PHOTO: Surf Scoters by Terry Carr……
Six Delta Naturalists met at the lookout at Blaine Marine Park – Dottie, Bob, Jacquie, Lorna, Mike and Terry. There was no queue at the border so we were early
The tide was very high and the birds were far away – mostly Scoters and Mallards. One female Red-breasted Merganser was diving closer to us. We moved on to the pier at the end of Marine Drive where we had closer views of Surf and White-winged Scoters, along with Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Pelagic Cormorants and Common Loons. A huge flock of Dunlin flew past, and Black Turnstones were on the breakwater making Kingfisher-like sounds. Then a noisy Belted Kingfisher flew past. The White Rock highrises seemed very close. Surprisingly, we did not see any Grebes.
Arriving at our next usual stop, Gate 3 at the marina, we were surprised to find that access to it, including the washroom, was now keypad access only. Fortunately some people coming out let us in. That was a lucky fluke because we did not see anyone else while we were there, and it was one of the most productive birding locations of the day. A Belted Kingfisher moved from mast to mast as we walked out to the end of the float. Along the way we saw a Pied-billed Grebe, Scaup, Goldeneye and a female Long-tailed Duck. On the breakwater opposite were Black Oystercatchers, Double-crested Cormorants, and Great Blue Herons (almost indistinguishable from the rocks they were sitting on). The breakwater was covered with remnants of gull and cormorant nests. As we got back to the beginning of the float, a Common Loon with a crab claw popped up, and then 3 gorgeous Harlequins popped up beside us.
The next stop was at the beginning of Semiahmoo Spit, where we saw more Scoters, Goldeneye, Scaup and Bufflehead. Since it was just before 11am, we decided to stop at the Marina Cafe while both breakfast and lunch were being served. Some of us enjoyed breakfast while others had clam chowder – a very wise decision. We then moved to the end of the spit, and walking from there back past the marina we saw more Scoters, Goldeneye, Harlequins, Bufflehead, Scaup, Loons and another Kingfisher. Black Turnstones were joined on their usual pilings by Oystercatchers and a Heron. Hundreds of Double-crested Cormorants were on their usual float.
The morning remained dry and even showed a bit of blue sky. Again, there was no queue at the border. It was another enjoyable Delta Nats outing.
Report by Terry Carr
eBird checklists:
Blaine Marina
Semiahmoo Spit
Next Tuesday and Wednesday (Feb 6 & 7) the outings will be to Terra Nova Regional Park in Richmond.
Meet at 9 am by the Adventure Playground at the west end of River Rd (west of the north end of No 1 Rd).
Delta Naturalists Society 