November 2019 - Reifel Bird Sanctuary

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.

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