Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve
September 1st to 6th 2010
We always enjoy our walks in September at the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve, Chilliwack, B.C., Canada.
It is migration time and we love running into the Black-throated Grey Warblers that pass through at this time of year.
Bushtit flocks are often seen at this time of year.
Brown Creepers were present at the Salwein Creek Loop.
Downy Woodpeckers often accompany the flocks of migrating birds.
Northern Red-shafted Flickers are also often seen at this time of year.
Flycatchers are easily seen during this time.
There were several Canada Geese at the lagoons.
Pied-billed Grebes were fishing on the South Lagoon.
A few Green Herons were seen on our walks. On one morning, we were fascinated with one that had captured a frog. It flew across the lagoon, while we stood watching from quite a distance away on the main bridge. When it got to the other side of the lagoon, it proceeded to dunk the frog several times in the water before it ate it.
A Great Blue Heron had been standing on a log on the lagoon watching the Green Heron catching the frog. When the Green Heron flew off with its frog, the Great Blue Heron flew to the area to see if it could find one as well.
Two Black-headed Grosbeaks were at the Salwein Creek Loop.
A few Steller’s Jays stayed out of camera range.
A Dark-eyed Junco was seen on the Rotary Interpretive Centre wheel chair ramp.
Lincoln’s Sparrows stopped for a few moments; just long enough for a few quick photos.
Hooded Mergansers were seen on the North Lagoon.
A Sharp-Shinned Hawk sat high up in the Cottonwoods at the Salwein Creek Loop.
An Orange-crowned Warbler chose to perch above us at the Salwein Creek Loop.
Two Osprey flew overhead and landed on a dead Cottonwood at the Salwein Creek Loop.
Cottontail Rabbits were seen on the edges of paths.
American Robins were in large flocks enjoying eating the white Red Osier Dogwood berries.
There were several Northern Shovelers on the South Lagoon on three of our walks.
As always, there were Song Sparrows around.
A little Douglas Squirrel was silhouetted in the open window of the East Bird Blind.
Western Tanagers were seen near the East Bird Blind.
We also found several Swainson’s Thrush near the East Bird Blind.
Spotted Towhees were found in several areas.
Warbling and Red-eyed Vireos were seen almost every day.
A Cedar Waxwing was seen near the South Lagoon.
White-crowned Sparrows were found near the base of the Rotary Interpretive Centre.
A Wilson’s Warbler was a surprise that popped into view for three or four seconds and disappeared just as fast as it appeared.
Wood Ducks are easily seen now.
A few Yellow-rumped Warblers were seen but they were very high in the trees with the sun behind them.
Common Yellowthroats were found at the edges of the South Lagoon.
We stopped in at the Rotary Interpretive Centre for enjoyable visits with Orson, Janet, Jean, Muriel, Eileen, Gordon and Val. You can see some of our photos in the Great Hall, the show is Nature Naturally. Here is a photo of the display.
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We always visit Fraser Valley Birding at this link: http://bcbirding.proboards.com/index.cgi where we were informed by Kathy Stewart that there was a Great Egret at Harrison Mills, so we took a drive up there to see if we could find this incredible bird. When we got there it was raining steadily but we found the Great Egret fishing quite a distance out on the mud flats. Although it was difficult to focus on the bird in the rain and at such a distance we are posting some photos of it anyway. There was a Great Blue Heron that would fly up behind it to see how it was catching so many fish. Every time the Great Blue Heron would fly up behind the Great Egret, the Great Egret would fly further away to fish in its own private area. We enjoyed seeing this amazing bird; thank you Kathy for letting us know about it. We ran into the Toochins just when we were ready to leave, it was really nice to have a visit with them.
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We are not authorities on birds, wildlife, plants, cameras or photography, if you are doing research on any subjects, please refer to a more educational site for advice and double-check whatever you research.
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