Friday 1 April 2016

Returning from the Riefel Bird Sanctuary

I went on an amazing birding trip! I would go as far as to say it was the best birding trip of my life. Just a few of the highlights were seeing a Cooper's hawk, a barred owl, 9 Sandhill cranes, 2 Black-crowned night herons and a downy woodpecker. I saw 26 new species of birds in three days and I learned a lot.


One of the birds that I learned about was a Wood duck.
These beautiful birds not only nest in trees, they also like to photobomb other birds!



Another bird that I loved was the Sandhill cranes.
These are some of the most exotic birds I have ever seen.






Northern pintails live year round in the Riefel bird sanctuary
and even though I've seen them already they still enchant me every time.




I was excited when I figured out that the Sandhill cranes would eat from your hand. But when I got to the Riefel Bird Sanctuary, I realized they weren't the only bird that would do that. Everywhere we went we were accompanied by the colourful flash of the red winged blackbird and if you stood still for long enough, they would land on your hand for seed.


On the way there, we saw a farmer's field and at first we thought there was some type of white-flowered crop growing. But when we looked closer, we realized that it was covered in thousands of snow geese! 




If you looked down when you were walking and saw massive, lobed feet, belonging to a bird that looks like it has a scab on its nose, then you are looking at an American coot!
These funny little birds have their own brand of charm. 


When we walked into the sanctuary the exotic birds were one thing, but the mallards were another. We had to be careful not to step on the thousands of mallards sleeping, standing, or waddling along in bunches along the trails. 



And as we were driving away, we realized that wood ducks weren't the only ones nesting in trees. None of us had ever seen a Canada goose in a huge nest before, but there one was!


I'd especially like to thank Jackie Windh, who has really been helping me spot birds,
including the Red Breasted Nuthatch that frequents her garden.
And my mum, Joanna Streetly, for letting me use her photographs.






15 comments:

  1. I love your enthusiasm about bird-watching! Where is the Riefel Bird Sanctuary?

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    1. Thanks you, Jan! The Riefel sanctuary is in Delta, not too far from the Tsawassen ferry terminal.

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    2. That's helpful! I'd love to go there sometime. Here's a suggestion - Would you care to plot your sightings on a map? Not an exact map - just a hand-drawn one. Well, maybe that would be a winter project. I love what you're doing!

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  2. Fantastic blog Toby! I love reading your posts! Xx

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  3. Fantastic blog Toby! I love reading your posts! Xx

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  4. Really enjoy reading your bird adventures. One day you will have to come stay with me and see my humming birds in my garden

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  5. This is awesome, Toby. But you came to Vancouver and didn't call me (Jaza)? Next time, I want to bird watch with you!

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  6. Hi Toby ...
    My wife and I met you on the ferry when you were heading over to Vancouver for your Reifel adventure. We were impressed with your enthusiasm for birding. I met another young person on the weekend, a fellow named Hunter, who did a Big Year last year. I think he reached 170 or so. Can't honestly remember his exact number but I was quite impressed with his enthusiasm as well. We were participating at an event here in St. Albert, Alberta called Springing to Life which gives focus to migratory birds coming back to Big Lake close by. You could look up our results on e.bird. I looked to see if you were posting results on e.bird in addition to your blog. I guess not. An Adrian Dorst must be a local birder who posts a lot of results. Well, good luck this year. It should be fun!

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    1. Thanks you! It was nice to meet you too. I haven't looked at e-bird yet, as we don't have good wifi.But I will!!

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  7. I absolutely love!!! these images toby!!! I can't believe you've seen 91 birds!!!
    Amazing!!!

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    1. Thank you Twoo! I love your blog toooooooo
      – Twee

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  8. I heard about your blog and your Big Year from your interview on CBC. Good luck with the Puffins and other shorebirds on the East Coast! I admire your enthusiasm and goal setting; I enjoy the way you pull it together with your blog writing and art, I will share this with my students. Reifel refuge was always the best field trip at any time of year but snow geese season is best!

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