British Columbia     
          - BC Rare Birds                
Lesser Scaup - Vancvouer, BC During the Birds of a Feather Walk at Lost Lagoon at Stanley Park for Stanley Park Ecology Society, there was a very friendly Scaup along the shore. They are easy to separate from the rest of the ducks as they are usually diving completely under water for their food. Lesser Scaup are hard to tell from Greater Scaup but if you have a close look at the back of the head, the Lesser have a flat section seen here. The Greaters have a much more rounded head. Notice also the green sheen rather than the purple color on the Lesser species. Most of the time the head just appears dark and so is not the greatest way to tell the two apart. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Lesser Scaup - Vancouver, BC
Northern Pintail - Burnaby, BC Along Piper Spit on the north side of Burnaby Lake, there are a large number of ducks of all sorts looking for handouts. Most of the feathers belong to Mallards or Wood Ducks, but there are occasionally others like this Northern Pintail. This male has started getting ready for breeding with the blue beak and clean white breast feathers. The tell tale tail feathers are coming in nicely as well. Northern Pintail head north for breeding and are mostly seen here in the non breeding season. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Northern Pintail - Burnaby, BC
Varied Thrush - Vancouver, BC Varied Thrush are a secretive bird and when you get a chance to have one pose out in the open, you take advantage of the moment. This bird was photographed on the north side of Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park. There were several birds here in the marshy margin of the forest all looking for something to eat. These birds are no where else but the west coast from Alaska south to the northern tip of Baja California. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Varied Thrush - Vancouver, BC
Black-capped Chickadee - Vancouver, BC Our most common chickadee in Vancouver's Stanley Park, this masked bandit was bouncing around the marshy area across the path from Lost Lagoon. He was curious as to what I was doing and the only reason I was able to get a shot of these very active birds. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Black-capped Chickadee - Vancouver, BC
Common Merganser Female - Vancouver, BC A female Common Merganser was preening on a rock near the east end of Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park. Preening is an important task for most birds but especially water birds that need the oil from the gland on the rear of the bird. You can see where the feathers are ruffled just above the tail where the gland can be found. Males and females are quite different in coloring where the male is bright white with green, the females have more earth tones. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Common Merganser Female - Vancouver, BC
Wood Duck - Vancouver, BC This is on Stanley Park's Lost Lagoon on a fantastic morning tour with the Birds of a Feather Walk hosted by Stanley Park Ecology Society. This male duck was accompanied by a female not far away and were patrolling the edge of the shore. Mating will be the only thing on this guys mind very soon and the pair will find a suitable nesting hole or box up a tree where the babies will be hatched. Very soon after, they will make the giant fall to the earth and trotted off to the nearest water for relative safety. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Wood Duck - Vancouver, BC
Common Goldeneye - Vancouver, BC With a golden eye it is hard to mistake this bird for any other duck out there. The green sheen on the head, round white cheek circle and the whiter flanks separate it from it's cousin the Barrow's goldeneye. This was taken on Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park, Vancouver. The sky was just breaking free of the clouds making for an interesting coloring on the water. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Common Goldeneye - Vancouver, BC
Immature Snow Goose - Richmond, BC There is wintering population of snow geese here in Richmond that make the very long trip from Wrangle Island Russia every year. These geese have become very used to spending their time in Richmond, Delta and Vancouver fields and foreshore. The immature geese are starting to loose their gray feathers in place of the tell tale white of the adults by February Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Immature Snow Goose - Richmond, BC
American Bittern - Richmond, BC It is not very often you get to see an American Bittern in the open and even less common you get them within 30 feet of you. This wader was most likely pushed from the foreshore of Terra Nova Park in Richmond, BC by the cold and snow to an inner ditch with a south facing exposure and moving water. The cryptic coloration of these guys make them very difficult to spot, in fact, I had him down the ditch in my binoculars and walked right past him as he sat on the opposite bank. Thank you to John and Mel for the help in finding this heron. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
American Bittern - Richmond, BC
Hairy Woodpecker - Richmond, BC Hairy Woodpeckers are one of the residents at the Richmond Nature Park found at the peanut and suet feeders behind the nature house. One of the toughest things about birding is identifying Hairys vs Downys and you know what I mean if you have been in the field trying to figure out which one is ratcheting up the tree in front of you trying to get a view of the underside of the tail. In this photo you can see very clearly that there are no black marks on the underside of the tail which makes this a hairy woodpecker along with the slightly larger thicker bill. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Hairy Woodpecker - Richmond, BC
Mourning Dove - Richmond, BC We don't get Mourning doves often here in Vancouver and we certainly don't expect to see them at below freezing temperatures. There are three wintering over at the Richmond Nature Park where the nature house puts out seed for all manor of birds. The lichen and moss really make the shot of this rare winter visitor. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Mourning Dove - Richmond, BC
Wood Duck - Delta, BC Reifel Bird Sanctuary is one of the premier birding locations in BC with a ton of migratory birds in the spring and fall and several other residents you won't get to see anywhere else like the family of Sandhill Cranes and the Black-Crowned Night Herons that both winter at the refuge. One of those residents found here all year are Wood ducks with all of their finery. This male was looking for an advantage while the kids supplied seed to the hundreds of mallards, wigeon and pintails on the ground. If you look closely, you can see the nails of these ducks allow them to grasp the branches of trees where they nest in cavities. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Wood Duck - Delta, BC
Bald Eagle - Delta, BC Golden hour is that hour in the morning or evening when the sun's light is travelling through our atmosphere differently than when it is directly overhead. That golden hue is from the light being bent while travelling through the atmosphere from a low angle. We are very fortunate her to have massive numbers of Eagles overwinter on the coast. This adult is at least 4 or 5 years old as that is when the mature white feathers are present on the head and tail. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Bald Eagle - Delta, BC
Canada Jay 2 - Manning Park, BC On a second visit to Manning Park Ski hill this season I found a flock of these little camp robbers hanging around the picnic tables looking for handouts. They were landing on ski poles and skis to wait for the offerings to come up. They are truly fascinating to watch and people are mesmerized by how bold they are when coming to look for food. They are know the entire continent for showing up at campsites looking for tidbits of food. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Canada Jay 2 - Manning Park, BC
Snow Buntings - Tsawwassen, BC These hardy little birds were grouped up in a flock of 6 on a very cold and windy day in January on the Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty. The brownish tones that they sport in the winter turn to black and white for breeding in the high artic. The straight back toenail of the species alludes to their cousin the longspur who also frequent the jetty in the spring and fall during migration. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Snow Buntings - Tsawwassen, BC
Barred Owl - Surrey, BC During the Pitt Meadows Christmas Bird Count, we ran into this silent hunter. He flew threw a cedar grove not giving us a chance to see him well, but around the corner, he was up on a perch while he watched two squirrels. Both squirrels had this birds number as they were chirping out an alarm the entire time. The owl was patient while he waited for things to calm down. More patients than us, so we carried on with the count. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Barred Owl - Surrey, BC
Bohemian Waxwings - Salmon Arm, BC During a recent outing in search of a rarity in Salmon Arm, the Mountain Ash that the Feildfare was frequenting was often and voraciously raided of their berries. The trees were stripped clean of the berries from the top 2/3 of plants. The rest were soon to be devoured by Robins, Starlings, Flickers, and Bohemian Waxwing. A small pack of the later flew in and were promptly chased by the robins that had been there since first light. Always love to see waxwings and was lucky enough to see the Fieldfare as well. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Bohemian Waxwings - Salmon Arm, BC
Bushtit - Vancouver, BC On my trip to find the Black and White Warbler, the early morning sunshine was warming up the locals. Among those were a flock of bushtits that were making their way through the low growing plants. This particular bird made Picture
Bushtit Virginia Creeper - Vancouver, BC
White-throated Sparrow - Vancouver, BC Another relatively uncommon sparrow in Vancouver as taken up residence for the time being around the stone bridge at Stanley Park. There is a juvenile of the same species that is also here. This year has a huge influx of birds from north of the Rockies. It might have been the severe snow storm that showed up in Alberta at the beginning of the month that led to so many birds that head southeast for the winter to detour here. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
White-throated Sparrow - Vancouver, BC
Great Blue Heron - Vancouver, BC This VERY tame heron was chillin' on the side of the running path in Stanley Park before heading down to the water at Lost Lagoon for breakfast. He was very relaxed about the bikers and joggers moving past him within 5 feet. This is what happens when you you live in a city of a million people I suppose. This photo was taken during the Stanley Park Ecological Society walk where we talk about the birds that live in and around Stanley Park Vancouver. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Great Blue Heron - Vancouver, BC
Wilson's Phalarope Male - Robert Lake, BC During a trip to Kelowna this year, I stopped in a Robert Lake to put Wilson's phalarope on the year list. As it turns out, the lake was overfull. It was flooding right up and into a field that is usually high an dry by that time of the year but it would appear that the lake was being used as a storage tank and the overflow pumped out. Hopefully this doesn't change the composition of the lake as it is a closed or Endorheic Lake. That is a fancy name for a lake with no outlet. This male Phalarope was picking away at the waters edge hunting successfully for damselfly larvae. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Wilson's Phalarope Male - Robert Lake, BC
Harris' Sparrow - Vancouver, BC Migration is a great time of the year if you are a birder. There are variety of birds that show up that you don't see any other time of the year. This Harris' Sparrow is no exception, making a stop in Jericho Park at an apple tree with fruit to spare. This northern nester is usually on a straight path from northern Canada to the midwest states of Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Kansas for the winter but we see the occasional bird here in the fall. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Harris's Sparrow - Vancouver, BC
Wilson's Phalarope Female - Robert Lake, BC Robert Lake is a salt lake that is extremely important to the local and migrating bird population in Kelowna, BC. In the spring the Wilson's phalarope meet here to breed on the semi flooded fields where plenty of invertebrates also call home. As the summer moves on the lake drys up and the total footprint might shrink by almost half leaving the dissolved salts to crystallize on the plants. This is a femail phalrope told by the more striking markings as the females of this species is known for. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Wilson's Phalarope Female, Robert Lake, BC
Black Footed Albatross - Take Off - Tofino, BC During a pelagic tour earlier in the spring, we encountered several of these majestic birds following a fishing boat grabbing the left overs from fish processing. I have always remember the scene from
Black-footed Albatross - Take Off - Tofino, BC
Semipalmated Plover - Long Beach, BC This little plover is our most common on the Pacific coast. Its name comes from the semi-webbed feet that help to keep it from sinking into softer muddier areas. This beach is usually a favorite of surfing destination, but in the spring and fall, the shorebirds heading to the arctic circle use this as a refueling station. You can find a multitude of species running up and down the beach looking for critters that live in the sand. You can all see on the ground what looks like plastic, but these are remnants of small jellyfish that use this stiff chitinous sail to move them around on the open ocean. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Semipalmated Plover - Long Beach, BC
Herring Gull - Tofino, BC There are three common gulls off the coast of Vancouver Island during the late spring and the one that seeming was most common on this day were the Herring Gulls. We were some distance of the coast on the shelf following a fishing vessel who were fishing for rock fish. We were on a tour out of Tofino with Ocean Outfitters. Most of the birds were following the boat as the unmarketable parts of the fish were being thrown overboard. This gull seem to think our boat might give up some morsels but to no avail. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Herring Gull - Tofino, BC
Black-footed Albatross - Tofino, BC This very large ocean going bird is one of the most common Albatross of the coast of Vancouver Island. During a pelagic trip with Ocean Outfitters, I was able to see a great many of these birds trailing a fishing boat throwing scaps off the deck. The smaller birds would come in and grab what they could and then the big boys would sail in and bully their way into the goodies. These particular species of Albatross or some of the smallest but still have a 6-7 ft wingspan. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Black-footed Albatross - Tofino, BC
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Northern Fulmar - Northern Vancouver Island, BC
American Goldfinch - Pitt Meadows, BC During a search for a rare bird migrating through, I came across a group of Goldfinches that had found a pocket of cattails along the road just above a section of dandelions in bloom and seed. One of the birds was quite happy to strike a pose on the top of one of last years rush seed heads. The yellow in these Goldfinch are striking, but the black on the heads and wings, there are few birds that are as beautiful. American Goldfinch molt those beautiful feathers every year and become a very drab olive green in September and have the yellow back in May. Sibley's has done an amazing job of capturing the molt on this page. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
American Goldfinch - Pitt Meadows, BC
Brewer's Blackbird - Stump Lake, BC If you know Brewer' Blackbirds at all, you will know that this poster comes at the end of the metallic song they have and ends with a ka-chink. This particular male was trying to impress several females on around the pull out collecting grain that was left there. The bird may be fairly boring from a distance, but with the angle just right, the purples and blue-greens come out very well. This bird's Species name in latin, Euphagus cyanocephalus, translates loosely to blue-headed true-throat. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Brewer's Blackbird - Stump Lake, BC
White-crowned Sparrow - Stump Lake, BC A large flock of birds caught my eye at the end of Stump Lake in the Nicola area. They turned out to be yellow-headed black birds and a large number of White-crowned Sparrows picking at grain that had been spread around the edge of a pull out. One of the most interesting things I have found about photographing birds is that using the vehicle as a bird blind allows for some amazing opportunities. You would think a massive multi-ton piece of steel and rubber would scare a bird more than just a person on foot, but it is quite the opposite. If you are a photographer of birds and have never tried it, I recommend it highly. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
White-crowned Sparrow - Stump Lake, BC
Yellow-headed Blackbird - Stump Lake, BC Stump lake is one of my favorite birding locations for the dry weather birds here in BC as well as the different habitats in a very short distance. Not to mention, Klotz translates to stump, (or similar) in German. As I was heading around the south side of the lake I noticed a very big flock of Yellow-headed Blackbirds in a pullout. I wheeled around and headed back to find the ground covered in wheat. There were several birds making short order of the grain, including White-crowned Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, and European Starling. There must have been 50-65 male birds hovering around the area becoming braver every minute. Most of the Females must have been on nests as there was only half a dozen or so. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Yellow-headed Blackbird - Stump Lake, BC
Northern Shoveler - Surrey, BC This large flat billed duck is a specialized feeder who spends most of the day with the tip of its bill in the water sifting through the small plants and animals that live in the top of the water column. Its not uncommon for them to be seen looking like whirly gig beetles on top of the water. This particular bird was in the ponds on the east side of Serpentine Fen with a mate at sunset. This birds are closely related to mallards but the bill is unmistakable. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Northern Shoveler - Surrey, BC
Wood Duck - Burnaby, BC Spring has sprung and the Wood Ducks are parading around with their fancy colors looking for a girlfriend. This duck is no different and is yet to put claim to a pretty little female. Burnaby Lake is one of best location for grabbing photos of the colorful waterfowl at the Piper Spit entrance. This tree nesting duck is comfortable in the water, on land, in the air or on trees. Several of the nesting boxes that are put up around the lake are well used along with some woodpecker nesting holes. The Asian counterpart to the Wood Duck is the Mandarin Duck which is certainly no less dull and has orange
Wood Duck - Burnaby, BC
Sandhill Crane - Burnaby, BC We are very luck here in Vancouver to have multiple pairs of Sandhill Cranes that breed here regularly. There is a pair at Burnaby Lake that are often seen on Piper Spit and this day they were both hanging close to the boardwalk. Baby cranes are called colts and this pair have had a shot two years running but to no avail. There is hope to see this pair do as well as the very long lived pair at Reifel Bird Sanctuary who have multiple colts every year since as long as I can remember. The red patch on the forehead is striking even from a distance. That coupled with the grey/rust is the diagnostic tell for this fantastic crane. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Sandhill Crane - Burnaby, BC
White-winged Scoter - Crescent Beach, BC This ocean loving duck made a landing on Blackie Spit in Surrey. I have never seen a Scoter on land and they usually are very social. This bird may have not been feeling well so hauled out. I couldn't find anything wrong with the bird so sat an watched him preen for a bit and then happily take off towards the middle of the Bay. On some of the pre-flight warm-up I was lucky enough to catch both wing bars. I always marvel at Scoters ability to eat the shellfish shell and all, digesting the shells in lest than a couple hours. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
White-winged Scoter - Crescent Beach, BC
Snow Bunting - Burnaby, BC There was a small patch of Rose Garden this bird was frequenting for several days. I stayed for at least an hour and a half and was lucky enough for the bird to come within 3 feet of me while he was feeding. It is not often that you can take pictures with a close up setting on the camera. ​This sometimes winter visitor was found in a very strange location indeed. Snow Buntings are typically found here on gravelly spits along the water where there are some grass seeds left from the fall. This migrant was refilling for the trip north, among the venerable halls of Simon Fraser University. It was quite a busy location with construction on one side and the roaring buses on the other. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Snow Bunting - Burnaby, BC
Snow Bunting - Burnaby, BC This sometimes winter visitor was found in a very strange location indeed. Snow Buntings are typically found here on gravelly spits along the water where there are some grass seeds left from the fall. This migrant was refilling for the trip north, among the venerable halls of Simon Fraser University. It was quite a busy location with construction on one side and the roaring buses on the other. There was a small patch of Rose Garden this bird was frequenting for several days. The summer birds are much more striking with stark black on pure white but still a great bird to see here in the winter. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Snow Bunting - Burnaby, BC
Mountain Bluebird - Surrey, BC Migration has started and one of our first visitors is the Mountain Bluebird. There were three of these brightly colored thrushes that mad landfall in Surrey's Big Bend Park. The two males and one female were making their rounds in the meadows near some cottonwoods. This small fir made the perfect vantage for hawking insects in the early spring morning. Several other known birders were also there getting the first glimpses of spring color in Greater Vancouver. Thanks for the spot John. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Mountain Bluebird - Surrey, BC
Blue Phase Snow Goose - Richmond, BC One of my birding friends mentioned to me that there was a Blue phase Snow Goose feeding in the fields next to the Vancouver Airport. It just so happened that as I was driving out, the flock rose from a hidden field to land right close to the road. And better still the bird that Raymond had mentioned was in the forefront of the flock. You can see that several of the birds were eyeballing the sky as a Bald Eagle flew over. This is my first photograph of the rare color phase, at least here on the west coast. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Blue Phase Snow Goose - Richmond BC
Chukar - Kamloops, BC On a cold morning, I stopped to see if I could get a look at some of the resident Chukar near Sun Rivers Golf in Kamloops. It turned out to be a very easy camera shot that day as several of the birds were picking the fruit from this Russian Olive quite near the road. They are a released bird here in this area but do very well in and around the golf course hiding in the dry wash as well as feeding in the fairways. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Chukar - Kamloops, BC
Downy Woodpecker - Logan Lake, BC Along the late fall path on the south side of Logan Lake was the tap tapping of a woodpecker. Closer inspecting among the chickadee's was this little Downy Woodpecker checking the trees for insects below the bark. If you watch close enough, some of those taps are not to get through the bark, but to locate potential prey. Once the bird is satisfied that the sound could lead to food, that is when the bark flys. You can see where he had found a bit of something under the bark on the trunk under his feet. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Downy Woodpecker - Logan Lake, BC
Peregrine Falcon - Delta, BC This beautiful creature was all fluffed up this morning waiting for the sunrise to warm up from below freezing temperatures from last night. The Peregrines here usually chase the shorebirds on the foreshore around Mud Bay looking for a meal. It just so happened that we were looking for the same birds, only we were just interested in the numbers of birds for the 118th Christmas Bird Count. This was our group's only Peregrine that morning. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Peregrine Falcon - Delta, BC
Belted Kingfisher - Pitt Meadows, BC For a bird that is relatively common, these guys are hard to photograph, at least at close range. The Belted Kingfisher is the only Kingfisher that makes its summer home in the northern United States and much of Canada. There are 114 species of Kingfisher around the world and most of them residing in Africa and Australasia. The Kookaburra of Australia is one of the more well know cousins. This particular bird is a male and can be told from the female by the lack of a rufous band below the blue band seen here. As long as there is open water, the Kingfisher does quite well. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Belted Kingfisher - Pitt Meadows, BC
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Snow Bunting - Tsawwassen, BC
Northern Cardinal- Cranbrook, BC A common eastern bird made its way to the northeast corner of BC in a town called Cranbrook. The home this wonderful visitor home at, has also made it her home for the last couple weeks. A friend of mine from the area met me as my guide for the lay of the land and the people. Thank you, Carleen, for the great morning of birding. During our search along the creek next to the house, Carleen heard, then spotted the Female Cardinal heading back towards the house with the feeders. We made our way back and met Katrin who was the first to spot the female Cardinal in the same tree where took this photo. We then met Greg, the other resident of the lucky house. Greg and Katrin are local naturalists as well as amazing hosts and I thank them for their hospitality. While chatting out on the deck, the birds very high chirp was identified and we all headed to the front where she was feeding on sunflower seeds in an ornamental crab-apple tree. Hopefully she sticks around for others to see this rare visitor to the west of the Rockies. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Northern Cardinal - Cranbrook, BC
Greater White-fronted Goose - Burnaby, BC The White-fronted part of this goose's name is pretty obvious in the adult birds. (front) This goose breeds in the high Arctic in the summer and winters in in the inland valleys of the Western States and in Mexico, Texas and Louisiana. They are sometime seen in flocks of Canada Geese and are not quite as easy to see as you would think. These geese were hanging out with Canadian and Cackling Geese in the Burnaby Lake Fields just west of the lake. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
White-fronted Goose - Burnaby, BC
American Tree Sparrow - Vancouver, BC A close encounter with an unlikely visiting sparrow today at The Museum of Anthropology at UBC. This small lightly colored sparrow has made this long patch of grass home for the time being. These birds usually spend the summer where the Boreal forests meet the tundra of the far north and then head south the northern states for the winter. It amazes me how these small birds winter the frigid cold winters of the prairies and come out none the worse for wear. Very interesting note about the American Tree Sparrow is that it rarely spends time in trees at all and prefers the grasslands or tundra to forests. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
American Tree Sparrow - Vancouver, BC
Orange-crowned Warbler - Delta, BC A fall warbler that we see often here is the Orange-crowned warbler. They are known for their very unremarkable coloring and sharp pointed bill. These birds frequent the lower shrubs and brush and will be found nesting directly on the ground. The orange crown for which it is named is hardly ever visible and only seen when the bird raises its crown feathers when excited. This particular bird was along the west dike at Reifel Bird Sanctuary, one of my favorite birding locations here in Vancouver. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Orange-crowned Warbler - Delta , BC
American White Pelicans - Quilchena, BC An early morning drive along Nicola Lake provided an excellent surprise look at some rare summer residents. They were certainly on their way south at the only two breeding populations of White Pelicans in BC is found in the western Cariboo region near Williams Lake. These majestic birds with their extremely funny beaks are a bit of an oddity dipping their heads into the lake with out a splash and scooping up pouch fulls of fish. The Black wing markings that are hardly visible here are amazing to see in flight. The dark wings of the rear bird are the remnants of the baby feathers from being a born this year. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
American White Pelicans - Quilchena, BC
Great Gray Owl - Quilchena, BC There is nothing more special than seeing one of these great birds in the morning light. This wonderfully large owl was stalking a squirrel in a copse of poplar and you could hear the squirrel scolding the owl as it sat watching for the right moment to move. Great Gray Owls are typically found in the boreal forests or western mountains, but I have seen a couple of birds in the grass lands of the BC interior. This open landscape allows for plenty of prey to bring home to the nest. Great Grays are one of the largest owls in North America, but are not the heaviest. Their stocky build is only a well insulated set of feathers. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Great Gray Owl - Quilchena, BC
Lapland Longspur - Crescent Beach, BC While sitting on the Jetty waiting for the Willet to show up, I heard, then saw the shape of an incoming sparrow to the line of seaweed on the beach below me. There could only be a couple choices and both were waiting to be put on my year list. I saw the rust colored wings of the longspur that we see in the spring and fall here on the beaches. This bird had presumably come from above the arctic circle where they spend the summer and head as far south as the Mexican border for the winter months. This casual visitor is seen anywhere there is short grass and typically on the coast. Longspurs are named for the extra long nail on the back toe. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Lapland Longspur - Crescent Beach, BC
Say's Phoebe - Vernon, BC This attentive bird was watching for the next good thing to come along very near Goose Lake in Vernon. It just so happened that he had found a perch near a fruiting wild rose with the cherry red rose hips making a great addition to the picture. Say's phoebe are a mostly western bird breeding in relatively dry climates with a preference to grasslands with a lower perch. They breed from California all the way to the northern limits of western North America, including Alaska, Yukon and NWT. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Say's Phoebe - Vernon, BC
Calidris acuminata Picture
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper - Richmond, BC
Western Sandpipers - Richmond, BC At the very end of the Iona Jetty 4 kilometers from shore is a location that every year is loaded with shorebirds. It is not very large, but is free from most land predators and a most people as well. The rocks and logs were covered in these Western sandpipers taking in the afternoon sun. I was able to locate myself behind a large log and wait for the flocks to resettle so I would be ale to take a relaxed photo of these
Western Sandpipers - Richmond, BC
Osprey - Quilchena, BC - There is a family of Osprey who live on the top of a telephone post in a very conspicuous place along the Quilchena Creek Road. This bird was on a post like a Red-Tail taking in the evening sun. You can really tell that those talons and beak are for the tough skin of the food that they eat as well as the thick muscular legs. Wonderful to see such a great raptor so close. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Osprey - Quilchena, BC
Western Woodpewee - Pritchard, BC Hunting around a Saskatoon Berry bush was where I found this vocal flycatcher. The
Western Woodpewee - Pritchard, BC
Barred Owl - Langley, BC Today was an easy birding day! The robins had found this beautiful own and were making sure that every other critter in the forest knew where he was too. There were Anna's Hummingbirds dive bombing him, Crows, even an American Goldfinch started chiming in. The owl of course was not too excited about the whole thing, but he wasn't about to get any shut eye. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Barred Owl - Langley, BC
Great Horned Owl - Langley Owls are always a favorite of mine to see. This particular Great Horned variety had a mate in the cedar next and up the tree. These birds are some of the most efficient hunters in North America and are found in almost every ecosystem. Each ecosystem shapes the owls that live there so that the great horned owls that live in the dessert are very light and less streaked like our Pacific North West are. These birds are living in a woodlot near the Nicomekl River. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Great Horned Owl - Langley
Snow Bunting - It was a very dreary day when the phone went off suggesting there was a snow bunting in breeding plumage out on the Iona Jetty. (Thanks Mel) I was with my wife who had just endured a weekend of birding and was now asked to hang out in the truck just another hour........ tops, as I ran down the jetty to see if I could get some shots. Snow buntings that you usually see around here are brown and white and not at striking with the black. There he was, calm as could be picking the seeds from the short grass on the top of the pipe. The bird and I were both soaked to the bone, but I was smiling ear to ear. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Snow Bunting - Richmond
Hooded Merganser - First time to Blankensop Lake and across what was the old trestle for the train. This hooded fish duck was not impressed with the attention I was giving him from the bridge and was on high alert. If you look closely, the water that was still on his back from the last dive is rolling around in a sphere on his back. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Hooded Merganser - Saanich
Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata White Rock Pier BC British Columbia Canada Water ocean semiahmoo bay duck bird blogger.com waterfowl
Surf Scoter - White Rock
This unexpected Wilson's Snipe was sunning itself after a cold spell here in Vancouver. This photo was taken at the Boundary Bay Airport along one of the wet fields to the north of the airport. These very secretive birds typically are only seen when you flush them from cover as you have come too close so I was quite lucky to get these shots. The North American Snipe has, in the last 15 years, been split from its cousin in Europe, the Common Snipe. Other North American relatives are the Woodcock and both Dowitcher species. Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicata Boundary Bay Airport Delta BC British Columbia Canada grass camouflage brown green beak blogger com shorebird bird outdoor animal landscape
Wilson's Snipe - Delta
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Black Oystercatcher - Crescent Beach, BC
Lost Lagoon is one of the best spots in Vancouver to get shots of water birds close up. This male Wood Duck was just behind the stone bridge with a couple other of the same species. They are truly one of the most beautiful ducks native to North America. Thank you to Liron Gertsman for a great day around Stanley Park. Picture
Wood Duck - Vancouver
Evening Grosbeak - Langley I had been searching for these finches for months for my year list. I stalked them from eBird where they were posted 25-20 blocks up the hill from my house, I went to the north shore to try my luck. Everything turned up a big donut hole. My fantastic family was in town and show up to the house. The 10 of us head to the deck and proceed to have a good time. One thing you need to know about this family is we have some very loud voices and we are not afraid to use them. All of a sudden a flash of yellow hits the feeder. I know what it is by the white contrasting with the black and yellow, but I don't believe it. I have had this feeder there for 10 years and not one of these beauties visits..... ever. I yell/whisper for everyone to be quiet, like a mad man of course, and slink off the deck to get my camera. Everyone is still looking at me like I have dropped a marble or two. I finally get the camera on the pair and this is the result. The family finally decided after 15 minutes they didn't find the birds as interesting as I did and went on with the boisterous conversation. The pair hung around for the next 2 hours only heading to the tree if an arm flung up from out of the crowd. The strangest thing, I haven't seen them back since that day. So thanks are given to my very vocal family. You are welcome on my deck anytime. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Evening Grosbeak - Langley
Whimbrel - Tsawwassen, BC This long-billed shorebird has decided to stick it out here in the south-western corner of Canada for the winter. This bird is usually found south of Washington State on the west coast in the off season but has found a suitable home with a couple of Black Oystercatchers on the Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Whimbrel - Tsawwassen, BC
This unexpected Wilson's Snipe was sunning itself after a cold spell here in Vancouver. This photo was taken at the Boundary Bay Airport along one of the wet fields to the north of the airport. These very secretive birds typically are only seen when you flush them from cover as you have come too close so I was quite lucky to get these shots. The North American Snipe has, in the last 15 years, been split from its cousin in Europe, the Common Snipe. Other North American relatives are the Woodcock and both Dowitcher species. Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicata Boundary Bay Airport Delta BC British Columbia Canada grass camouflage brown green beak blogger com shorebird bird outdoor animal landscape
Wilson's Snipe - Delta
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Bohemian Waxwing - Pitt Meadows
One of our winter waxwings has come down from the north in a large flock and has made Grant's Narrows home for the time being. These wonderfully colored visitors are what is considered an interruptive species which means they are nomadic in the winter months. This is usually based on food but can also be due to weather. The name Bohemian was given to these birds because of their nomadic tendencies. The photo of this waxwing was taken in Pitt Meadows, BC, Canada
Bohemian Waxwing - Pitt Meadows
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Whimbrel - Tsawwassen
Hooded Merganser - Vancouver WDuring a nature walk along Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park, this male merganser gave us some great looks. He was just up from the stone bridge and had several females in the area as well. These little
Hooded Merganser - Vancouver
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White-winged Scoter - White Rock
This wonderful night time wanderer comes to roost in one of the most fantastic barns. There are two birds that use this old time bit of history to shelter themselves from the daylight and aerial predators. In North America, Barn Owls are at one of their most northern limits here in Vancouver, BC. The venture further north in Europe well into Northern Scotland and Southern Sweden. With the removal of old barns, the owls are in danger of disappearing from the landscape. There are several groups that are coming together to have barns on a stick made for them to use. Picture
Barn Owl - Delta
Snow Goose
Snow Goose - Richmond, BC
Burrowing Owl - Tsawwassen, BC One of my best finds and couldn't tell anyone at the time. This fantastic little owl was along the Tswwassen Ferry Jetty a couple weeks back. I have traveled back several times and could not relocate him. I have also sent along the band numbers to the correct authorities and it turns out this male was born in the wild and has had numerous chicks since, in the interior of British Columbia. I would recommend looking into the Burrowing Owl Society of BC and maybe putting a donation towards keeping these fantastic owls from disappearing for good......... again. My apologies to the rest of the birders that would have like to have seen this guy. He was just too close to traffic and I didn't want to be the reason he didn't make it back next spring. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Burrowing Owl - Tsawwassen, BC
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Spotted Towhee - Langley, BC
Tree Swallow - Burnaby Lake, BC The pier at Piper spit was a birders paradise this day. The swallows were thick in the air. I had a very curious tree swallow land on the wood rail just a few feet away. Its moments like this that I really wonder why I don't do this for a living. PictureTree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor Piper Spit Burbaby Lake BC British Columbia Canada wood railing grain brown white blue shiny sheen birding birder thebirdblogger.com animal bird outdoor
Tree Swallow - Burnaby
The color of these drakes is fantastic and stands out as one of the more unique waterfowl. We don't see many of these birds in the summer here and very rarely see them in the winter months. This pair and another are spending their time in one of the creeks that doubles a drainage ditch along Colebrook Road in Surrey. These two were so relaxed and unconcerned with my presence that I had to wait 10 minutes for them to pull their heads from their backs to get this shot. Michael Klotz - www.Thebirdblogger.comduck Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera pair surrey colebrook road ditch BC British Columbia Canada grass water red eye blogger com animal bird outdoor
Cinnamon Teal - Surrey
Pacific Wren - West Vancouver, BC - This very inconspicuous little bird rarely sits still for very long and rarely out from the dense cover. It is also rare that you see snow in this part of the world for very long so the white back ground with our little year round songster is a treat. I find it amazing that they dont freeze when it gets below freezing but here they stay. This was taken on the trail at Klootchman Park, West Vancouver.
Pacific Wren - West Vancouver
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Northern Saw-whet Owl - Delta, BC
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Anna's Hummingbird - Saanich, BC
Canada Jay - Manning Park, BC This is the first Canada Jay I have photographed since the name has changed from Gray Jay. In some parts around here, they are still referred to as Whisky Jacks. The name comes from a derivative of an Algonquin Indigenous name meaning trickster. They will seek you out at any point in the forest so long as they think you have some type of food. They are hardy little birds living well into the Boreal forests and mountain tops in Northern USA and Most of Canada. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Canada Jay - Manning Park, BC
Western Sandpiper - Richmond Using a sun-bleached log as a roost several Western Sandpipers were catching the last of the sun rays for the day. This is our most common sandpiper during migration and can be told by the long drooping bill and rust on the wings during the non breeding months. During breeding, they have more rust on the head, back and wings and have checking along their sides and flank. These hardy little birds breed along the West Coast of Alaska and spend winter on both Us Coasts and the Northern coast of South America. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Western Sandpiper - Richmond, BC
Pectoral Sandpiper - Richmond, BC During the hunt for the rare Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Iona Island, the large flock of Pectoral Sandpipers were very close indeed. Most of the birds here look very similar to the
Pectoral Sandpiper - Richmond, BC
Common Tern - Richmond My daughter and dog were out on Iona South Jetty, near the Vancouver airport, in search of shorebirds and on the way back we came across this little guy. Common terns migrate through our area but are seen infrequently. They are a great deal smaller, not to mention quieter, than our regular summer residents, the Caspian terns. Common terns can be found world wide, but the birds that we see here on the west coast most likely breed in Alberta or the North West Territories. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Tern/id This particular bird is already in non breeding plumage which is different from a couple items like the cap is complete to the beak and the gray mantle is solid. The time of day this bird was looking for a roost was perfect as we were into the long light and he seemed to be content to be the perfect subject for 5 minutes. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Common Tern - Richmond, BC
Anna's Hummingbird - Murrayville, BC on the hometown Christmas Bird Count we had a horrible weather day and I am pretty sure the birds were looking out from the bushes asking what they humans were doing out in that crazy weather. It just so happened that we got a break in the weather into the last hour and a half of the count. This wonderful little Anna's Hummingbird was standing guard on two feeders in Murrayville and I was able to catch a shot of the last bit of light shining off his gorget, or throat patch. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Anna's Hummingbird - Murrayville, BC
We don't get to see White Pelicans all that often here on the Vancouver Coast, so having this one around for a couple of days was a bonus. This guy was resting on the beach at Iona Island for a couple days and I was lucky enough to grab some photos. The group of White Pelicans that use BC as their nesting range have not always done so well. Pelicans are very easily spooked from their nesting sites and because there are only two lakes in all of BC that they nest, one event can be devastating for that year's young. It is nice to see more of these magnificent birds and very good to hear that their numbers here have tripled since the 1980's. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
White Pelican - Richmond, BC
Rough-legged Hawk - Delta, BC During a tour with a father/daughter combination, we ran into a northern winter visitor using the windrow of short trees to hunt the fringes of the farm fields. This raptor likes to be close to the ground when hunting and can typically be seen hovering above its prey. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Rough-legged Hawk - Delta, BC
If you are familiar with the Black Oystercatcher, you know what this picture would sound like if there were audio. This bird was vocalizing during my encounter with these wonderful shorebirds. The sound is somewhat a nasally squeak followed by a chatter. There is no shortage of sound when these birds feel the need to say something. Picture
Black Oystercatcher - Tsawwassen, BC
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Rufous Hummingbird - Pitt Meadows
Common Yellowthroat - Pitt Meadows These lively bandits are some of the first warblers to arrive after a cold winter. They are somewhat secretive making their home in the long grass fields or hedgerows with tall grass edges being heard well before they are seen. This make getting a shot of Common Yellowthroats difficult, but this bird was very intent on capturing leafhoppers for the nestlings on the edge of Catbird Slough so was somewhat accommodating. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Common Yellowthroat - Pitt Meadows, BC
Cedar Waxwing - Coquitlam, BC - ​Summer cousin to the Bohemian Waxwing, this airbrushed bird is a summer resident at Colony Farms in Coquitlam. There were 5 or 6 pairs moving between the Red Elderberry bushes along the Coquitlam River. These birds are the epitome of understatement, with the soft trill and the silent wing beats and the soft gradual coloring of these masked bandits. They are fruit eaters and social which brings large flocks together in the fall in the berry trees. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Cedar Waxwing - Coquitlam, BC
Black-headed Grosbeak - Pitt Meadows, BC This handsome male was singing his heart out. It seemed to pay off, there was a female staying close in the shadows. During some research I found out that this bird used to be called the Spotted Grosbeak back when Audubon was drawing pictures for his book. Thompson Rd is little dead end road with an amazing treasure trove of birds mostly because of its diverse ecosystems all within close proximity of each other. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Black-headed Grosbeak - Pitt Meadows
​There is nothing cuter than a baby and that goes for an Oystercatcher as well. I was very lucky to happen along a family of oystercathers feeding at low tide. This parent is quite capable of finding a meal and keeping an eye out for junior. Picture
Black Oystercatcher - Tsawwassen, BC
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Northern Waterthrush - McNeil Lake, BC
Vesper Sparrow - Burnaby, BC This sparrow is an unusual visitor from the Prairie Grasslands has decided to make a stop in the middle of Burnaby. The is type of bird is found hunting grasshoppers and beetles in the open country and had just hungrily devoured a caterpillar just minutes before this picture. In the winter Vesper sparrows switch to include a good many seeds as well. The very southern most states and Mexico is where this bird will choose a winter home after his quick fill up here among the houses and lawns of Burnaby. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Vesper Sparrow - Burnaby, BC
Reifel Bird Sanctuary is arguably the best birding location in Vancouver. Its crown jewels are the Sandhill Cranes that nest and successfully raise colts (baby cranes) there. In the fall there are many migrants that stop and use the ponds as a refueling station on the trip south to California and beyond. These birds are very protective when they are raising their babies, but in the later months will stride along the path and take grain from your hand. They are free to leave and sometimes do to scout the farmland for better pickings. This picture was taken while we have a thick layer of smoke blanketing the area and makes for a redder hue than normal. Grus canadensis Picture
Sandhill Crane - Delta, BC
These wonderful pond dwellers are a so interesting to watch. They are some of the most stealthy divers I have ever seen. They can sink on command with out a ripple or a whisper, then rise just as smooth 50 feet away. They have a very distinct call like a honk. The young are striped and streaked with colors that do not look anything like the parents, but more like a clown. This was taken at Jackman Wetlands.
Pied-billed Grebe - Aldergrove, BC
Bushtit - Vancouver, BC I ran into a flock of 20 or so Bushtits who ransacked the bushes as they flew through the Rose Garden at Stanley Park. More like they ran into me. They come and go so fast, and it is tough to get a good look at them but this gentleman perched on a pine branch long enough to get this shot. This would be a male with the dark eye as the female's are yellow. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Bushtit - Vancvouver, BC
A male and female Bullocks Oriole were feeding the young ones on a fast and furious schedule. Most of the time they were bringing back grasshoppers for dinner. The male took a bit of a break to keep watch for some aerial predator that I couldn't find. He chattered some and then became stock still. It was a treat to watch these birds in action. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Bullock's Oriole - Pritchard, BC
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Lark Sparrow - Langley, BC
Cedar Waxwing 2- Coquitlam, BC - ​Subtle cinnamon into lemon yellow and that black mask make this waxwing a great subject. This was a close up of one of a pair of birds that were looking for something to eat and happened to land several feet away. I didn't notice them until I heard the tell tale trill right next to me. for almost robin sized birds, they sure do blend in well. It was a beautifully sunny day and the blue background is a welcome change around these parts. Almost everyone is 3 weeks late in getting here and starting up a family, but the weather is in full force now. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Cedar Waxwing - Coquitlam, BC
Say's, Phoebe, Sayornis saya, Richmond, Iona, Beach, Island, Bc, British Columbia, grass, flycatcher, migration, brown, cinnamon, green
Say's Phoebe - Richmond, BC
During the Brea Island Bird Count in Derby Reach Park, a vocal year round resident was hunting for food among the Cedar and Fir trees. The group received a very nice look at the non-descript little Vireo. This bird has a doppelganger that is a little more wide spread call the Ruby-crowned Kinglet. They resemble each other so closely that only minute differences like the width of the beak and the bar on the wing are the only way to tell. This was taken in the Township of Langley, along the Fraser River. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com, Picture
Hutton's Vireo - Langley
Yellow-rumped Warbler - Kamloops, One of the first warblers on the northern scene, this warbler was in a flock of 15 birds picking what they could off of the trees near rattlesnake bluff in Northwest Kamploops. This particular warbler is of the Audubon's variety and has a very close cousin that has the yellow rump, but a white throat among a couple of other minor things. they used to be considered separate species, but are now one. If the splitters get them back on their own, the species will be Myrtle warbler. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Yellow-rumped Warbler - Kamloops, BC
Sooty Grouse - Burnaby, BC On the top of a granite knoll in the middle of Burnaby that just couldn't be ground down by the glaciers was male Sooty Grouse that was looking for love. Its the highest location around that still has forests on several fronts. When I walked up the hill he was in full regalia, but by the time I got my camera out, his orange throat pouches were covered. He was very accommodating even after the displays in the way of a photo shoot. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Sooty Grouse - Burnaby, BC
Clay-colored Sparrow - Langley, BC Migration is on and we have had some interesting sparrows stop in the Fraser River Delta in the past month. This guy is no exception as he is typically not found near the coast. He was found by a friend of mine attending to the short grass in one of our backyard birding ponds, namely Brydon Lagoon here in Langley. I was commenting to the other birders that had shown me the sparrow when I showed up, that there mush be thousands of these rare birds that make their way through our backyards and we don't know it. They sometimes only stop for a couple of days to refuel and if they are as non-descript as this little guy, only a serious birder might take the time to have a second and third look. How many times might a Eurasian finch or sparrow make its way through with out a second glance. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Clay-colored Sparrow - Langley, BC
Yellow-headed Blackbird - On an early morning trip to Iona Island a came across two male yellow-headed blackbirds working the edge of the pond. They were relatively relaxed as a slowly followed along with the exercise. These birds are very easy to detect in the spring with the yellow beacon on their head and the conspicuous white wing patch but most notable is the absoultely anti-melodic screechy growl. There is something about it that says
Yellow-headed Blackbird - Richmond, BC
Lazuli Bunting - Kamloops, BC - Below Rattlesnake Bluff in Kamloops is a conspicuous Saskatoon Berry tree. On the top of the tree was a very conspicuous blue and tan bird singing his heart out looking for a female. Lazuli's Buntings are the West's answer to the Indigo bunting. The brilliant blue of this little songbird is quite striking. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Lazuli Bunting - Kamloops, BC
Say's Phoebe - Kelowna On the way into Robert Lake, a Say's Phoebe was flycatching from the fence posts. I parked 5 posts up from the bird and waited patiently for him to land on my fence post. I near about fell over when he did exactly what I was thinking. Sometimes photography requires all sorts of ingenuity to get the shot and using a vehicle as a blind works very well. Say's pheobes like grassland or farm land with perches 3-5 feet from the ground. They are also one of the flycatchers that breeds furthest north into the arctic circle and to the very northern tip of Alaska. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Say's Phoebe - Kelowna
Gray Catbird - Sicamous, BC Along the Eagle River in Sicamous there is a very nice spit with some mature deciduous trees where this very inquisitive Catbird was spending the morning. The name catbird comes from the soft mews that the bird is known well for and sounds very similar to a cat. Being part of the mimid family, it also can copy a great deal of other birds so well that you would swear there were sometimes 5 species sitting in the same tree. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Gray Catbird - Sicamous, BC
Ruffed Grouse - Kane Valley, BC An Early morning drive up Kane Valley was very productive birding wise. Along the side of the road was this well camouflaged game bird. It apparently is used to the traffic as it casually walked to the poplar tree you see it in here and flew to the lowest branch and started eating the buds off the tree while I took a couple shots through the open window. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Ruffed Grouse - Kane Valley, BC
Orange-crowned Warbler - Langley, BC Brydon Lagoon comes alive in the spring and is one of the best kept birding areas in the Valley. There were a pair of Orange-crowned Warblers picking their way through the fresh maple leaves looking for sustenance. They are relatively non-descript, but they always strike me as being to crisp with their sharply pointed beak and clean although drab plumage. My first capture of this migrant warbler. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.comPicture
Orange-crowned Warbler - Langley, BC
Red Crossbill - There were Red Crossbills on the side of the road on the Pacific Rim Highway in the mountain pass. They were eating salt off of the road as is common with crossbills. This female is more yellow than red, but perfectly normal for this breed. The cross bill is built to suit the needs of accessing evergreen cones with the top bill overlapping the bottom bill so that the cone opens and allows their tongue to get at the nut. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Red Crossbill (Female) - Taylor River
Pygmy Nuthatch - Okanagan Falls in the hills behind Vaseaux runs a forestry road that cuts through several different ecosystems and one of them is a dry pine forest. There were several birds in mixed flocks still moving together. One group of small but noisy members were these Pygmy Nuthatches. This particular bird was working an old pine snag. I have always remembered the genus and species name for this bird because of the movie Charlies Angels as Cameron Diaz incorrectly calls out the name of the bird as an oriole and then quotes the Latin name as Sitta Pygmea. Is my Bird Nerd showing? Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Pygmy Nuthatch - Okanagan Falls
Hutton's Vireo - I have been extremely lucky this year to have seen four Hutton's vireo's this year relatively close up. I posted a picture recently of what I thought was going to be the best photo I would catch in a while but this one is much clearer and shows all of the things that let you identify these cryptic little birds. The differences between the Ruby-crowned Kinglet and these guys are the thicker beak, the horn color of the beak and the darkness in between the wing bars instead of below. I have also learned the song which now allows me to follow them more closely. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Hutton's Vireo - Richmond
Ring-necked Pheasant - On an outting with a birding friend John Gordon, we came across a pheasant making his way across a farm road in Delta. He was looking very impressive for the ladies with some beautifully long tail feathers and bright red facial skin. Pheasants are an introduced bird to North America, and had done very well, but numbers are decreasing in many areas. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Ring-necked Pheasant - Delta
Common Goldeneye - Vancouver The differences between common and Barrow's goldeneye males are that the spot infront of their eye is either round or a tear drop. Another difference is there is much more white on the Common. The last is where you can typically find each and the Barrow's seem to stay in the salt water in the winter while the common can be found in both. This male was diving along the shore of Lost Lagoon during the Stanley Park Ecological Society bird walk. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Common Goldeneye - Vancouver
Mountain Bluebird - Along the north side of the Thompson River there are some great farm fields and fence posts. In the spring and summer the Bluebirds flycatch from these posts and make great subjects. In BC there was a great decline of bluebird numbers due to House Sparrows, Starlings, and Raccoons, among other things. A great many people have put substantial effort into the return of nesting birds. Here is a link for just such a group. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Mountain Bluebird - Pritchard
Black Turnstone - White Rock On the granite break water at the end of the white rock pier a lone Black Turnstone was combing the nooks for something to eat. They are typically in small groups, but today this bird was on its own. They are so no descript when wandering around on the shoreline but when they are in the air, the black and white pattern is striking. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Black Turnstone - White Rock
Red Crossbill - Driving along the highway on the way back from Tofino, we noticed a flock of birds on the side of the highway just off Taylor River bridge. It turned out to be Red crossbills licking the salt from the road. They were several birds on the ground tilting their heads almost upside down to get the most salt possible. I have seen flocks of crossbills come to the ocean shore and lick the salt from the rocks. There must be a deficiency of salt in the pine cone nuts. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Red Crossbill - Taylor River
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Northern Fulmar - Tofino
Hermit Thrush - Delta, BC We have a couple of these spotted type thrush stay for us for the winter, but only on the coast where the water acts as a heatsink keeping temperatures warmer than the inland areas. Hermit Thrush are usually heard before seen and are only found in dense undergrowth. This particular bird must have been hungry as she was searching the open shoreline for food. It is rare that you catch a glimpse of these shy birds in the under-story, but even rarer to see them in the open, posing for a picture. One of the things I like best about these birds are they way they can throw their melodious voices like a ventriloquist. This was taken along Brunswick Point in Delta along the south side of the dyke. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Hermit Thrush - Delta, BC
PictureThe Tsawwassen ferry jetty has a great many species that make it home for the winter. Some stay all year and these are one of my favorite. The birds were catching a bit of a rest, but they kept both eyes on me while I grabbed some shots. If you look close at the pupil there is a notch in the iris which is standard issue for these birds. There are some experts believe that is has to do with whether the bird is female or male. A full fleck would be female and a partial or no fleck at all is a male. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Oystercatcher Pair - Tsawwassen
Red-winged Blackbird - This bright shouldered blackbird is always the most vocal of the birds of a marshy pond. The are fiercely protective of their home range driving off birds and animals many times their size. They are frequently seen harassing crows and Red-tailed hawks until the would be nest thief is driven from the area. These birds are the most common bird in North America with some 130 million birds which is down from 190 million birds over the last 40 years. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Red-winged Blackbird - Richmond
PictureA west coast version of the fox sparrow found with many others at Piper Spit at Burnaby Lake. I always wondered why they called these guys fox sparrows until I saw the east coast subspecies which can be fox red. Another interesting tid bit about these birds, is that they are easy to differentiate from the song sparrows but the arrowhead shapes on their chests versus just the stripes of the song sparrows.
Fox Sparrow - Burnaby
Snow Goose - Richmond We have a resident wintering population of snow goose here on the coast of the Fraser River Delta, who spend their summers in Wrangel Island, Russia. By the spring, they are quite used to people and feed on the grass in parks throughout Richmond and in some cases take over some folks front lawns. The rust on the birds face is just that. When the feed on the roots of plants in the mud, the iron oxide in the mud stains the gooses feathers a rust color. Then they return from the arctic in the fall, they are bright white. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Snow Goose - Richmond
Killdeer are one of the most common plovers in urban areas, but they are typically so hard to see if they aren't making a bunch of noise. Did you know that the Killdeer's scientific name translates from latin roughly as talkative sandpiper? Charadrius is the family of sandpipers and voiciferous speaks for itself. If you know the bird well you would probably agree. This bird was on the beach at White Rock just off from the pier. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Killdeer - White Rock
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Whimbrel - Tsawwassen
There are always Bufflehead along the White Rock pier but not usually so close. This one was giving a little stretch before diving for more food. Bufflehead start to congregate this time of year and start showing the females their stuff. One of the displays is to take off and slide into the group with a flourish like a teenager on bike skidding to a stop in front of a group of girls. Picture
Bufflehead - White Rock
It was -1F/-18C when I ran into a group of small birds making their way through the pine and fir above Kamloops. It was a mixed flock of Black-capped Chickadee, mountain Chickadee, Brown Creeper and Red-breasted Nuthatch. I find it amazing that these tiny little birds can survive the major sub 0 temps with a limited source of food. From what I have researched, to make sure they dont freeze overnight, the enitre flock finds a woodpecker hole and piles in on top of each other and vibrate all night to make sure they don't freeze. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Mountain Chickadee - Kamloops
While song sparrows are extremely easy to capture at least in most places here, I haven't taken a picture of one since I started taking bird photos in 2003. I wanted to have at least one for the archives. Our Pacific Northwest flavor is decidedly dusky, which matches the sky a good deal of the time. It would seem that there are several species that have this trait on the rainy side of the mountains like downy woodpeckers and of course dusky grouse.
Song Sparrow - Burnaby
These hardy little birds are great to watch as they pick through the rocks. Their upturned beaks are perfect for flipping rocks and shells over to find crustaceans and other goodies along the shoreline. This particular bird was scouring the solid rocks with a partner making sure no surface was missed.
Black Turnstone - Victoria
Brandt, Tsawassen, BC
Brandt - Tsawassen, BC
We have an unusual visitor to the coast this winter in the form of a wren. These dry loving wrens are usually found east of the coast range in the Okanagan Valley here in BC and Eastern Washington. This bird has made a temporary home on the south facing dykes of Brunswick Point gleaning insects from the logs and rocks. Rock Wren Salpinctes obsoletus Brunswick Point Delta BC British Columbia Canada log grain brown tan spots lichen blogger com outdoor bird animal, Wren
Rock Wren - Delta
These little guys are somewhat difficult to catch as they stay under cover most times and when they are up they dont stand around long. I caught just enough resting time on this fantastic perch to post my first ever look at this species.
Swamp Sparrow - Delta
Horned Lark - Richmond, BC During the fall, Horned Larks lose their
Horned Lark - Richmond, BC
This dove was photographed at one of my favorite stops in the Greater Vancouver Area, as there are all sorts of surprises and close encounter here. This is the Richmond Nature Park where they have interpretive center that explains the flora and fauna of the bog in that area. these Mourning Doves are not a regular resident in the summer and are only slightly more common in the winter. Interesting how one bird can be a rarity one place and not more than a 4 hour drive can be found in flocks.
Mourning Dove - Richmond
I have always had a tough time with identifying the two types of scaup. The best, from what I have been told is the flat spot in the profile of the back of the head and no black
Lesser Scaup - Burnaby
Short-eared Owl Delta BC Brunswick point is a fantastic place to bird in the winter. While I was walking the point this weekend I was lucky enough to see three Short-eared owls hunting the marsh cattail beds. Two of the owls would enter into aerial dogfights occasionally when they were close enought. It seemed to be harmless enough and there didn't seem to matter where the birds were over the marsh so I took it to maybe be young birds testing out their new skills. It is always easy to tell the short-ears from the harriers as they do not have the white rump bar but whats more is they have a very bouncy flight. Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus bird Brunswick Point Delta BC British Columbia Canada cattails bullrush marsh Georgia Strait Vancouver brown reed grass blogger com outdoor Picture
Short-eared Owl - Delta
During a pelagic trip this October of the west coast of Vancouver Island, we were lucky enough to see some Black-footed Albatross. It took me a little while to post them, but here they are. The grace of these birds is amazing in the air. The long wings stretch out and make moving along the tops of the waves effortless. Taking off however is a little more complicated for these ocean going birds.
Black-footed Albatross - Tofino
Yellow-headed Blackbird - This is an unusual visitor to Burnaby Lake and this day, there were three young Yellow-headed Blackbirds that were picking in and around the exposed stumps. The were very popular and surprisingly good subjects that day. Besides the striking yellow against black, the next most noticeable feature of this bird is the raucous call. You can always tell you are in a swamp with these birds. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Yellow-headed Blackbird - Burnaby
The bench above the upper south Thompson River has some great grassland birds. The fence posts were alive with yellow birds with black
Western Meadowlark - Pritchard, BC
Along Pennask Lake road, I came across this juvenile Red-tailed Hawk hunting from a very conspicuous fence post. The bird seemed unphased by the truck and sat for some time looking for prey while keeping one eye casually my way. I have to admit, I waffled back and forth as to wether or not this was a Red-tail immature only because of the wing projection, but maybe this bird has soem very long wings. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Red-tailed Hawk - Stoney Lake
Black-necked-stilt Himantopus mexicanus Burnaby Lake Piper Spit BC British Columbia Canada water shorebird wader reflection black white thebirdblogger.com bird watching birding
Black-necked Stilt - Burnaby
During the Pitt Meadows Christmas bird count we made our way to Tynehead Regional Park. On our walk through some of the coniferous section of the path, these animated little chickadees were bouncing ahead of us.through the trees. Chestnut-backed chickadees are a west coast bird and are found from the Rockies west. Michael Klotz - BirdBlogger.com Chestnut-backed Chickadee Poecile rufescens rust brown snow moss branch Tynehead park Surrey BC British Columbia Canada black white green blogger com outdoor animal bird songbird
Chestnut-backed Chickadee - Surrey, BC
American Redstart - Malakwa This was a very busy warbler making his way in and out of the willows and cottonwoods. He had the company of Song sparrows and Pine siskins. The lichen works here with this bird. Michael Klotz www.Thebirdblogger.com Picture
American Redstart - Malakwa
The Sooty's were the most abundant shearwater of the day during a pelagic trip I was on recently. out of Ucluelet, BC. We travelled north west out of the harbor well north of Tofino on a very cloudy day. It just so happened that there was a fishing boat in a patch of opena nd sunny ocean with a trail of birds following the boat. This Shearwater landed to take advantage of the scraps along the rear of the vessel.
Sooty Shearwater - Tofino
In an old sawmill lot in Malakwa I heard the tell tale call of a spotted sandpiper. You would think it would be easy to locate the bouncy bird, however, it took me more than three minutes to finally find him on his perch on this old gnarled log. Just behind the greenery is an old oxbow section of the Eagle River where the shorebird is bound to find plenty to eat. My guess was there was a nest near by so I didn't get too close. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Spotted Sandpiper - Malakwa
Chukar - Kamloops These introduced game birds seem to have found a respite in the green fairways and backyards of Sun Rivers golf community. The males look for rock outcroppings to call to the females in the spring. When that isnt available, the top of a house on the top of the ridge will do. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Chukar - Kamloops
Four of these fall visitors were back on the Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty this weekend. The longspurs seem to enjoy the spits along the ocean. When your looking for them, they look more like mice skittering across the open spaces in the grass. It is a very effective camouflage tactic. Picture
Lapland Longspur - Tsawwassen
Brown-headed Cowbird - If you aren't looking for it, the brown head of these blackbirds are hard to see. They are found in many suburban areas including farms. This male and a flock of 5 or 6 other birds was found in the middle of Burnaby Lake Park out on Piper Spit. A notorious claim to fame for these birds are their cuckoo like parasitism of other song birds nests. Because of their expansion due to an increase in the cattle population, they have hurt some bird populations. It is always interesting to see a little warbler feeding a cowbird that is twice its size. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Brown-headed Cowbird - Burnaby
Brewer's Blackbird - Pritchard This is a very common sight around working pastures and farms. The tell tale of this blackbird is the purple sheen on its head which is why the latin name is cyanocephalis, although the true translation is
Brewer's Blackbird - Pritchard, BC
Black Oystercatcher - Crescent Beach, BC A well won prize found and sushi-ed. I quick probe in the sand and gravel and the clam is found. The beak is pushed into the smallest of gaps like a shucking knife. A twist and a turn to let loose the reward for some underground surgery and Viola.......Lunch!. This is not as easy as it sounds however as the bivalves are only accessible like this once, maybe twice a day. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Black Oystercatcher - Crescent Beach, BC
Red-winged Blackbird - Pritchard Marking territory with the famous epaulet display. These fantastic birds are one of the first to indicate it is summer, sometimes working ponds that still have ice on them. This blackbird was in good company with several others of his family group including Brewers Blackbirds, and Western Meadowlarks. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Red-winged Blackbird - Pritchard
Stellar's Jay - Roger's Pass, BC On the way through the Mountains in British Columbia, we stopped at the Rogers Pass rest area. After two or three minutes in the parking lot, we heard footfalls on the roof of the Car. Just after, a dark streak shot off to the spruce tree to our right. It turned out to be two Stellar's Jays apparently used to travelers in the rest area. This bird was kind enough to pose in front of the snow-capped mountains in the pass. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Stellar's Jay - Rogers Pass, BC
Harlequin Duck - Victoria, BC I find these ducks some of my favorite for the way the colors and patters absolutely pop out at you when you see them. They spend most of their winters in the surf close to shore looking for invertebrates and fish. In the summers they prefer to live in fast flowing streams. Their latin name Histrionicus histrionicus comes from the root word
Harlequin Duck - Victoria
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Ring-necked Pheasant - Delta
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Anna's Hummingbird - Langley, BC
Nashville Warbler - Malakwa, BC - Along the Eagle River valley along the forestry roads, there are an abundance of birds. This particular flavor of warbler is not as common in my neck of the woods. The song of this little guy had me curious, so I followed it into the Saskatoon bushes along to road to find it quite content singing away. The redish cap is just visible in this shot if you squint just right. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Nashville Warbler - Malakwa, BC
Chestnut-backed Chickadee - Langley, BC This little guy was looking for food in Campbell Valley Park, Langley, BC on an unusually cold and snowy day here in Langley. This Red Berries are from a Hawthorne plant from a homestead long gone. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Chestnut-backed Chickadee - Langley, BC
Common Goldeneye Female - Langley, BC Along the pathway in Campbell Valley Park is a walk over bridge where you can find fresh water ducks. They keep the water ice free when its cold in Langley by diving in the area. This female Common Goldeneye was diving for her meals just on the fringe of a group of Mallard. Michael W Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Common Goldeneye Female - Langley, BC