Photo: Black-crowned Night-Heron by Philip Dickinson
March 21, 2023
All 21 members of our group were thrilled to visit the Reifel Bird Sanctuary in British Columbia, both those who had never enjoyed the experience and those returning for the first time since the pre-Covid days of 2019. We saw Great Horned Owls nesting near the entrance to the parking lot, even before the Wood Ducks, chickadees and blackbirds began eating out of our hands. After lunch, docent Kathleen ensured we had good looks at the Black-crowned Night Herons. We then ended our visit with closeups of the three resident Sandhill Cranes.
48 species (approx. qty.)
Attendees: Phil, Denny, Jane, Pat M., Judy Lo., Val, Ken, Rex, Wilma, Pam P. John E., Carol, Bev, Karen, Pam T., Victor, Rick, Ann, Larry, Barry, Mike K.
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Canada Goose (25), Trumpeter Swan (1), Wood Duck (12), Gadwall (20), Eurasian Wigeon (2), American Wigeon (120), Mallard (1000), Northern Pintail (35), Northern Shoveler (35), Green-winged Teal (5), Lesser Scaup (9), Bufflehead (8), Hooded Merganser (9), Common Merganser (2)
LOONS, GREBES: Pied-billed Grebe (1)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Great Blue Heron (29), Black-crowned Night Heron (2)
RAILS, CRANES: American Coot (25), Sandhill Crane (3)
RAPTORS: Northern Harrier (1), Bald Eagle (35), Red-tailed Hawk (1), Great Horned Owl (2)
GULLS, TERNS: Glaucous-winged Gull (2)
DOVES, PIGEONS: Rock Pigeon (9)
HUMMINGBIRDS: Anna’s Hummingbird (3)
WOODPECKERS: Northern Flicker (2)
CORVIDS: American Crow (12), Common Raven (5)
LARKS, SWALLOWS: Tree Swallow (100), Violet-Green Swallow (2)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (24)
WRENS: Bewick’s Wren (1), Marsh Wren (2)
KINGLETS: Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1)
THRUSHES: American Robin (13)
MIMIDS, STARLINGS: European Starling (1)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (51), Fox Sparrow (30), Song Sparrow (80), White-crowned Sparrow (4), Golden-crowned Sparrow (9), Dark-eyed Junco (3)
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Red-winged Blackbird (45)
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: House Finch (2), House Sparrow (40)