BIRDS OF DAWN

HURKETT DOCK  at sunrise , May 26, 2012

The start of a birding day.

Out in the shallows were a flock of Canada geese and one Tundra Swan. Puddling along the edge of the shore were Mallard ducks. In the inner Bay were a Common Merganser, a Bufflehead and a Common Goldeneye. Likely other ducks were hidden in the reeds. Great Blue Herons flew over. A Bald Eagle cruised around until it got chased off by some Ravens for a spell, but it came back. Other birds flitting and diving were the Barn Swallows and Tree Swallows that really love sitting on those boats. Ringbill Gulls and Herring Gulls either glided over or bobbed in the water. A Song Sparrow sang from the willows. In the reeds across the creek was a Semipalmated Plover.

If it hadn't moved I likely would have missed it.

Semipalmated Plover
Charadrius semipalmatus
Common on beaches and mudflats

We had hoped the sun would stay out as it lights up the whole western edge of the marshy bay. But the clouds moved in again and it was hard to make out the colours on the far ducks to identify any more. As we were leaving the dock an Eastern Phoebe was wagging its tail in the remains of a burnt trailer.