Twelve DNCBers enjoyed another gorgeous Summer Wednesday morning at “new to me” Rocky Point Park and then Buntzen Lake Park in Port Moody. Some beautiful flowers, vistas, and even a few neat bird sightings; you can savour the photo evidence by Liz, Marion, Glen and Pascale & Alberto on our DNCB Picasa site.
Marian took Glen, and Roger had Mike and me, in two cars, leaving Petra’s around 7:30 a.m. Not unpredictably, Roger drove us via his “short cuts” through many of the side streets of New Westminster and Burnaby, showing us a number of his old homes/haunts and even his friends’ homes (including Clifford Olsen). Predictably, everyone was patiently awaiting our late arrival at 8:45 a.m. at the Rocky Point parking lot. Following the usual idle chit chat, Roger took the Group Photo (with Liz & Scoutmaster Alan, photog and local expert Marion, sisters Pat & Maureen, effusive Pascale & Alberto) and then we all meandered down to the harbour pier.
The talented Pascale played a few bars on the Public Piano at the jetty entrance as we admired the flower boxes and hanging baskets. There were many Purple Martins on and around their nesting boxes on the pylons in the harbour. Looked like a very successful nesting colony.
As exciting as this was, Liz was confounded by the disjointed sailboat storage barge, and it created lengthy inane discussion. How could sailors get to their boats on this island far from shore? The Scoutmaster finally answered the query – a floating raft to the island. A Harbour Seal, some California Gulls (according to Roger) and Rock Pigeons also showed up.
We walked the “lower” unpaved trail around the bay (2.3 kms). Although a very beautiful walk through woods and on boardwalks, not many birds around. There are likely to be several wildflower species including Rice lilies, in the area by the bridges, just past the zig zag boardwalk over the marsh. Several Killdeer foraging in the mud were a small hi-lite.
Song Sparrows, Chickadees, bathing Crows, a Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, and Great Blue Herons were common. Marion had American Goldfinches, Cedar Waxwings and House Finches.
A Belted Kingfisher gave a fly-past. A flock of about 50 Band-tailed Pigeons, up-close-and-personal, was my hi-lite. These resident birds are the survivors from the almost-decimating Hunt of several years ago.
Meanwhile, Marian P had lost, then found, her keys and four of her local friends (out on Day Passes I suspect) arrived to guide her home before she was afflicted with another accident. DNCBers are an eclectic group.
We returned to the parking lot at 11:30 a.m. and six of us (Roger, Mike, Glen, Pascale, Alberto and me) decided to have lunch at the St. James’s Well, Olde Irish Pub. After walking in 30 degree plus heat, the two Okanagan 1516 beer went down very smoothly. Everyone enjoyed their meal here and my Liver and Onions & Bacon was a rare and scrumptious treat.
Before returning home, we decided to check out Buntzen Lake, another spot I had never visited. It’s a gorgeous setting higher up the mountain. This BC Hydro operated lake and park was packed with bathers and we, especially Mikie B, really enjoyed the “eye candy”. Although the trail around to the dam was enchanting, not many birds, of the feathered variety, seen here.
We left the park exhausted, and took another convoluted drive back to Tsawwassen, getting to Petra’s near 3:30 p.m. Although I dozed for most of the ride back, it was another very gratifying DNCB outing.
Next Wednesday, August 19, the DNCB destination is Tynehead Park, where we should convene at 96 Avenue/Hatchery parking lot (around 166 Street) around 8:15 a.m., after leaving Petra’s at 7:30 a.m.
Don’t forget to visit our Delta Nats Display at two events this weekend; Starry Night at Deas Island Park on Saturday, August 15, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. and the Richmond Raptor Festival at Terra Nova Park on Sunday, August 16, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. As always, your comments are encouraged, and let me know if this drivel annoys you and you want off my List. Cheers: Tom
Tom Bearss, President, Delta Naturalists’ Society
P.S. Marian’s friends are very nice folk; I used my “Literary License”.
Delta Naturalists Society 
Leave a comment