DNCB Outing No. 2013-19 to Ladner Parks

DNCB at Ladner Harbour Park

Photos by Roger, Marion & Ken

Click on any photo to see large version

Fourteen DNCBers enjoyed another beautiful Wednesday morning in Delta on an outing to several Ladner parks, including Ladner Harbour, Brigantine and South Arm Marsh Parks.  We were: Ken & Anne, Marion and Roger (our 3 Photogs), PB Lorna, Mike, Kirsten, returnee Johnny Mac, Kay, Donna, Eleanor, Bryan & Janet and me.  Hi-lites included: Great Horned and Barred Owls, Swainson’s Thrush, Cedar Waxwings, nesting Cooper’s Hawks and lots of Warblers.  Check out photos, including of several beautiful flowers and plants seen, on our Picasa site.

Six of us left Petra’s around 7:30 a.m. and met the rest of the group around 8:00 a.m. in the Ladner Harbour Park parking lot.

Bushtit with worms

Marion had already found one of several Bushtit nests where parents were busy bringing food which was very entertaining.  Lots of Warblers heard and some got good views of Wilson’s (most common), Yellow-rumped, Yellow and Orange-crowned, and later, near the water, Common Yellowthroats.

Eurasian Collared Doves

Eurasian Collared-doves were very common as we walked the well-groomed path through the woods, and its vine-covered trees.  Lots of dog walkers using this park too.

Cedar Waxwing

A Brown-headed Cowbird and two Cedar Waxwings caught our fancy.  Many Marsh Wrens in the reeds on the shore, gathering nesting material from the bullrushes.

Marsh Wren

Black-headed Grosbeaks were recognizable as they sang like Robins with singing lessons.  Ken took the obligatory Group Photo at the Lookout at the end of the path, craftily including caged Bryan.  This Lookout continues to befuddle me as to why Delta (I assume Delta Corp built it) would build it facing a condo development across the river.  There are so many other beautiful vista spots close by they could have chosen.

On the walk back to the parking lot, some saw a Barred Owl and a Flycatcher of some sort.  We had our Smoko at a decent time, around 10:00 a.m. with reliable Lorna’s PB sandwich and Kay’s tasteless Japanese biscuits.  No one brought beer for the umpteenth consecutive week.

We drove on to a couple of paths along the slough among the housing developments off Ferry Road (e.g. Brigantine Park).  Northern Flickers, Downy Woodpeckers and Starlings were seen nesting in some of the many holes in the dead tree trunks.  Not much in the slough except Mallards, a few Wood Ducks and an American Wigeon.  Both Tree and Barn Swallows were hawking insects over the water.  Roger was pleased to show everyone the Cove Links Golf Course where he gets whupped by certain other DNCBers regularly on Thursday mornings.

The noise of mowers and weeders was driving us crazy so we moved on to the serenity of the South Arm Marsh Park.  We were blanked on the Western Tanagers (seen here last year, see DNCB Outing No. 2012-23), but we were thrilled to see

Swainson’s Thrush

Swainson’s Thrushes and a Great Horned Owl, up-close-and-personal.

Great Horned Owl

We walked the paths to the Lookout at various speeds, causing us to split into a few groups.  More Warblers singing but difficult to spot.

American Goldfinch (m)

Brilliant American Goldfinches posed and continuously noisy Spotted Towhees annoyed our hearing senses.  We re-grouped at the vehicles and, before heading home, decided to stop at the Cove Links Golf Course parking lot to check out the Cooper’s Hawk nest.  Mom was sitting on the nest while Dad was posted in a nearby tree.

Cooper’s Hawk

This was a fitting end to another fun and successful DNCB outing.

Next Wednesday’s outing, May 22, is to Colony Farm.  We will leave Petra’s at 7:30 a.m. and expect to meet others joining us at the garden parking lot entrance to the trails around 8:30 a.m.  Comments welcomed and let me know if you want off my List to receive these reports.  Cheers: Tom

Tom Bearss, President, Delta Naturalists’ Society

DNCB at Ladner Harbour Park

American Goldfinch (m)

Cedar Waxwing

Cooper’s Hawk

Marsh Wren

Great Horned Owl

The gang at Brigantine Park

Ivy on tree

Eurasian Collared Doves

Victims of a dirty dog

variegated Hawthorne

Hawthorn flower

Wild Sweet Pea

Lupins against Broom background

Scotch Broom

Looking for Wilson’s Warbler

Bushtit in opening to nest

Bushtit with worms

Tentative Schedule for DNCB outings…

• 1) May 22 – Colony Farm;
  2) May 29 – Local, North Forty;
  3) June 5 – BOTB in BBRP;
  4) June 12 – Pitt Lake.

DNCB Outing No. 2013-18 to Campbell Valley Park

Photos by Marian P & Marion S

Click on any photo to see large version

At the Whistling Bridge

Eleven DNCBers showed up this morning at Campbell Valley Regional Park in Langley for a walk in this heritage setting of diverse natural beauty.  Mike, Kirsten, Gareth, Ken (without Anne) and our “Leader” White Rock Al were at the 16th Avenue parking lot when the Petra’s group of Hans, Marian, Kay, PB Lorna and I arrived around 8:20 a.m.  Time-challenged Marion toured the park on her own and met us later for goodies.  Hi-lites were: Western Tanager, lots of Warblers, a “saw tree”, and repetitive inane conversation, but in a gorgeous setting.  Check out Marian’s and Marion’s (the M&M Twins) photos on the DNCB Picasa link.

Al with young Vine Maple

The weather was perfect as we set out along the newly-groomed Vine Maple Trail about 8:30 a.m. (following introductions and a lavatory break).  We were very fortunate to have White Rock Al with us who knows every tree, plant and bird in the Park and continuously numbed us with his explanatory drivel.  His coup de grace was a band saw “growing” out of the trunk of tree.

Saw Tree

No joke, check out Marian’s photo evidence on our Picasa site.  The “Big Leaf” Maple Trees were aptly covered with ornate vines and moss.  Lots of birds singing and some were identified as Pacific Slope Flycatchers, Purple Finches, Pacific, Marsh and Bewick’s Wrens, Pine Siskins, none of which we (at least me) could find.  We did get glimpses of Wilson’s Warblers, and a couple of noisy but hiding Black-headed Grosbeaks finally gave flypasts.  We irritated a pair of Dark-eyed Juncos protecting their nest.  Irridescent Rufous Hummingbirds occasionally posed for us.

At the Listening Bridge there was lots of activity.  While forgetful Ken and his photog protégé Marian were going through the ridiculous ritual of taking the obligatory Group Photo, several brilliant

Yellow Warbler (m)

Yellow Warblers sang and posed around us.  Native Douglas Squirrels

Douglas Squirrel

hung around our feet awaiting our peanuts.

Ken had a Red-breasted Nuthatch (along with both Black-capped and Chestnut-backed Chickadees) eating from his hand, but his protégé was a bit too slow to capture the photo evidence.

Song Sparrow with nesting material

She did get shots of the darker-than-normal Song Sparrows.

We followed the Deer Trail to the historic Langley Speedway oval, then headed back along the Little River Loop Trail.  Marian spotted my “bird of the day” a beaut male Western Tanager and Ken even got it up-close-and-personal in the scope.  Two Ravens were being mobbed by Crows providing helpful comparative ID analysis.  Other birds heard included Mourning Doves, Orange-crowned Warblers and we finally saw a Common Yellowthroat and American Goldfinches.

We got back to the parking lot around 12:15 p.m. where the wandering waif Marion met us following her 3 hour search, obviously on trails we weren’t on.

Marion rejoins the group

All ended well as we savoured Marian’s ham and Lorna’s PB sandwiches, along with someone’s (I forget who) fruit & nut mixtures, Kirsten’s Girl Guide cookies and pretzels.  It was a serene drive back to Petra’s as the three chicks (Lorna, Kay and Marian) snoozed in the back while Hans tried unsuccessfully to amuse us with his incoherent slaver about one of his German University professors, way back in the olden days.  Another stimulating DNCB outing.

Next Wednesday’s DNCB outing (May 15) will be “local”, that is to Ladner parks including the South Arm Marsh Park.  We will leave Petra’s at 7:30 a.m., arriving at Ladner Harbour Park around 7:45 am  (see GOOGLE map http://goo.gl/maps/Z3pK9)

Two important upcoming events you should consider attending:

1) on Sunday, May 12, International Migratory Bird Day, a Mother’s Day Tea and Bird Talk n’ Walk at Cammidge House from Noon to 3:30 p.m. and

2) our Delta Nats Monthly meeting on Monday, May 13 at Cammidge House at 7:30 p.m. featuring a presentation by zoologist Karen Needham on “Aquatic Insects” (Agenda and details on DNS EVENTS page)

Again, comments encouraged and let me know if you want off my List to receive these “enlightening” missives.  Cheers: Tom

Tom Bearss, President, Delta Naturalists’ Society

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Tentative Schedule for DNCB outings…

• 1) May 15 – Local, Ladner Parks;
  2) May 22 – Colony Farm;
  3) May 29 – Local, North Forty;
  4) June 5 – BOTB in BBRP;
  5) June 12 – Pitt Lake.

DNCB Outing No. 2013-17 to Blackie Spit

DNCB at Blackie Spit (click on photo to see large version)

Photos by Marion, Jonathan, Terry, Roger & Ken

Twenty-one participants (Anne M, Kirsten, Marion, Hans, Jonathan & Lorraine, Ken & Anne A, Kay, Al S, Donna, Lorna, Mike, Terry, Bryan & Janet, Roger, Gerhard, Sheila, Jackie and Tom) spent another gorgeous Wednesday morning outing at Blackie Spit.  Check out lots of beaut photos (Marion, Jonathan, Terry and Ken) on our DNCB Picasa link.

Seven left Petra’s at 7:30 a.m. and met the group at Blackie Spit parking lot shortly past 8:00 a.m.

Tom & Lorna with birthday PB sandwich

Some were dressed for -20˚C weather.  Following intros and one-candle Birthday celebration, we walked toward the spit.  Lots of Shorebirds on the shore but difficult to see facing the sun.  Dunlin, Black-bellied Plovers, and Sanderling seen, many in breeding plumage.

Savannah Sparrow

Savannah Sparrows posed on logs and bathed in dew, while Common Loons, Red-breasted Mergansers, Double-crested Cormorants and Horned Grebes were diving in the Bay.  Caspian Terns entertained feeding one another.  I think we saw three Swallow species; Tree, Barn and Violet-green.

Tree Swallow (m)

We walked toward the Savenye Park and saw Northern Flickers, Downy Woodpecker and several pair of Purple Martins were nesting in their boxes.  More Shorebirds in the other inlet, including Dowitchers, Greater Yellowlegs and Western Sandpipers along with Green-winged teal and Gadwall.

Whimbrel

Two Whimbrels were along the shore and Yellow-rumped Warblers in the bushes.  A Cooper’s Hawk flew past, then a Peregrine Falcon circled above us along with a bigger raptor, which may have been the female Peregrine.  We walked further around toward the Dunsmuir gardens and saw both Anna’s and Rufous Hummingbirds; neat comparisons.

Anna’s Hummingbird (m)

Rufous Hummingbird (m)

Also saw lots (too many) of Brown-headed Cowbirds.  Little birds such as House Finches, American Goldfinches, Pine Siskins and Spotted Towhees were entertaining.  A pair of Mallards had nine baby ducklings.

Bushtit nest

Also saw Bushtits and their nest, Bewick’s Wren, Common Yellowthroat near the Community gardens.  Some saw two Least Sandpipers in the stream shore and two Killdeer.

Least Sandpiper

Killdeer

Delicious treats at Noon before leaving the parking lot: someone’s biscuits, other stuff I forget and PB Lorna’s PB Birthday sandwich.  Next Wednesday May 8 is Campbell Valley Park, Langley (see GOOGLE map http://goo.gl/maps/cNoSN).  Meet at parking lot at 16th Ave. entrance to Campbell Valley around 8:00 a.m.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Tentative Schedule for DNCB outings…

• 1) May 8 – Campbell Valley;
  2) May 15 – Local, Ladner Parks;
  3) May 22 – Colony Farm;
  4) May 29 – Local, North Forty;
  5) June 5 – BOTB in BBRP;
  6) June 12 – Pitt Lake.

DNCB Outing No. 2013-16 to Point Roberts, USA

DNCB at Lighthouse Park

Photos by Marion S & Ken B – click on photo to see larger version

It was a glorious Wednesday morning as Lucky 13 DNCBers (PB Lorna, Photog Marion, Second-timer Kirsten, “Sick Day” Deborah, Scope Bearer Mike, Bird Book Back-up Hans-Ulf, Loquacious Eleanor, Guru Anne, Spotter Kay, Do-It-All Ken & Anne, and our new best friend, historian and Scope Carrier, Point Roberts Paul) enjoyed a “bird-packed” outing to Lighthouse and Lily Point Parks in Point Roberts, USA.  Numerous up-close-and-personal hi-lites included: Ruddy Turnstone, Pigeon Guillemots.  Lorna’s Pileated Woodpecker, Long-tailed Duck, Red Crossbills, California Sea Lions, Harbour Porpoises and lots more.  Check out Marion’s and Ken’s photos (soon) on the Picasa link.

Savannah Sparrow

Twelve of us met at Petra’s at 7:30 a.m. and car-pooled to the Border.  Surprisingly, the crossings were quick and smooth, both ways today.  First stop was Whatcom County’s Lighthouse Park where local “expert historian” Paul Ferry joined us.  A Savannah Sparrow also greeted us as we grooved on the beautiful vista across to the Ferry Port, Vancouver Island and the other Gulf Islands.  The water was as calm as glass, the sky clear with a brilliant rising sun.  Pelagic Cormorants were flying by as we scoped both Common and Pacific Loons.  Lots of Surf and White-winged Scoters, dazzling Harlequin Ducks, and at least one pair of Long-tailed Ducks (Kirsten’s target bird) gave us good looks.

California Sea Lion

Harbour Seals were cruising about as were several California Sea Lions (see article on Sea Lions by Anne Murray); Kay spotted the first of several Harbour Porpoises popping up not far out.  Little fish were jumping out of the water; I think they were herring.

Brant fly-by

Hundreds of Brant in flocks of 20 to 50 birds were flying by us toward the Ferry Port.  Killdeer were calling; we

nesting Killdeer

found one later on a nest near the washrooms.

We wandered down to the “lighthouse” and while watching a flock of Black Turnstones nicely disguised on the rocky shore, Guru Anne picked out a red-legged Ruddy Turnstone (uncommon here).  A Sanderling was there too.  A few non-breeding plumage Pigeon Guillemots were diving there along with several brilliant Red-necked Grebes (perhaps Horned and Western Grebes too).

Pileated Woodpecker

Lorna alerted us, several times, to fly-overs of a female Pileated Woodpecker which eventually posed for us on a hydro pole.

Violet-green Swallows were also swooping above us.   Rabbits on the path were not bothered by the many Bald Eagles flying by.

We took the inland trail through the bushes back to the car park.  We got great looks at a singing Orange-crowned Warbler

Orange-crowned Warbler singing

and White-crowned and Song Sparrows.  Also saw a neat flock of Red Crossbills, Brown-headed Cowbirds, and some saw a Bewick’s Wren, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Pine Siskins and Rufous Hummingbird.  We almost recruited a new Group Leader as a Grampa’s wandering infant invaded our group and latched adoringly onto Anne A (see photos).  Ken took the obligatory Group Photo here too.  Then we briefly toured the very informative Orca Museum before enjoying our Smoko at the parking lot.  Along with PB Lorna’s banana and PB sandwiches, Eleanor, between her ongoing and continual outbursts of senseless blathering, supplied some tasty mixed nuts, and Marion some healthy biscuits, all supplemented with pretzels, peanuts and the high-class Trail Mix with M&M’s.

We drove on, past the horse and weird cattle farms, to the newly modified Lily Point Park.  After another pee break in the new washroom facilities, we wandered down the freshly stoned path to the Southern lookout.  New signage was impressive and informative, and amusingly supplemented with PR Paul’s musings.  As we gazed out to White Rock, the Olympic Mountains and US Gulf Islands, 200 feet below the Bluff in the Bay, many Harbour Seals were crowded on various rocks in the water.  Around them we saw rafts of Red-breasted Mergansers, Scaup and Scoters.  Paul reiterated the history of the Alaskan Packers Association (APA) and their salmon cannery which closed in 1917.  We followed the trail through the Second/Third Growth Woods, heard lots of stuff (which we could not identify as Guru Anne had left), and Kay spotted a singing and flitting Ruby-crowned Kinglet which entertained us all.  We stopped at other lookouts with beautiful vistas, saw a Baldy sitting on her nest, then trudged back to the parking lot on the well-groomed trails.  It was just past Noon, and after prying a few grapes from miser Marion and some orange pieces from reluctant Kirsten, we left for the border to Canada, stopping for the mandatory gas and wine purchase on the way.  It was a truly awesome morning; I probably missed some sightings but this report is frightfully long already.

Next Wednesday, May 1, we will leave Petra’s at 7:30 a.m., going to Blackie Spit, then the White Rock pier.  For those meeting us, I expect to be at the Blackie Spit parking lot around 8:00 a.m.  As usual, comments are encouraged and let me know if these annoying missives must be stopped.  Cheers: Tom

Tom Bearss, President, Delta Naturalists’ Society

Tentative Schedule for DNCB outings…

1) May 1 – Blackie Spit/White Rock;
2) May 8 – Campbell Valley;
3) May 15 – Local, Ladner Parks;
4) May 22 – Colony Farm;
5) May 29 – Local, North Forty;
6) June 5 – BOTB in BBRP;
7) June 12 – Pitt Lake.

---

Addendum by Marion

Kay, Kirsten and I went to the Lily Point marina to see what we could see,
and we added a Belted Kingfisher,

Belted Kingfisher

and managed to flush a pair of Killdeer
both of which tried to lead us astray in different directions.  As we followed them, we flushed a tiny “too cute for words” baby Killdeer who
stayed within 10-20 feet of us, allowing us a good look.  As we left the
area, we watched while one of the parents immediately went to where the
offspring had settled, so we knew that for the time being it was being guarded.  We also observed  a Red-tailed Hawk land on a branch very close to a large nest which belonged either to it or an eagle.  The hawk was doing lazy circles in the sky as well as some fancy acrobatics.  (By now you should be singing either “the bear went over the mountain” or “Oklahoma”.)  Marion

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Watershed Creek Fish Release event at Watershed Park, Delta

click on ANY photo to see large version

This morning’s Bird Walk at Watershed Park was on the occasion of the 11th Annual Watershed Creek Fish Release event.  The eclectic group of parents, kids and near-parents, which grew to around 33 participants (not counting a couple which looked like they may be born any day now) met at the Pinewood Elementary School entrance at 11:30 a.m.  Just before introductions and departure, a beautiful male Pileated Woodpecker appeared on a tree trunk right in front of us.  Sarah and her two kids got good looks, as did some other early arrivals.

As we entered the Park beneath the huge “second growth” Fir, Cedar and Hemlock trees, we heard birds calling, but had difficulty finding them.  Some saw or heard Pine Siskins, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Pacific Wrens, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Song and White-crowned Sparrows, Spotted Towhees and American Robins.  Ken pointed out a nice Trillium in bloom.  On arrival at The Meadow, we enjoyed the view out over Boundary Bay and took the obligatory Group Photo.  We started to walk down the hill and by now many of the kids were antsy and anxious to get to the Fish Release.  Many ran ahead, others enjoyed climbing on the weird-shaped trunks.  Emily spotted a couple of Varied Thrushes which several at the back of the pack got good views of.  We followed the main road, hearing but not seeing more birds, and got to the Fish Release site at the Old Pumphouse around 12:30 p.m.

The Delta Naturalists’ Society had their Display at the site entrance across the path from OWL’s tent, with their Barred Owl and Turkey Vulture.  Terry Carr along with Delta Nats Eleanor, Lorna, Annie K, Elizabeth and Ursula entertained and educated the hordes of parents and kids that visited our hands-on display.  Delta Parks providing hot chocolate and apples was a real treat, especially since it started to spit, then a bit of hail, then rain and it got very chilly.  Lorna’s sandwiches, Elizabeth’s and Annie’s cookies helped too.  The 2:00 p.m. shutdown did not come too soon.  And I had a very enjoyable time at this year’s Fish Release.  Hope you did too.  Check out Ken’s photos on the Picasa link at https://picasaweb.google.com/DNCBirding.  Cheers: Tom

Tom Bearss, President, Delta Naturalists’ Society

 

DNCB Outing No. 2013-15 to Stanley Park

Photos by Marion Shikaze

Sixteen birders got lots of walking exercise wandering around Stanley Park on a beautiful Wednesday morning.  We were: Bryan & Janet, Ken & Anne, Marion and newbie Kirsten, Roger, Kay, PB Lorna, Mike, Biker Ron, Donna, Annie K, Eleanor, Sheila and me.  Hi-lites included: gorgeous Spring flowers in bloom, waterfowl in breeding plumage, feeding Chestnut-backed Chickadees and watching the lack of excitement at a movie site.  Check out Marion’s and other’s photos on the Picasa link to our Blog at https://picasaweb.google.com/DNCBirding.

Stanley Park Birders (click on photo to see large version)

Two carloads left Petra’s around 7:30 a.m. and with Roger in the lead, taking his ludicrous short-cuts, including via a library and a hotel lobby under a swimming pool (don’t ask), we got to the Second Beach parking where the rest of the waiting group was about to have lunch.  We made introductions, tried unsuccessfully to pay for parking in the broken, rip-off Stanley Park Meters, then wandered down to the sea wall.  With the brilliant morning sun behind us, the vista out toward UBC and the moored cargo ships in the bay was glorious.  Two female Goldeneye were close to shore, a Common Loon and several Bufflehead not far out and lots of Pelagic Cormorants flying by.

Interestingly, a pair of Canada Geese had started nesting in a tree trunk/stump about 30 feet high.

Our convoy of 7 vehicles, along with Biker Ron, moved to our next stop at the Stone Bridge to start our walk around Lost Lagoon.  Lots of Pine Siskins around, and we got good looks at Ruby-crowned Kinglets too.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Several Hummingbirds posed, looked like Anna’s.  Splendid American Goldfinches, Song, Fox and Golden-crowned Sparrows, and Spotted Towhees in the bushes, but most of us were like kids and more interested in feeding both

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Chestnut-backed and Black-capped Chickadees from our hands.

We followed the Lagoon path, framed with gardens of Tulips, Daisies, Hyacinth, Rhododendrons and lots of other colourful blooming flowers that I don’t know.  Ring-necked Ducks,

Ring-necked Duck (l) and Lesser Scaup (r)

American Wigeon and Mallards in breeding plumage were in the Lagoon as we approached some bright lights and a bunch of people standing around doing nothing.  It could have been a “government office”, but it was the set for a new “PI” TV series called King and Maxwell, supposedly set in Washington DC, but being made here.  Anyhow, we put the “security girl” Megan to work taking our Group Photo.

Megan agrees to take group photo

We passed the Shoot, providing some much appreciated entertainment for the crew, and Ken took some more photos at the Nature House.  Violet-green and Tree Swallows were hawking insects above the water, but none were hanging around the bird boxes (yet).  The Virginia Rail did not respond to Kirsten’s taped call, and nothing bothered the Mute Swan sitting on her nest near the path with Dad standing guard.

Keeping an eye out nest-sitting–Mute Swan

We got back to our vehicles about 10:30 a.m. and the convoy drove to the Restaurant/Malkin Bowl and parked.

Wood Duck pair

Following a pee break and before walking to Beaver Lake, we had our Smoko with PB Lorna’s tasty egg sandwich, Donna’s funny-looking but delicious cookies, Annie’s Girl Guide cookies, Eleanor’s healthy fruit bars and my pretzels.  Others had neat stuff too, but they sneakily ate it in their cars so they didn’t have to share it with free-loaders like me.  Invigorated, we walked through the massive Fir and Cedar trees to Beaver Lake.  The Red-winged Blackbirds were in fine form with their brilliant red epaulettes, and pairs of Wood Ducks dazzled as they cruised through the lily pads.

Many DNCBers seemed more interested in the two inter-twined lovers on a park bench.  A Red-breasted Nuthatch was honking and Annie K got a nice photo.  Ron heard a Swainson’s Thrush and pecking Woodpeckers and Ken saw a Varied Thrush.  A huge face carved in a tree trunk caught our attention, as did three groups of cackling kids on a primary school environment excursion.  Finishing our circumvention of Beaver Lake, we trudged back to the vehicles, then drove to our next stop beneath the Lion’s Gate Bridge.

More Bufflehead and a few Common Mergansers

Common Merganser chasing fish

were close to us along the seawall path.

Pelagic Cormorants

Pelagic Cormorants, which nest at the bridge, were everywhere, but we did not see any Pigeon Guillemots, which also nest on the rock wall under the bridge.

Looking for nesting Pigeon Guillemots

Some saw a River Otter foraging along the rocky shoreline as a huge tanker cruised by.  It was approaching 1:00 p.m. and our legs were feeling rubbery, so we decided to head home to Tsawwassen.  It was a pleasant ride back to Petra’s listening to Annie’s monotonous drivel and Eleanor’s snoring.  It really was an awesome morning.

Next Wednesday, April 24, we will go to Point Roberts, USA, leaving Petra’s at 7:30 a.m.  Don’ forget your Passport.  I have created a tentative Schedule for DNCB outings over the next several Wednesdays, as follows:

1) May 1 – Blackie Spit/White Rock;
2) May 8 – Campbell Valley;
3) May 15 – Local, Ladner Parks;
4) May 22 – Colony Farm;
5) May 29 – Local, North Forty;
6) June 5 – BOTB in BBRP;
7) June 12 – Pitt Lake.

Hope this is helpful.  Also, join us this Sunday April 21 at Watershed Park for my Bird Walk at 11:30 a.m. to the annual Salmon Fry Fish Release where Delta Nats will have their Display.  And on Monday, April 22, I will be one of the “Pecha Kucha” Presenters at Delta Corp’s Earth Day event at City Hall, beginning at 6:30 p.m.  My short presentation is entitled “A Typical Delta Nats Casual Birding Outing”.  As always, comments encouraged, and please advise if you want off my List to receive these annoying missives.  Cheers: Tom

Tom Bearss, President, Delta Naturalists’ Society

DNCB Outing No. 2013-14 to Iona Regional Park

DNCB-AD (After Donna) …and then there were six

Six DNCB weirdoes (PB Lorna, Kay, Bryan & Janet, Donna and me) spent Wednesday morning in the pouring rain at Iona Regional Park.  Lots of hi-lites including: Ruddy Ducks, Virginia Rail (seen), Canvasbacks, colourful warblers and more.  Check out Bryan’s photos on our DNCB Picasa site.

I was hoping no one would show up at Petra’s when I arrived there around 7:15 a.m. on Monday morning.  But there were Lorna and Kay, fully dressed in their rain gear.  We discussed cancelling the outing, but being stalwart DNCBers, that thought quickly dispersed.  The three of us sailed to Iona via the almost-empty HOV lane, through the tunnel, past the horrendous traffic line ups.  We stopped near the bay-side start of the Airport runway to scan a flock of Snow Geese on shore; lots of juveniles, but no other species (e.g. Greater White-fronted).

We got to the Iona parking lot about 8:15 a.m. and there was one lonely car there.  We could hardly recognize Bryan and Janet, with their hoods, bulky rain pants and jackets.  More discussion on “going to a warm dry place” was cast aside as we scanned the rafts of waterfowl in the front pond.  Lots of Lesser Scaup (probably Greater too), Northern Shovelers, Bufflehead. Marsh Wrens were buzzing everywhere.  Swallows were hawking insects over the water and we recognized Tree, Violet-green and Barn.  We got a bit excited so we decided to walk around for “an hour”.

At the next pond we searched in vain for Yellow-headed Blackbirds, lots of brilliant Red-wings, and we saw a Pied-billed Grebe.  Then we heard a Virginia Rail, and after Janet spotted it in front of us, everyone got good looks at this “hard to see” Rail racing through the reeds.  Little birds were calling in the bushes and some of us saw Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 4 Sparrow species (Song, Fox, Golden- and White-crowned) and we finally got good looks at Yellow-rumped (Audubon) Warblers.

Yellow-rumped (Audubon) Warbler

Bryan saw an Orange-crowned Warbler.  One of several Rufous Hummingbirds seen today posed on a branch, flashing his gorge, but the irridescence was lost in the rain.  We also saw a non-Marsh Wren which may have been a House Wren.  Two flocks of Shorebirds (~100 birds each) surprised us as they wizzed right in front of us; we think Dunlin.  Then we got lost wandering the “mist net trails” searching for more warblers, so we decided to head toward the gate to the sewage ponds.

We got to the Sewage Ponds fence; the hour was up, but the rain was “easing up” so we decided to continue on a bit more.  A raft of Ring-necked Ducks caught our attention in the back of the front pond (interesting verbiage) as did a pair of Wood Ducks (unusual for Iona) hiding in the reeds.  Two male Ruddy Ducks were also diving there, as were a few splendid Hooded Mergansers.  Tree Swallows were buzzing around Peter and Ken’s Bird Boxes along the fence, but we did not see any enter.  Inside the Sewage Ponds, lots of Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Shovelers and Mallards were feeding in the sludge.  A Red-tailed Hawk gave a fly-past and we rousted a Northern Harrier that was resting near the shore among the ducks.  Bryan took the first of two obligatory Group Photos just as “time and directionally-challenged” Donna called from the parking lot.

DNCB -BD (Before Donna)

We scanned the four sewage ponds for rareties (Blue-winged Teal, Shorebirds), in vain, then met her outside the gate.

We walked along the Fraser River trail; no Purple Martins seen at their boxes.  An Osprey-looking immature Bald Eagle caught our attention on a pylon.  Several V’s of Snow Geese heading north above us.  No Northern Shrike seen, but a pair of possibly-nesting Killdeer was interesting to watch.  We got back to the washrooms and parking lot before Noon, and the sun was now shining with clear skies approaching.  Lorna shared her peanut butter sandwich, along with scrumptuous orange cookies and raisin packet.  I savoured these as we watched a beaut pair of Canvasbacks among the Scaup in front of us.  A glorious conclusion to what turned out to be a glorious DNCB outing.

Red-winged Blackbird (m)

Next Wednesday, April 17, we will leave Petra’s at 7:30 a.m. on an outing to Stanley Park.  For those meeting us there, meet at the parking lot just west of the 2nd Beach Pool at around 8:30 a.m., depending on traffic (click on GOOGLE map – click on Parking 1 (red balloon)).   Pay parking is good for the whole park – we will need at least 4 hours.

There Roger will guide us in a search of English Bay for sea birds.  From there we will drive to the Stone Bridge; park there and walk around Lost Lagoon.  From there we might drive on Pipeline Road to park at the trail down to Beaver Lake to see the Chestnut Backed Chickadees, RBNuthatches, Virginia Rails, etc.  Then down to the Burrard Inlet side of the park and walk to the base of the cliff below the Lion’s Gate bridge (Pelagic Cormorants and Pigeon Guillemots).

Tom Bearss, President, Delta Naturalists’ Society