Delta Naturalists Society

On a gorgeous Wednesday morning, April 14, eleven people participated in the first Spring “Birds on the Bay” Casual Birding Outing at Boundary Bay Park in Tsawwassen.  We started, and finished, our walk at historic Cammidge House, where a few White-crowned Sparrows were foraging in the house’s surrounding gardens.  Several adult and juvenile Bald Eagles were perched in the park trees. At the pond at Centennial Beach most of the American Wigeon have gone, but a few were there along with a nice pair of Bufflehead and some Northern Shovelers. The tide was out, but we could see thousands of Shorebirds on the horizon, along with many Great Blue Herons, Bald Eagles and Glaucous-winged Gulls. A few swarms of Dunlin weaved in the distance. We walked the trail in search of the Mountain Bluebirds (seen two days ago by Jim Martin-see his photo attached), but we were blanked. Several acrobatic Northern Harriers, male and female, entertained us. Raptors were enjoying the air currants and nice weather; Baldies, Red-tailed Hawks and Northern Harriers were soaring and circling together. We saw a few Tree Swallows hanging around our Delta Nats nesting boxes. Savannah Sparrows are back and the Marsh Wrens are very active, singing and building nests. We “called” the Virginia Rail; he replied but we did not see him.

Back on the shore trail, we were fortunate to see a few Yellowlegs (Lesser) and five Black-bellied Plovers in breeding plumage up-close-and-personal.  A few Green-winged Teal were there too, but the rest of the birds were away in the distance. A small flock(8) of Brant Geese flew past. Back on the inland trail we got good lucks at several iridescent Rufous Hummingbirds and a singing Bewick’s Wren so we could compare it to the Marsh Wrens. Lots of singing Spotted Towhees, Song Sparrows and Golden-crowned Sparrows around.

We returned to Cammidge House at 11:45 a.m. where the Delta Nats ladies (Jennifer, Mary and Sandra) offered us their delicious home-made pie, scones and Australian cake, and we took the obligatory Group photo (sans Lorna).  A very enjoyable morning.  Next Birds on the Bay outing at Boundary Bay Park is Wednesday, May 12 beginning at Cammidge House at 9:00 a.m.