PHOTO: Rufous Hummingbird by Terry Carr…..
Twelve Delta Nats met at the North 40 Park Reserve in East Ladner on a gorgeous spring morning. This was the site of the Vancouver Wireless Station until 1971. The buildings in the residential community were moved away, leaving the foundations and streets as remnants. Although it is a popular off-leash dog park, it is still a good birding location and the paved streets are pleasant for walking.
There were Bald Eagles everywhere and Song Sparrows were singing. Leaves were just coming out which made it easier to search for birds. We were soon surrounded by a flock of Golden-crowned Sparrows. Eastern Grey Squirrels were feeding on new buds high in trees. Fox Sparrows, Robins, Towhees and a Bewick’s Wren appeared.
A real highlight was a sock-like Bushtit nest, quite low beside the path. We had good views of pair of Bushtits taking turns going in with nesting material. Nearby a Northern Flicker was posing but we could hear the tapping of another woodpecker. Sure enough, just below the Flicker, a Downy Woodpecker was creeping along a mossy branch searching for grubs. We identified it as a female because there was no red on its head. Two Ruby-crowned Kinglets flitted around making it hard for the cameras to focus on them. Then a Rufous Hummingbird and a Northern Harrier flew by – too fast for photos.
We heard and saw Savannah Sparrows in the grass. Three American Goldfinches appeared briefly high in the canopy. A European Starling was sitting on a stump and a Great Blue Heron flew over. Roger found a Barn Owl roost and we all had good views – another highlight of the trip. There were more Bald Eagles and at least one nest.
Yet another highlight was a group of three male Rufous Hummingbirds, posing close together – zipping off – and returning to the same branches. Their bright red feathers shimmered in the sunlight. Close by was the Cascade team’s SW nest box for Barn Owls – one of three Barn Owl nest boxes that they installed and monitor. Jim checked the attached camera. Unfortunately the camera lens was very cloudy, but he was able to confirm that the owls are catching voles and feeding owlets. He and Sofi checked the North 40 boxes 2 weeks ago and verified that the the SW and SE boxes were occupied with brooding pairs. There was no activity in the NE box.
Before the group left the North 40, Anna’s Hummingbird was added to the list – making 23 species.
Afterwards some went to the dyke at the end of 72nd and Jim got photos of Savannah Sparrows and a Coyote.
Report by Terry Carr
Liz’s eBird checklist (22 plus Barn Owl)
The next Saturday, Tuesday & Wednesday outings (April 13, 16 & 17) are to Brydon Lagoon & Hi Knoll Park in Langley.
Meet at 8 am in the parking lot at 19850 53 Ave, Langley.
To sign up for an outing, click on the DNS bird outing schedule sheet.
Delta Naturalists Society 