Delta Naturalists Society

Jim, Photog Terry and I enjoyed a gorgeous morning of casual birding along the dyke and at Terra Nova Park in Richmond.  On arrival we were aroused by the chatter of several Marsh Wrens in the bull rushes beside the parking lot.  They posed nicely for us, as did several colourful Red-winged Blackbirds.

We walked along the dyke before entering Terra Nova; the tide was high and there was a huge flock (somewhere between 2000 and a million, according to Jim) of Snow Geese along the shore.  There were lots of ducks too, mostly American Wigeon.  A boat came to scare them away, not sure why, perhaps airport staff.  See photo attached.  Many Great Blue Herons, Double-crested Cormorants and 5 or 6 adult Bald Eagles were also spread out along the shore among the geese.  Northern Harriers were continuously gliding over the reeds.  Our Delta Nats Scope worked very well with the new tripod donated by John Garnham.  However, it would do better with another set of arms to carry and set it up.

We entered Terra Nova and saw many flocks of LBJ’s.  We identified many American Goldfinch, House Finches, Song, Golden-crowned and White-crowned Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos and Black-capped Chickadees.  Lots of Cedar Waxwings, Robins and Spotted Towhees around as well.  We could not locate a singing Common Yellowthroat.  At the pond there were two Yellowlegs.  We circled the buildings in search (in vain despite Jim calling it) of the Black Phoebe which has been seen at Terra Nova for the past few weeks, and as recently as yesterday.  We met Chris Koh of Squamish who scoped one of two Cooper’s Hawks for us that landed nearby.  A flock of Bushtits entertained us for a bit.  We probably saw other stuff, but I forget.

Cheers, Tom