More photos posted on our DNCB Flickr site
Twenty-five enthusiastic birders gathered at Stanley Park’s Second Beach. We were undaunted by the traffic or the overcast skies. There was only a small number of waterfowl scattered on the bay: White-winged Scoter, Horned Grebe, Common Loon and Barrow’s Goldeneye.
Four Black Oystercatchers made a quick appearance as they flew by just above the water. A large number of noisy Northwestern Crows were mobbing some unidentified ‘villain’ in a large tree as we walked toward Lost Lagoon.
Several Canada Geese, and Trumpeter Swans were observed by those with keener eyes than mine as they flew above us. The number of birds we found increased as we set out around Lost Lagoon. American Coots, Mallards, American Wigeons and Wood Ducks were present in a small pond.
We were able to spot a beautiful Common Merganser in full breeding plumage across the lake. Spotted Towhees could be heard calling and several Great Blue Heron flew overhead.
A flock of Bushtits and other small birds were busy eating insects among the tress – Pacific Wren, Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Chestnut-backed and Black-capped Chickadee.
Two American Robins and three sparrow species, including a Golden-crowned, a Song and a Fox were sighted. Several observant birders managed to see a Red-tailed Hawk.
We then drove in an orderly convoy to Beaver Lake. Many of us carefully read the signs describing the current renovations planned for the lake, and were mostly none the wiser. Roger’s great sighting of a juvenile Peregrine Falcon was missed by many when it quickly disappeared into the trees. A Northern Flicker and several gulls, a Bonaparte’s and a Glaucous-winged, were found throughout the morning. The identification of a third gull resulted in the usual discussion that gulls can create. Roger has called it a third-year Thayer’s and I am quite willing to accept his more expert opinion.
Jean Gartner
Next DNCB Outing on Tuesday, November 15 to Terra Nova Park, Richmond. Leave Petra’s at 7:30 am, park at the west end of River Road ( via the north end of No.1 Rd). ~8:00 am.
Delta Naturalists Society 
Leave a comment