Delta Naturalists Society

We planned a joint DNCB and Langley Field Naturalists Outing to Serpentine Fen on Saturday, January 15. There were 8 Delta Nats and 12 Langley Nats so the two groups walked the loop in opposite directions. The Delta Nats were Glen, Pat, Thea, Rosemary, Nadine, Susan, Joe and Terry. It was foggy but dry.

This Surrey Wetland is jointly managed by Ducks Unlimited and the BC Ministry of the Environment. For a few years the parking lot behind Art Knapp’s has been gated because of vandalism at the pump house and theft from vehicles. Gareth has a key to the gate so he let us in and out. There is a small parking lot on King George Boulevard that can still be used.

In the fields and ponds were large numbers of geese and ducks – Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, Mallards, American Wigeon, Northern Shovelers, Bufflehead, Ring-necked Ducks, Wood Ducks, Hooded Mergansers and Northern Pintail. Raptors included Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers and Peregrine. A highlight was a Northern Shrike.

In the Serpentine River were Mallards, Common Mergansers, Common Goldeneye, Scaup, Bufflehead and Red-breasted Mergansers. A Belted Kingfisher flew near the river viewing tower, but would not pose for a photo. Songbirds included American Robins, Spotted Towhees, Song Sparrows, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, Juncos, Red-winged Blackbirds, Purple Finches and Golden-crowned Kinglets, There were recent beaver cuttings.

This was a very pleasant outing with a nice variety of birds.
Terry Carr

Photos are on Flickr

Thea’s eBird list