September 2, 2008
Like we said, September is an exciting month with migration being the main thought on most bird’s minds. Today was really special for us; we had a message from Hazel and Graham, friends of ours with a wonderful farm where we were lucky enough to get to photograph the Sandhill Cranes last September and beautiful raptors and songbirds at other times. The message was more exciting than most that we get! They had a Common Nighthawk sleeping on the railing of their stairs. Wow! We’d never seen a living Common Nighthawk and when we arrived we were more than surprised to find that we would be able to approach the sleeping bird without disturbing it. It sat there quietly, occasionally opening one eye for a peek at us, perhaps wondering what was so interesting. We managed to get within ten feet of it without any interest from the lovely bird. While we were visiting with Hazel and Graham, we watched the little fellow stand up and waddle in a little circle to sit back down for another nap. It has now left its resting spot, probably on its way to South America for its winter holiday, so we can count ourselves extremely lucky to have such good friends that shared a wonderful moment with a great little bird.
Their farm is so beautiful with rolling fields of corm and long rows of grapes beginning to ripen. A place to cherish and we are thankful that they are so kind to share it with us from time to time.
After our short visit with Hazel and Graham, we headed out for our walk around the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve. We stopped to show our photos of the Nighthawk to Barb and Val at the Gift Shop in the Rotary Interpretive Centre. They were watching a large set of young American Goldfinches, House Finches and Pine Siskins enjoying the feeder near the back of the Centre.
We took a short walk around and saw several Flycatchers as usual.
A Great Blue Heron was fishing in the slough on the dyke road near the Heron Rookery.
The Green Heron was fishing under its favourite Willow tree.
We saw three Rufous Hummingbirds in different places on our walk; they were all chasing different warblers out of their territories.
A couple of young Hooded Mergansers were floating peacefully on the North Lagoon; occasionally diving for fish and as they surfaced they looked absolutely dry. So water does run off a duck’s back!
We were watching a Wood Duck on the log on the North Lagoon when we noticed a couple of juvenile Pied-billed Grebes near the log. We were discussing whether we had ever seen a Grebe on a log or not when all of a sudden one of the little Grebes clambered up onto the log and walked while using its wings for balance along the log to have a rest.
We stopped in again at the Rotary Interpretive Centre and quickly said hello to Marilyn and Pearl who were very busy with a lot of visitors before we headed home; very content after such a great sighting of the Common Nighthawk. Thanks Hazel and Graham for sharing that with us!
We are not authorities on birds, wildlife, plants, cameras or photography, if you are doing research on any subjects, please refer to a more educational site for advice and double-check whatever you research.
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