Delta Naturalists Society

An enthusiastic group of 16 gathered at the Sturgeon Slough overpass on Rannie Road just after the Summer Solstice (07:56) – Brian & Louise, Colin & Stephanie, Chris, Jim, Glen, Lidia, Terry, Mike, Russel, Roger, Lindly, Marion, Noreen and David. Bryan DeB joined later to make 17.

The Tuesday outing had been cancelled due to the weather forecast. We looked for the sun but saw only cloud cover.  We were pondering the total clearing of the blueberry field to the North where ditches were evident and large machines operating.  All the brush along the edges where birds had been seen in the past were gone including the small copse in the SW corner where Lazuli Bunting, Bullock’s Orioles and other species had nested.  What a disaster for the small birds we normally look for in this area. 

There were Cedar Waxwing and we heard the first of many Willow Flycatchers on the south side of the slough.  As we headed West our first encounter was a large dump of Bear Scat but shortly afterwards the calls of White-crowned Sparrow, Common Yellowthroat and Song Sparrows had us zeroing in on their locations. Disturbances in the glassy surface of the slough helped us identify Mallards and a Common Merganser.  A single Double-crested Cormorant could not tolerate the group approaching and flew low, disappearing far to the west.

Near the SW corner a bird perched high was beyond easy ID but we approached and it was clear this was an Eastern Kingbird that was briefly joined by a second one.  Swallows were active, swooping from the slough across the path and at least two species were seen here including Northern Rough-winged and Tree Swallows.  With the woodsy SW corner missing as well as the cover along the western edges of the old blueberry field, we did not see any of the sparrows that we usually saw. An occasional Common Yellowthroat and Red-winged Blackbirds did dart from the grasses on the east side of the path.  Along the west path there were lots of Cedar Waxwing, some American Robins, Northern Flicker and a trio of Brown-headed Cowbirds. 

As we approached the area where the Yellow-breasted Chat has been seen, Louise noticed a distant silhouetted bird facing away from us that appeared to have a yellow breast.  I took a photo of the distant bird also noting the “yellow” and we turned back to point it out to others who said “its a flycatcher”!  Indeed it was now replaced by a white-breasted Willow Flycatcher facing us.  The photos do not lie, and it was in fact a Willow Flycatcher (Shucks!).

Several ducks including Wood and Gadwall were in the golf course ponds and ditches. As we continued north a Green Heron flew into the slough and stayed briefly before departing.  Most got a look at this pretty bird and also a Belted Kingfisher that had been heard earlier made an appearance.  Still no YBCH (Yellow-breasted Chat)!.  Some continued on to the pier but we gradually headed to the area where the chat has been seen and just listened.  We saw nothing except 2 Rufous Hummingbirds and a Wood Duck hen with 5 young ducklings.

Slowly people headed back, and then Marion, Roger and myself (and perhaps others) heard a Chat “chattering ” in the area it usually is. A week previously the male chat had been very vocal when Louise and Brian had been here, but perhaps it is the quiet period after eggs are laid and before young are ready to learn songs. We headed back to its “spot” and scanned without any luck.  Clearly it is still there, but today was a quiet day.  The clouds were lowering and spitting at us so we headed for the cars but with this changing weather came 3 Black Swifts along the slough and up across the dyke.  Their all black look with slim pointed wings and flight behaviour are characteristic.

By the time we got back to the road where a Bald Eagle could be seen to the south, some of the group headed to Pitt Lake and others headed for warmth at home.  Although this was the first day of summer, rain and the breeze had chilled the enthusiasm of some.  We were all sad to see that a sign for a new golf course had been erected in our absence and this explained the destruction of the blueberry field and habitat that has served small birds for many years.  Will they ever return?

Terry, Russel and Lindly found an Osprey in a nest at Pitt Lake and saw another one fly past.

The only surprise in my photos was a distant male Black-headed Grosbeak seen along the dyke just before the rain picked up.  It was just a silhouette that the camera was able to capture detail on.  The count was 33 species, with the Yellow-breasted Chat being only heard.
David 

Photos are on flickr.

eBird Checklist – 21 Jun 2023 – Pitt Meadows–Sturgeon Slough