British Columbia 
California Quail - Okanagan Falls, BC Being our only native quail species here in British Columbia these birds are relatively easy to identify. The male was more that helpful in making the ID with a proud stance a top a fence. There were several others in the quail covey with the female watching over at least 10 youngsters. They were a little harder to see as they stayed pretty much in the shadows of the sage brush. This was taken in the hills above Okanagan Falls, just outside of an old forestry compound. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
California Quail - Okanagan Falls, BC
Violet-green Swallow - Peach Cliff, BC This is one of the two green swallows found in British Columbia for the summer. The second is a Tree Swallow. There are three distinct features that separate the two birds with two visible here in this picture. The first is the white on the face extends up and over the eye where as the white stays below the eye in the Tree swallow. Secondly, the color of the back is more a metallic forest green while the tree swallow is a metallic blue-green. This was taken just south of Okanagan Falls below Peach Cliff. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Violet-green Swallow - Peach Cliff, BC
Lazuli's Bunting - Osoyoos Cottages, BC During a 110 degree day on Osoyoos Lake, we found a Lazuli's bunting hiding from the sun under some maple leaves. This handsome little bird was panting away but happened to come out for a bit of a photo shoot. I had never noticed before that these birds had blue thighs. They are closely related to the Indigo bunting which is is more of an eastern bird where as the Lazuli's spends most of its time on the western parts of North America. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Lazuli's Bunting - Osoyoos Cottages, BC
Western Bluebird - Kruger Mountain, BC Picture
Western Bluebird - Kruger Mountain, BC
Lark Sparrow - Chopka, BC One of the hottest places in Canada is the road that leads to the Nighthawk Border Crossing from British Columbia to Washington State. Along this road you can find birds found no where else in the province due to its desert climate and sagebrush habitat. The Lark Sparrow is one of those birds that live in this very specific area. This was part of a pair busily collecting insects, mostly grasshoppers, for the young hidden away near a pile of granite boulders. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Lark Sparrow - Chopka, BC
Townsend's Warbler - Cypress Mountain, BC Our songster of the West Coast Rain Forests. This bright and cheerful little wood warbler is heard singing in the early summer in the mountains on the north and east of Vancouver. The bird is named for the famous Ornithologist John Kirk Townsend who made a trip out the Rockies and the West coast. Several of his finds were sent back to John James Audubon himself. This was taken on the trail that runs below Cypress Mountain on the north side of Vancouver, BC. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Townsend's Warbler - Cypress Mountain, BC
Red-breasted Sapsucker - Golden Eagle Golf Course, BC Such a great bird to watch. They have some personality when they are interacting with other sapsuckers. This bird was reaping the rewards of his hard work by sucking out the sap that was coming to his
Red-breasted Sapsucker - Golden Eagle Golf Course, BC
Rufous Hummingbird - Richmond Nature Park, BC Our second most common hummingbird in these parts, the Rufous Hummingbird. One the first visitors of spring, this little bird flies from the gulf coast states and Mexico up to the Pacific Northwest with the northern range in Alaska. The first flower that blooms around the same time our friend shows up is the Salmonberry flower with the arrival of one, almost certainly means the arrival of the other. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Rufous Hummingbird - Richmond Nature Park, BC
Turkey Vulture - Harrison Lake, BC 20 years ago, turkey vultures were not a common site on the south coast of British Columbia. They are thick now, found near the mountains on a the majority of sightings as they use the updraft to soar for hours without a flap of their wings. This red-headed raptor was found on one of the logging landing on the north east of the lake having a quick rest. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Turkey Vulture - Harrison Lake, BC
Black-headed Grosbeak - Sturgeon Slough, BC This handsome devil was making the rounds and collecting some of the summer berries in the area when we passed by. Next time a napkin might be in order. Sturgeon Slough was the site of several good birds this year including a Yellow-bellied chat, a Chipping sparrow and some Black-crowned Night Herons. This has always been a special area for birding but better than most this year. Not far from here was a Costa's hummingbird in the early summer which does not usually come north of California and Nevada. Our subject, the Black-headed Grosbeak is a summer resident here in southern British Columbia and is seen occasionally during walks in the area. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.comPicture
Black-headed Grosbeak - Sturgeon Slough, BC
American Goldfinch - Colony Farms, BC A very common garden bird around most of North America, this little finch is always on the look out for thistle plants. They can be found in pairs with the male singing and calling when on the wing. They will come to feeders where there are sunflower or safflower chips or black thistle seed. There are three species of Goldfinch in North America with this bird being the most common, followed by the Lesser Goldfinch, which is found on the west coast and south west states to Texas. The last is the Lawrence's Goldfinch only found in California, Arizona and a small section of New Mexico. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
American Goldfinch - Colony Farms, BC
Cooper's Hawk - Burnaby Lake, BC This hawk is part of what is called the Accipiter family. These are the agile long-tailed hawks that are good at hunting in the forest. The two smallest being Cooper's hawk, above, and the Sharp-shinned hawk They are the topic of many bird blogs because they are so hard to tell apart. Please click here to see a very good comparison between the two. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Cooper's Hawk - Burnaby Lake, BC
Solitary Sandpiper - Iona Beach Regional Park, BC This sandpiper is one of the smallest of three cousins that use our mudflats in the spring and fall. This is a stop over either on their way into breeding grounds in the mountains, pothole lakes and muskeg of Canada and Alaska or to Mexico, stretching all the way south to Argentina on their wintering grounds. They are quickly identified by the big white eye-ring and the spotted back. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Solitary Sandpiper - Iona Beach Regional Park, BC
Red-winged Blackbird - Iona Beach Regional Park, BC There are a couple of Red-winged blackbirds that show off their colors very close to the boardwalk at Iona Beach pond. This birds make up a huge family of birds that include orioles and oropendolas. Most have striking colors like the Yellow-headed Blackbird, and the Bullock's Oriole. This blackbird is a common visitor to most summer ponds and marshes while spending time in the winter on fields or near farms. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Red-winged Blackbird - Iona Beach Regional Park, BC
Red-naped Sapsucker - McLeod Lake, BC One of our sapsuckers here in British Columbia is this Red-naped version with the others being a Red-Breasted, Yellow-bellied and Williamson's. This particular bird is found in the drier sections of the interior favoring poplar groves. One of the cool things about sapsuckers are the wells they drill in selected trees. Not only do they drink the sap of the trees for a sugar meal from which they make side by side holes for but they also drill holes vertically where the sap traps insects. These traps are then checked on regularly for a quick protein meal. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Red-naped Sapsucker - McLeod Lake, BC
Black-billed Magpie - Dufferin Park Wetland, BC A bird that is recognized in the Northern Hemisphere this long-tailed trickster has always been a favorite of mine. This particular flavor is North America's most common with the Black bill. There is also a yellow version in central California. Magpie's are found alongside humans in a great many areas and have made a successful living of it. This bird was hanging out in the Urban park setting at Dufferin Park Wetland. I love any bird that poses on a split rail fence for me. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.comPicture
Black-billed Magpie - Dufferin Park Wetlands, BC
Western Grebe - Salmon Arm, BC Every year more than 500 Western grebes make their way north to Salmon Arm Bay at the top of their range, to mate and nest in the shallow reed beds where they nest. They pair up and perform some of the most beautiful courtship dances known to birds. Once the courtship solidified, the nesting ritual called the weed ceremony is performed and the nest building begins. The female is fed during the egg laying and first part of the incubation and 24 days later the next generation is born. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Western Grebe - Salmon Arm, BC
Bonaparte's Gull - Spanish Banks, BC In the late spring, the Bonaparte's gulls start there transformation into breeding colors which is the black head and the broken white eye-ring. This pair were calling to each other confirming their bond before heading to the interior to breed on a fresh water lake. I find the red inside their mouth interesting as its very similar to another bird in a different family but close to the same waters, the Pigeon Guillemot. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Boneparte's Gulls - Spanish Banks, BC
Tree Swallow - Iona Beach Regional Park, BC Our first splash of color here in Metro Vancouver came as a Tree Swallow and some apple flower buds. Along the walk between the two ponds at Iona Beach Regional Park there are a couple of nest boxes that house very content tree swallows. This male was protecting his hard won swallow home from an apple tree feet from the nest box on a stick. Tree swallows are the first of our migrating swallows and always mean that spring is here. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.comPicture
Tree Swallow - Iona Beach Regional Park, BC
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American Dipper - Maple Ridge Park, BC
Bonaparte's Gull - English Bay, BC I have always loved black-headed gulls including our winter resident, the Bonaparte's Gull. This is one of the smaller gulls we have here with only the Mew Gull as competition as the smallest gull. This photo was taken off Kits Beach in Vancouver, BC where several of these gulls will congregate in loose flocks to search the water surface for floating goodies. During the summer months, these birds fly north to the prairies and boreal forests to the pothole lakes of Alaska all the way east to Hudson's Bay. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Bonaparte's Gull - English Bay, BC
Mountain Bluebird - Call Lake, BC One of the first birds to arrive on any open field in BC are the Mountain Bluebirds. We have seen pairs looking for their next meal in the spring snow. This male was calling from fenceposts along Telkwa High Road with the dainty mews that are signature of the Bluebirds. These hardy little songbirds can be found as far north as the western interior of Alaska in the summer and winter as far south as Mexico. This birds will come to a feeder if you are willing to put out cut worms! Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Mountain Bluebird - Call Lake, BC
Great-horned Owl - Delta, BC On a breezy day in the farmlands of Delta, a pair of Great-horned Owls were calling for their young to leave the safety of the nest. The first two owlets had made it out with one last chick left to go. These parents have been raising chicks here for at least 4 years from what I know and have been very successful with 3 fledglings at least a year. The
Great-horned Owl - Delta, BC
Northern Flicker - Ladner Harbour Park, BC This is one of the birds I get asked about the most, being the bird nerd that I am. It is funny how one of the most commonly seen birds in North America is one of the most common surprises for being so beautiful. Northern Flickers are part of the woodpecker family but do tend to spend a good deal of time on the ground looking for insects in the grass. I am old enough to remember when this species was split in two with a Red-shafted and a Yellow-shafted flavor. Today they are lumped together as a Northern Flicker. We also have a Guilded Flicker in the southwest United States. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Northern Flicker - Ladner Harbour Park, BC
Tree Swallow Pair - Iona Island, BC Mine! A mated pair of Tree Swallows have claimed a nesting box on the big pond at Iona Island. Every year, the coming of spring brings these little blue acrobats back from the south. They look very similar to the Violet-green swallows that come back at the same time but the two main differences are that the Tree Swallows eyes are in the color and the white that extends up their rump is less and does not look like it almost connects. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Tree Swallow Pair - Iona Island, BC
Northern Pygmy-owl - Manning Park, BC We were lucky enough to catch a Northern Pygmy-owl hunting the slopes in Manning Park earlier this year. She was well up into a poplar scanning the edge for that mornings breakfast. It was snowing and sunny all at once and can see the flakes as the white lines. These are our smallest owls standing around 6 inches tall and range through-out the west coast from Alaska south into Central America. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Northern Pygmy-owl - Manning Park, BC
Hutton's Vireo - Richmond Nature Park, BC Hutton's vireo are our only year round vireo. They are found in the coniferous forests here in Metro Vancouver singing loudly during the mating season. It takes a little bit of time before I was able to tell the difference between this dull green-gray bird and this other green-gray bird, the Ruby-crowned kinglet. With a name like
Hutton's Vireo - Richmond Nature Park, BC
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American Bushtit - Jericho Beach, BC
Barred Owl - South Surrey, BC A male Barred owl rests after a successful meeting with a female just 5 minutes before this picture. He was very content to pose for as many pictures as I wanted. Barred owls are not originally found here on the west coast but found their way here across the prairies as we built farms with trees that would let them roost for the night. There is are several biologists that believe that the spotted owl decline has a lot to do with this new resident. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Barred Owl - South Surrey, BC
Fox Sparrow - Reifel Bird Sanctuary One of the things I could never understand is why these birds were called Fox Sparrows. That is until I saw what the East coast birds looked like. Our west coast birds, like many other year round residents here are
Fox Sparrow - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, BC
Sandhill Crane - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, BC We are lucky enough to have a world class bird sanctuary here in Metro Vancouver. The sanctuary is home to several birds that can be found here up close and personal. We have our very own Sandhill Cranes that nest here in the summer months, usually showing up with as many as 4 colts. These birds are quite tame and will even take the wheat feed out of your hand in the area where the ducks wait for food. Sandhill Cranes can be found in the southern United States in flocks of more than 1000 birds and is quite the spectacle. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Sandhill Crane - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, BC
Townsend's Solitaire - Granville Park, BC Solitaires are close relations to the American Robin being in the thrush family. They are mostly high altitude birds in the summer nesting season, but mostly eat Juniper berries in the winter. The can be found on the west coast from Alaska to Mexico even heading to the more arid regions for a winter food source. This beautiful bird however was found in a park in downtown Vancouver making his way through a berry bush. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.comPicture
Townsend's Solitaire - Granville Park, BC
American Dipper Splash - Hardy Falls, BC Hardy Creek is home to a pair of American Dippers who spend the day floating and diving in the creek to find their food. I was lucky enough to catch this bird eyeballing its dinner under the wave of water washing up its neck. These birds are definitely water babies. There are 5 species of dippers and they live on every continent besides Australia and Antarctica. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
American Dipper Splash - Hardy Falls, BC
American Dipper - Hardy Falls, BC There is a little stream where the Kokanee spawn and the Dippers appreciate it along the Okanagan Lake named Hardy Creek. These little water birds are one of the only songbirds in the world to dive for their food. They eat aquatic insects, fish eggs and fish fry. They are sometimes underwater for more than a minute looking for food and come up dry as a bone, most likely from the extra oil they produce. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
American Dipper - Hardy Falls, BC
Downy Woodpecker - Ladner Harbour Park, BC Male woodpeckers here in North America are usually found with some red or in some cases, extra red on their heads as is the case with this male Downy Woodpecker. Females are strictly black and white. Check out this amazing blog for the rest of the Woodpeckers of North America. This photo was taken in Ladner Harbour Park just behind the dog park while we were looking for two rare Jays. A Blue Jay and a California Scrub-jay. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Downy Woodpecker - Ladner Harbour Park, BC
White-winged Scoters - White Rock Pier, BC We see White-winged scoters here on the Southern Coast of British Columbia through out the winter months. These sea ducks come down from their breeding territory east of the Rockies from Canada all the way north to the northern interior of Alaska. The young of this species is left alone by the mothers at 3 weeks of age but stay together as siblings for up to three weeks. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
White-winged Scoter - White Rock Pier, BC
Glaucous-winged Gull - Richardson Port Terminal, BC Ill bet your thinking
Glaucous-winged Gull - Richardson Port Terminal, BC
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Red-winged Blackbird - Colony Farms, BC
Catching the last of the sun on a late winter morning this White-crowned sparrow was perched in a crabapple tree just off a dyke on Boundary Bay. I was surprised to see how long the fruit lasted over the winter on this tree. Most of the birds here prefer the native Pacific Crabapple which is substantially smaller than this imported variety. Something I just learned about these birds is they can stay awake for up to two weeks at a time during migration!! Eating during the day as a preference and flying up to 300 miles a night. Picture
White-crowned Sparrow - Boundary Bay, BC
Barrow's Goldeneye - Stanley Park, BC ​This handsome sea duck is a visitor to our saltwater bays and shorelines here in Vancouver for about 5 months. They spend the breeding season in the Canadian Rocky Mountains north through southern Alaska. They can also be found in Iceland year round. They spend their time in schools mostly, diving for shellfish and crustaceans along the rock shores. They are very similar to the Common Goldeneyes but can be told apart by the mark just in front of their eye. I have always thought that the mark looked somewhat like a Nike Swoosh. The common in comparison has a round circle as his beauty mark. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Barrow's Goldeneye - Stanley Park, BC
Ring-necked Duck - Lost Lagoon, BC Along the south edge of Stanley Park's Lost Lagoon, is and area that the ducks and geese like to spend some time looking for free hand outs. Once in a while, a duck that doesn't usually fit the bill,
Ring-necked Duck - Lost Lagoon, BC
Greater White-fronted Goose - Sunset Beach Park, BC A lone Greater White-fronted Goose was trimming the lawn at Sunset Beach in downtown Vancouver. We have a pretty good population of Canadian Geese here for the winter but the last two years we have seen a lone
Greater White-fronted Goose - Sunset Beach Park, BC
Common Mergansers - Serpentine Fen, BC During an evening walk on the Serpentine River in Surrey, BC, a trio of male Common Mergansers were fishing in the same general area. Spread out, each bird would dive with his own timing and rhythm along the ribbon of water and pop up twenty yards from where he had started. As if some quick discussion took place, the three birds started moving towards each other, all headed in the same direction, This still was the photo finish for an unspoken and lazy race, from which, they all headed off once again to fish their own corners of the river. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.comPicture
Common Mergansers - Serpentine Fen, BC
Common Merganser Female - Serpentine Fen, BC There are a few ducks where the female stands out at being as attractive as the males and this is one. The female Common Merganser is a common resident during the winter here hunting fish and crustaceans in the local tidal rivers and bays in Vancouver. You can tell what each duck eats by the shape of the bill and this fish hunter needs a pointy bill with a bit of a hook at the end where as Northern Shovelers filter out the plankton and biofilm off the top of the water. This was taken at the Serpentine Fen in the suburb of Surrey, BC Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Common Merganser Female - Serpentine Fen, BC
Townsend's Solitaire - Willowbrook, BC On an outing to White Lake, we came across several of these gray thrush along the hillside of the farmland in Willowbrook, BC. They frequent the mountains in the summer months and the winters in the valleys inland. They make a habit of eating juniper berries in the winter and will protect a source of the berries with a bit of gusto. They, like most thrush, have a very gentle and pretty song which is heard as a whisper sometimes and this was not exception. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.comPicture
Townsend's Solitaire - Willowbrook, BC
Redhead - Cloverdale Athletic Park, BC It was a treat this winter to see a female redhead wintering in a very small and local pond in Cloverdale. It is most likely the same bird that was here last winter as well using the same pond. These birds are not usually found here summer or winter, but are seen on the way through to the interior of British Columbia or coming back south during migration. Redheads are one of those special birds with just one name like Cher or Madonna that need no other description. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Redhead - Cloverdale Athletic Park, BC
Red-breasted Sapsucker - Milner, BC A great find for all of us on the Bird Count, My partner and I are the team for the most North East section of the Christmas Bird Count for Surrey/White Rock/Langley and found this guy. On one of the country roads in Langley, this apple tree had more than fruit hanging in it. Another find for this woodpecker of the west coast was an apple to keep it fed on the cold days when sap just doesn't flow. Red-breasted Sapsuckers are the one sapsucker found here year round leaving the drier climates to the Red-naped and Williamson Sapsuckers. east and north of Vancouver. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Red-breasted Sapsucker - Milner, BC
Cackling Geese - Burnaby Lake, BC These small geese are found along the northern Alaskan and Canadian Coasts during the summer but are found along the Pacific Northwest and BC coast and margins as well as the Southern States southern shores and farmland. They may seem no different than the Canada Goose, but there are
Cackling Geese - Burnaby Lake, BC
Pine Grosbeak - Maplewood Flats, BC These large finches are a treat for us in the winter as they are not regular visitors. Most of the finch population has what they call irruptive migration. That is, they follow the food and can show up any time during the winter months and not be seen for a couple of years after. This group of four quiet finches were after the Pacific Crab Apples in Maplewood flats. The adult males are quite a bit more red. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.comPicture
Pine Grosbeak - Maplewood Flats, BC
Red-necked Grebe - White Rock Pier, BC There is one location in Metro Vancouver you can see all 6 Canadian grebes is White Rock Pier. Red-necked grebes are relatively common near the breakwater and further out into the bay, diving for fish and crustaceans with their long pointed bill. Fun fact about the Red-necked grebe is, they eat their own feathers which might be to help with the sharp edges of the bones and shells they swallow. Although striking in the summer, not a pretty bird in the winter, but better bland than someone's supper! Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Red-necked Grebe - White Rock Pier, BC
Snow Bunting - Blackie Spit, BC One of Vancouver's best location for birding is along a stretch of sand at the end of Nicomekl River in the little community of Crescent Beach. This year we have been very lucky to have a wintering group of Snow Buntings staying with us here. During the winter months the brown plumage keeps them safe in sandy and grassy areas where they forage out seeds. In the Summer, they are a striking black and white. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Snow Bunting - Blackie Spit, BC
Surf Scoter - White Rock Pier, BC White Rock pier offer some of the best viewing of these sea ducks. Surf Scoter spend the winter around Vancouver shores diving for clams and other shellfish in groups as large 4000 birds. In summertime they are found on their breeding grounds in fresh water lakes around the northern parts of Canada and Alaska. There are three species of Scoter that live here in North America, including the White-winged Scoter and the Black Scoter and all can be seen off the pier in White Rock. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Surf Scoter - White Rock Pier, BC
Black Oystercatcher - Cattle Point, BC On a trip to Vancouver island we stopped by Cattle Point to see what might be cruising the shores on this beautiful day. Along with Harlequin Ducks and Black Turnstones, there was a trio of Black Oystercatchers picking along the rocks. Strictly a Pacific Coast wader, the Black Oystercatcher has a range that stretches from Alaska to the Baja of California, overlapping with the American Oystercatcher in the southern part of its range. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Black Oystercatcher - Cattle Point, BC
Barred Owl - Terra Nova Rural Park, BC A very alert Barred Owl was hunting just off the dyke in Terra Nova Rural Park in the early afternoon. His attention was drawn to the grass just below him, but he would occasionally spin his head to look directly behind him as well. The barred owl was originally only found on the eastern half of the continent but with the planting of trees on the prairies and the copious amount of rodents also following the settlers, Barred owls are now found on the west coast of North America. They believe it may be one of the reasons for the decline in Spotted Owls. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Barred Owl - Terra Nova Rural Park, BC
Snow Bunting - Powell River, BC During a recent stake out of the Red-backed Shrike, a very rare bird to BC, a Snow bunting was found on the claim. In the short dewy grass, this little sparrow-like bird was picking through the gravel for a little breakfast. Snow Buntings are found throughout the northern climates in the summer but make their way south to a band just on either side of the US-Canada border. The brown feathers of this bird are a winter addition with the summer plumage a striking black and white. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Snow Bunting - Powell River, BC
Rough-legged Hawk - Brunswick Point, BC One of our winter visitors is a hawk that spends its summers in the arctic circle. The light head with the stripe through the eye and the broad chocolate band on the lower chest are good indicators you are not looking at a Red-tailed hawk. They also hover over their prey, unlike their red-tailed cousins. Brunswick Point along the pathway was where this bird was perched in a cottonwood enjoying the fall sun. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Rough-legged Hawk - Brunswick Point, BC
Hudsonian Whimbrel - Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty, BC There were a small flock of Hudsonian Whimbrels that spent some time on the Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty late this fall. When I put together some of the posts I like to put some little bit of information of the bird. During the search for
Hudsonian Whimbrel - Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty, BC
Horned Lark - Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty, BC These little devils remind me of how the Greek god Mercury is always pictured, with the wings on his head. During breeding season, the horns are very visible which makes their name very understandable. We get a couple of visitors in Vancouver, mostly in the fall and, mostly near our shoreline. This lone bird was picking its way through the washed up eel grass on Tsawwassen's ferry jetty. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Horned Lark - Tsawwwassen Ferry Jetty, BC
Golden-crowned Kinglet - Iona Jetty, BC I took a long walk on a long jetty and came across a couple of busy little kinglets relieving the plants of their buggy little passengers. Unlike the usual Golden-crowned ways, these birds seemed somewhat subdued and gave me some unusually long breaks to capture a shot or two that doesn't resemble a green and gold comet. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Golden-crowned Kinglet - Iona Causeway, BC
Pelagic Cormorant - Vancouver Harbor, BC There were three species of cormorant on the pier in front of the sulfur piles in Vancouver Harbor. This is the smallest of the three we have here on the west coast and named for the fact that it is rarely ever found in fresh water. The Pelagic cormorant can be found here year round. It loves to fish among the rocks making dives of up to 140 feet. In the breeding season, these birds are easy to tell as they have white thighs that are quite visible as they fly by. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.comPicture
Pelagic Cormorant - Vancouver Harbor, BC
Double-crested Cormorant - Vancouver Harbor, BC Out on a boat ride with my girl and happened by the Sulfur terminal in Vancouver harbor. The yellow pile behind the bird is the iconic pile of elemental sulfur across from Stanley Park's lighthouse. The dock is a favorite of the sea birds and gulls to haul out and rest in between fishing expeditions. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Double-crested Cormorant - Vancouver Harbor, BC
Green Heron - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, BC We don't get to see many of these small herons here in the Lower Mainland, but this year we were lucky and had a breeding pair at Reifel Bird Sanctuary. Reifel is probably the best birding spots here in Vancouver, however is it busy and sometimes can get a little noisy but this year they were shut down for a time due to, you guessed it, COVID-19. This might be the reason why this pair had a couple fledglings here. One of the highlights found at the sanctuary is the Sandhill Cranes that are here year round. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Green Heron - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, BC
Black Oystercatcher - Passage Island, BC During a boating trip in search of a Wandering Tatler, a very relaxed oystercatcher caught my eye. The contrast of the black on the gray granite was more than I could pass up. These distinctly colored waders are common here on the shores of Vancouver sliding their bill into the muscles and clams like a shucking knife and taking out the good parts. There are 12 different species of Oystercatchers around the world with the Black Oystercatcher being the only one found on the west coast of Canada. This particular bird was on the west side of Passage Island in Howe Sound. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Black Oystercatcher - Passage Island, BC
Double-crested Cormorant - Grebe Islet, BC Our most common cormorant on the mainland spends time out in the salt water as well. During breeding season the double-crested cormorants throat turn bright yellow/orange and breeding adults have two white plumes of feathers on their head giving them their name. This fancy bird was seen on Grebe Islet in West Vancouver sunning its self after a fishing expedition. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Double-crested Cormorant - Grebe Islet, BC
Bald Eagle - Kalamalka Lake, BC One of our most iconic birds, the Bald Eagle is a true comeback story. With only 417 breeding pairs left in the lower 48 from an original number of 300,000 individuals, an effort in 1963 was born to ensure this majestic bird did not disappear from the skies. DDT was found to be the culprit causing egg shells to be so thin, the sitting parents would break the eggs. Today the birds are back to totals of over 170,000 individuals. This gorgeous specimen has a mate and nest on Kalamaka Lake, BC. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Bald Eagle - Kalamalka Lake, BC
Pied-billed Grebe - Burnaby lake, BC The odd grebe out.... our other four grebes that spend time here in Vancouver are long necked and relatively colorful where is our year-round resident is very drab from a distance. Along the boardwalk at Piper spit on the north side of Burnaby lake is where this bird had found a stickleback to eat. She spent several minutes making sure the spines were removed by shaking them off, one by one. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Pied-billed Grebe - Burnaby Lake, BC
Pileated Woodpecker - Burnaby Lake, BC Our biggest woodpecker here in North America is a resident of the swampy areas of Burnaby Lake. The Pileated wooodpecker is crow sized but can be difficult to spot sometimes perched up against the higher section of tree trunks, but all bets are off when they start dismantling the wood looking for food. The chips can fly with little effor when that large well-shaped beak gets put to work. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Pileated Woodpecker - Burnaby Lake, BC
Canada Jay - Cypress Mountain, BC Canada Jay, Whiskey Jack, Gray Jay or Camp Robber, this little bird has several names for good reason. They seem to find company in the humans that make their way into the woods. At least they find food when they find humans. This fellow was at the Bowen Lookout on Cypress Mountain entertaining the crowd that had made the trek. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Canada Jay - Cypress Mountain, BC
Stellar's Jay - Cypress Mountain Provincial Park, BC If you are into a bit of a hike, there is a look out on Cypress Mountain that gives a wonderful view of Bowen Island and a couple birds as well. This Stellar's Jay was checking on the hikers as well as the Canada Jays getting the same treatment. Both of these mountain birds have incredible memories but the Stellar's Jays not only remember where they placed food stores but also remembers where the Canada jays stored theirs as well. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Steller's Jay - Cypress Mountain Provincial Park, BC
Townsend's Warbler - Cypress Provincial Park, BC Yew Lake is a fantastic place to bird in Vancouver during the summer months. The access is phenomenal and you are in the high altitude habitats looking at birds that are not usually found save the migration. Townsend's warblers are usually flitting around the tops of the evergreens but this one was lower and hunting in and around the blueberries lower shrubs. I have always thought they look like Prairie warblers but in fact are more closely related to the Hermit warbler. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Townsend's Warbler - Cypress Provincial Park, BC
Band-tailed Pigeon - Golden Eagle Golf Club, BC On a cold, wet and dreary day we made the rounds of the Pitt River Flood plains and came across our only native pigeon species. Band-tailed pigeons are usually secretive and found at higher elevations but we were happy to have our subject taking the Vancouver liquid sunshine in stride. This is the only species of pigeon that is native to BC with the majority of them coming from Central and South America for the summer months with a very small handful staying for the winter near the water. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Band-tailed Pigeon - Golden Eagle Golf Club, BC
Hooded Mergansers - Colony Farm, BC Momma keeping one eye on the rif raf taking pictures while baby takes a rest snuggled in. This pair was in the drainage canal for Colony Farm at the intersection north of the pump house relaxing on a boom that keeps the debris out of the pump. The males are spectacular in their breeding plumage but the female is the one to make sure babies grow up. They are similar to wood ducks in they nest in cavities in trees and are most likely benefiting from wood duck boxes. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Hooded Merganser - Colony Farms, BC
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Tree Swallow - Maplewood Flats, BC
Rufous Hummingbird - Iona Island, BC Our summer hummingbird is a little rusty guy that shows up here in May hitting the feeders and first of the native flowers. I would say they time their arrival on the Salmonberry flower bloom here. Our year round residents breed well before the Rufous show so the displays are typically easy to distinguish by time of year. This was at Iona Island east of the wood lot. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Rufous Hummingbird - Iona Island, BC
Chipping Sparrow - Anarchist Mountain, BC East of Osoyoos the climb to the top of Anarchist Mountain is a steep and windy trek with the landscape and the birds changing quickly. The main draw is the fancy Williamson's Sapsucker at the top. We didn't get to see the mostly black bird, but there were plenty others including this Chipping Sparrow. These birds sound more like a grasshopper or cicada with the trilly high pitched song. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Chipping Sparrow - Anarchist Mountain, BC
California Quail - Vaseux Cliffs, BC Vaseux Cliffs are a long way from California, but yet here they are. These little game birds are regulars in the drier regions of the Okanagan in southern BC. This male was singing from the top of a fence post as the rest of the birds pilled on the cow farm that is on the plateau. Quail are prolific breeders and can have up to 28 eggs in one nest. They then raise the young in communal groups of several families. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
California Quail - Vaseux Cliffs, BC
Rock Wren - Haynes' Lease Ecological Reserve, BC This songster was loudly singing along the bottom of the rock cliffs in Haynes Lease Ecological Reserve. He was a little light on tail feathers, but that didn't seem to bother his voice one bit as he sang almost the entire time we were there. Rock Wrens are only found in a few remote places in British Columbia and one area is the only desert in Canada just north of the USA border around Osoyoos Lake. This wonderful little area is also the only place to regularly find other dry climate birds like Western Bluebirds, Common Poorwills, White-throated Swifts and Yellow-breasted Chats. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Rock Wren - Haynes' Lease Ecological Reserve, BC
Wilson's Warbler - Brunswick Point, BC The first of the spring warblers is usually the Wilson's Warbler with it's black cap and twittery song. The points that jut out into the water are typically the first to see these little songsters. Some days when there is a fallout, they are absolutely dripping from the trees and you might see 40 of the little guys in one patch of trees. This location in Delta is well known for its migrants and is fantastic year round. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Wilson's Warbler - Brunswick Point, BC
Savannah Sparrow - Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty, BC Long light, drift wood and a thoughtful Savannah Sparrow make for a good shot one spring evening along the ferry jetty out of Tsawwassen. We have these little yellow-browed sparrows year round along the coast but this was taken in April during migration for these guys. A good deal of grassland birds travel up the coast and find spits of land to refuel their stomachs on their way north. The Jetty is a great place to find unusual migrants. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Savannah Sparrow - Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty, BC
Caspian Tern - Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty, BC Our resident summer tern is a noisy bird that is usually heard and then seen. They are usually found around the areas that have calm waters to fish from the air. This particular bird was hunting the south edge of the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal diving down occasionally to come up empty-handed on several tries. They have much thinner wings that the larger gulls which allow them to be much more acrobatic in their dives. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Caspian Tern - Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, BC
Red-breasted Sapsucker - Piper Spit, BC I am really a whole bird picture guy with all (or most) of the identifiers in the photo. Once in a while I just can resist posing something a little more fun like this very coy sapsucker. I was down at Piper Spit on Burnaby Lake and headed back to my care when I saw the red flash disappear behind the no parking post. Being as it flew there, I knew it mostly likely had feathers and I needed to see it. As I stalked the post, a curious little head popped up and had to have a look at the two legged person creeping up on the post. The special meeting left a big smile on my face. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Red-breasted Sapsucker - Piper Spit, BC
Common Loon - Blackie Spit, BC The one place that we get to see Loons close up here in Vancouver is Blackie Spit. A little piece of land was formed when the Nicomekl river makes its way into mud bay in Crescent Beach. The channel of this river bends around the narrow strip of sand and where wintering water birds will frequently fish when the tide is out. Most loons are not seen close up and most folks are shocked at how big they really are, with some of the fish eaters measuring 3 feet long. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com nPicture
Common Loon - Blackie Spit, BC
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Black-capped chickadee - Campbell Valley Park, BC
Anna's Hummingbird - Richmond Nature Park, BC Anna's hummingbird is the epitome of a tough little bird in a very delicate looking body. These birds can be found nesting while there is still snow on the same branch. If we are going to feed them, there are a couple things that you should remember. Cleaning your feeder very regularly is Imperative! The mold that can grow in the feeder will make your visitors very sick. Also, wasps are attracted to yellow and hummingbirds to red. Here are some other facts in a blog on The Bird Blogger.com. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Anna's Hummingbird - Richmond Nature Park, BC
Rufous Hummingbird - Richmond Nature Park, BC There are only two regular species of Hummingbird here in on the coast in Vancouver. The first is the Anna's Hummingbird, which is a year round resident, even in sub zero temperatures. The second is this handsome rust and green version named the Rufous Hummingbird who spend their time in Mexico for the winter and in some cases travel 4000 miles to reach their west coast summer grounds. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Rufous Hummingbird - Richmond Nature Park, BC
Mountain Bluebird - Centennial Beach, BC In the spring, we see these beautiful little blue birds as they head through to the drier parts of BC. They usually stop for a couple of days to refuel on the beaches and grasslands here before they head up the Fraser valley to the nesting boxes or abandoned woodpecker holes. There has been a remarkable comeback thanks to the Bluebird trail folks through out BC. this was taken at Centennial beach, Tsawwassen, BC. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Mountain Bluebird - Centennial Beach, BC
American Robin - Stanley Park, BC American Robins are one of our most common birds here on the West Coast. They are a year round bird here and not much for a birder to get excited about. In the spring, however, they can be one of the most striking birds with their fresh
American Robin - Stanley Park, BC
Harlequin Duck - Stanley Park, BC During a walk along the seawall at Stanley Park, we noticed that there were 4 Harlequin Ducks feeding in and around the exposed rocks on low tide. They made their way around the point in an among some Barrow's Goldeneye with the same idea. Harlequin ducks spend the winters on the rocky sea coasts and the summers in the fast flowing streams of the mountains. The name Harlequin comes from the costume worn in the Italian comedy by a character known to be a trickster and a lover. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Harlequin Duck - Stanley Park, BC
Snow Bunting - Iona Island, BC There are a couple of reliable places to find these little black and white beauties in the Vancouver area in the winter. The Tsawwassen Ferry jetty and here on the Iona jetty. They seem to like both spits of land with almost no trees and close to the water. This little bird was alone picking through the grass seeds midway down the man-made tract of land dodging the odd couple running along the gravel. These birds spend their summers around and north of the arctic circle where some males get to breeding grounds when temperatures can still reach -30. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Snow Bunting - Iona Island, 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
House Finch - Richmond Nature Park, BC Male House finch are extremely handsome in the spring with their fresh coat of red paint and his melodic song. They are common around urban areas hitting up feeders in small groups. They are found in every state save Alaska these days, but that was not always the case. They were a western bird up until the 1950's when they were released on the Eastern Seaboard. They very quickly expanded their range and now are found across the majority of North America. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.comPicture
House Finch - Richmond Nature Park, BC
Short-eared Owl - Boundary Bay, BC On a very cold and blustery day I was fortunate enough to get a short-eared owl perched close to the dyke at Boundary Bay. He was looking for rodents in the tall grass and would hover above them and plunge down with his feet extended to grab the unsuspecting prey. The wind was blowing in from the water and was giving the owl a bit of a bad hair day. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.comPicture
Short-eared Owl - Boundary Bay, BC
Green-winged Teal - Burnaby Lake, BC Green-winged teal make a winter home at Burnaby Lake's piper spit and are relatively common. This very cold day had the birds all fluffed up to keep a little heat in. Because of the way the birds were holding their feathers, the green on the teals colored wing patch, or speculum, shows amazingly well. This beautiful little duck is the smallest dabbling duck in North America but an be found in almost every state and province during the year. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Green-winged Teal - Burnaby Lake, BC
Townsend's Solitaire - University of BC, BC An uncommon winter visitor to these parts is a small slaty-grey thrush that usually lives in the mountains during breeding season. The small Robin-like bird flycatches when the weather is warm enough for insects but also eats some fruit and berries when the flying food is sparse. The favorite is the Juniper berry and both male and females will defend a winter territory with a good supply of these berries. This was taken in the fruit garden outside the forestry building at UBC. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Townsend's Solitaire - University of BC, BC
Greater White-Fronted Goose - Stanley Park, BC Stanley Park is an amazing place to bird and this winter was no exception. This Greater White-front was cozying up to a flock of Canadian Geese for the winter months among the lawns near second beach. January saw a bit of snow but as you can see, not so much to cover all the goose food up. These birds are usually found somewhat further south in the non-breeding season, but we will have the occasional small flock here for the winter. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Greater White-Fronted Goose - Stanley Park, BC
Brown Creeper - Ladner, BC This little bird is typically on the move and mostly in the shade, so is typically not a great subject for bird photographers. This day turned out to be the just the opposite as we walked through the Reifel Bird Sanctuary on a Sunny January day. The warmth of the sun was just too much to resist and parked himself on one of the pines along the east dyke. Brown creepers are tough to see on the trunks of the trees that they feed on, but one way is to get a good look at them is to catch them flying down to the base of the trunk of the next feeder tree as they almost always feed going up the trunk. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Brown Creeper - Ladner, BC
Harlequin Ducks - Oak Bay, BC Two of my favorite ducks on the rocks. Cattle point is one of the best places to view sea birds close up in the winter months. I have see all sorts including the 3 cormorants, Alcids of 4 different varieties, shorebirds that are rock loving as well as loons. These birds are ocean going in the winter but in the summer they are fast flowing mountain stream birds. The white breaks up the shape of the bird along the white wash of the waves or the rapids. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Harlequin Ducks - Oak Bay, BC
Canada Jay - Mount Seymour, BC On a hike to the top of Mount Seymour I came across a band of Canada Jays. They were making sure that I knew they were there and very open to receiving any handouts that might be in my pack. Luckily for them, I had something that worked. Canada Jays are sometimes called Whiskey Jacks which in the Algonquin first nations language translates to trickster. This name suits them well as you might agree if you have camped in the vicinity of a family of these small Corvids. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Canada Jay - Mount Seymour, BC
Bonaparte's Gull - Tsawwassen, BC Along a section of the Tsawwassen ferry jetty there is a favorite roosting location for gulls. Every once in a while you can find an unusual species. The Bonaparte's gull is a visitor along the coast in the spring and fall and is usually sporting the black spot behind the eye. In the summer these birds have a striking black head. They are also told by their small size and very black primaries (flight feathers). Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Bonaparte's Gull - Tsawwassen, BC
Peregrine Falcon - Iona Island, BC I was out early in the morning heading to the end of the Iona jetty looking for a rare bird with several other local bird nerds and came across this beautiful Peregrine Falcon. She was out hunting as i came down the jetty and by the time I made it to her perch, she has caught breakfast. Peregrine falcons have been said to be the fastest animals in the world with a top speed of 240 mph in a full dive. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Peregrine Falcon - Iona Island, BC
Lapland Longspur on the Rocks - Tsawwassen, BC Every year several of these Arctic summer residents make the stop on the Tsawwassen Ferry Jetty on their way to southern climates. The transformation of these birds from breeding colors to this mottled tan, black and white is to protect them in their wintering grounds. During the summer they are much more striking. Here is a Male Lapland Longspur in Nome, AK as photographed from a friend on Flicker. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Lapland Longspur on the Rocks - Tsawwassen, BC
Black Turnstones - Tsawwassen, BC The ferry jetty in Tsawwassen is amazing for shorebirds and sea ducks. These Black Turnstones are no exception to the rule. They are hit and miss along the jetty but seem to be a fixture in the winter making their home along the ferry structures at low tide picking at the exposed muscle beds. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Black Turnstones - Tsawwassen, BC
Lesser Yellowlegs - Cranbrook, BC Sylvan Lake, BC is where this Lesser Yellowlegs had stopped for a quick top up before heading south. I always have problems identifying the two species of Yellowlegs with size being the best......but only when they are standing together!. The other things to look at when looking at Greater vs Lesser is that greater have a longer bill in relation to the head which is slightly upturned at the tip. They also look a little daintier. Click on the link for comparison. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Lesser Yellowlegs - Cranbrook, BC
Solitary Sandpiper - Cranbrook, BC On Sylvan lake in the fall there are several shorebirds stopping over as they fly south. This is a closed lake and is very salty. This little lake at the upper end of Cranbrook, BC is a closed lake where the water flows in but very rarely flows out causes the salinity to be very high. This Solitary Sandpiper was hardly solitary with two others of the same kind and at least a dozen other shorebirds. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Solitary Sandpiper - Cranbrook, BC
Merlin - Kamloops, BC A very nervous flock of Starling were acting very strange by sticking very close to an entrance sign in very tight formation which could only mean one thing. They were invited to dinner buy this beautiful raptor. The Merlin is North America's second smallest falcon and is seen throughout the continent. This watchful bird was seen in the hills just above Kamloops, BC. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Merlin - Kamloops, BC
Ruffed Grouse - Kamloops, BC This first year bird was doing a very good job of showing off his
Ruffed Grouse - Kamloops, BC
Greater Yellowlegs - Long Beach, BC Migration time for Long Beach in September and this Greater Yellowlegs is no exception. He was the only one on the beach of his kind, but he was keeping pace with several of the other peeps. One thing that is always hard to do with this bird is tell is the difference from its very close cousin the lesser yellowlegs. Some indicators include, size, bill shape and length, primary feather projection past tail. The size is very simple to use when there are mixed flocks of the bird. The Greater is obviously bigger by a half at least. The bill is slightly upturned and at least 1.5 times the length of the head in the larger bird. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Greater Yellowlegs - Long Beach, BC
Purple Martin - Richmond, BC Iona Island is one of Vancouver's best birding spots during all four seasons. Summer is no exception with birds like the only breeding population of Yellow-headed Blackbirds and this amazing insectivore, the Purple Martin. We almost lost the Purple Martin here in British Columbia. As I hear tell there was only 10 pairs left breeding on Vancouver Island until naturalists installed nest boxes on some pilings at our other best birding spot, Reifel Bird Sanctuary. When I took this picture that day, there were no less than 40 birds in the area. and there is an estimate of 1200 breeding in British Columbia. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Purple Martin - Richmond, BC
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Sooty Grouse Chick - Cypress Mountain, BC
Common Poorwill - Canoe Creek, BC The best bird of my Meadow lake Guest Ranch trip, by far, was a Common Poorwill. An outing at 10:30pm to find out if I could find one of these elusive and very secretive nocturnal birds. Sure enough, just as I came down the hill into the grasslands of the Fraser canyon, I saw the eye-shine of what was my target bird. There are only a couple of sightings at the very northern reaches of its range so I was very excited to see him on the road. The fog lights on the truck, the Lumix 300 bridge camera, with its ability to capture tons of light and this very cooperative nightjar allowed for this rare photo. Thank you to Shelagh, Brian, Dwight and Cynthia for a wonderful experience. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Common Poorwill - Canoe Creek, BC
Yellow-headed Blackbird - Meadow Lake, BC You can hear these blackbirds before you see them with a very non-melodic song. The visual on the other hand is very striking with the males hooded in yellow with a contrast to the black on the rest of their body. This was taken along the side of Meadow Lake Road just before heading to the Fraser Canyon. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Yellow-headed Blackbird - Meadow Lake, BC
Mountain Bluebird - Meadow Lake, BC Mountain Bluebirds are one of the most striking birds of the summer in the interior of British Columbia. This hardy little thrush is found in dryer areas where there is a good perch with an open view of the area. Mountain Bluebirds migrate as far north as Alaska in the summer. Bluebirds have been pushed out by European starlings and House Sparrows in the past 40 years and were on the decline. There are now bluebird trails that allow for suitable nesting sites with out the competition. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.comPicture
Mountain Bluebird - Meadow Lake, BC
Cedar Waxwing - Meadow Lake, BC A very amorous male Cedar Waxwing was making sure this female was watching his every move. He was cooing a sweet melody and making sure that she saw ALL of him. She seemed somewhat nonchalant about the hole thing, but how would that be different in any other situation the same. This pair of birds lived up in the area west of Meadow Lake, towards the Fraser Canyon. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.comPicture
Cedar Waxwing - Meadow Lake, BC
Western Tanager - Meadow Lake, BC There is nothing more spectacular than a close encounter with a beautiful piece of nature. This male Western Tanager was very close to the road edge looking for breakfast. He let me get within feet to photograph him. He had a mate near by who made a quick appearance, but soon disappeared with the male in hot pursuit. Can't beat the color of this summer resident of Meadow Lake. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Western Tanager - Meadow Lake, BC
Western Tanager - Meadow Lake, BC I spent a very special morning with a very curious Western Tanager along the side of Meadow Lake Road. He was singing away checking the poplar and pines for food and working his way up the shoulder while I kept pace. I love the early caterpillar tracks in the poplar leaves just to the side of his head, tail and feet. keep an eye out for the video I will be posting soon of this guy as well. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Western Tanager - Meadow Lake, BC
Western Wood-pewee - Meadow Lake, BC This vigilant flycatcher was sitting on eggs in a wooded area just off Meadow Lake, BC. The pair of birds were taking care of their territory with very little sound,. As a rule of thumb and part of ethical birding, it is important not to leave room so as not to disturb the bird off its nest. With my optical lens I was able to get a nice shot but not disturb this very good parent to be. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Western Wood-pewee - Meadow Lake, BC
Tree Swallow - Meadow Lake, BC One of the first birds to be photographed on my trip up to Meadow Lake Guest Ranch in the Cariboo region of BC. These striking swallows are some of the first to show up indicating spring has arrived. This bird was resting on a snag overhanging the water with another Tree Swallow. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Tree Swallow - Meadow Lake, BC
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata White Rock Pier BC British Columbia Canada Water ocean semiahmoo bay duck bird blogger.com waterfowl
Surf Scoter - White Rock
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Black Oystercatcher - Crescent Beach, BC
Stellar's Jay - Bowen Lookout, BC During a birding tour with a very interesting fellow birder we hiked Cypress Mountain to a specific lookout with a fantastic view of Bowen Island. During our quick stop, we had a visitor sit very nicely for us in the young hemlock. These very industrious birds are smarter than the average jay. They wait for their cousins the Canada Jay to pilfer food from unsuspecting hikers and then stash it in the nooks of the tree branches. The Stellar's jay waits patiently and watches while taking mental note where his food is not stored for a snack now or later. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Stellar's Jay - Bowen Lookout, 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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Anna's Hummingbird - Saanich, BC
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Snow Bunting - Tsawwassen, BC
Vesper Sparrow - West Vancouver, BC This little bird is usually common to the plains and grasslands in the interior of the province, but during migration we will see them stop over for a day or two on the way south. The thing about this bird is that it stopped over on the coast in Ambleside park which is not so strange. The weird part is that it set up shop in a dog park. Every time a dog ran by, it found shelter in the longer grass and 2 minutes later would come out to eat. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Vesper Sparrow - West Vancouver, BC
Mew Gull - Tsawwassen, BC One of Vancouver's smallest resident winter gulls is the Mew Gull. They are relatively easy to spot given their size and the very petite look that they have. Mew Gulls are found on the coast shoreline as well as some smaller numbers just inland in fields and freshwater beaches with other gulls. Most white-headed gulls in the winter get a dirty head when they molt into their winter plumage which is funny given the black-headed gulls end up with a dirty white head in the winter. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Mew Gull - Tsawwassen, 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
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
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
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Rufous Hummingbird - Pitt Meadows
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
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
Say's Phoebe - Meadow Lake, BC Say's pheobe's are one of the quieter flycatchers I have found. They can usually be seen hawking from fence posts or from low objects near to the ground like rocks. In this a colonial log fence did the trick and the bird was moving back and forth collecting insects on the wing. He was there for at least two days but I never did see a mate. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Say's Phoebe - Meadow Lake, 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
Parkesia noveboracensis Picture
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
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
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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
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
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
Chipping Sparrow - Meadow Lake, BC These little guys were all over the place, but they are not usually great for having their picture taken. This particular bird was catching the morning sun, which seem more important to him than me and my camera. These sparrows sound more like crickets than birds which is a buzz rather than any note. This guy was on Meadow Lake Road just up from the lake. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Chipping Sparrow - Meadow Lake, 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
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
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
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
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
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
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Whimbrel - Tsawwassen
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Bohemian Waxwing - Pitt Meadows
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Red-breasted Sapsucker - Burnaby Lake, BC I was on a mission to find this bird that had been listed on eBird. I walked around for hours looking for the red and black woodpecker. I finally gave up and headed back to the truck and fired it up to move to the next spot. Just as I was putting the keys in, I saw a flutter off to the left by 30 feet and guess who it was. This tree no longer exists up-right but there are still sapsuckers alive and well in this little section of wilderness in the middle of Greater Vancouver. Michael W Klotz 2021 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Red-breasted Sapsucker - Burnaby Lake, 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
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Townsend's Solitaire - Kingsvale, BC
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Bufflehead - Ambleside Park, BC
Sooty Grouse - Cypress Mountain, BC On a recent tour I gave of our local mountains, we came upon a Sooty grouse and her three chicks just in from Bowen Lookout. She was watching from a lookout in a Hemlock tree and when she felt the coast was clear, she softly 'chucked' and on queue, the three grouse walked out onto the path, where she led them down the hill. The mating call of this bird is tremendously low pitched so that the sound caries between the mountain tops and valleys. The male of this species is very dark indeed making this female look quite light. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Sooty Grouse - Cypress Mountain, BC
Rufous Hummingbird - Meadow Lake, BC With a flash of red and a solid buzzy chirp, this male Rufous hummingbird warns others that the feeder is his territory. These little migrants fly from south america in some cases to get to the northern feeding grounds, affording them extra light and insects to raise the next generation of hummers. This was taken at the Meadow Lake Ranch in the interior of BC. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Rufous Hummingbird - Meadow Lake, BC
Killdeer - Meadow Lake, BC Meadow Lake is an ephemeral lake which means the water comes into the lake but does not leave. The water evaporates each year leaving minerals and salt on the edge of the lake which gives it the white appearance in the summer months. Killdeer love the shoreline for food and for nesting among the pebbles leaving just a scrape in the ground as a nest. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Killdeer - Meadow Lake, BC
Least Flycatcher - Meadow Lake, BC For those people who aren't hard core birders this, along with several other small flycatchers are very hard to tell apart. The best way to tell is by the difference in voice. The onomatopoeic version of this Least Flycatcher voice is a quick
Least Flycatcher - Meadow Lake, BC
Sandhill Crane - Meadow Lake, BC The Cariboo is the perfect place for Sandhill Cranes to raise their colts. There are plenty of pot hole lakes as well as grassland to hunt rodents and amphibians. The adult in the this picture was just outside of the Meadow Lake Guest Ranch with it's mate searching the field for food. There were several pairs of these birds calling which can be heard several miles away. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Sandhill Crane - Meadow Lake, 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
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Harlequin Duck - Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, BC
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, 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Tree Swallow - Richmond, BC Picture
Tree Swallow - Richmond, 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Brown Creeper - Ladner, BC This little bird is typically on the move and mostly in the shade, so is typically not a great subject for bird photographers. This day turned out to be the just the opposite as we walked through the Reifel Bird Sanctuary on a Sunny January day. The warmth of the sun was just too much to resist and parked himself on one of the pines along the east dyke. Brown creepers are tough to see on the trunks of the trees that they feed on, but one way is to get a good look at them is to catch them flying down to the base of the trunk of the next feeder tree as they almost always feed going up the trunk. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
California Gull - Esquimalt Lagoon, BC
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Ring-necked Pheasant - Delta
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Pectoral Sandpiper - Iona Island, BC
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
Purple Finch - Delta, BC Purple Finch Every year the birds come to the dyke along Boundary Bay to winter. There is always Purple Finch feeding in this area on the Pacific Crab Apples. This one had finished and was just leaving. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Purple Finch - Delta, BC
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Yellow-rumped Warbler - Langley, BC
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
Snow Goose
Snow Goose - Richmond, BC
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, 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
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Lapland Longspur - Sooke, BC
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
On a mini pelagic trip with some birding friends from the Vancouver and Vancouver Island just off of Sooke, BC in the Juan de Fuca Straight. It was a beautiful day with amazingly calm waters. We had several fly-by's from some tube nosed birds like this Pink-footed Shearwater. Michael Klotz - www.TheBirdBlogger.com
Pink-footed Shearwater - Sooke, BC
Clay-colored Sparrow - Kamloops, BC A very small member of the sparrow family is the Clay-colored Sparrow which a relatively dull appearance. These are birds of grasslands, field edges and meadows with this particular bird seen in the rolling hills above Kamloops, BC. This area is on the western part of their range with most birds living in the prairies of Canada in the summer. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Clay-colored Sparrow - Kamloops, BC
Least Sandpiper - Long Beach, BC Long Beach is a perfect stretch for shorebirds to stop in and refuel on their way south. There are long expanses of beach that softly slope into the ocean, making the feeding area substantially larger as the tide goes out. Among the peeps on the beach this morning, were a few Least Sandpipers told by the size, short bill and yellow legs. The are often mistaken as a Semi-palmated sandpiper which has black legs and a slightly larger bill or Western Sandpiper which is larger and has a much longer down-curved bill. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Least Sandpiper - Long Beach, 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
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Chipping Sparrow - Britton Creek, BC
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American Wigeon - Ambleside Park, BC
Barn Swallow - Meadow Lake, BC Barn Swallows are becoming more rare these days and for the most part the experts are unsure why. What they do know is that the North American numbers have dropped 70 percent in the last 40 years. It is most likely the decline of aerial insects and the lack of suitable buildings for nesting. This handsome bird was preening on the fence at Orrie's pond at Meadow Lake Guest Ranch. They are easily identified in flight for the rust coloring and the deeply forked tail. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Barn Swallow - Meadow Lake, BC
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Ring-necked Duck - Brydon Lagoon, 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
Common Goldeneye - Brydon Lagoon. on the golden hour this female goldeneye was diving for duck food. Picture
Common Goldeneye - Brydon Lagoon, BC
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Greater Scaup - Brydon Lagoon, BC
Cliff Swallow - Meadow Lake, BC This multii-colored swallow usually builds its nests on cliff faces where there is a source of mud near by. They have become reliant on man made structures in several locations and will build a globe mud house with a narrow neck entrance to protect the young in hard to reach places. There was a colony of swallows building nests on the back side of the barn at the main house at Meadow Lake Guest Ranch from mud they were collecting from Orrie's pond. You can see the mud that collects on the bill and wings as they move around in the newly constructed nest. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Cliff Swallow - Meadow Lake, 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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Northern Fulmar - Northern Vancouver Island, BC
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Greater Scaup - Lost Lagoon, BC
California Quail - Vaseaux Lake, BC Picture
California Quail - Vaseaux Lake, BC
Glaucous-winged Gull, Richmond, Picture
Glaucous-winged Gull - Richmond, BC
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
Sooty Grouse - Manning Park, BC Along the road up to the sub alpine meadow at Manning park, this female sooty grouse was parked on the side of the road not moving. As it turned out there were little ones running through the Lupine. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.comPicture
Sooty Grouse - Manning Park, 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
Black-billed Magpie Picture
Black-billed Magpie - Kelowna, BC
Calidris acuminata Picture
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper - Richmond, 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
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White-crowned Sparrow - Boundary Bay, BC
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
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
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Ring-billed Gulls - Blackie Spit, BC
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Western Tanager - Shea Lake, 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
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
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Northern Pintail - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, 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
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Anna's Hummingbird - Langley, BC
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Sandhill Crane - Reifel Bird Sanctuary, BC
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
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Bald Eagle - Alliford Bay, 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
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Whimbrel - Tsawwassen
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
Horned Lark - Richmond, BC During the fall, Horned Larks lose their
Horned Lark - Richmond, BC
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Common Redpoll - Vancouver, BC
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American Pipit - Delta, BC
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Common Goldeneye - Lost Lagoon, BC
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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
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Belted Kingfisher - White Rock, BC
Another shot of the same bumting on Iona Jetty last fall. They certainly are hardy little birds to last on the open shoreline with that nasty cold wet wind blowing in off Georgia Strait. Picture
Snow Bunting - Iona South Jetty, BC
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Yellow-headed Blackbird - Kidd Lake, BC
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
Semi-palmated Plover - Tofino, BC The classic Semi-palmated plover pulling a blood worm from the sand at Tofino's famous surfing spot, Long Beach. These little plovers were running on the flat sand with the rest of the peeps looking for fuel for the long flight south. Semi-palms winter along the coast from California south to Chile and from South Carolina south to almost the tip of South America. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Semi-palmated Plover - Tofino, BC
Western Woodpewee - Pritchard, BC Hunting around a Saskatoon Berry bush was where I found this vocal flycatcher. The
Western Woodpewee - Pritchard, 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
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
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
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
Western Tanager - Meadow Lake, BC I had an early morning encounter with this very talkative summer resident which was one of the highlights of my trip to Meadow Lake Guest Ranch. The Summer Tanager is the only Tanager we see on a regular basis here on the west coast. This male was foraging and signing away along the roadside at Meadow Lake and didn't seem at all bothered that he was the star of the film. Michael W Klotz - 2019 www.TheBirdBlogger.com Video
Western Tanager Video - Meadow Lake, 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
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
Along the south edge of Stanley Park's Lost Lagoon, is and area that the ducks and geese like to spend some time looking for free hand outs. Once in a while, a duck that doesn't usually fit the bill,
Ring-necked Duck - Stanley Park, BC
Black Oystercatcher - Bowen Island, BC In Galbraith bay on Bowen Island there is a small dock that we took a quick walk on to see the exposed rocks at low tide. This Black Oystercatcher was taking advantage of the low water and picking through the crevices on the algae covered rock. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Black Oystercatcher - Bowen Island, BC
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Dunlin - Iona Causeway, BC
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
Green-winged Teal - Burnaby Lake Picture
Green-winged Teal - Burnaby Lake, BC
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
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
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
Red-naped Sapsucker - Anarchist Mountain, BC This male Red-naped Sapsucker was headed back to the homestead to drop some food for his young family. He checked me out a couple times and then disappeared within the trunk of the tree. The female was much more efficient in bringing meals to the home as she was there 2/3 more than fancier male. The poplar and the sapsuckers were found on Anarchist Mountain just east of Osoyoos, BC. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Red-Naped Sapsucker - Anarchist Mountain, 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
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Golden-crowned Kinglet - Hazelmere, 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
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
Usually Shy bird was hanging out in the pond at the pump station at Boundary Bay Regional Park. Very nice showing of his white speculum (wing patch).Picture
Gadwall - Centennial Beach, 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
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
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Mountain Bluebird -- Anarchist Mountain, 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, BC
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Osprey - Osoyoos, BC
White-winged Scoter - White Rock, Picture
White-winged Scoter - White Rock, BC
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Barn Owls - Barnston Island, BC
Western Bluebird - Pritchard, BC This is a great bird for British Columbia, thanks to a posting from the Duplika's. Western Bluebirds are not near as common as the Mountain variety here in BC, and certainly not this far north. This male was busy feeding his nestlings with the female bringing butterflys and grasshoppers. The trip between Pritchard and Chase is fantastic new route I will be sure to take again. Michael W Klotz 2020 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Western Bluebird - Pritchard, BC
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American Dipper - Peachland, BC
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Northern Saw-whet Owl - Delta, BC
Barrow's Goldeneye - Vancouver, BC This striking sea duck is a winter resident around Stanley Park Sea Wall and are usually found with rafts of Scoters near the Lion's Gate bridge. Barrow's goldeneye spend most of the summer in the mountain lakes along BC, Yukon and Alaska. The best way to tell these goldeneyes from their Common cousins is the Nike Swoosh versus the oval white patch behind their beak. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
Barrow's Goldeneye - Vancouver, 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
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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
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Pelagic Cormorant - Lonsdale Quay, BC
American Robin - Ladner, BC Spring has these Robins flocking together and searching for food in Ladner's Wellington Point Park. These thrush are know for their long migrations, hence the name, Turdus Migratoriuus. Michael W Klotz 2019 - www.TheBirdBlogger.com Picture
American Robin - Ladner, BC
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Brewer's Blackbird - Esquimalt, BC
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Black Turnstone - Tsawwassen, BC
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Cackling Goose - Brydon Lagoon, BC