Photos by David Hoar (DH), Brian Avent (BA), Terry Carr (TC), Glen Bodie (GB), Pat Smart (PS), Maureen Sinilaid (MS), Jack MacDonald (JMacD), Ken Borrie (KB)
About 25 DNCBers spent a glorious Wednesday morning in Blackie Spit Park in South Surrey. We had some neat sightings; check them out on our DNCB Flickr site.
Ten of us car-pooled from Petra’s at 7:30 am and arrived early, around 8:00 am at the Blackie Spit parking lot. The tide was high, and we feared we wouldn’t see many birds. Then, right in front of us, posing on a fence post was a Bonaparte’s Gull in full breeding plumage.
As others arrived and following the customary introductory gabfest, we began our walk out the spit. Not much activity, but we spotted a few Greater Yellowlegs in the grass with Killdeer nearby. Some found Savannah Sparrows on the walk out, but no large flocks of shorebirds that we kind of hoped for and expected. Then the “resident” Long-billed Curlew arrived and our excitement began.
David took the Group Photo as we sat on a log in these beautiful surroundings.
Walking back to the parking lot, we noticed a few California Gulls among the flock of Ring-billed Gulls.
While examining the identification differences, a hawk landed near to where the Curlew was seen. Some raced to see it, while others remained at the “Gull ID Course”. Subsequent photos by Richmond Brian and Pat S of a Cooper’s Hawk with its captured Rabbit prey in its claws proved that we should have joined them. Check out the photos on Flickr, especially Brian’s shot of the bird and prey just above Maureen’s head, a potential award-winning photo.
We continued on the trail toward Rene Sevenye park. Langley Guru Gareth pointed out an Asparagus Beetle on where else, an Asparagus plant.
Some saw a few other common little birds, Finches, Sparrows, Bushtits, Rufous Hummingbirds, etc.
A large flock (~20) of Great Blue Herons was enjoying morning tea together near some feeding Yellowlegs. We were able to pick out a few Lesser Yellowlegs among the Greaters.
Meanwhile, lots of Purple Martins still around, including on their nest boxes. And Swallows (Barn, Tree and Violet-green) were also hawking insects above the mud.
We followed the trail along the slough to the new Pumphouse, then Dunsmuir Community Gardens. Only Mallards in the slough, and we were blanked on other colourful birds we often see here, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Western Tanagers. A flock of Short-billed Dowitchers flew by.
And the flowers and other plants in the Gardens were brilliant. We got a bit excited with American Goldfinches and Cedar Waxwings in one tree. Others posed humorously beside Plastic Owls.
We got back to the parking lot about 11:15 am and 13 of us, including New Yorker Caroline and her visiting South African Rugby 7’s junkies, decided to retire to the Townhall Public House on King George Highway for lunch. We had been here several times before, and I again enjoyed the Fish & Chips with two sleeves of their House Lager, very reasonably priced for some of us cheapskates.
I was home by 1:30 pm with the Iced Cap & Sour Cream Glazed Donut for Sandra, and in time for grandkid afternoon pick-up at Camp and DayCare. It’s a Wonderful Life!
We 26 on the outing and/or at lunch were: our Photogs Ladner Jack, Richmond Brian, sisters Pat & Maureen, David & Noreen, Glen B, Langley Gareth, webmaster Ken & Anne and Terry C, the New Yorkers Chief Bill & Caroline with their 3 South African “7’s” guests including the diminutive Viccy B, Motorcycle “Rapid” Roy, South Surrey Julie, PB Lorna, Johnny Mac, Mike B2, Roger K2, Langley Joanne R, Rick H, Guru Anne M and me.
Next Wednesday, August 8, Roger Meyer will lead us around his old haunting grounds at Burnaby Lake, leaving Petra’s at 7:30 am and meeting at the Interpretation House Park parking lot around 8:15-8:30 am, depending on traffic.
Check out our website for more info on outings, reports and photos. As always, your comments are encouraged, and let me know if you want off my email list to receive these worthless weekly gems. Cheers: Tom
Tom Bearss, President, Delta Naturalists Society
Delta Naturalists Society 
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