Watershed Creek Fish Release event at Watershed Park, Delta

Delta Naturalists Society

April 21, 2013

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This morning’s Bird Walk at Watershed Park was on the occasion of the 11th Annual Watershed Creek Fish Release event. The eclectic group of parents, kids and near-parents, which grew to around 33 participants (not counting a couple which looked like they may be born any day now) met at the Pinewood Elementary School entrance at 11:30 a.m. Just before introductions and departure, a beautiful male Pileated Woodpecker appeared on a tree trunk right in front of us. Sarah and her two kids got good looks, as did some other early arrivals.

As we entered the Park beneath the huge “second growth” Fir, Cedar and Hemlock trees, we heard birds calling, but had difficulty finding them. Some saw or heard Pine Siskins, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Pacific Wrens, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Song and White-crowned Sparrows, Spotted Towhees and American Robins. Ken pointed out a nice Trillium in bloom. On arrival at The Meadow, we enjoyed the view out over Boundary Bay and took the obligatory Group Photo. We started to walk down the hill and by now many of the kids were antsy and anxious to get to the Fish Release. Many ran ahead, others enjoyed climbing on the weird-shaped trunks. Emily spotted a couple of Varied Thrushes which several at the back of the pack got good views of. We followed the main road, hearing but not seeing more birds, and got to the Fish Release site at the Old Pumphouse around 12:30 p.m.

The Delta Naturalists’ Society had their Display at the site entrance across the path from OWL’s tent, with their Barred Owl and Turkey Vulture. Terry Carr along with Delta Nats Eleanor, Lorna, Annie K, Elizabeth and Ursula entertained and educated the hordes of parents and kids that visited our hands-on display. Delta Parks providing hot chocolate and apples was a real treat, especially since it started to spit, then a bit of hail, then rain and it got very chilly. Lorna’s sandwiches, Elizabeth’s and Annie’s cookies helped too. The 2:00 p.m. shutdown did not come too soon. And I had a very enjoyable time at this year’s Fish Release. Hope you did too. Check out Ken’s photos on the Picasa link at https://picasaweb.google.com/DNCBirding. Cheers: Tom