Delta Naturalists Society

Twelve birders met at Colony Farm in Coquitlam on a cloudy, cool morning – (left to right) – Russel, Jacquie, Bob, Lee, Lidia, Alan, Roger, Dottie, Lorna, Lorraine, Jonathan and Terry.

Russel Sy, who is visiting from Papua New Guinea and whose daughters are studying here, discovered our weekly outings on the Delta Nats website. He joined us and enjoyed the help finding local birds. He says that he would be happy to share information, should any DNS members wish to visit Papua New Guinea or far North Australia, to photograph some Birds of Paradise.

We usually visit Colony Farm in June to look for Lazuli Buntings. Lorraine got a brief glimpse of one. The rest of us were not so lucky. But we did have some other neat sightings – including a beaver and a Bittern. There were also some nice bugs, including three bumble bee species.

We heard many Common Yellowthroats and Willow Flycatchers and some of them even posed for photos. As usual here, several Eastern Kingbirds posed for photos. As we crossed the Coquitlam River we got a great view of a beaver swimming under the bridge. A little later we also saw a muskrat. Several birds flew in and out of the same small tree just across the river – Common Yellowthroats, a pair of Black-headed Grosbeaks and a Bullock’s Oriole. Large flocks of Band-tailed Pigeons flew over.

We also saw Song Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, American Robins, Crows, Great Blue Herons, Tree & Barn Swallows, Anna’s & Rufous Hummingbirds, Cedar Waxwings, Belted Kingfisher, Red-winged Blackbirds, Downy Woodpecker, American Goldfinches, Flickers, Chickadees, Swainson’s Thrush, Marsh Wrens and Spotted Towhees. Ducks included Mallards, Gadwall, Wood Ducks and a strange looking non-breeding male Hooded Merganser. Eagles and Canada Geese flew over and crows were chasing a Red-tailed Hawk. The real highlight was a long, close look at an American Bittern. It stood as still as a statue between quick lunges for fish.

We did make another try for the Lazuli Buntings before we left – but maybe that was being too greedy after all the other great sightings.
Terry Carr

Photos are on flickr.

The group eBird checklist