Delta Naturalists Society

Fifteen DNCBers met at the Manning Park Resort. The usual families of Columbian Ground Squirrels were entertaining park visitors in the picnic area. Here most of us also saw Canada Jays, Steller’s Jays, Ravens, Flickers, Robins, Clark’s Nutcrackers, and Barn Swallows. Brian and Louise saw 12 Evening Grosbeaks and Glen saw a Sapsucker.

Most of us then drove up the Blackwall Peak Road to the alpine meadows. Along the roadside were large batches of flowers, including Fireweed and St John’s Wort. We stopped at the Cascade Lookout for the panoramic view of the park. Everyone who had stopped here was being entertained by Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels, chipmunks and Clark’s Nutcrackers.

This 16 km road up to the alpine meadows opens on the Canada Day weekend. We parked at the end of the road (elevation 6400 feet/1950 metres) and walked the 1.5 km loop of the fairly level trail. There is usually excellent wildflower viewing here from mid-July to mid-August. However this year the wildflowers had peaked a few weeks ago. We all agreed that we should come earlier next year. The Western Anemones were displaying their “tow-head baby” seedheads but many other flowers were still blooming. There were many butterflies – mainly fritillaries and blues. But there were only a few birds – a Dusky Grouse, Juncos, Ravens and a Flicker. We did not see marmots or pikas. On the drive up some of us saw a young buck. On the drive down some saw a Black Bear and a cub.

We returned to the resort picnic area for lunch. After lunch, as we were leaving, we saw a Flicker feeding a nestling in an aspen tree. When it left, two nestlings peaked out of two nest holes on opposite sides of the tree. There must be a large nest area inside.

Our next stop was Strawberry Flats where we were looking for the elusive Three-toed Woodpecker. Again things were quiet birdwise – but there were flowers, butterflies, dragonflies, bees, and beetles. Once again iNaturalist was essential for identifying the photos. After most of us left, Jean, Pauline and Lidia heard, but did not see, a drumming Three-toed Woodpecker. On their way back along the path they encountered a small flock of small birds very busily hopping from tree to tree – Townsend’s Warbler, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Black-capped Chickadees and a Mountain Chickadee.
Terry Carr

Brian’s eBird checklists.

Photos are on Flickr.

The next outings are on August 8 & 9
Campbell Valley Regional Park in Langley (16th Ave entrance) East of 200th St.
Meet at 8am in the parking lot on the south side of 16th Ave.
Signup here