During my recent trip to photograph the snowy owls, a couple of other firsts occurred during the day also.  Whilst out on the marsh with the owls, swooping in came a northern harrier.  This beautiful bird of prey often winters in or migrates through this coastal region and enjoys being out on the marshes looking for small mammals too.  We saw several throughout the day and when one perched on an adjacent field fence post he became the perfect model for the many photographers gathered near by.

To finish the day off, we called in to a sanctuary area set up on the north western end of the marshes and here we found a first for us, roosting in the trees were four or five black-crowned night herons.  These not so common, creamy white & grey small herons are also visitors and residents of BC’s southern marshes.  What a treat to finish off the day.

More of the birds from this day’s trip, including wood ducks, sandhill cranes and a barred owl, can be seen in the ‘other birds’ gallery.