Rattray Shorebirds etc

[Brian Bailey]

I visited Rattray Marsh this evening in hope of finding shorebirds. Lots of mudflats, but not much variety of shorebirds.  Best one was a Pectoral Sandpiper.  The numbers may have been affected by the juvenile Peregrine Falcon that was swooping over the marsh when I arrived.

This may be the best place around to see Green Herons.  There were 2 on the mudflats for over an hour (the whole time I was there).  One stood about 2 metres away from a Black-crowned Night Heron giving a great size comparison.  

Two Soras made a brief appearance just before dusk.  

BB
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[Trillian Flummox]

Lots of action this afternoon on the mudflats. Both green herons were visible, as well as several Killdeer, a Lesser Yellowlegs, a Solitary Sandpiper bobbing its tail, and 4 tiny Semipalmated Sandpipers zooming along the waters edge. There were two medium sized shorebirds that I didn't identify because I just couldn't get close enough, and a fast dark blur that dove into the tall reeds before I could even begin to wonder about things like Soras and Rails. No sign of the Peregrine.

Would love to go back without the kids in tow to have a longer look. A great spot.

-kris

[Brian Bailey]

Early this morning we had 4 Green Herons in view at the same time.  Also at least 3 and possibly as many as 5 Soras including a juvenile.  

The best bird of the morning (for the time of year) was a Horned Grebe on the lake.  
BB

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[Brian Bailey]

I visited this afternoon and found a similar assortment of birds.  No yellowlegs or Pectoral, but 2 each of semi-palm sandpiper and plover. I found all the herons EXCEPT Green.  Also saw Soras for the third visit in a row:  that's never happened anywhere for me before.  

BB

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[Brian Bailey]

I visited again this afternoon.  The water level has dropped since last weekend.  I could only find five species of shorebirds. I saw an adult Green Heron and two juveniles.  One of the juveniles appeared to have a broken left leg:  the foot was hanging limp and it was effectively standing on one leg.  

I found one juvenile Sora, keeping my streak alive!

BB

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[MEGHAN]

Good news and bad news with you Brian.
Awesome that you keep finding Rails. I usually see then just through the reeds down need the lake.
Last time I was there afer 2 hours of barely breathing on finally came out far enough for me to start to line up a shot. No soomer did I try to do this and some guy yells out from around the side..."what do you see!!!?!?!?!?" "Nothing now" I said.  :roll:
"well what was it" he yells/asks.
"oh just a rail" I whisper.
"wow!! I haven't seen one of those in years" he shrieks back.
As I stood up to leave I say.."and you never will with that mouth"
One day I am sure someone will beat me within an inch of my life for comments like that, but come on, I was "this" close.
Oh well better luck next time right?
But I am glad you have had great luck with them there.
A shame about the Heron though. I wonder what happened there. Lots of Turtles and crazy huge Catfish but I don't think either of those would do that. I have seen Blue Herons quickly pull up when about to land and go drop in somewhere else and if you look where he was going to land there has usually been a Snapping Turtle there. But I would think they would take the leg off not just break it.
Those guys scrurry around so much it's hard to say what happened to him.
I am back there Tuesday to see what is about. Hopefully your luck carries over to me.
If you happen to be there before me, please tell the Kingfishers that all I would like is just ONE bloody photo!!
Thank Brian.

Meghan

[cloaca]

Or you could just play photographer at a less crowded location.

[MEGHAN]

Or you could just play photographer at a less crowded location.

Gee I guess you got you back up over that one.
I'll be sure to keep your advice in mind the next time I decide to go somewhere again at 7 in the moring on a week day.
I have never found a place more deserted than Rattray in the early am in the week.
Don't think I can find the place you suggest but if you can think of something please feel free to let me know.

Meghan

[Trillian Flummox]

You don't have to be a photographer to feel that same frustration when someone disturbs the birds on you. I was standing quietly with just binoculars at that same spot, struggling to identify all the shorebirds, when a family with young children arrived and started chucking rocks into the shallow water.  Kids will be kids of course (I had my own two with me at the time), but it should have been obvious to the parents what I was doing and gosh gee couldn't they throw their rocks into the lake just 10 yards behind me instead?  I may have shot a few daggers with my eyes but I didn't say anything (always too chicken). At least there were no dogs.

BTW, if you're still looking for Kingfishers Meghan there were three at Sam's and 2 at Humber East yesterday. Two of the three at Sam's were squawking at each other across the little marsh with the wooden look-out. Very easy to see.

-kris

[MEGHAN]

Hi Kris,

Thank you for your understanding of what I was trying to say and for the great tips on where to find a few kingfishers.
I will  head down there tomorrow morning and "play photographer" for a little while...quietly of course.  :wink:

Meghan

[cloaca]

The fact is you were in a very public place, even at 7am.   Friendly enthusiasm, even if it disturbs your all-too-important photo shoot, doesn't deserve that reaction.  The guy was just trying to be nice.   But hey, if you think it's justified, who am I to suggest otherwise?

[MEGHAN]

Here we go…another birder vs. photographer jab fest.
I am much too busy taking pictures to have the time to throw insults back and forth with you over this ongoing issue.
I will not post on this topic again. I suggest you do the same if you do not wish to continue to look like a total ass.
Obviously you are one of the people who has painted all photographers with the same brush.
But think about it, what would you do without us.
With no pictures there would be no I.D section on this forum and no place for you to  fill the empty little minds of photographers who have no idea what bird we are shooting, just that we have to shoot them at all costs. What would you do with all your knowledge?
Where would you be then? What would you do with all that free time?
Me? I’ll still have something to do, I’ll be busy getting ready for another all-too-important photo shoot.


@ Brian Bailey,
I apologize that my earlier comments about your outings at Rattray have caused some personal issues with other members.
Going back to what my point was earlier. I was most excited to read about your great sighting at the marsh, it caused me to visit there more often then I usually would at this time of year. I look forward to more posting from you on this great place.

Meghan

[cloaca]

Well, no.   I have nothing against photographers.   I try to be one from time to time.

What I am against is unneccessary rudeness against a curious member of the non-birder/non-photographer public.   A person shouldn't be chastised for showing interest in what you were doing.   If he did in fact ruin your shot, you could take the time to explain that to him instead of belittling him with a snappy one-liner.

I'm sorry that you see this as a birder vs. photographer discussion, because it very much isn't.   I fail to see where I "painted all photographers with the same brush."  Try again?

Keep up the good work.

[mr.sharp-photo]

Well, no.   I have nothing against photographers.   I try to be one from time to time.

What I am against is unneccessary rudeness against a curious member of the non-birder/non-photographer public.   A person shouldn't be chastised for showing interest in what you were doing.   If he did in fact ruin your shot, you could take the time to explain that to him instead of belittling him with a snappy one-liner.

I'm sorry that you see this as a birder vs. photographer discussion, because it very much isn't.   I fail to see where I "painted all photographers with the same brush."  Try again?

Keep up the good work.

i know what you're saying. in fact, you are correct.
but...but.....
when I go out and shoot, i usually do it alone. its my "me" time. me and nature and my thoughts. and i think its relatively clear by my silence and my focus that i'm trying to pay attention to something.

so it does drive me crazy when someone noisy comes up to me or starts yelling near me. yesterday, i told a couple that the path ended up ahead. of course, the path also went by my hummingbird bush. i hide to the side, hoping that my presence won't prevent hummingbirds from landing. so the couple says "well, we'll walk ahead anyways," and they do so, walking past the feeding spot, and then turning around, realizing that i was right. kind of annoying that i didn't get a thanks nor did they respect my advice.

sometimes i forget that its a public park because i'm in my private happy space. it still doesn't excuse people's behavour and making noise when others are trying to enjoy nature. it also doesn't mean that i should snap at someone nor explain (read: lecture) people as to why their behaviours aren't appreciated. 2 types of being an ass, just with different delivery.

[cloaca]

Agreed.   I can see the frustration in it.   I just don't think that justifies the response.   And my reaction would have been the same whether the poster was a photographer or just a birder - the response was uncalled for.

I understand your point about "me" time.   But you also have to realize that it's also their "me" time, and being friendly and social (and yes, probably a bit loud) in a park might be what they enjoy.

The thing is, if a photographer (or birder, etc.) wants to get close to a rail undisturbed, a lakeshore park in an urban centre probably isn't the best choice.  Trying to stake out a Sora in Mississauga and getting annoyed when someone asks what you're doing is just plain foolish.