Delta Naturalists Society

Nine DNCBers met at Colony Farm Regional Park in Coquitlam on a lovely warm sunny morning – Roger 1, Mike, Lorna, Lidia, Dottie, Bob, Jacquie, Lori and Terry.  Anna’s Hummingbirds and Cedar Waxwings were seen by the parking lot at the community gardens.

We headed for the path below the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, where Lazuli Buntings regularly appear in early June.  Buttercups made a colourful border along the path.  Barn Swallows and Tree Swallows swooped overhead.  A bird perched high in a tree was identified as a Willow Flycatcher when it made its kitz-bew call.  We stopped to watch a White-crowned Sparrow feeding a chick in the middle of the path.  Then, sure enough, two Lazuli Buntings started flitting back and forth.  We marvelled at these gorgeous birds with their brilliant blue heads, pumpkin-coloured breasts and white bellies.

We then headed past the community gardens and along the canal where we saw another Willow Flycatcher, a Common Yellowthroat, Cedar Waxwings, Song Sparrows and American Robins.  At the bridge over the canal we saw the first Eastern Kingbirds – collecting nesting material in the cattails.  On the other side of the river were several more Eastern Kingbirds and Cedar Waxwings.  A Black-headed Grosbeak appeared briefly, and American Goldfinches added more colour.  Brown-headed Cowbirds, Northern Flickers and Spotted Towhees also appeared.

In the waterways and in the pond were Mallards (one with a large group of ducklings), Wood Ducks, Gadwall, a female Hooded Merganser and vocal bullfrogs – but not the usual Pied-billed Grebes.  Also around the pond were very active Tree Swallows and Red-winged Blackbirds.  Other people had a glimpse of a Virginia Rail with chicks – but we were not so lucky.  As usual, we turned around here.  On the way back to our cars we saw many of the same birds.

Although we did not see any dragonflies, we did see Woolly Bears and two butterfly species – Western Tiger Swallowtail and Red Admiral.

This was another very enjoyable DNCB outing.
Terry Carr

Photos are on Flickr.