dove
House finch on a branch
Rufous hummingbird in profile
Rufous hummingbird agitating. Nic apparently got too close to his territory, and it buzzed him a few times. No one messes with hummingbirds.
