Delta Naturalists Society

Twelve people met at Brunswick Point on Tuesday. It was clear but cold, and very windy with whitecaps on the river. The wind kept most birds hidden, but we did have some good sightings.

A Merlin sped by the parking area. Several Northern Harriers were patrolling both sides of the dyke, and there were Eagles both perched and flying. Jonathan photographed the Rough-legged Hawk that is often seen in the area. Trumpeter Swans were in the river and in the fields. Flocks of Dunlin and Black-bellied Plover flew from the fields to the river and back.

Where the path goes below the dyke, a Northern Shrike posed for us. In the water were ducks, including Pintail, Mallards and Shovelers. Although the pilings were empty when we passed them, Cormorants, Dunlin and Black-bellied Plover were perched on them as we returned to the cars.

Because it was so windy and only 10am, we decided to drive to the North 40 Park Reserve (Vancouver Wireless Station) on 72^nd Street to continue birding in a more sheltered area. This turned out to be a new destination for several participants although we used to visit it regularly before it became an off-leash dog park. The park is built on the site of a former military airfield and communications station which was closed in 1971. There are historical informational panels located throughout telling about the community that once existed there.

A circling Red-tailed Hawk greeted us when we arrived, and we saw it again later being chased by crows. We also saw Finches, Flickers, Waxwings, Kinglets, Sparrows, Creepers, and a large number of Robins.
Terry Carr

Photos are on Flickr