Sharp-tailed Sandpiper – Baie du Febvre, Quebec

Posted on September 29, 2013 by birdquest2004

Quebec just keeps churning out the birds, Lapwing, Garganey, Little Egret, Barnacle Goose and now a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.

I never expected to see this extremely rare ABA code 3, Sandpiper this close to home.

After not finding it in Alaska (and not really expecting to unless it was lost. These Siberian birds winter in East Asia and Australia is a rare sight in western North America in fall.

Rick Poulin and I were lucky to see this bird today in Baie du Febvre near Nicolet. The sandpiper wasn’t being very cooperative, it was resting most of the time, close to the edges. Most views were through cattails. There were at least 50-70 people trying to see this bird from one vantage point. I waited for my turn, got some excellent views through my bins from about 15 feet, snapped a few photos and moved out of the way.

We stayed at the site for a few hours but the bird continued to rest…

I did manage a few half decent images through the cattails….a special day for sure. Thanks Rick

Ciao for now

SharptailedSandpiperFB

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A Couple of Rarities Show Up in the Ottawa Area – July 6, 2011

Posted on September 2, 2013 by birdquest2004

A 1st summer, White-faced Ibis, has been causing quite a stir, at the end of Rivington Street in Carp.
Birders and photographers alike have raced to get a glimpse of this never before seen, Ottawa bird.
He was fairly skittish the first few days but now as long as you approach the river’s edge slowly, the ibis, lets you get fairly close.
You gotta love the light that you get on an overcast day, it just sets off the colors of this Ibis.

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The red eye, slightly pinkish legs near the knee joints and pinkish facial skin are the field mark that peg the identity of this bird.
Also this week a lovely breeding plumage Eared Grebe has been spending time between the Embun Lagoons and the Casselman Lagoons. He is
fairly wary for those of us who want to photograph him but is easily visible. Digiscoping would be an easy way to get a photo. The day we went to see the Grebe, it was associating with a family of Ruddy Ducks. The photo below required some extensive post-processing but
I am pretty happy with the results, considering the distance.

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It nice to see these rarities showing up from time to time, now bring on another Whooping Crane,

Thanks, Ben Dilabio for finding this bird.

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