The lower Fraser is an incredibly rich area for biodiversity. The river, the valley and the delta combined with a mild climate all contribute to this richness. For birding, November is one of the best months; quite a contrast from the rest of Canada. Many birds from further north are able to winter in the region, while other birds remain year round. The following photos were all taken in the last week.
Short-eared owl. They have recently arrived in the region.Sandhill crane. While there are some permanent residents, there is a migration ongoing that passes through the Fraser delta.Tropical kingbird. Normally found in Mexico, a few migrants actually work their way north. There are reports every year or two in the Vancouver area. Definitely a rarity. Trumpeter swans. Several thousand winter in the valley, generally roosting on small ponds and lakes at night.American avocet. Not a common bird to see in the region in November.American goldfinch. Most migrate but some remain for the winter.Bushtit. A year round resident.Snow bunting. Another winter visitor.American bittern. Not too common and generally very difficult to spot. This one was unusually cooperative.Spotted towhee. One of my favourite residents.Least sandpiper. Literally hundreds of thousands of shorebirds pass through the Fraser delta, and many stay in the area for the winter.Sharp-shinned hawk. With the loss of leaves, hawks are generally easier to spot in the winter months.Great-blue heron. Just can’t resist taking photos of these birds, that are present in large numbers, year round.Cooper’s hawk. Another hawk that is easier to spot in the winter.Bald eagle. Their numbers increase dramatically in the winter months.Ruddy duck. Again, winter is the best time to see ducks in this region.Ring-necked duck.Snow geese. These geese winter here in the thousands, migrating from Siberia.Barred owl. Always a favourite to see!
2 thoughts on “More from the Nature Reserves of the Lower Fraser Valley in November”
Great photography Dick, what a variety of birds. I am surprised that so many are seen here in the Henderson, Ky. area, plus so many that I am not very familiar with. I hope you all are doing well.
Thank you Gene. I would love to take you on a photo outing in this area. Like Henderson, we have a lot of birds from further north that winter here, November is generally a pretty good month here and this month so far i have logged more than 70 species. The numbers of eagles and trumpeter swans are incredible!
Great photography Dick, what a variety of birds. I am surprised that so many are seen here in the Henderson, Ky. area, plus so many that I am not very familiar with. I hope you all are doing well.
Thank you Gene. I would love to take you on a photo outing in this area. Like Henderson, we have a lot of birds from further north that winter here, November is generally a pretty good month here and this month so far i have logged more than 70 species. The numbers of eagles and trumpeter swans are incredible!