Delta Naturalists Society

On Monday, the 7th and last day of our gorgeous Summer, eight participants (Lorna, Hans-Ulf, Roger, Jim, Anne, John & Kay and me) enjoyed the morning along the dyke at 112th Street. We drove the back roads to get to 112th and spotted a Peregrine Falcon on a tower near 72nd. Over 50 Bald Eagles were roosting in various trees around the Sod Farm on 72nd near the Boundary Bay Airport. We searched in vain for the Golden Eagle at both ends of 112th Street. It has been regularly seen around there, and as recently as Sunday.  We did see some Trumpeter Swans, Canada Geese, dabbling ducks (Mallards, Wigeon) and two Killdeer in the field near the Chicken Farm.  We started our dyke walk at 104th Street. The Bay was dotted with thousands of Dunlin feeding in the mud. We were not able to spot any other species among the Dunlin (eg Black-bellied Plovers, Sanderlings, etc). In the hedge row along the dyke we (at least some of us) saw a Bewick’s Wren, House Finches, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Song Sparrows, Spotted Towhees. Northern Harriers glided over the fields, and we “may” have spotted the Gyr Falcon on a Tower in the distance. We did see several Red-tail Hawks (including Harlans) and the Rough-legged Hawk was seen on Highway 17 approaching Highway 10 in its regular area.  Another fun morning of birding. – Tom Bearss