Delta Naturalists Society

One intrepid birder appeared at Lighthouse Marine Park, Point Roberts, this morning, for what turned out to be a solo birding expedition.

The wind blew in from the SE, raising troughs of white caps, and any bird heading towards Boundary Bay was pressed hard to keep going.  Double-crested and Pelagic Cormorants still managed to gracefully wing their way just above the waves.  A juvenile Eagle landed on a post.  A dozen or so Brant-looking geese flew by so quickly I could have been mistaken, but that white ring around the neck was unmistakable.  One lone shorebird, struggling hard, disappeared out of binocular view too quickly to be identified, but could have been a Sanderling.  Two Red-necked Grebes bobbed just a few metres apart.

So far, all observations were from remaining in my car, out of the wind and rain.  When the latter finally lightened, I hopped out, intent on walking along the gravel path that follows the shore line, only to be almost blown over.  I only spied a crow and a few cormorants.  

Even the most intrepid of birders know when to give up and do the smart thing – bird from the car!  Hoping to extend my sightings, I drove along APA Road to Edwards Dr and saw a Red-winged Blackbird flying along the ditch and a Great Blue Heron, in the ditch. At Bay View Drive, perhaps 15-20 Mallards were swimming in the calmer waters, inside the troughy white caps.  One mature Eagle hopped out on the mud flats.
Karen Topham