Delta Naturalists Society

Thirteen DNCBers plus Anne Murray’s grandson, Matthew, met at Alaksen National Wildlife Area on Westham Island. We had to wait until the gate opened at 9am. The thirteen were Anne, John, Jacquie, Lee, Dottie, Bob, Lorna, Mike, Rogers 1&2, Jonathan, Lorraine and Terry. Matthew kept us on our toes with questions and comments.

There were Robins and Starlings in the treetops and a flock of Canada Geese flew over. What seemed to be butterflies were flying Carolina Grasshoppers. We did not see any Barred Owls in the Cedar trees along the driveway. but Roger did find an old owl pellet. We walked past the Environment Canada offices to the water where we saw two Wood Ducks. Some Sandhill Cranes flew noisily over Reifel.

As we walked back past the buildings, we saw something land on the upper railing. We were surprised to realize that it was a bat. It rested long enough for some quick photos before it flew away.

On our way to the bridge we added Cedar Waxwings and Northern Flickers. There were tent caterpillars on several branches. In the water were more Wood Ducks. We proceeded to walk anti-clockwise along the loop trail. Along the water were two Greater Yellowlegs, Canada Geese and Herons. We heard a Belted Kingfisher and then it posed nicely for photos. The stream on the other side of the path had swarms of water striders. Further along was a beaver dam.

Along the river were more Canada Geese and Bald Eagles. High in the trees were Chickadees, Bushtits, House Finches, Goldfinches and more Robins and Cedar Waxwings. Some saw a Black-throated Gray Warbler.

This was a pleasant, mostly shady walk, and a new destination for some.

Before leaving Westham Island, some of us stopped at Emma Lea Farm for berry milkshakes and sundaes. There was also a large field of sunflowers there which kept Jonathan and me busy photographing bees. Just before the bridge we saw a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk on a power pole.
Terry Carr

Photos are on Flickr

Anne’s eBird list