Hugo's birthday birding outing

We've had a family membership to the Reifel Bird Sanctuary for years. We haven't been in a while though, and on Wednesday, which was Hugo's actual birthday, the kids and I headed out there for a special day. If you live in the Lower Mainland, and you haven't been there, I really encourage you to try it out. Even getting there is a bit of an adventure; the sanctuary is on Westham Island and you ou need to drive over a one lane wooden bridge which opens to allow boats through.

On most weekdays, the place has only a few people wandering around. It's flat, so easy to push a stroller if you have littles with you. The meandering trails are very magical and there are lots of strategically placed benches to enjoy a quiet rest.

When we arrived, we saw this bird of prey swoop down on something in the meadow. I think it might be a Northern Harrier. And then, just seconds later, this big fellow showed up:
I'm not entirely sure what this is but my guess is an immature bald eagle.
Further on up the path, we saw my favourite bird, a great blue heron. In fact, on this day we saw herons a whole bunch of times.
We were stalked by a Canada Goose while having a snack.
Then we saw Mrs. Canada Goose sitting on her eggs.
Amidst the ubiquitous mallards, there were a couple pintails. Later we saw some coots as well, and a wood duck.


The black birds, both red-winged and brewer's, were out in full force, singing away.
The mallards are very tame and if you don't mind a stray peck, you can hand-feed them. The sanctuary sells packages of seed at the entrance, or you can bring your own from home. Do not feed the birds bread or other people food though!
There is an observation deck which you can climb up for a wonderful view of the surrounding marshes, the Pacific coastline, and way beyond, by the clouds, that's Vancouver Island.
If you go, prepare to spend at least 2 hours. Wear sunscreen and bring warm clothes, especially windbreakers. The more open areas can be quite cool with the ocean wind. There is a warming hut by the entrance which is kept heated in the winter & where you can thaw out if the weather is nasty. Bring a small snack (there are no garbage cans inside the sanctuary - you need to bring out whatever you bring in), binoculars, and a bird book. Quite often there are real birders out there and the sight of little kids with binoculars peering up at the trees makes them go all gooey; we've had a number of great chats with experienced people. Sometimes they've had scopes set up & would invite us to peer through at some rare bird. Most weekdays though, the place is blissfully empty and serene. The exception is when the snow geese arrive - then between the noise of the snow geese and all the people who come to look at them, it can be quite loud!

The bathrooms are by the entrance so make sure you use them before going in to the sanctuary.