Eleven birders met at Blackie Spit – Terry, Lorna, Lidia, Dottie, Jacquie, Bob, Lee, Brian R, Jim, Mike and Chris (not in photo). The tide and birds were far away – herons, ducks, gulls and shorebirds. On the spit were American Pipits and Savannah Sparrows. A Pileated Woodpecker flew past the parking area. Chris found it while the rest of us were watching a group of Short-billed Dowitchers and having the group photo taken.
The Rene Savenye area was very productive for birds – Anna’s Hummingbird, House Finches, Northern Flicker, European Starlings, Savannah Sparrows, Great Blue Herons, Belted Kingfisher, White-crowned Sparrows, Black-capped Chickadees, Bushtits, Spotted Towhees, Steller’s Jays and American Goldfinches. A Falcon flew over, and later we saw a Northern Harrier.
Walking to the pump house, we saw more of the same birds plus a group of 40 Yellowlegs and 10 Dowitchers and many Mallards. The Pileated Woodpecker posed for photos. Salmon fry were active in the water opposite the pump house. There was a large dead salmon that iNaturalist identified as Chinook.
Most of us continued into the Dunsmuir Community Gardens. Walking through the vegetables and colourful flowers was a real highlight. We added Cedar Waxwing and Orange-crowned Warbler here. American Goldfinches and Black-capped Chickadees were feasting on the enormous sunflowers. Bees, wasps, hoverflies and butterflies were also very active here.
Terry Carr
Photos on Flickr
Next week (Thursday 14 September only) is the annual outing to Mt Baker, Washington
more info here
Delta Naturalists Society 
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