Delta Naturalists Society

On a cool spring morning, 9 folks met to explore Brydon Lagoon and Hi-Knoll Park—we were Brian and Louise, Alaina and her two young sons, Cole and Arthur (who have some pretty impressive birding skills—keep it up boys, you are the future), Lindly, Margaret, Marion, and Karen (who was misled by Google as she tried to locate the site). 

The lagoon contained many species of waterfowl, and especially impressive were the numbers of Northern Shovelers and Hooded Mergansers. A lone Pied-billed Grebe seemed out of place as there were at least two of every species, male and female. Smaller Golden-crowned Sparrows, House Sparrows, Song Sparrows and Towhees occupied space on the ground and lower bushes. We did not find any Rufous Hummingbirds around the lagoon area, but there was a Downy Woodpecker on the way to Hi-Knoll. 

At Hi-Knoll, the Fawn Lilies were budding but not open and a few Trilliums were in full bloom, a bit disappointing, but probably to be expected for a long cold winter. Alaina’s sharp eyes spotted a single Cooper’s Hawk (no Canoodling today) in the area where the pair was see  yesterday. Shortly after that, we unearthed a Bewick’s Wren, a singing Dark-eyed Junco, hammering Downy Woodpecker, and later on found Bushtits and a nest, Goldfinches, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Anna’s and Rufous Hummingbirds, a Fox Sparrow, Northern Flicker and more of the usual small birds.

Our walk on the return to the far side of the lagoon gave us the Canada Goose nesting in the Eagle nest 50 feet up in a tree, and a discussion about how the babies fare, jumping that distance. The Great Blue Heron reported yesterday watching the ditch was still watching. We had a better view of the Tree Swallows over the field from that area. The other side of the lagoon revealed House Sparrows using a nesting box, one having a mouthful of grass, waiting for us to pass before she flew up to the box. 

Karen said she will see us soon at Point Roberts. 
Marion S.

Photos are on Flickr

Brian’s Brydon Lagoon eBird checklist
Brian’s Hi-Knoll eBird checklist

Fri April 28, 2023 Hi-Knoll Revisited by Ken B

The weather turned hot today, after a cool and wet Spring. A few steps into Hi-Knoll Park and the Fawn lilies were blooming EVERYWHERE – pink as well as white! There were also a few Trilliums, but probably they are nearing the end of their blooming period.

Note that these were blooming on April 6, 2022 DNCB Outing No. 2022-14B to Brydon Lagoon and Hi-Knoll Park on April 6, 2022

“At the Hi Knoll, Trilliums and Fawn Lilies were in full bloom.”