Delta Naturalists Society

On a crisp and clear morning 12 of us gathered at Ladner Harbour Park in front of the caretaker’s house and watched the busy birds enjoying the full feeders.  Many smaller regulars plus Northern Flickers and Downy Woodpeckers flitted between the front and back feeders.  It was nice to see that the feeders are being filled, as it has been a while since we last noticed this.  The DNCB group included Brian and Louise, Christine and Douglas, Dottie and Bob, Jacquie, Marion, Warren, Richard, Noreen and me (David).

We also headed around behind the caretaker’s house as the Tuesday group had done, where we had closer looks at the backyard feeders although looking directly into the low sun presented photogs with a challenge.  Along the North trail on Shirley’s Walk there were lots of American Robins, European Starlings and distant flocks of Mallards being disturbed along the outer edge of the marsh.  A Bewick’s Wren, a Marsh Wren and two bright male House Finches put in brief appearances.

We were stopped around the corner by the rather large clump of Alders that the winds had toppled.  After contemplating climbing over or under (as some dog walkers we had met had obviously done, we elected to double back and were rewarded by a Northern Shrike swooping at a large group of American Robins and European Starlings.  Although we did not see the Shrike succeed, it was probably keeping the other birds warm with its constant swooping into the groups and causing them to scatter.

Eventually the Shrike headed East, and we continued back through the playground and along the trail to the harbour road where we looked for the California Scrub-Jay by the Wharfinger’s red house.  First we heard one, and then possibly two.  One moved towards us from deep in the bush to pop out where some got photos.  This one crossed the road, and we followed along, eventually seeing 3 separate California Scrub-Jays.  One arrived from across the slough with an acorn in its bill.  There were Northern Flickers, American Robins, a Varied Thrush, Fox and Song Sparrows along the edges, and we were overflown by two smallish groups of Snow Geese.  As we were almost back to the car park we decided to head to Ferry Road and the South Arm Marsh Wildlife Management Area.  Along the way we lost Richard H.

At the South Arm Marsh the leaves were most obvious, both as they rustled underfoot, and as the occasional “Leaf-bird” that caught our attention.  Working West to the marsh observation tower we encountered broken branches, but nothing that blocked the trails.  A possible Bewick’s Wren flitted through the collection of tiny birdhouses, and perhaps a Song Sparrow or Oregon Junco, but none stopped for a photo.  From the tower we could see long-necked birds out on the side channel of the Fraser with what looked like white throats, and decided it was a group of 4-5 juvenile Double-crested Cormorants.

We took a group photo (less Richard and myself) to record the moment before wandering the trails further East, admiring the wood carvings, and hearing a Varied Thrush that just would not reveal itself.  After crossing the bridge and discovering more downed trees, we spotted a group of Bushtit and Black-capped Chickadees that were busy foraging along the trail.  A rather large log blocked the trail to the East gate, but we decided to push on over it, and we were rewarded with a look at the two rather wooden Owls on guard along that trail.  Across Ferry Road from the gate there were lots of American Wigeon and a smattering of other ducks, including Ring-necked, Mallards and an American Coot that could be seen through the branches.

Marion wanted to see the Golden Scalycap mushrooms reported yesterday, and we walked to that slough trail where Jacquie picked up a beautiful example of Douglas Fir Cone mushrooms on their normal substrate, the Douglas Fir Cone.

As it was about 11 AM, we called it a good mornings outing, and headed in our individual directions.
David Hoar

Photos on Flickr

David’s eBird checklists
Ladner Harbour Park

South Arm Marshes