Delta Naturalists Society

On a gorgeous Wednesday morning, 15 to 20 participants (some came and went during the walk) enjoyed a Spring “Birds on the Bay” stroll around Boundary Bay Regional Park in Tsawwassen.  We started and finished at historic Cammidge House.  On our walk around the pond at Centennial Beach, a lonely female Lesser Scaup was resting among the Mallards.  Unfortunately, our timing was again a bit off and the tide was way out, so we missed out on seeing Shorebirds.  We scoped many Great Blue Herons and Bald Eagles on the horizon and a flock of Northern Pintails.  We decided to wander the inland trails in search of little birds.  The constant cacophony created by the Marsh Wrens, Spotted Towhees, Red-wing Blackbirds and Common Yellowthroats confused yet enthralled most of us (wow…).  Some of us managed to see these beautiful birds.  We were pleased to see that Savannah Sparrows are back and nesting in the park.  And we saw several Tree Swallows (one pair copulating) hanging around a few of Terry and Val’s 25 Nesting Boxes scattered throughout the park.  A pair of Northern Harriers entertained us with their aerial antics in what appeared to be pre-mating manoeuvers.

An adult Bald Eagle flew right over our heads carrying a fish (species unidentified) in its claws.  A number of Rufous Hummingbirds posed for us, occasionally show their iridescent throats.  The resident Red-tailed Hawk dropped by to check us out as did a couple of Northern Flickers.  We saw a neat flotilla of baby Mallards (seven I think) with Mom, and a few pairs of Gadwall and Northern Shovelers were in the marsh streams.  As there was not an enormity of bird sightings, Anne and Roger entertained us by pointing out and identifying many beautiful flower and plant species in the park.  We also were amazed by a large mound of Thatcher(?) Ants just beside the trail.  And Rochelle got a great photo of a relatively uncommon Anise Swallowtail Butterfly

–  not to be confused with the more common and larger Western Tiger Swallowtail.  Likely, this butterfly very recently escaped from its cocoon.

At 11:30 a.m. at Cammidge House, the Delta Nats ladies (Jennifer, Eleanor and Rochelle) regaled us again with refreshments and their home-made pastries.  Don took the required Group Shot, but only Can’s version was available at press time.  Again it was a grand morning.

Tom Bearss