Check out photos by Terry (TC), Glen (GB), Greg (GH), Marion (MS) & Ken (KB) on DNCB Picasa link
The as-always happy and enthusiastic DNCB birders met in the Blackie Spit parking lot for our weekly outing to view birds and “occasionally” exchange friendly banter. Twenty of us assembled for the group photo: Terry, Pauline, Anne M, Otto, Kirsten, Gerhard, Glen, Roger K, Sheila, Ken, Anne A, Marion, Mike, Kathy, Marti, David, Donna, Fern, Greg and myself (Jean). Al, Leona and Wim were unfortunately not included since they were involved in recording the weekly bird count for the area.
The group spent some time viewing the ducks in the water near the entrance to Blackie Spit. In addition to the usual Great Blue Herons, there were Horned Grebes, Common Loon, Red-breasted Mergansers and a female Common Goldeneye. Both American and Eurasian Wigeons could also be seen as well as some lovely little Green-winged Teal. Distant shorebirds were visible along the waterline of the bay and a careful search revealed the often seen Long-billed Curlew. We were all delighted to see two Snow Buntings at the end of the spit, always a great find.
Other small birds such as, Black-capped Chickadees, Red-winged Blackbirds, Northern Flickers and Song Sparrows were seen flitting about in the trees and bushes.
Bald Eagles and a Harbor Seal were other occupants of the area that morning.
Our birding group soon formed several smaller clusters that busily exchanged information of varying importance. A close view of three Greater Yellowlegs could be seen in the Savenye area, an ID helpfully confirmed by Anne Murray. At least 6 Anna’s Hummingbirds were seen on the trail to the dike. Their aerial acrobatics were stunning and some truly great photos were able to capture the animation of these tiny birds.
A Cooper’s Hawk was perched on a tall pole near the pump house. Leona spotted the Long-billed Curlew across the Nicomekl River from the pump house. White-crowned Sparrows and a Brown Creeper were reported by Anne and Ken as they returned along the dike trail while others took the ‘thicket’ route hoping to see the elusive and unseen Surfbird.
The birders that continued on to the White Rock pier reported seeing Horned Grebes, Buffleheads, a female Greater Scaup, Pelagic Cormorant and Black Turnstones in and around the rough water. Then a remaining 7 decided that lunch at Uli’s was the best way to end the day. All in all, another great outing among birds and friends. Jean Gartner (for vacationing Tom Bearss)
NEXT WEEK, Tuesday, February 24th, we will leave Petra’s at 8:00 am for Point Roberts; meet at Lighthouse Marine Park around 8:20 am.
Delta Naturalists Society 
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