PHOTO: Snow Geese by Terry Carr…..
Fourteen Delta Nats met at Brunswick Point in Ladner on a gorgeous spring morning.
Lori, Glen, Lidia, Liz, Jim, Brian, Alan, Jonathan W, Lisa, Chris P, TK, Margaretha, Richard (not in photo), Terry (not in photo)
Early bird Richard had a close view of two Ring-necked Pheasants. There were 3 swans across the river. When they showed their black beaks we confirmed that they were Trumpeter Swans – not Mute Swans. Beside them on a log were Green-winged Teal and a Yellowlegs. Behind them on rooftop was a Red-tailed Hawk. In the river were Double-crested Cormorants, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye and a Harbour Seal.
We grumbled about the longer walk from the new parking lot – but without it we would not have seen the Cooper’s Hawk posing beside the road. In the fields were Mallards and American Wigeon. An Anna’s Hummingbird stopped briefly on a wire along with Starlings and Crows – and a male Northern Harrier flew by. There were several Great Blue Herons watching for prey. Double-crested Cormorants were on the usual pilings. Swimming nearby were Gadwall and a Red-breasted Merganser. Along the path we saw Bald Eagles, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, Robins, Towhees, Black-capped Chickadees, Red-winged Blackbirds, Flickers and a single Bushtit. Several flocks of noisy Snow Geese landed together in the field close to the path. We estimated 650. One goose was wearing a large radio collar. Most were adults. They must be on their way north.
Northern Harriers were patrolling the marsh but we did not see any Short-eared Owls. There were more Trumpeter Swans on the edge of the river, and a huge flock of Dunlin. There were more Green-winged Teal and some Northern Pintail. We finally got a glimpse of a noisy Marsh Wren. We heard Killdeer but did not see them. Brian and Lidia saw a Northern Shrike. On our way back we heard and saw a lovely Western Meadowlark. There was a small group of Snow Geese beside the path and a Harrier cruising by.
After we left, Chris P almost got stuck on the mudflats. He fell into a mudhole up to his thighs! He got out, though, in fine shape. Fortunately his recording gear was not damaged, and his boots came with him. He sent this link to his 10 minute recording including wrens, blackbirds and Snow Geese. Unfortunately, after his recording, an autoplay feature starts playing other “related” recordings.
On my way home I stopped at the heronry by the Tsawwassen ferry causeway. Many of the nests were occupied. It is quite a sight.
Report by Terry Carr
The outing on Saturday (March 16) will be to Campbell Valley Regional Park in Langley (16th Ave entrance). Meet at 9 am in the parking lot on the south side of 16th Ave. 20290 16th Ave, Langley.
Outings next Tuesday and Wednesday (March 19 & 20) are to Tynehead Regional Park in North Surrey. Meet at 9 am in the parking lot at the Tynehead Hatchery (16689 96th Avenue).
To sign up for an outing, click on the DNS bird outing schedule sheet.
Delta Naturalists Society 