November 2
I had a good visit here on this day. Nothing too rare was seen, but I took some good shots of commonly seen birds.
Golden-crowned Sparrows are common in fall/winter on the Lower Mainland. They're not as colourful as they are in summer, but still quite attractive.
Golden-crowned Sparrow - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC
Late fall is a great time for Ducks at Reifel, most of them already back in breeding plumage. American Wigeon are one of the most common species.
American Wigeon - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC
The Wigeon was ready to dive in and I caught the result in this unique photo.
The female is quite different, but still colourful and striking.
American Wigeon (F) - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC
Another common duck at this time of year is the Ring-necked Duck. I've said in other posts that this bird is poorly named. There is a ring on the neck but it's mostly hidden. It is a rusty colour on a black background.
Ring-necked Duck - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC
You can see the "ring" on this side shot:
The next bird is a female and is probably a Greater Scaup. This is based on a rounded back of the head.
Greater Scaup (F) - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC
Song Sparrows are common at Reifel and I usually get one or two good shots of them there.
Song Sparrow - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC
There was a medium sized bird overhead in a tree. It took me a couple of looks to realize it was an American Robin.
American Robin - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC
The last birds seen were of the larger variety, starting with our most commonly seen Heron.
Great Blue Heron - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC
It's unusual to see Eagles in the sanctuary rather than soaring overhead.
Bald Eagle - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC
And off in the distance were a group of Sandhill Cranes, the last sighting of the day.
Sandhill Cranes - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC
November 11
I made a visit to Reifel on this statutory holiday. The photos taken on this day were all of common birds, but I picked out a few that I liked.
Here's a Junco poking around in some leaf litter.
Dark-eyed Junco - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC
Another colourful shot, this one of a Towhee.
Spotted Towhee - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC
This Song Sparrow looks quite comfortable.
Song Sparrow - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC
And here is it in the leaf litter:
Song Sparrow - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC
And finally a Gull bobbing for apples (or some other kind of food)...
Glaucous-winged Gull - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta BC
This was my last visit to Reifel in 2019, I'd be back again on New Year's Day in 2020.
