PHOTO: Killdeer by Grant Edwards…..
As the Saturday group of Delta Nats assembled in the parking lot near the caretaker house, we were greeted by amazing birdsong! No doubt that spring is here. With Merlin app in hand, several Nats were zooming around the parking lot in amazement at what was singing and calling. We joked about just pulling up some lawn chairs and completing the outing while sipping coffee. Steller’s Jays, Bewick’s Wrens, Song Sparrows, Pine Siskins, Robins, Towhees, Finches, and many more were lighting up Merlin. A nice male Audubon Yellow-rumped Warbler was located high in the trees. By the time we left the parking lot, we already had 20 species! Our goal was 40 species as a friend had recently birded that area.
The eight Nats included Rosemary, Thea, Nicki, Bruce, Lisa, Jonathon W, Rick and Grant (who took the attached photo). We dragged ourselves from the parking lot and continued on the Swenson Trail towards the western tip of the park. Along the way we heard more great birdsong as we walked the lovely trails. A Rufous Hummingbird buzzed briefly by the Salmonberry blossoms. Several Northern Flickers and Downy Woodpeckers called out. Near the dog park, we could hear Killdeer and we finally tracked down the pair in the grass close to the fence. We hoped they weren’t planning to nest anywhere within the busy dog park. As we got to some viewpoints of the Fraser River and adjacent habitat, we saw Greater Yellowlegs, Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Bufflehead and Great Blue Heron. A brief view of a Eurasian Wigeon was excitedly enjoyed by most. The Killdeer pair were seen snogging in the foreshore as we serenaded them with some sexy music! (We do have fun on these outings!) Several Double-crested Cormorants did a flyby. The peaceful and birdy scene prompted the comment of the day from Rosemary – “Well that was semi-decent”!!
On the return trip we walked past the boats in the harbour and spotted Pied-billed Grebes resting in the quiet waters. A fake pelican was spotted on a piling across the water, while a real Double-crested Cormorant was posing on another. Sadly no swallows over the harbour waters on this day. An Eagle did some graceful soaring before perching on a branch overlooking the harbour. Further along towards the park entrance we saw several more Pied-billed Grebes. Chickadees, Kinglets and Brown Creepers kept the binos busy looking in the trees as we walked along. Nicki and Grant explored some nearby mushrooms growing in the grass.
As we started our final section of the outing, the trail known as Shirley’s Walk, we were already at 40 species! Grant boldly upped the goal to 50! Thea found an Anna’s Hummingbird nest with the female sitting on top. We all got great looks. Several nearby males put on a nice display for us as well, flashing their colourful gorgets in the sunlight. Marsh Wrens, Northern Harriers (females named Harriet apparently), Red-tailed Hawk (spotted by eagle-eyed Bruce), Tree Swallows and Violet-green Swallows zoomed our total upwards. Some late tallies back at the parking lot and on the way out (a Cooper’s Hawk) got us to 47 for the day! Indeed, it was a semi-decent day out.
Although some moaned a bit at the 8 am start, it was clear the benefits of starting early. Here are the top five reasons to start early: 1) The birds sing like crazy early on! 2) Few dog walkers are up then, 3) 47 species for the day!! 4) It was fun teasing Nicki about it and 5) Peace and quiet from the nearby humanity (birds are encouraged to be noisy though).
Bird of the day was the Eurasian Wigeon, with honourable mentions to the Anna’s Hummingbirds and the snogging Killdeer. The species list:
Canada Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, American Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Bufflehead, Pied-billed Grebe, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Anna’s Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Glaucous-winged Gull, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Northern Harrier, Cooper’s Hawk, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Steller’s Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tree Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Bushtit, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, Pacific Wren, Marsh Wren, Bewick’s Wren, European Starling, American Robin, House Sparrow, House Finch, Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch, Fox Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Red-winged Blackbird, and Yellow-rumped Warbler.
Report by Grant Edwards
The outings on Tuesday & Wednesday, April 9 & 10, are to North 40 in East Ladner (3902 72nd St, Delta). Meet at 8 am in the parking area on Ontario St. From Hwy 10 turn south onto 72nd St. Turn left into North 40 Dog Park on Ontario St (before you get to the railway crossing).
To sign up for an outing, click on the DNS bird outing schedule sheet.
Delta Naturalists Society 