PHOTO: Ring-necked Ducks by Grant Edwards…..
Eleven Delta Nats assembled at the north entrance to Campbell Valley Regional Park on a lovely warm spring day!! A squadron of Canada Geese did a fly over to kick off our walk (a new tradition?) Although a little chilly in the morning (signs of frost on some vegetation), the group eagerly departed on the traditional bird walk route.
Participants in photo from left to right Rick, Dottie, Dirk, Jonathan W., Bob, Lisa, Bruce, Rosemary, Grant, Thea and Nadine behind the lens.
At the first bridge crossing over the Little Campbell River, we were happy to spot some Hooded Mergansers, Mallards, and a group of Ring-necked Ducks. As we progressed on the trail that parallels the river, it was relatively quiet as the sun hadn’t quite stirred the birds. Several Song Sparrows and Spotted Towhees did their best to break the silence. A few Chickadees soon joined in, both local species. Several Douglas Squirrels made distracting bird-like noises that had us wishing the Merlin app had been updated to identify the sound as ‘Not a bird’!
Many plants were showing signs of life, with good examples of Indian Plum and Skunk Cabbage, the latter new to Jonathan and Lisa who recently moved to BC from Winnipeg. A little off trail exploration by Thea led to the discovery of sapsucker holes in a Western Red Cedar. Some mysterious wood chips around another tree were finally explained by the nearby cut sections of a tree trunk – perhaps an industrious woodpecker with a chainsaw?
Finally, the sun’s rays were warming up the trail and the bird life improved. A lively Bewick’s Wren entertained us, along with Golden-crowned Kinglets and more Chickadees. The unmistakable calls of Steller’s Jays and some dove hooting lured us onwards. A group of five Steller’s Jays were on full display in trees across the river. The dove hooting we tracked to tree tops a bit further along. Hmm, these didn’t look like what we had expected – very pointy tails, no collar markings, some spotting on the sides – wow, a group of three Mourning Doves! They are getting increasingly harder to find in the Lower Mainland as the invasive Eurasian Collared Dove dominate. A melodious bird song had Thea liking the “fruity notes” – likely the Ruby-crowned Kinglets we spotted. Distant frog song added a cheery backdrop to the moment.
Crossing the second bridge over the river, we stopped on the boardwalk to take in the full sun and its glorious warmth! As we recharged on Vitamin D, some of the Steller’s Jays entertained us with their repertoire of calls and an entertaining chase as one sported a prized peanut. Clothing layers were being shed – spring is here!
We started our return trip on the Vine Maple Trail that takes you through a mixed forest. Some lovely examples of Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir and Hemlock were fully enjoyed. Some very tall and straight trees here – must be the source for the utility poles! A Chestnut-backed Chickadee came down low for a visit giving us great looks. We all enjoyed the stroll along the sun-soaked trail as we immersed ourselves in chatty conversations. As we neared the end of the walk, a distinctive woodpecker call snapped us to attention. Everyone enjoyed the magnificent Pileated Woodpecker flying through the forest – the largest woodpecker in North America. To round out the birding, a couple of real Ravens called as they glided above the treetops (while a couple of imitators – Thea and Grant – tried to establish a verbal link). The real Ravens were too smart to engage with the imposters.
As we wrapped up the walk with a bit of debrief in the parking lot, an earlier quote of the day (“There must be a better way to learn about shorebirds”) was answered. Thea gave a nice demonstration of the course she created on the Brainscape learning platform – a digital flashcards course on Shorebirds of North America! Took it for a spin myself later and it looks great!
A very enjoyable outing in nice warm weather. Twenty-one species seen with the bird of the day being the Mourning Doves.
Species list: Canada Goose, Mallard, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, Mourning Dove, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Steller’s Jay, Common Raven, Black-capped Chickadee, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red Breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Pacific Wren, Bewick’s Wren, American Robin, Dark-eyed Junko, Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee
Report by Grant Edwards
Photos are on flickr
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).
The Saturday outing (March 23) will be to Joe Brown Park in Surrey. Meet at 9 am at 5381 125A St. There should be enough room to park below the traffic circle on 125A St.
To sign up for an outing, click on the DNS bird outing schedule sheet.
Delta Naturalists Society 