Birding, April 18, 2026: Sparrows, sparrows, sparrows (and a Tufted Duck)

Where: Blackie Spit/Crescent Beach, Serpentine Wildlife Management Area (Serpentine Fen), Green Timbers Lake (Surrey)Weather: Partly sunny, 16-18°C We spent the day birding in the city where tomorrow lives. We did not encounter tomorrow, but we did see a Tufted Duck! Blackie Spit A small bay lacking most of its water at Blackie Spit. It was unusually mild and as a bonus, there was almost no breeze at all at Blackie Spit, so it really did feel like 16C or warmer, thus making this our first short-wearing birding of 2026. Despite the balmy weather, there weren’t as many people there as expected. The super low tide might have been a factor. Walking the path to the end of the spit itself, we had copious opportunities to get snazzy shots of the equally snazzy Savannah Sparrow, some of which were singing their little hearts out, because spring has sprung, and you can’t mate with yourself. At the end of the spit, we spotted some Long-billed Dowitchers, but they were rather far off, thanks to…