Delta Naturalists Society

Eleven birders met at Centennial Beach on what was forecast to be a wet morning.  It was dry but there was a very cold wind.  From left to right the eleven were Lorna, Deems, Dottie, Mike, Bob, Lee, Bryan DeB, Jacquie, Margaretha, John (and Terry). Noreen and David joined us for awhile.

Several Bald Eagles were roosting and flying above the parking lot.  In the flooded fields were American Robins, European Starlings, American Wigeon and Mallards.  In the pond were American Wigeon, Mallards and a female Common Goldeneye.  A flock of Brewer’s Blackbirds with their bright eyes was mixed in with some Brown-headed Cowbirds.

Walking toward the viewing tower we saw more Robins and Eagles.  In the flooded marsh were Mallards, Wigeon, a Great Blue Heron and an American Coot.  At the tower we walked out to the shore where we were rewarded with the sight of a large group of Sanderling and Dunlin.  In the distance was a long line of Scoters.

Back on the dyke path we saw Gadwell in the ditch.  On the bay were a large number of ducks and Brant.  The ducks were mainly Northern Pintail and American Wigeon.  But mixed in were Green-winged Teal, Scaup, Mallards, and at least one red-headed Eurasian Wigeon. The gulls were Glaucous-winged, Ring-billed and Short-billed.

Heading inland from the pumphouse we were pleased to be out of the wind.  Walking back to the parking lot we saw Golden-crowned Sparrows, Robins, Anna’s Hummingbirds, Northern Harriers, Red-winged Blackbirds, House & Purple Finches, Spotted Towhees, a Northern Flicker, Crows and more Eagles.  We did not find Noreen and David’s Townsend’s Solitaire or American Goldfinches.

The late December king tides flooded some low areas and paths.  Sand and logs have drifted far inland.  The boardwalk was damaged and is closed for repairs.  But the park is open.
Terry Carr

Photos are on flickr

Lee’s eBird checklist