Auks, Murres and Puffins

Pigeon Guillemot - Lonsdale Quay, BC
Pigeon Guillemot - Lonsdale Quay, BC
Rhinoceros Auklet - Sandheads, BC On the Important Bird Area (IBA) count of the Fraser River Delta we were lucky enough to see a large amount of Rhinoceros Auklet. These dark seabirds are closely related to the Puffin. During breeding season, the adult birds grow a
Rhinoceros Auklet - Sandheads, BC
Common Murre - Sandheads, BC During the year we make several bird counts, including the Important Bird Area (IBA) count of the Fraser River Delta. This is the flat lands surrounding the river. This also includes the mouth of the several arms of the Fraser where if flows into the Salish Sea. During the year millions of bait fish like sardines and anchovies school along the edge of the mud banks attracting a large number of sea birds. The count on this day was amazing, I have never seen so many Common Murre as I had seen that day. Completely different from their breeding colors, the white and black combination make it difficult see see these birds from any distance. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com 2022
Common Murre - Sandheads, BC
Common Murre - Burrard Inlet, BC During a boat ride with friends, we came across a murre, minding his own business in the rain. He was diving in and around the same spot, presumably for fish in the area. These birds belong to a group call the
Common Murre - Burrard Inlet, BC
Pigeon Guillemot - Lonsdale Quay, BC Vancouver has some amazing locations for birding and one of them is The Lonsdale Quay. These striking seabirds nest under the pier at the old ship yards and can be found calling in the late winter getting ready for mating season and this year there were 5 pairs that I counted. Most of the Pigeon Guillemots cousins fly very far distances to capture roving fish food for their young and there for only have one young, but these birds are bottom fish feeders and therefor don't have to travel and are able to feed two young in a season. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Pigeon Guillemot - Lonsdale Quay, BC