Delta Naturalists Society

Some of the group gathered at the Ferry Terminal and got some great views of Black Turnstone, Black Oystercatcher, cormorants, grebes, loons, and diving ducks. I missed that as I spent an extra half hour on coffee and joined the group at Reifel Bird Sanctuary at 9am.

There were 14 of us for that part of the trip. Right at the shop entrance we enjoyed the sight of several Anna’s Hummingbirds buzzing around the feeders, undisturbed by the coolness of the weather. One Black-crowned Night-Heron was back on the usual tree, just before the slough, but the home pond was relatively quiet. We took a route up the north trail through the woods, with many hoping for owls, but we blanked this morning. The birds were as slow to wake up as some of us, even the chickadees were a bit half-hearted, and towhees and fox sparrows took awhile to emerge.

We steadily notched up species, however, as the Reserve began to wake up. A flock of little birds silhouetted in a tree against the grey sky caused us some identification problems, but eventually confirmed themselves as Pine Siskins. Some of the group climbed the tower for a view of a flock of Trumpeter Swans out on the marshes, but we all got a sight of them later from the west dyke. Roger M. was quick to spot a Rough-legged Hawk hovering over the reeds, a first for the year for most of us. This is one of my favourite raptors, and it was a super view, although it soon flew off and was later seen at a greater distance. Terry got photos of it, mid-hover, showing its dark and white plumage to perfection.

The next interesting bird was a Ring-necked Pheasant walking along the West Dyke, to Lorna’s great delight. Several of us got pre-occupied with three Long-billed Dowitchers, trying to make them something else, as shorebirds were in short supply today.

With the rather bleak weather, most of us opted to take the central path back, which turned out to be a wise choice. This is where all the ducks were gathered, and we found many different varieties including shovelers, wigeon, Green-winged Teal, 8 Ring-necked Ducks and 8 Hooded Mergansers, as well as 7 Pied-billed Grebe. A Downy Woodpecker seemed unaware of being watched by humans as it pecked on an elder bush. Three Sandhill Cranes flew over calling as we headed back to the gate.
Anne Murray