Delta Naturalists Society

Ferry Causeway

I was the only birder, casual or serious, at the ferry jetty this morning.

The tide was high and some Black Oystercatchers were piping. Great Blue Herons flew into the marsh from the heronry, one by one, for the twenty minutes I was there. When I left, 25 were stood quietly on the grassy marsh area. 2 Caspian Terns flew over, screeching, but otherwise the whole area was quiet.

On the far side of the jetty, a small group of Green-winged Teal were feeding just offshore. The far breakwater was covered with gulls and cormorants, but they were too far away to identify as to species. I stopped at the heronry on the way back down the ferry and admired the hustle and bustle of the colony for a short time, but did not eBird. This colony is reputedly the largest in BC.
Anne Murray

Reifel

10 birders met at Reifel Sanctuary on a  beautiful not too hot morning—Anne, Brian, Louise, Colin, Stephanie, David, Noreen, Warren , Lynne and Marion. We were greeted by large numbers of Canada Geese on land and on the water, and Cowbirds were plentiful.

At the entry to East Dike, a Yellow Warbler sang his heart out and gave us good views, soon to be joined by a Western Wood-Pewee, followed by Cedar Waxwings and finally, a pair of Bushtits busily attending a well-camouflaged nest overhanging the water. Too much excitement!

Continuing on down the trail was melodramatic, but with a few Black-capped Chickadees trailing along and a Pacific-slope Flycatcher teasing us from above (heard only), we kept up our enthusiasm, helped  along by a lot of birdsong in the air. We heard quite a few Yellow Warblers as we went around.

At the tower end of north dike, a pair of Bullock’s Orioles entertained us for some time, and the excitement didn’t stop there, because one of our eagle-eyed participants spotted several Blue-winged Teal in the inner ponds and we were off on another chase. 

We continued along the west dike. The ponds had very little in them, but Marsh Wrens and Common Yellowthroat kept up their contributions to the chorus. One member even pointed out a Marsh Wren nest with two babies in it along the far south dike. As we approached the map kiosk, someone spotted a very small Cackling Goose paling along with a  group of Canada Geese—the relative size is startling, and I imagine that people mistake them for young geese.

We finished our last few feet with a Greater White-fronted Goose hanging out on the new water control area. As I pulled out of the parking lot, a Brown Creeper called out “good-bye”, after Anne had commented on the lack of Creepers today. A great day with some unexpected surprises and lots of regulars.
Marion

Photos on flickr

Reifel eBird list