Delta Naturalists Society

Our small group arrived at the Piper Avenue entrance in 4 segments separated by track crossing closures that were the result of refuelling two track maintenance machines right at the crossing. We were all across the tracks by about 8:20, and the six of us (Warren & Lynne, Marion, Lidia Noreen & David) started our walk through the butterfly garden. Unfortunately, no one told the butterflies, and they were absent. Perhaps the overcast skies were in part to blame.

Lots of sparrows, but not much else until we started out toward Piper Spit, where a Belted Kingfisher and many Wood Ducks were encountered, and a flyover of Rock Pigeons caught our attention. We could not identify the Mandarin male here on the creek, but further along a mass of ducks were being fed, and the Mandarin male was amongst them. Also two Brown Headed Cowbirds, and lots of Red-winged Blackbirds were picking up seed, with a few Song Sparrows on the periphery.

Along the boardwalk Warren spotted a Green Heron skulking in the reeds amongst more than a dozen Long-billed Dowitchers, one still in breeding plumage. The Green Heron did not remain in view long but was seen by all. On the water were two Pied-billed Grebe, three Northern Shovellers, one Gadwall, and the usual suspects including Canada Geese, Glaucous-winged gulls (parent and one young begging for food), many Wood Ducks, and Mallards, including a light one that was probably a domestic duck hybrid. All were being watched over by a Great Blue Heron.

We then headed east, noting the hops Roger M. had mentioned growing up into the trees along this trail. A small flurry of birds were encountered with Cedar Waxwings, a Willow Flycatcher, and what looked like (and turned up in a photo) as a Yellow Warbler. Turning north, we took the conifer and spruce loop trails where the chatter of a Bewick’s Wren stopped us, and while looking for it, we noticed a Black-headed Grosbeak eating Red Elderberry “raisins”. There were numerous groups of Black-capped Chickadee (Marion thought she heard a Chestnut-backed, but we held off on counting this) and Purple Finch, House Finch, and Goldfinch. At the Brunette River and Cariboo Dam there were a few ducks and a Great Blue Heron, but no Dipper.

The sun was beginning to reveal itself as we took the more direct trail back encountering Douglas Squirrels, and hearing Brown Creepers and Chickadees. A discussion of the “Touch-me-Not” plants focused attention on the orange one (common local species perhaps) and the pink/white with a different leaf. T urns out they are both “Touch-me-Not” plants, but the latter is the introduced invasive Impatiens family member with saw-toothed leaf margins also known as Himalayan Balsam.

We encountered a flock of Bushtit, and this time there was a Chestnut-backed Chickadee amongst them, so we could safely add this species. We spent some time being puzzled by a juvenile bird that perched for a long time in a tiny opening where we saw only some head, scruffy yellowish throat, and olive back. A parent would briefly feed it, but was not visible, just a shake of the branch. Eventually a chipping revealed that it was a Common Yellowthroat just as the young bird flew off.

As we got back to Piper Spit, noon was rapidly approaching, so we called it a day. We were surprised by all the ideal woodpecker trees and no sightings beyond the Northern Flickers. Before departing, Noreen and I stopped for a restroom break and coffee at the picnic tables behind the Nature House and were visited by curious crows and a woodpeckers chipping. We investigated and discovered a male Downy Woodpecker moving from one flower head to another in the patch of pink and white “Touch-me-not” Himalayan Balsam.

On that note, we packed up and headed home with a count of 36 species, although the Mandarin Duck is probably a released pet and not a legitimate one to add to one’s life list.
David Hoar

Photos on flickr

eBird
Burnaby Lake Regional Park (general), Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, CA
Aug 18, 2021 8:23 AM - 11:23 AM
Protocol: Traveling
3.81 kilometer(s)
Checklist Comments:     Many Mallards and Wood Ducks were not included in the total
36 species

Canada Goose  18
Wood Duck  36
Mandarin Duck  1     Male non breeding colours photos
Northern Shoveler  3
Gadwall  1
Mallard  45
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)  10
Anna's Hummingbird  3
Long-billed Dowitcher  16
Glaucous-winged Gull  2     Adult and this years young
Great Blue Heron  3
Green Heron  1
Belted Kingfisher  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  2
Willow Flycatcher  1
American Crow  4
Common Raven  1
Black-capped Chickadee  14
Chestnut-backed Chickadee  1
Bushtit  8
Brown Creeper  2
Bewick's Wren  1     Heard
American Robin  3
Cedar Waxwing  2
House Finch  9
Purple Finch  2
American Goldfinch  9
Song Sparrow  6
Spotted Towhee  7
Red-winged Blackbird  25
Brown-headed Cowbird  2
Common Yellowthroat  2
Yellow Warbler  1
Black-headed Grosbeak  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S93465316