Feb. 19 - Reifel Day
Despite its postage stamp size, the George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary is a world class conservation area within a few minutes of B.C.'s largest urban concentration. It is a paradise for nature lovers, birders, and bird photographers. As the last vestige of natural habitat in what once probably the most fertile wildlife area in the province, Reifel is regularly the host to an amazing diversity of avian species from the mundane Mallard to exotic birds like the Black-crowned Night-Heron, Sandhill Cranes, and an exciting variety of passerines, shorebirds, and raptors.
Although the limited size of the sanctuary may be uncomfortable for the birds, it is ideal for the bird watchers and photographers. There are many trails meandering through the dyked area bordered by a variety of habitats from shallow sloughs and ponds to grasslands, dense riparian deciduous and coniferous vegetation. In many places the trails run right beside favorite feeding and roosting areas for the birds.
For me, a day at Reifel is just like letting a kid loose in the toy store. There is usually so much to see and photograph that the day is often too short. It doesn't matter when you go. The variety changes seasonally and you never know what you will see from day-to-day. The incentive today was a possible American Bittern. They are extremely rare on Vancouver Island. Swan Lake regularly reports a pair, but they are pretty well impossible to photograph. There is a historical record for the mythical Buttertubs Bitten, but as far as I know it has never been documented recently and may now be just a myth. On the other hand, Reifel is a favorite habitat for Bitterns and a photog buddy, JIM MARTIN said he knew where one was hanging out. Of course, I knew that what was seen yesterday may be long gone today, but JIM's word was all I needed to make the twitch.
For anyone or group on the Island interested in visiting Reifel, it's very close to the Tsawassen ferry terminal and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. Today I caught the 7:45 am ferry from Duke Point and was at Reifel shortly after 10:00 am. That gave me plenty of time there plus almost an hour at Boundary Bay before I caught the 5:45 pm ferry home.
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Catching Up With the Regulars
My first order of business at Reifel was to check on the Black-crowned Night-Herons. There three in plain sight but as I expected, all were totally obscured by branches and twigs as they dozed in the morning sun. Next it was the second seed feeder where Black-capped Chickadees were making regular runs. They were quick. They would pop onto a branch, drop down onto the feeder, and they were gone. My only hope was that the two feeder openings were occupied by House Sparrows when the Chickadees arrived. Then they would be forced to wait their turn. That wasn't as simple as it sounds as often they would park behind a branch or twig or hop from one branch to another. It took longer than I planned, but I finally got a couple of reasonable shots.
The only chickadees on the Island are Chestnut-backeds. Regardless of my target birds, I always make time for the Black-cappeds at Reifel.
It took a while before I found a chickadee that had to wait for a chance at the feeder
Anniversary Shoveler - Did you know that it was Shoveler Duck that got me interested in birding and bird photography? That was almost exactly 6 years at Wall Beach in Nanoose. It seems fitting to include a little "Shoveler" tribute in this journal.
Since then I've always had an extra affinity for the Shovelers.
So, what's up with this Shoveler? It seems that every time another male got close to his lady friend, he put up a little display of pride and warning.
No matter how many pictures I have of the male Wood Duck, it's too beautiful to ignore. I had to take at least one picture.
A Red-tailed Hawk landed in a tall snag in front of me. I was wondering why it kept looking back.
I was so focussed on the Red-tailed that I completely missed the Northern Harrier that swooped close by to say hello. I'm not sure if it were a courtesy call or a little territorial discussion.
Reifel might be the only in B.C. where you can see wintering Sandhill Cranes. They are intriguing long-legged creatures and a favorite photo subject. There have been 7 or 8 birds over-wintering at the sanctuary this winter.
Search for the Mythical Bittern.
After an hour of quietly meandering around the trails, I encountered a small group of walkers pointing at a bird beside the east slough. It was a Bittern in its classic Bittern pose, trying to disappear in plain sight. It stood motionless holding its head and bill straight up. The vertical brown stripes on its chest resembled dried grass or bulrush stalks.
I quietly moved ahead for a different angle, but there were branches everywhere. Just as I found a small window, one of the tourists spooked the bird, and all I got was one last shot. But, the myth had been broken. I now knew the Bittern was a real bird.
After a quick hour of photographing ducks and hawks it was time to meet Jim. He was already on site and the Bittern was there. I put it into high gear and was relieved to see ROGER FOXALL ahead. Jim had sent him to make sure I knew where to go. I was glad to see Jim but even more glad to see the Bittern on an island of branches in the middle of the slough. I was astounded to see the Bittern in plain view preoccupied with fishing. This was not my preconceived notion of Bittern behavior. I thought it would be more like a rail skulking mysteriously around the bulrushes and marsh vegetation.
Like many birds, the Bittern was forsaking safety for food. The island of branches was the perfect feeding station as it was a safe harbour for small fish trying to hide from underwater predators. Unfortunately, the fish failed to account for the predator from above.
The Bittern was a precise fishing machine. It's giant feet carried it nimbly from one side of the island to the other as it moved back and forth in search of prey.
The Bittern was uncanny. It managed to snare a fish on every pass.
Like the Green Heron, the short stubby neck of the Bittern was quick and capble of great extension.
In the span of an hour the Bittern snagged about ten fish. It put on a great show, and was still working when we left.
Last Chance for the Black-crowned Night-Heron
I had checked on the Night-Herons three times, and they were all in their same positions behind the branches. I would get one last chance on my way out. Would the fourth time be lucky? I had my doubts, but I was in for a surprise.
The Night-Herons were all in their previous sleeping positons as Jim and I arrived at their roost. Miraculously, just as we put our tripods down, the juvenile opened its eyes and proceeded to emerge fron the tangle of twigs and branches..
The juvenile blossumed into full, unobscured view for our cameras. Was it just a coincidence or was there some higher power in action?
It was wake up time for the juvenile, and we were privy to its waking routine.
Preening was an essential part of the waking process.
The wing-stretch was another common activity for the waking bird. Had enough? Me too. It was almost closing time anyway.
Boundary Good-bye
I only had a few miutes for Boundary before my dash for the 5:45 pm ferry. It was a great way to end a great day. The golden rays of the evening sun cast a mystic glow on the foreshore grass as Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls cruised effortlessly in search of voles.
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Feb. 20 - A Rare Experience
I've never seen a Long-eared Owl before, and I wouldn't be surprised if I never saw another. I am indebted to an acquaintance for sharing this scarce and sensitive bird with me. It was on private property, and I will not be sharing any information about its location. Unlike the Hawk Owl or Barred Owl, the Long-eared is very wary and likes to keep its distance. With my 800 mm lens, I was able to get a suitable record shot without flushing the bird.
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Second Time Lucky
A few days ago I drove to Cumberland in search of the Pygmy Owl. There was no sign of of the owl. I thought the owl had moved on since most Pygmy Owls reported of late were one-day wonders. To my surprise, I received another email from Holly. The Pygmy had reappeared in the morning. I grabbed the phone. Holly confirmed that the Pygmy had dropped in for breakfast but hadn't reported for lunch. I rationalized that this would be my last birding day for awhile so I grabbed my camera and hit the road. There were only a couple of Pine Siskins and Juncos around when I set up my camera and waited. After a quiet half hour I decided to take a picture of a Siskin sunning itself on the branch of a large yew tree beside the driveway. Just as I clicked, Holly shout,"There it is!"
Holly had seen the Pygmy flying into the yew tree. It took me a few anxious minutes but I finally located it on a branch about 8 meters above my head.
What's that? The Pygmy gave me the evil eye as I clicked a few pictures.
After it ascertained that I wasn't a threat, the Pygmy relaxed and enjoyed the sunshine.
What's that? This time it was a couple of Juncos that caught the attention of the Pygmy.
The Pygmy hopped down to a lower branch to survey the situation. There were two Juncos and a Siskin just below it.
The Pygmy looked more annoyed than hungry. It pondered the situation for a few minutes than made a half-hearted pass at the birds.
It landed on the shady side of the tree where it resumed its afternoon relaxation. Oh, I haven't mentioned the feather on the nose. It sort of got attached to the bill while the Pygmy was preening. Just as I was leaving I glanced up at the Pygmy. It was sleeping. There was a smile on my face as I had one last look at my first Pygmy.
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Once again I am indebted to a kind soul who was willing to share her bird with a complete stranger. Thanks, Holly.
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Bird Poster
My posters are on display at: Victoria - Swan Lake Nature House; Nanoose Bay - Credit Union; Courtenay - Graham's Jewellers
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