PHOTO: Common Yellowthroat by Christine Gaio….
Fourteen Delta Naturalists met at Brydon Lagoon on a lovely spring morning.
There were no ducks on the pond by the parking lot, but there were Red-winged Blackbirds and House Sparrows. However, Brydon Lagoon was full of water birds – Mallards, Wood Ducks, Northern Shovelers, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Ducks, Bufflehead, Common Mergansers, Coots, Gulls and Canada Geese. Three swallow species were zooming over the lagoon – Tree, Violet-Green and Northern Rough-winged – and a few sat long enough for photos.
In the loop around the woodlot we had Anna’s Hummingbird, Steller’s Jay, Robins, Song Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Chickadees, Towhees, Pacific Wren and Bewick’s Wren. Common Yellowthroats were taunting us with their wichity-wichity-wichity song. Persistent Christine obtained a great photo of one.
There used to be an eagle nest here that had been taken over by Canada Geese for a few years – but there was no sign of it now. We took a small path into the woods to look for the resident Barred Owl – but we did not find it. A Wilson’s Snipe flew out of the field. A red-tailed Hawk flew in the distance and landed in the even farther distance. Three Flickers were in one tree and another woodpecker flew across the path.
We followed the partially flooded path to Hi-Knoll Park. It is hard to believe that the little stream that we crossed here is the Nicomekl River. In Hi-Knoll Park the Fawn Lilies were in full bloom – both white and pink varieties. There were also Western Trilliums in full bloom – a few were already beginning to turn pink. In fact signs of spring were everywhere – Salmonberry, Bleeding Heart, Indian Plum, Skunk Cabbage, Vanilla Leaf, Lily of the Valley, Starry False Solomon’s Seal, Oregon Grape and Bigleaf Maple blossoms. We searched unsuccessfully for a Pileated Woodpecker that was tapping and calling. At the powerline we watched Bushtits and bright yellow American Goldfinches.
Heading down the hill we were entertained by Rufous Hummingbirds and Red-tailed Hawks. We returned to Brydon Lagoon and followed the path on the far side. The lagoon was still full of ducks. Persistent Christine found and photographed the elusive Yellow-rumped Warblers. We also added House Finches and Purple Finches to our list.
Report by Terry Carr
Brian’s eBird Checklist (45 species)
Next Saturday April 20 the outing will be to Joe Brown Park in Surrey. Meet at 8 am at 5381 125A St. There should be enough room to park below the traffic circle on 125A St.
Next Tuesday & Wednesday April 23 & 24 the outings will be to Tsawwassen Ferry Causeway & Reifel Bird Sanctuary. Meet on the ferry causeway at 8am. The parking area is part way along the north side of the causeway. Meet at Reifel at 9am. DNS has been booked as a group. You do not need to book parking – just tell the gatekeeper that you are part of the DNS group booking. Non-Reifel members will need to pay admission.
To sign up for an outing, click on the DNS bird outing schedule sheet.
Delta Naturalists Society 