Fifteen went in and nine came out. The fifteen was a large crowd of cats that needed herding: Dottie and Bob, Chris, Jacquie, Jean, Johnny Mac, Lee, Lidia, Liz, Margaret, Mike, Nick, Roger, Stephanie and Glen. Six of those found other ways and times to leave Joe Brown and the nine didn’t see them as we left the park. It was a mixed sun and cloud morning and we went in on the road instead of the mosquito-infested (and dark) trail.
There was the usual assortment of Brown Creepers, Warbling Vireos, Swainson’s Thrush, Western Flycatchers (AKA Pacific-slope), Robins, Towhees and Chickadees hiding very well in the bush all around us. Then a Northern Flicker was heard, then one was seen, then a few more were seen and then there seemed to be a tree full of them!
We next stopped at the bridge over the ravine near the houses, hoping to see a Western Tanager or a Barred Owl or something. We started with a (probably Anna’s) Hummingbird then Liz heard and saw the Tanager. A few of us saw a red and yellow streak head into the bush. We could also hear a Swainson’s Thrush high up making a very loud and insistent repetitive call which we interpreted as an alarm call. That was proven when we saw the Barred Owl sitting on a branch below the bridge. And below the Owl, jumping back and forth, was another Swainson’s Thrush, whom we decided must be the mate protecting the nest somewhere down there. This stand-off seemed to have no resolution in sight and so, once everyone had some good looks, we moved on.
We headed down the hill stopping to look at Black-headed Grosbeak, Black-throated Grey Warbler, Cedar Waxwings, Warbling Vireos, Juncos including a juvenile, and a Bewick’s Wren out in the open calling for us to take a look. At the bottom, Liz wanted to show us the fish ladder and spawning bed so we turned right. Just after the ladder, there was a gate which was locked – at least for a while – and you know who just had to go through it …
Roger and Bob took the “alternate route” on the other side of the creek down to Colebrook Rd. The rest of us took the “road more travelled”. The creek-bed was quite dry and over-grown but we saw lots of variety down to the road and back: Cedar Waxwings, Goldfinches, a Western Wood Pewee, juvenile Black-headed Grosbeak, Tree Swallow, Starlings and an Eagle high overhead. We were surprised not to see any hawks at all, not even the Red-tailed which can often be seen down there. Liz was pleased to see the cows in the field nearby. Roger and Bob met up with us after escaping the fenced area and reported that the heavy construction equipment appeared to be clearing a large area and maybe making a road.
On our way back up we, as is often the case, did not see much to add to our list. Some went to look at the bridge again and reported only that the drama seemed to have resolved itself but it was not clear in whose favour. We took a moment to sit in the shade and verify Lee’s eBird list which is linked below, ending up with 32 species, a respectable number for this herd of cats. We returned to the cars through the forest trail which was still cool but brighter and almost mosquito-free.
Glen Bodie
Delta Naturalists Society 
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