Five DNCBers met on the Tsawwassen Ferry Causeway on a cold, wet morning – Mike B1, Lorna, Lori, Hasan and Terry. A few of the usual species were there – Mallards, Wigeon, Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Surf Scoters, Harlequins, Brant, Loons, Cormorants, Gulls, Oystercatchers and Black Turnstones.
We parked again at the beginning of the causeway to check on the Heronry. Even with all the new leaves, we could see many Great Blue Herons on nests, and others flying in carrying nesting material. Bald Eagles were circling above. We carefully walked across the causeway to observe the massive flocks of ducks, geese and shorebirds on the mud flats.
As it was approaching 9am, we headed for the next rendezvous at Reifel Bird Sanctuary. There we were met by 6 more, bringing our total to 11 – Angela, Lidia, Jacquie, Lee, John and Ontario Brian. We were also greeted with hail on the ground. Kathleen told us to watch for nests of Bushtits, Hummingbirds and Geese. We did see geese on nests, but the inclement weather contributed to us missing the other nests. She also told us that the Sandhill Cranes had made a nest in a different part of the sanctuary this year, but that raccoons had destroyed it. She hopes that they will find another nesting spot. The cranes were now on the deck of her house.
On the ponds were Northern Shovelers, Northern Pinttail, Mallards, Green-winged Teal, Wood Ducks, Scaup, Ring-necked Ducks, Bufflehead, Hooded Mergansers, Gadwall, Canada Geese and Coots. On the fields just before Reifel there was a huge flock of Snow Geese. We heard and saw many flocks fly over during our walk.
On our usual anti-clockwise route we encountered Song Sparrows, Golden-crowned Sparrows, House Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, Juncos, Towhees, Red-winged Blackbirds, Robins, House Finches, Chickadees, Starlings, Marsh Wrens, Flickers, Tree and Violet-green Swallows, Herons, Eagles, Harriers and Anna’s and Rufous Hummingbirds. A Downy Woodpecker gave us some nice views.
On the outer ponds was a lone Dowitcher, and farther along a group of Dunlin showing the black bellies of their breeding plumage. The rain got heavier, and we rushed back to the warming hut for shelter around the very welcome fire.
The Sandhill Cranes had moved into the parking lot as we headed home to dry out. On a wire outside the sanctuary, an American Kestrel posed for photos. That makes 40 species for the Reifel part of the trip. Despite the inclement weather, it was a satisfying outing.
Terry Carr
Photos on flickr
Delta Naturalists Society 
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