DARE TO BIRD

On Saturday after looking at two Say's Phoebes at the same time in Vancouver (which we have never seen before as they usually come through solitary) we decided to head down to Washington to photograph Long-tailed Ducks and Eared Grebes which had been hanging around Blaine Harbor for months. As we were crossing the border and told the Border Guard where we were going and what we were doing. He asked me what my favourite bird was and I proceeded to tell him it was a Rough-Legged Hawk. He then asked for the Latin name of the bird and I had no idea. I told him I honestly don't know and he remarked it probably wasn't your favorite bird and laughed and said have a good trip. After we were on the highway I asked Ilya if he knew the latin name of the bird and he said. I said what why didn't you tell me/him?!!. He said I didn't want to look like a geek... Guess Ilya liked seeing me squirm.  Honestly it's my favorite bird I tell you!! - Photo: Melissa Hafting

For Ilya's birthday present I promised I would take him to Sechel to see the Rock Sandpipers and shorebirds. We were so busy so didn't get there until months after his birthday but sure glad we made it.We have always wanted to get good shots of Rock Sandpipers and it is hard to do anywhere but we tried our luck in a more reliable spot. Rock Sandpipers rarely come into the Vancouver area but are sometimes seen at Klootchman and Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver. I met up with Arnold Skei who was birding the area and we went on his property to bird. We birded and had a delicious fish and chips lunch in Gibsons and then went back when the tide was low and like a miracle it was full of shorebirds. Arnold screamed to us from his property that he had a Rock Sandpiper we got to him but at that time he had lost it and it had flown across the channel. We walked around as it was too deep to cross and were greeted by Surfbirds, Black Turnstones and Black Oystercatchers. There was no si