Metro Vancouver Parks estimate that there were about 450 people (~200 fewer than last year), mostly kids, at the Starry Night event at Deas Island Park tonight (Sat. Aug. 18, 7:30-10:00 p.m.). It was a very comfortable evening, but the clouds prevented Jim Ronback and the Astronomers (including Delta Nat Terry McComas) from seeing any stars or planets.
They had fun looking at Grouse Mountain’s ski hill lights. The set up of the many Displays “along the route” by groups like us (e.g. OWL, Birds on the Bay, Delta Museum, Girl Guides, Burnaby Animal Rescue, Coyote Awareness, etc.), the nature walk, the flight of the Bats from the Burr House, the Drums, the Kid’s Craft booths, Science display, Story Telling in the Schoolhouse, were very professional, interesting and informative. It gets better organized each year. Of course, the best Display was our Delta Nats booth with 4 tables of hands-on stuff and informative info (Am I prejudiced?). We had kids colouring and enjoying our bones, shells, give-aways, guessing game, etc. all evening. And parents were asking lots of questions too. Terry Carr, along with his team of Boudi and Joyce, Lorna, Roger and Kay were awesome in “entertaining” the clients. And rookies Jane, Alan and Mike learned a lot, were very helpful, and I’m sure are excited about volunteering at future Nats Display events (e.g. Richmond Raptor Festival on Aug. 26, Day at the Farm on Sept. 8 and Boundary Bay Art Fair on Sept. 15).
I will post this report on our DNCB Blog and Roger will add some of the photos he took. It was a fun evening for the public that attended and especially for all the Nats (at least 12) that were there.
Tom Bearss, President, Delta Naturalists’ Society
Delta Naturalists Society 
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