PHOTO: Hairy Woodpecker by Grant Edwards…….Ten Delta Nats assembled in the parking lot of Surrey Lake park on a Saturday for the reboot of weekend casual bird outings. From the parking lot a group of Canada Geese did a flyover to officially bless the outing. An Eagle on a far-off power line tower, Red-winged Blackbirds, Starlings, and a Flicker greeted us as well. The group then proceeded over the bridge that crosses Bear Creek where we saw our first Downy Woodpecker and some Chickadees.
At the lake we were greeted enthusiastically by some Mallards and Green-winged Teals. Obviously the sight of humans stirred their hunger glands, indicating they are being fed. As we scanned through this initial group of waterfowl, we identified some American Coots and a lone female Greater Scaup. A pair of Mallards put on a “show” to let us know spring is just around the corner.
At the next lake viewpoint, we setup the scope to scan the lake and picked out several Pied-billed Grebes, Northern Pintails, Gadwall, Lesser Scaups, Buffleheads, Common Mergansers and a Ruddy Duck. It was a male Ruddy that was just starting to show a bit of blue colour in its bill, the detail only seen through the scope. Most got satisfying looks at the Ruddy Duck as it dove alongside the Scaup – this answered the question of how does this bird feed! The recently seen Canvasback was not to be found today.
The group proceeded towards the forest loop trail. At this point we took our group photo (see attached). From left to right Dottie, Bob, Lindly, Nicki, Anne, Jacquie, Grant, Rose and Roger. Bruce was behind the lens. As we entered the forest, a group of Chickadees and Kinglets had us craning our necks towards the treetops. Mostly Golden-crowned Kinglets but a Ruby-crowned was also identified. Two Red-tailed Hawks were spotted flying over the trees by keen eyes. A bit further along Robins and a couple of Varied Thrush were seen at more neck pleasing heights.
Halfway through the loop trail we came across another cluster of birds, which included Pacific Wrens, Bewick’s Wrens, Downy Woodpeckers and a female Hairy Woodpecker. The Hairy put on a show for us and was a lifer for some in the group! And just as Bob wished for them, several Brown Creepers appeared high in the trees to test the strength of our neck muscles again.
As we walked the backside of the loop towards the lake, a sixpack of Ravens entertained us with their vocalizations and acrobatic flight above the treetops. Another Eagle gracefully soared nearby. Back at the lake a flock of Cackling Geese did the end-of-walk flyby (another lifer for some). We were amused by the haphazard organization of the flock as they appear to lack a flight commander and perhaps a flight plan!
As we wrapped up the walk, everyone agreed it was an enjoyable outing with good conversation and laughter. And the weather held up perfectly with light rain starting just at the end. We recorded a respectable 39 species (see list below), missing the Pileated Woodpeckers that some had hoped to see. The quote of the day goes to Dottie with “Jeepers Creepers” as she looked upon the Brown Creepers. Bird of the day was the Hairy Woodpecker as it was “Located at a neck pleasing level” (everyone), “A new bird for me!” (Lindly), “Put on a grand show and posed nicely for photos” (Jacquie, Bruce, Roger and Grant). Book recommendation of the day (Bob) was Message in a Bottle by Holly Hogan.
Species List:
Cackling Goose, Canada Goose, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Steller’s Jay, American Crow, Common Raven, Black-capped Chickadee, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, Pacific Wren, Bewick’s Wren, European Starling, Varied Thrush, American Robin, House Finch, American Goldfinch, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Red-winged Blackbird.
Report by Grant Edwards.
Next Tuesday & Wednesday (Feb 27 & 28) the outings will be to Centennial Beach in Tsawwassen
Meet at 9 am in the concession/washroom parking lot.
The Saturday Outing (March 2) will be to Burnaby Lake.
Meet at 9 am by the Nature House (4519 Piper Ave) at the south end of Piper Ave (off Winston St).
Delta Naturalists Society 