Reifel Island Bird Sanctuary, Delta B.C., April 8

By David Parent, Tour leader

I had the pleasure of leading the first official Whidbey Audubon trip to Reifel in many years. 

Twelve enthusiastic participants and I met at the Reifel entrance station, paid the entrance fee, and headed out into the wind and rain. Despite the inclement weather most of the day, we identified almost 50 species. Scoping across the first lagoon to the right we saw all three Merganser species, Common, Red-breasted and Hooded, in one view! We walked slowly along the path, hoping for a Saw-whet Owl but were disappointed. They had left for the season. Due to the rain, we spent more time than usual in the blinds. We got great closeup looks at many species of ducks. Wood Ducks had recently arrived and were a crowd pleaser. We noted the difference between Ring-necked Ducks and Lesser Scaups. A few Golden-crowned Sparrows, in their breeding finery, were seen. Where else can you see a Sandhill Crane, competing with the ducks for grain at a distance of three feet? We skipped walking the outer dike due to strong winds.

Due to the rainy, windy weather, we skipped the planned excursion to Boundary Bay via 72nd Street. Our target species there, Short-eared Owl, would not have been out flying. 

Despite the weather, it was a great day!