Delta Naturalists Society

It was a lovely spring morning with Song Sparrows serenading from the hedgerows when 7 of us… Lorna, Mike, Roger, Rayme, Richard, Brian and Louise… decided to check out the lake while we waited for Lorraine and Jonathan to arrive.  They did catch up just as we were following an Orange-crowned Warbler popping in and out from the branches, in no particular hurry, providing opportunities for photos.   This was an exceptionally brightly coloured bird, seeming to flash chartreuse in the sunlight.  Swallows (probably Tree) flitted high overhead, ignoring their usual beat over the lake.

The lake did not disappoint for birds either, with a good variety… Hooded Mergansers, Ring-necked Ducks, Shoveler, Wood Ducks in pairs, Scaups, Common Goldeneye, Buffleheads, a Pied-billed Grebe, plus Canada Geese and gulls.  And, of course, Mallards.

Checking out the trail across the flats to the Hi Knoll, it was decided not to to go that way because of the flooding.  We chose to loop under the power line and around the substation, enjoying the symphony of bird song… Red-winged Blackbirds, Song Sparrows, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Towhee… with the occasional Chickadee and Flicker in the mix.  On the walk back to the parking lot along the other side of the lake, Yellow-rumped Warblers were flitting high in the tree tops, not cooperating with the photographers, while Steller’s Jays scolded.  A couple of turtles sunned themselves on a log.

At the Hi Knoll, Trilliums and Fawn Lilies were in full bloom.  Not a great variety of birds here, but the highlight had to be two brilliantly coloured male Rufous Hummingbirds diving from height and “squeaking” at each other.  Very loud, considering it came from such a tiny bird.  There was a possible sighting of a Barred Owl, but it was just a glimpse.   Crows were later harassing something in the nearby trees, adding evidence to the ‘possible owl’.
Louise Avent

Distance travelled: 4.9 km
Number of observers: 9
Number of species: 37 (38 with owl)

Photos on flickr

Brian’s eBird lists
Brydon Lagoon
Hi-Knoll