Delta Naturalists Society

The group of 13**(see below) gathered at the pier just before a BNSF loaded coal train heading for
Roberts Bank closed the crossing. Rose and Roger were seconds late, and we waited for
the train to clear before they joined us and we headed out.

A “GULP of CORMORANTS” (check it out! could be a flock, but this is another choice) was feeding in a line to the east of the pier and the splashing line was quite a sight with the sun behind it. They probably were Double-crested, but too distant to be certain, although a couple looked like Double-crested in extreme photo blow-ups. A few other pelagic birds, including a few Scoters, were evident in photos of the Gulp, but not identified. As Scoters feed primarily on shellfish, they were probably not participants in the feeding frenzy. Lorna reported a pair of Kingfishers chasing past.

To the west, Red-necked Grebe, Scoters (both Surf and White Winged), Common Loons, and gulls could be seen, and as we walked out on the pier, a Double-crested Cormorant was feeding close by and moving a catch down its gullet. At the far end we spotted a Pacific Loon, Common Loons, Western Grebe (one photo shows a bright yellow bill so might be a Clark’s Grebe), and Surf Scoters. A single
Black Turnstone was seen on the breakwater as it passed the Great Blue Heron, and it later returned with a second one following it. You had to be vigilant to see them as they moved through the boulders of the breakwater.

Terry organized a group photo before we headed back about 9 AM. A pair of Greater Yellowlegs and flock of House Sparrows were seen at the base of the pier as we left.

Most of the group headed directly to Blackie Spit, but Noreen, Lidia, and I stopped briefly at the West Beach to get a better look at the White-winged Scoters and Surf Scoters. We only saw two White-winged amongst about 100 Surf Scoters. As another coal train was approaching, we scurried back across the tracks and headed to Blackie Spit, only to be stopped by the long train at the Crescent Beach crossing.

The rest of the group had joined Gabriele and headed out on the spit, and as we arrived there were a
dozen cameras or binoculars focused on something in the midst of the circle of birders. The story was a Snow Bunting was in the grass and a few sketchy photos were obtained which later were identified by Anne Murray as a Lapland Longspur. This bird did not want to come out of the grass. A couple of Caspian Terns flew over with fish and headed to a group on the distant bank. Roger estimated over 60 using the spotting scope, and in my photo I later identified at least 4 Bonaparte’s Gulls amongst the terns and other gulls based on their small size, black ear spot and pink legs. A single Western
Sandpiper was resting in the seaweed, and a couple of Savannah Sparrows were on the beach.

With the tide out, the ducks were distant, but American Wigeon, Pintail and Mallards could be identified as well as feeding Ring-billed Gulls catching fish along the shore. A group of about 10 Red-necked Grebe were distant, and we were entertained by a pair of Great Blue Herons “dancing” on the spit to the west of the channel.

Returning from the spit, we had another try at photographing the Lapland Longspur, but it maintained its skulking through the grass. We then turned east to the estuary point overlooking the Nicomekl entry. Two raptors (a Cooper’s, or was it a Sharp-shinned Hawk, and a Northern Harrier) cruised above, and several species, including a Dark-eyed Junco, Spotted Towhee, Anna’s Hummingbird, Orange-crowned Warbler (only later confirmed by photos), B-C Chickadees and Song Sparrows were seen along the way.

From the point, four Yellowlegs could be seen by the railway trellis, and they were presumed to
be Greater as we had heard the characteristic 3 part call shortly before getting there. Terry followed a few Savannah Sparrows and a Purplish Copper butterfly along the beach.

As it was about 11:30, Roger, Rose, Lorna and Mike departed. The remainder continued towards the pumphouse, but gradually others with commitments left, and only Terry, Lidia, Noreen and I went to the point past the pumphouse to check on the Yellowlegs. They were gone, so Terry headed back directly while we three took the bush trail back at a more leisurely pace and saw several Purple Finch, Bushtits, and American Goldfinch.

It was getting postively hot by the time we got back to the cars at 12:20. A beautiful day with some interesting sightings for sure.

**Participants: Terry, Mike B1, Glen B. Jonathan and Lorraine, Pat S, Gabriele S (only
at Blackie Spit), Johnny Mac (only at the WR Pier), PB Lorna, Lidia J, Roger & Rose,
Noreen & David, and Lori from Bowen who fought traffic and joined us late at the Pier.

David Hoar

There are three eBird links with photos:

White Rock Pier (eBird Checklist – 21 Sep 2021 – White Rock Pier – 16 species (+1 other taxa)),

West Beach (eBird Checklist – 21 Sep 2021 – White Rock Beach (WEST) – 4 species)

Blackie Spit (eBird Checklist – 21 Sep 2021 – Blackie Spit (Incl. Dunsmuir Farm & Nicomekl estuary) – 36 species (+2 other taxa))


Photos are on flickr