Delta Naturalists Society

Brunswick Pointers (RM)

See more photos at DNCB Picasa website

A somewhat cryptic Report from Tom’s sick bed

Twenty five participants spent a gorgeous day at Brunswick Point at the peak season for migrating shorebirds.  We followed the convoluted directions to a parking area under Deltaport Way railway bridge.

Kathy Ellwood brought our DNS Scope with new, heavy-duty, hi-class Tripod.  She is donating the Tripod to DNCBers because she enjoys us so much.  Other DNCBers, please take note.

Sightings: Common Yellowthroat, both Golden- and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, lots of Sparrows in beaut plumage (e.g. Savannah, Golden- and White-crowned, Song),   Brown-headed Cowbirds, Marsh Wrens (with nest). Liz had Bewick’s Wren at the other end of dike path. Orange-crowned Warblers were very photogenic.

Tide was in, moving out.  Guestimate: 50,000 Dunlin, a few fewer Western Sandpipers, some Black-bellied Plovers – probably lots of other Peeps too that we couldn’t ID (Least, Semi-palmated, etc.).  Lots of beautiful Swarms flying around us.  The Bird Studies Canada guy was very patiently photographing them out in the mud; the birds surrounded him.  Liz photographed Black-bellied Plovers on posts at the other end.  There was a neat Peregrine dive bombing the scattering mass.

Time-challenged Otto and Pascale “walked the plank” to join us.  Fit White Rock Al rode his bike.  We saw Anna’s Hummingbirds but I didn’t see Rufous.   Liz saw American Goldfinch and a flock of 3000 Snow Geese in a field “at the other end”.  Some Greater White-fronted Geese among the flock.  Ducks: Mallards, American and one Eurasian Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail (Mergansers?).  Killdeer, two Caspian Terns, Red-wings and Robins.  Lots of Bald Eagles and Great Blue Herons.  A Northern Harrier was on its prey (a duck) in front of us. Lots of Barn and Tree Swallows and a few Violet-Green.  Eurasian Collared-doves at the farmhouse.  No Yellow-rumped Warblers seen, by me.

A Lost Driver’s Licence was found.  Our Hero Mikie Betts saved the newbie Laurie Klassen by returning it to her.  Brewer’s Blackbirds and Marion’s Chipping Sparrow were near our parking lot on departure.

Terry, Rob & Marylile, Kathy, Otto, Jim K and I  had lunch at Mario’s in Tsawwassen. The seafood linguine was delish that day, and the next day  at home too.  Two “Specialty” Beers, ok.

Super Photos by Glen, Dave M, Roger, Marion S, Liz, Jim K and Terry on our DNCB Picasa site.

Don’t forget Bat Presentation at DNS meeting on Tuesday, May 5.  Also Migratory Bird Day Presentations at TAC on Sat. May 2, 7:30 p.m.  I’m going back to bed now.  Cheers: Tom (from his sick bed – what a martyr!)

Tom Bearss, President, Delta Naturalists’ Society

 

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Next Week Wed. April 29 we will go to Minnekhada Regional Park, Coquitlam, leaving Patra’s at 7:30 am, arriving at Minnekhada Lodge car park shortly after 8:30 am.

from Petra’s to Minnekhada Lodge
• via Patullo Bridge
• via Port Mann Bridge