New Year's Day in Delta

It's a bit of a tradition to have a big day birding on New Year's day. The goal is to see as many different species as possible. Even seeing a Mallard is good on this day!

I figured the best place to go was Reifel Bird Sanctuary in Delta. While I was driving there I was trying to not look at any birds along the way, as I didn't want a Crow or a Glaucous-winged Gull to be my first bird of the year.

I succeeded for most of the drive, but couldn't avoid this Bald Eagle along the way. Not a bad bird to start the year with.

Bald Eagle - 33a Ave, Delta BC - 2019 Bird #1 

After crossing the Westham Island Bridge, another common raptor appeared.


Red-tailed Hawk - Westham Island Rd, Delta BC - 2019 Bird #2

I made it to the entrance of Reifel and started seeing ducks in the long pond north of the road. The Common Merganser is a large duck and the male has a nice mix of colours.


Common Merganser - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - 2019 Bird #3

In behind the Merganser were some Mallards.


Mallard - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - 2019 Bird #4

Getting away from the ducks for a moment, the next bird was a Great Blue Heron.


Great Blue Heron - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - 2019 Bird #5

And of course, it didn't take too long to see a Robin.

American Robin - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - 2019 Bird #6

The next bird also has the "American" prefix. In the case of the Robin, there is no genetic relationship with the European Robin. Ours is a Thrush while theirs is a Chat.

With the Wigeon, there is a strong bond between the American and Eurasian. We can see Eurasian at Refeil on occasion, but today there was only the American.

  American Wigeon - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - 2019 Bird #7

I had finally reached the parking lot and already had seven species on the day. As usual there were Black-crowned Night Herons near the entrance. And of course they were sleeping and being as inconspicuous as possible.

Black-crowned Night Heron - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC

2019 Bird #8

The East Dyke trail is the most popular trail at the sanctuary. This is where all the casual visitors, many with children, sprinkle bird seed  on the ground. The smaller birds know the drill very well.

Golden-crowned Sparrow - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - 2019 Bird #9.

Even some of the ducks participate, especially the Wood Ducks.


Wood Duck (F) - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - 2019 Bird #10


Wood Duck - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC

Some of the larger ducks are also interested, such as this one.

Northern Pintail - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - 2019 Bird #11

The very common Canada Goose came in at #12 for 2019.

Canada Goose - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC

2019 Bird #12

One of the showiest of the ducks is the Hooded Merganser. Both the female and male are distinctive and attractive.

Hooded Merganser (F) - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - 2019 Bird #13

Hooded Merganser - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC

I was now in a marsh area where the calls of the blackbirds were dominant.

Red-winged Blackbird - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC

2019 Bird #14

I'm not proud of this next photo, but this was the only Coot I saw during my visit.

American Coot - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC

2019 Bird #15

This photo is also not optimal, bu I'll have many chances to get better ones during the year.

Black-capped Chickadee - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC

2019 Bird #16

Winter is the best time of year to see a variety of duck species here. I've always liked the appearance of the Ring-necked Duck.

Ring-necked Duck - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - 2019 Bird #17

Here's another case of a poor photo of a common bird. This is my only shot of this species on the day.

Spotted Towhee - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC

2019 Bird #18

Far out on the foreshore, there were many snow geese visible. Every once in a while, an Eagle would get too close and they'd all take flight.

Snow Goose - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - 2019 Bird #19

The next bird I'd seen skulking around earlier in the day, but this was my first photo of the species.

Song Sparrow - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - 2019 Bird #20

The next shot was my best of the day. A beautiful bird in a great setting...

Northern Flicker - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - 2019 Bird #21

Out on the ponds in the west field, there are many pairs of Northern Shovelers in the big shallow ponds.

Northern Shoveler - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - 2019 Bird #22

In the same area were a pair of Green-winged Teal.

Green-winged Teal - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - 2019 Bird #23

Another poor photo of a common species is this Northern Harrier. They were quite far out beyond the sanctuary.

Northern Harrier - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - 2019 Bird #24

Still out in the West Field i was surprised to see a pair of larger shorebirds fly in. They were the dreaded Dowitchers, one of the hardest ID puzzles to solve. I'm calling them both Long-billed.

Long-billed Dowitcher - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - 2019 Bird #25

And finally, as I was walking back I ran into the Sunday Morning Bird walk group. The Sanctuary manager was pointing out some hidden owls deep in the trees and bushes. I was able to get a couple of very poor shots.

Northern Saw-whet Owl - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC - 2019 Bird #26

It was now after 1:00 PM and I'd had my fill of birding for the day. Twenty six species was a good start for the year.