Four DNCBers met at Cypress Provincial Park in West Vancouver on July 5 – Margaret G, Lorna, Glen and Terry. We enjoyed the view to Vancouver from Dave Barrett’s Lookout, but there were fewer birds than we expected – only Robins and Juncos, and a Turkey Vulture circling above.
We then drove to the parking lot at the end of the cross-country ski area for the shady walk to Hollyburn Lodge and First Lake. Again we were surprised by the lack of birds. Several Steller’s Jays followed us, but we did not see any Canada Jays.
Our next walk was the trail around Yew Lake by the downhill ski area. Since our last visit, the Eagle Coaster attraction has been added here. People take the chairlift up the mountain, and ride down a track on a cart. Many families seemed to be enjoying it.
At the parking lot, we met Kirsten and her daughter. Near the start, a Black Bear was high up on the hillside munching on flowers. Again there were lots of Robins, Juncos and Jays. Kirsten heard a Virginia Rail. We heard the distinctive “three beers” call of Olive-sided Flycatchers and we finally saw a pair of them. Margaret spotted a Red-breasted Sapsucker that moved from tree to tree, but it did pose long enough for some photos.
We stopped again at the viewpoint on the way down the mountain, but only added White-crowned Sparrow. A Pale Swallowtail Butterfly finally landed there for a photo, but the dragonflies did not stop to allow identifying photos.
Glen’s eBird list contains 17 species. Although the group was small and the birds were few, this was a very pleasant outing. The temperature was perfect, and many flowers were in bloom. The Skunk Cabbages were especially gorgeous. Some flower and bug photos needed to wait for identification on iNaturalist.
Terry Carr
Delta Naturalists Society 
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