Delta Naturalists Society

Seven DNCBers gathered at White Rock pier on a rather grey, cool morning.  A train had just roared past causing birds in the adjacent water to fly off, but they gradually returned.  The tide was high, and flocks of Canada and Cackling Geese were in the majority along the waters edge. Mallard,  Surf Scoter and White-winged Scoter were also present in relatively small numbers.  It is still too early in the season for many wintering waterbirds to be present, but a Horned Grebe, a Red-necked Grebe, and 6 Common Loon were forerunners of the larger flocks to come.

We did not spend much time on gull identification, but the majority seemed to be Glaucous-winged, with Ring-billed Gulls also seen.  A lone Western Sandpiper on the rocks at the end of the pier was probably unwell – they are seldom seen this separate from a large flock.  Two Black Turnstones further along the breakwater seemed right at home.  On our return to the cars, David spotted a Bewick’s Wren in a bush, a late addendum to the group list of 18 species.

We then headed to Blackie Spit and regrouped.  The weather was still overcast, and the water and marshy areas were quite quiet.  Mallard and Northern Pintail fed near the shore on the Nicomekl river side, while 13 Common Loon swam on the ocean side.  Among the grassy areas on the spit, I got a superb view of an American Pipit which flew off before others could see it.  We later saw another two more fleetingly.  The lagoon area was full of Greater Yellowlegs – I counted 60, as well as some Great Blue Herons.  There were also two Long-billed Dowitchers.  No Killdeer, which was unusual; maybe they are all at Boundary Bay Park on the west side of the bay.  A lone Black-bellied Plover looked sick.

The vegetated areas of the park had the usual Northern Flickers, White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrows, a lone Savannah Sparrow, and a Cedar Waxwing.  An interesting caterpillar was observed and photographed; our moth guru, Terry Carr, with the help of inaturalist, identified it from the photo as a caterpillar which will become a grey-hooded owlet moth, Cucullia florea!

As we headed back to the carpark, an Anna’s Hummingbird was seen near the corner woodland.  24 species and a lot of happy chatting made for a nice morning stroll at this Surrey park, the record of which was duly eBirded.

Our group this morning was David, Noreen, Brian, Louise, Lee, Roger M, and Anne.
Anne Murray

Photos are on Flickr

Anne’s eBird lists
White Rock Pier
Blackie Spit