Delta Naturalists Society

15 Delta Nats met at Ladner Harbour Park on a gorgeous, but windy morning – Pat, Lidia, Dottie, Bob, Jacquie, Deems, John, Roger, Mike, Lorna, Liz, Alan, Margaret, Margaretha and Terry. The wind had blown the clouds away but it seemed to keep the birds hidden for the first part of the walk. It was great to see the blue sky and coloured leaves – but some falling leaves made us think that they were birds.

We started along Shirley’s Walk where Liz immediately spotted a Varied Thrush. A flock of Canada Geese flew over and we saw Chickadees, Robins and a Flicker. At the end of Shirley’s Walk we went to the road bridge where there were Mallards and American Wigeon in the water. In the bushes were House Finches and an Anna’s Hummingbird. Walking back along the road we saw 2 Pied-billed Grebes, a Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagles and a Belted Kingfisher.

Back in the park we saw a Bald Eagle moving branches around to renovate its nest. In a couple of spots along the trail small birds flitted back and forth – Black-capped and Chestnut-backed Chickadees and Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets. A pair of Anna’s Hummingbirds entertained us with high dives – but they were too fast for photos.

A muddy detour to the river brought us to a nice view of coloured leaves and the North Shore mountains – but the only birds were gulls and another Bald Eagle on a nest. After a short stop in the sun on the viewing platform we wound our way back to the cars. Along the way we had more chickadees and kinglets and an Orange-crowned Warbler. Jacquie pointed out a busy Downy Woodpecker and Lorna pointed out a Brown Creeper. A Red-tailed Hawk flew over.

We then drove to the slough on the east side of Ferry Road. In the slough were American Wigeon, Canada Geese and Northern Shovelers. There was some noisy tree pruning so we turned back at the bridge. Some saw a Downy Woodpecker disappear into a hole in a tree.

Our next stop was to walk along the trails in the South Arm Marshes. It was a very pleasant walk but there were very few birds along the way and only Cormorants in the river. When I got back to my car I was surprised to see a red dragonfly posing on the ground beside it – an Autumn Meadowhawk.
Terry Carr

Photos on Flickr.

Ladner Harbour Park eBird list (22 species & 1 taxa)

Next Tuesday & Wednesday (Nov 14&15 ) the outings will be to
White Rock & Blackie Spit
Meet at White Rock Pier at 8:30 am.
Free parking on the waterfront until 10am.
After the pier we will go to Blackie Spit.
Blackie Spit is at the NE end of McBride Ave in Crescent Beach.
Park in the gravel parking lot past the paved parking lot and the sailing club.

To sign up for future DNCB outings go to the signup form and put an x by your name.