DNCB Outing No. 2022-47A to Blaine November 22 CANCELLED (rain)
Eight DNCBers met in Blaine on a pleasant morning after a previously wet and stormy day (the Tuesday outing had been cancelled) – Glen, Thea, Lidia, Colin, Stephanie, Mike, Lorna and Terry. There was no wait at either the regular or Nexus stations at the Peace Arch border crossing – and the border guards were unusually friendly.
In the bay at Blaine Marine Park were large numbers of Northern Pintail, Mallards, Green-winged Teal and Canada Geese – along with Greater Yellowlegs and a few American Wigeon. A Bald Eagle was keeping watch from the top of a post.
Walking between the boats in the marina we saw only a Horned Grebe. We continued to the public wharf at the end of Marine Drive where there were flocks of Surf and White-winged Scoters, a Common Loon, a Barrow’s Goldeneye, Red-breasted Mergansers, Cormorants and Horned, Red-necked and Western Grebes. A flock of Dunlin flew past.
At the boat launch were more ducks, Black Oystercatcers, Dunlin and a Bald Eagle.
Our next stop was at the beginning of Semiahmoo Spit. Two Bald Eagles were sitting in a nest. On the west side of the spit were Scoters, Bufflehead, Scaup, Red-breasted Mergansers, Harlequin, Common & Barrow’s Goldeneye, Common Loons, Horned Grebes and Cormorants. We searched unsuccessfully for a Black Scoter. On the Drayton Harbour side were Mallards, Pintail and Bufflehead. In the distance with the scope we could see 9 Ruddy Ducks in non-breeding plumage.
On the marina side of the spit were more of the same ducks, Common Loons, Horned Grebes and a Pied-billed Grebe. A group of Surf Scoters was very active beside the float. We decided that they must be pulling mussels from the side of the float. On another float Harbour Seals and Double-crested Cormorants were resting, while 2 Bald Eagles roosted above them. Some of us reminisced about the time that we had seen Red Crossbills here (Report 2017-48, photos Dec 2017).
A Belted Kingfisher was sitting on a sailboat mast. A single Black Oystercatcher was standing on the pylons that usually have Black Oystercatchers. We were disappointed to find that much of the wooden pier near the restaurant had been dismantled and closed. There must have been storm damage since our last visit here. From the remaining structure we could see more of the same birds – but no Long-tailed Ducks. In the bushes were Juncos, House Finches and an Anna’s Hummingbird. Before heading home, most of us headed to the marina cafe for soup or coffee.
The Nexus holders were lucky. Those of us in the regular border queue at noon had to wait more than an hour to cross back into Canada. Most of the cars in the queue had US licence plates. They were probably getting an early start for Whistler because the American Thanksgiving holiday was the following day. Despite that, it was a very enjoyable outing to one our favourite destinations after a COVID-19 hiatus of nearly 3 years.
Terry Carr
Photos are on flickr.
Delta Naturalists Society 
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