Delta Naturalists Society

In accordance with Covid restrictions limiting outdoor groups to 10 people, a small group met at Colony Farm Regional Park in Port Coquitlam on Tuesday.

In the parking lot were the first of many Cedar Waxwings that we saw along the way. We started at the usual Lazuli Bunting viewing area below the labyrinth, near the works yard. Sure enough, there was a colourful male singing in a treetop. White-crowned Sparrows and Song Sparrows were also singing.

We walked along the Garden Trail to the foot bridge across the Coquitlam River. There were Band-tailed Pigeons in a distant tree, and more flying overhead. A male Northern Harrier cruised by, a crow was chasing an Eagle, and Ring-necked Pheasants were calling. Near the first bridge, two Common Yellowthroats entertained us, and several Willow Flycatchers showed themselves while giving their fitz-bew call.

At Kingbird Corner, a pair of Eastern Kingbirds flitted in their nest tree and posed for photos on the fence. A strange-looking bird stopped briefly in the kingbird tree. Looking at photos later, we determined that it was a female Yellow-headed Blackbird.

Walking along the path to the pond, we added Red-winged Blackbirds, Swainson’s Thrush, Tree, Violet-green and Barn Swallows to our list. At the pond were some Wood Ducks and a Gadwall. A nice Milbert’s Tortoiseshell butterfly posed for photos, but the Swallowtails would not stop.

We were blanked on the Virginia Rail, Green Heron, and Bittern which had been seen earlier by others.

Back by the community gardens, a pair of Bushtits were going in and out of their nest.
Terry Carr

Photos are on flickr

Chris’s ebird list is here