PHOTO: Dunlin by Bruce Taylor….
Nicki’s Plant and Seashore Report:
Seven hearty Delta Naturalists showed up at Centennial Beach for some birding and iNaturalist observations. We were Nicki, Bruce, Grant, Dirk, Joni, Lisa and Jonathon W. As we gathered near the concession, sadly we found a deceased Hermit Thrush on the ground, the victim of a window strike. This would be the first iNaturalist observation of the day. It was rainy and chilly when we set out and soon our group split in 2, with the guys heading out to look for birds (see Grant’s report below), and Joni, Lisa and I looking for interesting plants, sea life and other wild critters.
After working our way around the pond, logging all the shrub, tree and grass species we could find (Nootka Rose, Black Cottonwood, Tufted Bulrush and many more), we headed to the beach to see what washed up over night. There were various seaweeds (ie. Broadleaf Sea Lettuce), shells (ie. Pacific Oyster) and crab remnants to be photographed and logged. After dealing with the blustery wind on the beach for a spell we headed back to the trail to see what else there was to see. Joni took pictures of some scat with bones and feathers in it – coyote maybe. More plants were logged along the trail, including Tansy, Fireweed, various Crab Apples and several others. The outing ended at noon sharp and I’m sure people were happy to get the heat on in their cars. I logged 39 unique species, mostly plants.
Grant’s Birding Report:
As we gathered in the parking lot, a pair of mature Bald Eagles circled overhead. One had caught a fish (sorry, species not identified!) and the other was chasing it around the trees. By the concession area we scoped the water and picked out two Caspian Terns, a California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gulls and many Dunlin who were now shifting into breeding plumage. Many more eagles and Great Blue Herons were doing their thing at the water’s edge. Bruce got his eyes on a flock of Brant Geese in the distance and the flock of 25 swung closer so we all got good looks. At this point four Delta Nats (Bruce, Dirk, Jonathon and Grant) split off the others to do a birding walk in the park.
Next stop was the nearby duck pond, which was rather light on waterfowl on this wet, rainy day. Many Northern Shovelers and a few Mallards were present. Some Yellow-rumped Warblers flitted about in the trees across the pond. As we walked around the pond, the familiar trill song of an Orange-crowned Warbler was heard. We spent a few minutes zeroing in on the location and we all got some decent looks. Golden-crowned Sparrows, Crows, European Starlings and Red-winged Blackbirds rounded out the species in this area.
Onwards in the iffy weather conditions we proceeded, taking the dyke trail towards 12th Ave pump station. Along the way several Common Yellowthroats could be heard but not seen. A lovely female Northern Harrier swooped by us and did a graceful glide around the foreshore area, flushing out a couple of Killdeer and several Savannah Sparrows who were sporting some nice breeding plumage as well. A few Tree Swallows braved the conditions in the skies above. Near the pump station we detected more shorebirds and got the scope on them. A few Dunlin in breeding plumage were stunning to see at such close range. Similarly with the dozen Western Sandpipers who were sporting a range of breeding plumage – nice to see their numbers increasing during this spring migration. A modest number of Green-winged Teal and gulls were eagerly awaiting the next outflow from the pump station. A couple of Short-billed Gulls and mostly immature Glaucous-winged Gulls were with the Teal. At this point, the rather damp conditions and time constraints turned us back. A quick walk towards the parking lot was quiet except for a few sparrows, finches and a lone Brown-headed Cowbird.
A total of 27 species seen, which included: Brant, Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Killdeer, Dunlin, Western Sandpiper, Short-billed Gull, California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Caspian Tern, Great Blue Heron, Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle, Northern Flicker, American Crow, Tree Swallow, European Starling, House Sparrow, House Finch, Savannah Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Orange-crowned Warbler, Common Yellowthroat and Yellow-rumped Warbler.
Delta Naturalists Society 