Birding in BC Community

I just had to go out to Brydon Lagoon in search of the reported Black Phoebe. It's the 1st time that species has been recorded at Brydon and a lifer for me! It was quite challenging to get a good, clear shot of him because of all of the overgrown brambles and the fact that he was flitting from branch to branch, but I managed to come away with a few decent pictures. A bad picture is better than no picture at all, especially of a rare species (and the ones I got aren't all that bad, just not as unobstructed as I would've liked).

Black Phoebe by Jewill on Flickr

Very nice capture of the Pheobe. I went out looking for it myself a few days ago and the only thing I captured was a chill. However, went over to Piper Spit later in the day and consoled myself with the image below.

Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber) by Randy, on Flickr

I was waiting for a clear sunny morning to head to Iona Beach Park, once I saw reports of some of the summer visitors showing up there. It was a good morning to add more birds to the list, starting with a pair of Black Bellied Plovers trying to fit in with the gazillions of Dunlins on the beach:

Black Bellied Plover by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Caspian Terns are back at Iona Beach, squawking away, and foraging along the tide line.

Caspian Terns by GMcD2008, on Flickr

I also found a small group of Least Sandpipers foraging along the North Arm Fraser River shoreline, a nice distraction while waiting for the Osprey to show up.

Least Sandpipers by GMcD2008, on Flickr

And indeed one Osprey did show up along the river front, and was being harassed by a mob of Crows that seemed to have some concerns about his presence.

Osprey by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Nice to see the Savannah Sparrows back flitting among the fields and logs at Iona Park.

Savannah Sparrow by GMcD2008, on Flickr

I don't think we have a Whimbrel yet and although this is not a very good picture (backlit, out of focus, and the birds were way in the distance) the last time I got one was in 2015. If anyone gets a better one by all means post it.

Whimbrel by Jewill on Flickr

Goodness, but it was thrilling capturing this image. It was in the Crescent Beach neighborhood just outside of Blackie Spit, as identified in the RBA.

Oriental Turtle-Dove (Streptopelia orientalis) by Randy, on Flickr

I made my annual trek out to Iona today in search of these guys. Although they (2) took their time in showing up they did eventually and offered up some really good photo ops.

Yellow-headed Blackbird by Jewill on Flickr

We must have crossed paths. I was at Iona Park between 7AM and 10:30 AM and saw both Yellow Headed Blackbirds right at the parking lot by the washroom building, plus I heard another one calling out in the marsh, so we might have a few of these showing up this year.

Yellow Headed Blackbird by GMcD2008, on Flickr

Getting to Iona Beach when the tide is right and the sun is nice and low yielded a surprise for me this morning - what is that large shorebird out all alone.... Ooooh. A Marbled Godwit, normally pretty shy, but I was able to stay about 40 meters away and get some decent shots.

Marbled Godwit by GMcD2008, on Flickr
Marbled Godwit by GMcD2008, on Flickr

I'll beg the forum's forgiveness for these distant soft photos, but I spotted a trio of Bonaparte's Gulls wayyy out on the beach as the tide was going out, but figured I could get an ID shot or two and at least get the Bonaparte's Gull on this years' list.

Bonaparte's Gulls by GMcD2008, on Flickr
Bonaparte's Gulls by GMcD2008, on Flickr

GMcD: You have been a "machine" this year...really pumping out alot of contributions to our list with some great captures.

Barn Swallow by R Varga, on Flickr