DNCB Outing 2012-24 to Grant Narrows Park

Seven birders (Lorna, Kay, Marion S, rookie Jane K, Eric L, Anne M and me) got drenched on this morning’s “away” outing to beautiful Grant Narrows Regional Park (now operated by the Katzie Development Corp.) at Pitt Lake.  Hi-lites included: beaut looks at several Warbler species, including a MacGillivray’s Warbler, nesting Ospreys, and finally seeing our target species, Gray Catbird and Bullock’s Oriole.  Hopefully you will soon see Eric’s and Marion’s photos (already posted) of these and other sightings on our DNCB Picasa site at http://picasaweb.google.com/dncbirding.

We (5) left Petra’s and sunny Tsawwassen shortly after 7:30 a.m. and after an “unscheduled” stop (How can a Birder forget his Bins?) we eventually arrived at the Grant Narrows Park parking lot around 9:15 a.m.  Photogs Eric and Marion met us there and we all soaked (pun?) in the beauty of the lake and the surrounding mountains and the waterfalls.  An unusual sighting of a pair of Long-tailed Ducks flying low over the water caught our attention.  We decided to walk the dike path along the river.  We saw a few Brown-headed Cowbirds, Tree and Barn Swallows were darting overhead with both Vaux and Black Swifts among them.  A Band-tailed Pigeon flew by, as did a couple of pairs of Wood Ducks.  Then the rain started and didn’t stop until we left the Park around 1:30 p.m. Marion called in a Swainson’s Thrush, and nearby was a Willow Flycatcher in plain view too.  A few often-forgetful Caspian Terns flying overhead caught Anne’s attention and several Rufous Hummingbirds posed brilliantly for us.  We followed the trail for another half hour, got completely soaked, and decided to return to Anne’s van for goodies.  Lorna’s PB and Egg sandwiches, Kay’s tarts, Marion’s cashew brittle and the regular smartie-loaded mixed nuts were wolfed down quickly as we tried to dry ourselves.

Not being quitters, we decided to walk the inland trail. While talking to Katzie Park Attendant Eli, behind the concession stand a Western Wood-Pewee was hawking insects like flycatchers do, returning to the same perch for photos.  We walked for about another half hour, saw no birds (including no American Redstart nor Western Tanager which some possibly heard), got completely soaked again, and decided to turn back.  The rain seemed to let up so we decided to walk the main road toward the Lookout to see the Osprey nests.  A parent (probably female) was sitting on one nest while the other parent was on a post nearby.  It’s always a treat to see the Osprey nesting.  Lots of Warblers around and we all got excellent looks at Wilson’s, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Common Yellowthroat and my “Bird of the Day, a “junco-like” MacGillivray’s Warbler, almost-quietly spotted by Lorna.  One Mute Swan was in the “marsh lake” and several of the resident Cliff Swallows were hawking insects as well.  We heard a Snipe, and thought we heard a Sora, but it was really just a Red-wing Blackbird imitator. Back at the parking lot again we watched a Raven being harassed by Crows.  A flock of sleek Cedar Waxwings lined up on a branch for their photo-op while a brilliant Purple Finch sang behind them.  About a couple hundred metres from the parking lot we decided to walk a trail, toward the nesting Sandhill Cranes, according to a sign.  We did not walk very far when Kay spotted our Target Bird, a Bullock’s Oriole. Most of us saw it and Eric got a good shot, after scaring up the Small-Mouth Bass in the pond. Marion heard another Target Bird, Gray Catbird, and we finally saw it perched for a few fleeting moments before it flew away and hid.  It’s now approaching 1:30 p.m.  We had finally found our target birds, the rain stopped, so we took the mandatory Group Photo and left for home.  The numerous sightings this day must have exhausted the normally exuberant Lorna, the weather-challenged Kay, and our rookie Jane as they rested mutely in the van as I was challenged to keep Anne concentrating on safely negotiating her bird-mobile circuitously back to Ladner.  Still soaked, we made it back to sunny Delta and raved about the grand day we all enjoyed.

I will be at Petra’s next Wednesday, May 30 for departure at 7:30 a.m. (note early time).  Not decided yet where we will go.  Par habitude, comments encouraged, check out our DNCB Blog at www.dncb.wordpress.com and, let me know if you want off my Recipient List.

Tom Bearss, President, Delta Naturalists’ Society

DNCB Outing No. 2012-23 to Ladner South Arm Marsh Park

DNCB @ Ladner S. Arm Marsh Park
(click photo for enlarged view)

Eleven birders (Anne M, Marion S, Hans-Ulf, Lorna, Ken B, Kay G, Eric L, Jimmy “Red Socks” Ronback, Jonathan & Lorraine and me) spent a glorious Wednesday morning wandering around the South Arm Marsh Park in Ladner. Hi-lites were good looks at “Candy Birds” (i.e. Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Warblers and Vireos), Swainson’s Thrush and nesting Rufous Hummingbirds.  A Caspian Tern flew overhead.  Ken, Jonathan, Eric and Marion took photos, so there should be lots on our DNCB Picasa site soon at http://picasaweb.google.com/dncbirding.

When we entered the Ladner Park off Ferry Road, birds were singing all around us, but they were difficult to find and see.  We saw lots of birds flitting about, mostly high in the trees, and our Guru Anne was able to identify Wilson’s and Orange-crowned Warblers and Warbling Vireos.  Some of us got good looks at a Swainson’s Thrush.  Several Hummingbirds buzzed us and a local dog walker pointed out a Rufous Hummingbird nest, currently unoccupied, but hummers around it.  We saw a few Wood Duck pairs which hopefully are nesting there again, perhaps in the Boxes.

Wood Duck (m)

At the Lookout we heard both Bewick’s and Marsh Wrens but I’m not sure whether anyone saw them.  The south arm of the Fraser River looked very inviting as we cased two BC Ferries docked for repair in their yard on the other side.  Both Tree and Violet-green Swallows swooping around and White-crowned, Savannah and Song Sparrows singing.  Ken took the mandatory Group Photo at the base of the Lookout.  A resident Red-tailed Hawk gave a fly-past.  On our way back, most people got good looks at (and photos of) a Western Tanager, while others missed it as they were trying to find an elusive Brown Creeper.  Then several of the noisy Black-headed Grosbeaks finally gave us good views.  Lorraine “followed” a Cooper’s Hawk along the fence trees; Cooper’s Hawks nested in this park a couple of years ago.

Lorna gives away Eric’s peanuts

We had our Smoko of Peanuts, Jimmy’s raisins and Kay’s biscuits at the cars before walking the trail along the sloughs among the condos. Lots of ducks (Mallards, Wood, Gadwall) near the shores, some Mallards with only a few babies left; the Bald Eagles are picking off the young ducks and goslings with regularity.

Mallard w. one duckling

We saw a late pair of American Wigeon and wondered whether they might stay here and nest.  Bushtits were flying in and out of a couple of their nests.  Downies and Northern Flickers were the only Woodpeckers we saw, although there was evidence of the Pileated being there.  A super morning, that most of us really enjoyed, including Hans-Ulf who was kept awake by the glare (and odor) from Jimmy’s red socks.

Jim’s swamp waders

Next Wednesday, May 23, we will leave Petra’s Kafe at 7:30 a.m. (note earlier time) on an “Away” outing to Pitt Polder (Grant Narrows Park – Orioles, Catbirds, Ospreys, Warblers) where we expect to meet in the parking lot there around 8:30 a.m.  We expect to return to Tsawwassen by about 2:30 p.m.  Bring goodies for the Leader.  Again, comments encouraged, check out our DNCB Blog at www.wordpress.dncb.com, and tell me if you are sick of receiving this blathering.  Cheers: Tom

Tom Bearss, President, Delta Naturalists’ Society

DNCB Outing No. 2012-22 to Queen Elizabeth Park

Five eager birders met a Petra’s: Mike, Lorna, Eleanor, Kay and Roger, and drove to Little Mountain where we met with Annie K, Marion S, and Brian and Janet in the parking lot by the Rose Garden on the north side of the park.

Our Happy Birders With the Netherland Visitors

Although a beautiful, sunny day the wind was fairly strong and chilly.  Following the lower path westward and across the grass to the Conservatory level we were rewarded with only a Northern Flicker.  The good part of going to Little Mountain is that, if you don’t see any birds, you have a wonderful display of flowers to take their place.  To get out of the wind we descended into the quarry garden where things began to pick up.  There we had good looks at both Anna’s and Rufous Hummingbirds, Bushtits building a nest and the mysterious cone-shaped birds (a Lorna “bird alert”)  in an evergreen that turned out to be… cones?  A bit later Lorna was actually able to capture a “cone bird” (see photo).

Lorna With Her Elusive Cone-bird

We completed one loop of the park and saw only a few Golden-crowned, and White-crowned Sparrows near the Rose Garden.

After a washroom break, we decided to do a second loop with Brian leading the way.  Again, not much to see until we reached the open grass area on the lower north side where, in a maple tree we had several Wilson’s Warblers and, the highlight of the day, a beautiful Black-throated Gray Warbler.

Black-throated Gray Warbler

Another View of the Black-throated Gray

Near the end of the second loop we spotted an Olive-sided Flycatcher on top of an evergreen.  We had seen one the previous year in a nearby tree so it wasn’t totally unexpected.

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Also expected, was a Western Tanager which we did not see, but the couple from the Netherlands we had met in the quarry had seen one earlier so we know one is there.  Several times during the morning we had fleeting glances of what we were pretty sure was a Cooper’s Hawk and just before leaving we had confirmation with a good look at one.  Aside from the usual suspects robins, crows and the like, we didn’t have the number of species we had hoped but did have some quality sightings.

**A late addition: The following day Bryan and Janet found a Nashville Warbler which Bryan managed to get a good photo of as seen below.

Well, we managed to complete our trip without the guidance of our Leader, Tom (absent with some flimsy excuse) and our guru Anne, but with Janet’s uncanny sense of hearing, and Brian’s local knowledge, we did quite well.  Also, we had more peanut-butter sandwiches to go around!  No word on where next week will take us… expect some direction from Tom when he returns, but I suspect it will be somewhere local.  Brian and Marion, please feel free to insert/replace the photos with your better ones… my feelings won’t be hurt.  Roger

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Monday, May 14th, 7:30 pm – monthly meeting of the Delta Naturalists at Cammidge House. Our speaker will be Patricia Fleming, the Executive Director of the Earthwise Society and Feed the Bees Community Campaign co-chair.

DNCB Outing No. 2012-21 to the North Forty Park

19 insatiable birders
(click to enlarge photo)

Nineteen insatiable birders showed up on a rainy Wednesday morning at Beach Grove Park and then the “North 40” (aka the war-time air base and Vancouver Wireless Station from 1941 to 1971 when it closed).  We were: Roger M, Mike B, Kay G, Eleanor C, Hamilton Lyle, Ken & Anne, Judy K and Sis, Bryan & Janet, Johnny McF, PB Lorna, Photog Eric, Jonathan & Lorraine, Peggy K, Marion S and me.  The morning turned out to be beautiful and sunny, and we had some neat hi-lites including: the family of Great-horned Owls, Merlin, tonnes of Warblers, several up-close-and personal, and a fun walk in a very interesting park with some almost-stimulating folk.  Check out photos (by Eric, Jonathan, Roger, Ken) which I expect to see shortly on our DNCB Picasa site at http://picasaweb.google.com/dncbirding and on our DNCB Blog at www.dncb.wordpress.com.

It was sprinkling when our large group (as usual Marion S was late) got to Beach Grove Park.  With 38 eyes, we easily found all four of the Great-horned Owl family perched in trees not far from their nest tree.  The two young are big, but still fuzzy.  Interestingly, in the Owl nesting tree, a young red-cheeked Northern Flicker was peering (seemingly for photos) out of its nesting hole waiting for parents to arrive with food.

Northern Flicker

We took a circuitous route (some people don’t listen to instructions) to 72nd Street and the North Forty Park, where it had stopped raining and cleared up beautifully.  Several participants had never been to this dog-walking Delta Corp.  Park and found the explanatory signage and old photos interspersed around the area very interesting.  Along the main street near the entrance we saw our first Common Yellowthroat and of course, Savannah Sparrows.  We walked the back streets of the old subdivision, under many different tree species, and got excited and frustrated by the many Warblers we saw and heard.  Yellow-rumped, both Audubon and Myrtle, occasionally posed briefly for us.

We heard Wilson’s and Orange-crowned, and some got decent looks at both.  A Ruby-crowned Kinglet also showed up.  The resident Bald Eagles were perched beside their nest while many more circled above.  No birds were in the Cooper’s Hawk nest, and we did not see them today.  We were also early to see the Lazuli Buntings and Willow Flycatchers (regular migrants) and the Bullock’s Orioles, which nest there.  A few Tree Swallows shone brilliantly in the sun. Rufous Hummingbirds occasionally buzzed by.  While most of us were enjoying the excitement of flitting Warblers and Eric’s clambering through bushes and swamps to get photos, Ken got excited with a pair of Gadwall foraging in a field next door.  Then he took the mandatory Group Photo.

Roger led us on his private trail to the Bear Tree.  The single bear he originally discovered last year had inexplicably gained eight more brothers and sisters in the tree (see Roger’s photo).Then he showed us the spot where last week he saw and photographed an old moss-covered cabin, but it was gone the next day (the Park is a popular site for making movies).  A Red-tailed Hawk was sitting on its nest while the other (future) parent was hanging around nearby.  They both screamed when a Merlin flew by.  A Fox Sparrow (resembling a Hermit Thrush to some) scraped the ground under a bush while others saw a “Cow Bird-like” Red-winged Blackbird. Before leaving the Park, the starving of us wolfed down slivers of Lorna’s PB sandwiches and Marion’s un-named Trail Concoction.  It was a fun morning with a real eclectic group of weirdoes.

On the way back to Petra’s, I (with Lyle, Peggy, Lorna and Eric) stopped at the foot of 72nd St., no Snowy Owls around but Eric found a dead Short-eared Owl.  He thinks it is the same bird he has been photographing all Winter, and may have been killed by Northern Harriers.

Sandra and I are going to Kelowna next week to participate in the BC Nature AGM. Roger Meyer will be leading the DNCB group next Wednesday, May 9, leaving Petra’s at 8:00 a.m.  As usual, comments encouraged, and please advise if you want off my List.

Tom Bearss, President, Delta Naturalists’ Society

DNCB Outing No. 2012-20 to Iona RP and Sewage Lagoons

On Wednesday morning 14 brave souls (Anne M, Roger M, Eleanor, effervescent Lorna, Hamilton Lyle, Johnny McF, Kay G, Hans-Ulf, Bryan & Janet, Marian P, Brother Bill from Brampton, Leader’s Christine L. and me) enjoyed a very wet but fruitful outing at Iona Regional Park (IRP) and Sewage Lagoons. Hi-lites were: Shorebirds in breeding plumage, Osprey, Cliff and Rough-winged Swallows, and some almost-riveting conversation among this eclectic group.

Ten of us left Petra’s around 8:00 a.m. and we all met around 9:00 a.m. at the Iona RP parking lot. Our vehicle had stopped on the way into Iona to watch the hundreds (perhaps thousands, many in breeding plumage) of Shorebirds feeding on the small “high tide” shoreline very close to the road, including lots of Dunlin, Western and Least Sandpipers, and probably other species we could not identify.  We introduced Brother Bill from Brampton and the Leader’s Reporter Christine to the group before beginning our wanderings in the pouring rain.  Some saw Canvasbacks in the pond while others focussed on a brilliant male Yellow-rumped Warbler in a tree in front of the washroom.  Swallows were everywhere, and we were able to pick out and identify clearly Cliff and Rough-winged among the more common Tree, Barn and Violet-green Swallows.  An Osprey hovered above us before continuing on toward the river.  Marsh Wrens were singing everywhere.

At the first pond, some saw two Cinnamon Teals take off and hide in the marsh further away.  Among the many Red-winged Blackbirds, a couple of brilliant male Yellow-headed Blackbirds (a “target” bird here) distinctively sang loudly and perched on reeds for us to see through cloudy binoculars.  A couple of Pied-billed Grebes were diving in this pond, and some also saw a Beaver swimming near its den.  A couple of newly-arrived Purple Martins (another Target bird) were perched on branches on the other side of the pond, closer to their nesting boxes on the river.  We walked further along past the closed mist nets but did not see any of the Warblers (e.g. Nashville, Common Yellow-throat, both Myrtle and Audubon Yellow-rumped, etc.) that were caught/banded the previous day, and seen earlier this morning.

We entered the back gate to the Sewage Lagoons and lots of small birds were on the path; in a small mixed group; I saw Savannah, Song, White- and Golden-crowned Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, House Finches and American Goldfinches.  In the pond were: Northern Shovelers, Northern Pintail, Lesser Scaup, American Wigeon, Gadwall, American Coots and three beaut Ring-necked Ducks (one male, 2 females).  Flocks of Shorebirds were up-close-and-personal, including both Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs and Killdeer in addition to above-mentioned Shorebird species.  A Western and a Least Sandpiper posed together for comparative identification.  We searched in vain for the Vesper Sparrow that others had seen yesterday and today.  Roger was devastated as we were also blanked on the Solitary Sandpiper spotted earlier.  Brother Bill, Christine and I left the ponds around 11:00 a.m. but I met the group leaving the Park around 12:30 p.m., after dropping Bill (and Rita) at the airport.  Lorna was ecstatic about seeing the “resident” Western Meadowlarks and Hans almost awoke from his coma after eating Lorna’s PB sandwich (meant for me).

It is now 3:00 a.m. (April 27) and my Birthday celebrations are over; I am very tired and forgetful, so I am ending this report. It was an outing full of lots of neat species, but frustrating to see through foggy bins. The conversation, as Brother Bill re-iterated, was almost interesting.  Hopefully Christine (who departed soaked but smiling) got some good shots, including the obligatory Group Photo, which will be posted on our DNCB Blog at www.dncb.wordpress.com and/or our Picasa site at http://picasaweb.google.com/dncbirding.

We're Not Really Lost... Just Confused!

I will be at Petra’s next Wednesday, May 2 for departure at 8:00 a.m. on an outing “somewhere around the Bay”, destination to be determined. Comments encouraged, and tell me if these reports annoy you. Cheers: Tom

Tom Bearss, President, Delta Naturalists’ Society

DNCB Outing No. 2012-19 to Tsawwassen Ferry Port and Reifel Bird Sanctuary

Twelve birders (Roger M, Mike B, Johnny McF, Anne M, Peggy K, Sleepy Gerhard, Hans-Ulf, Eric L. and his friend Forrest R. Gump, New Brunswick Lyle, Kay G and me) enjoyed an erratic but abundant day at the Tsawwassen Ferry Port, on the drive to Westham Island and then at Reifel Bird Sanctuary. Hi-lites were: Black Turnstones, Black Oystercatchers, dancing Western Grebes, posing Barn Owl, FOY (First-of-Year) Yellow-rumped and Common Yellowthroat Warblers, beaut Ring-necked and Wood Ducks, three White-fronted Geese, and thousands of Snow Geese preparing to and flying north. Check out Eric’s and others’ photos (soon) on our DNCB Picasa site at http://picasaweb.google.com/dncbirding or on our Blog at www.dncb.wordpress.com.  I apologize for the long drivel below; the delete button is easy to hit.

The "Wild Bunch" at Reifel

It was cold and pouring rain when our three car convoy left Petra’s at 8:00 a.m. toward the pull-out along the highway just before the toll booths at the Tsawwassen Ferry Port.  The stop was worth it as the well-camouflaged Black Turnstones (30+) were foraging along the rocky shore just below us. Pairs of Black Oystercatchers were dropping in for photo ops before taking off to other spots around the jetty.  Not a lot of birds in the Bay like there normally is, but we saw several rafts of Brant Geese, Greater Scaups, Surf Scoters (White-winged in the distance) and a few remaining Buffleheads. Common Loons and Horned Grebes also around.  As for Shorebirds, a few Lesser Yellowlegs were foraging on the Spit and one Sanderling flew by, but others were likely foraging on the other side of the Spit, which we couldn’t see. Several adult and immature Bald Eagles often scaring-up the rafts of ducks. Following a couple of hiccups by our directionally-challenged drivers, the convoy met again on the Tsawwassen First Nations Reserve after a quick glance at the active and growing Great Blue Heronry at Tsa Tsu Shores.

Not much on the TFN, but the weather improved and became sunny and warm.  On our way to Westham Island we stopped along 33A Avenue when Eric spotted a Northern Harrier rousting a Merlin.  A huge flock of Snow Geese was foraging very close to the overpass entering the Container/Coal Port.  Occasionally groups of hundreds would take off and head north in large V’s. Roger “wet himself” at seeing a small flock of brilliant House Finches in the bushes, while others liked the Savannah Sparrows and colourful American Goldfinches.  We stopped at our regular spot beside the Fraser River near Canoe Pass.  Actually, this is where we saw the Lesser Yellowlegs, but I don’t feel like revising what I wrote above.  We also saw some Dunlin, in breeding plumage with their black bellies.  Occasional swarms of other Shorebirds in the distance, probably Sanderling and/or Western Sandpipers.  A pair of Mute Swans looked as if they were nesting at the back door of one of the Float Homes.  At least 8 Western Grebes in the channel and we all got “excited” (except Roger who was finished) when a pair started doing their mating ritual in unison in front of us.

We stopped at my friend’s farm on Westham Island to check for Barn Owls.  Eric got some great shots of one posing in the rafters, while several others (birders not owls) slept through an “intellectual” discussion/dissertation on beans, potatoes and anti-dumping legislation.  Lots of Violet-green and Tree Swallows flying around and I saw a Barn Swallow.  At Reifel, others saw Rough-winged and Bank Swallows, but we didn’t.  On the road into Reifel were lots of Northern Shovelers in the adjacent slough, one male was weirdly purple coloured (don’t know why).  At the Reifel entrance the four interloping (as opposed to the resident family of three) Sandhill Cranes welcomed us along with the always affable Staff of Varri, Kathleen and Laura.  Kathleen took our obligatory Group Photo before our almost-understandable ornithologist, Gerhard, had his nap on a park bench.  We had a very productive hour-plus walk in the Sanctuary, as usual seeing many “bird candy” species up-close-and-personal.  The Black-crowned Night Herons were in their tree, lots of breeding plumage Sparrows (White- and Orange-crowned, Fox, Song) on the paths, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and beautiful male and not-so-beautiful female Yellow-rumped Warblers in the trees.  Anne heard a FOY Common Yellowthroat, which others saw, but not me.  The three “regularly-seen” White-fronted Geese gave us a nice fly-past.  As for waterfowl, pairs of gorgeous Wood Ducks were everywhere, including high in the trees.  A Ring-necked Duck pair was next to a couple of Lesser Scaup pairs for neat comparison.  Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, American Wigeon and Mallards around, but we did not see a Cinnamon Teal or a Canvasback.  Noisy Marsh Wrens were building lots of nests and Rufous Hummingbirds often buzzed by us.  We loaded a still-drowsy Gerhard into the vehicle and on the road out of Reifel, a Red-tailed Hawk posed on a pole near the Alaksen entrance.  Another awesome morning of birding, despite the lack of “edible goodies”.

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Last Sunday, April 15, Delta Nats Joyce, Jennifer, Eleanor, Ursula and Terry McComas had a ball “manning” our Display Booth at Delta Corp.’s Fish release event at Watershed Park.  An estimated 700 people attended this event.  A dozen or so adults and children joined me on the pre-event Bird Walk through the park to the Fish Release area at the artesian wells.  Not many sightings, except for a Downy Woodpecker entertaining us and a fly-over of two Sandhill Cranes.  I am awaiting Ken’s photos, including a Group Photo taken at the Meadow overlook of the Bay and his shots of our Nats Booth.

Our Display is currently set up at Delta Municipal Hall for Earth Week; tonight (Thursday) the people come between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m.  We will set up the Display again this Sunday, April 22, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. at the entrance to the Burns Bog walkway in conjunction with the Burns Bog Pilgrimage. We/Terry Carr are constantly seeking volunteers to “(wo)man” our display at events like these.

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I will be at Petra’s next Wednesday morning, April 25, for departure on another DNCB Spring birding outing “somewhere around the Bay”, destination to be determined.  Again, comments encouraged, and let me know if you are exhausted and want off my List.

Tom Bearss, President, Delta Naturalists’ Society

DNCB Outing No. 2012-18 to Point Roberts, USA

Point Roberts, near Marina

Nine of us (Anne M, Ken B, Eleanor, newbie Eric, John McF, Kay G, Marian P, Point Bob Paul and me) enjoyed a very productive Wednesday morning of birding at Point Roberts, USA.  We had lots of hi-lites including: Red-necked and Horned Grebes, Pacific Loons, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murre, Harbour Porpoises, many ducks in beaut plumage (Harlequins), Hairy Woodpecker, first Violet-green Swallows, Caspian Tern, Sanderlings and hundreds of Brant Geese.  Enjoy Eric’s, Marian’s and Ken’s photos of the outing on our DNCB Picasa site at http://picasaweb.google.com/dncbirding.

We (Group of Seven) had no problems crossing the border in Anne’s van and got to Lighthouse Marine Park around 8:30 a.m. where Marian and Paul met us.  Marian had already photographed a Belted Kingfisher sitting on a pylon.  The water was unusually flat, and although most birds were a ways out, we could see them fairly well.  Several Common and Pacific Loons were close enough to shore for identification comparisons.  Lots of Surf Scoters and Common Goldeneye hanging around the pylons where both Double-crested and Pelagic Cormorants were roosting. Among the Cormorants was a flock (25) of resting Sanderling.  A Horned Grebe, already approaching breeding plumage, was diving in front of us.  Later on we saw a Red-necked Grebe among some pairs of gorgeous Harlequin Ducks and Harbour Seals.

We wandered along the path toward the “stand” at the corner; lots of Savannah and Song Sparrows along the shore.  A noisy Killdeer (possibly nesting there) caught our attention, while a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers seemed to follow us.  A few Harbour Porpoises flashed their fins in the distance and Anne was able to identify a few Rhinoceros Auklets and a Common Murre in the scope.  A Caspian Tern did a fly past, as did several large flocks of Brant Geese (hundreds).  We walked back to the parking lot via the shrub trail; some saw a Yellow-rumped (Audubon) Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow and Bewick’s Wren.

We drove to the other side of the Marina where we usually see Black Turnstones.  None were there, but lots of Violet-green Swallows flitting around us.

Violet-green Swallow (photo by Eric)

A nice flock of Greater Scaup came close.  Bufflehead and Gadwalls were in the pond by the condos, and a Red-tailed Hawk was perched near its nest.  Ken took the Group Photo here, but no one brought any goodies for a Smoko.  I felt weary and weak the rest of the morning.

We drove on to the new parking lot at Lily Point Park, passing Scottish Highland Cattle and Icelandic Ponies.  Point Roberts Paul “took over” as leader and guided us on a neat trail along the bluff.  At the lookout we saw lots of the same waterfowl species below us as we enjoyed the beautiful view across to White Rock, Blaine, the San Juan Islands and Saturna.  Bald eagles soared in front of us.

On Lily Point

No whales sighted (Richard Swanston saw a Grey Whale spouting there later in the afternoon).  We heard, but couldn’t find, a Purple Finch, but had great looks at a Rufous Hummingbird, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper and a Hairy Woodpecker.  Paul pointed out several of the rock formations that Mindy Brugman had explained in her passionate presentation on the Cliffs of Lily Point which she gave to the “sold-out crowd” of Delta Nats on Monday evening at Cammidge House.  We left Lily Point around noon, exhilarated by the enjoyable and productive morning spent in the USA.

I will be leading a Bird Walk this Sunday, April 15 at Watershed Park in North Delta in conjunction with the Fish Release Program organized by Delta Corporation.  The Walk starts at 11:30 a.m. from Pinewood Elementary School and ends around 12:30 p.m. at the Watershed Fish Release, where Delta Nats will have their Display set up.  Info on the event is at http://www.corp.delta.bc.ca/EN/main/municipal/upcoming-events/upcoming/earth_week.html.  Join me if you can.

Next week our Delta Nats Display will be at Delta’s City Hall from Monday to Thursday in conjunction with Earth Week.  DNCB’s will meet next Wednesday, April 18, at Petra’s, departing at 8:00 a.m. on an outing “somewhere around the Bay”, destination to be determined (perhaps Beach Grove Park to see the baby Great Horned Owls, and BBRP to see the Hudsonian Godwits (Roger M’s), Eurasian Teal, Mountain Bluebirds and Curlew).  Comments encouraged, check out our DNCB Blog at www.dncb.wordpress.com, and let me know if you want off the list to receive this drivel.

Tom Bearss, President, Delta Naturalists’ Society