Delta Naturalists Society

Nine birders met at Serpentine Fen on a glorious sunny morning – Terry, Anne A., John, Lorna, Dottie, Grant, Ken, Mike and Bob. Ken said that there is usually a Kingfisher at the bridge by the parking lot. A female Belted Kingfisher immediately landed on a wire above the bridge. She was there at the end of the outing too. Also around the parking lot were several American Robins.

In the river were Mallards, American Wigeon, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Greater Scaup, Northern Pintail and Green-winged Teal. The large number of Goldeneye were almost exclusively males. On the edge of the path was a very chubby Townsend’s Vole chewing on grass, completely oblivious to the people and dogs walking past. When we were returning to the parking lot it was in the same spot chewing voraciously.

Looking through Grant’s scope at a red-headed Wigeon on the far side of the river, we decided that it was a hybrid Eurasian American Wigeon. It had a paler rufus head, a paler front and a green patch around the eye.

As we walked along the river we saw Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons and a Northern Flicker – but not many songbirds. There was a Red-tailed Hawk on a distant powerline tower. On the other side of the river we could see Red-winged Blackbirds, White-crowned Sparrows, Juncos, House Finches and Robins.

The next part of our route took us past ponds with Mallards, Wigeon, Bufflehead, Ring-necked Ducks, Northern Shovelers, Green-winged Teal and American Coots. Here we added Song Sparrows, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, Spotted Towhees, Black-capped Chickadees, Starlings, and in the distance, two more Red-tailed Hawks. The path through the marsh was surprisingly quiet. We were pleased to see the Vole and Kingfisher again.

On the spur of the moment Mike, Lorna and I stopped for an early lunch at the East Delta Hall. Mr Mom’s World Catering serves lunch there from Sundays to Wednesdays. We had wonderful borscht and perogies – and also took home some of his frozen soup, cabbage rolls and jam.
Terry Carr

Photos on Flickr

Grant’s eBird checklist