PHOTO: Queen Elizabeth Park by Terry Carr…..
Six Delta Nats braved rush hour traffic to meet at Queen Elizabeth Park hoping to see some spring migrants. The six were Bill, Lorna, Deems, Terry, Jacquie, Dottie.
We headed for the warbler trees but we did not see any warblers there. We did see Juncos and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Merlin heard a Hammond’s Flycatcher and we soon spotted it. Below Seasons Restaurant we watched an Orange-crowned Warbler flitting about and giving us occasional glimpses. So far our list also included Robins, Towhees, Varied Thrush, Song Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, Chickadees and Anna’s Hummingbirds. We looked in vain for owls in the large cedar trees where we sometimes see them.
At the duck pond there were Mallards, including a group of very young ducklings. We worried that some of the ducklings were getting too far away from their mother. Here we got another good view of a posing Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Across the pond was a Yellow-rumped Warbler with the white throat of the Myrtle sub-species. Later we also saw the yellow-throated Audubon’s sub-species.
At the entrance to the large quarry garden we saw a Bushtit disappear into bamboo bushes. Then we saw that it had disappeared into its sock-like nest. A pair of Gadwall were in the small pond beside the giant rhubarb. Although there were daffodils and other colourful flowers in the quarry, the usual tulip display was completely missing. A gardener told us that they were not planted this year because of a tulip pathogen in the soil.
I got a brief look at a Black-throated Gray Warbler while the others were inspecting the love locks. Below the love lock sculptures we found some Pink Fawn Lilies. Further along a Red-breasted Nuthatch showed itself. Continuing our walk, we took in the views and enjoyed looking at the variety of trees and flowers. We decided that the cool weather was responsible for the low numbers of birds and insects, but we enjoyed our visit to one of Vancouver’s most scenic spots.
Report by Terry Carr
Photos are on flickr
The next Saturday outing (May 4) will be to Serpentine Fen. Meet at 8 am in the parking lot on King George Blvd by the bridge over the Serpentine River. We will not use the gated parking lot behind Art Knapps.
The next Tuesday & Wednesday outings (May 7 & 8) will be to Joe Brown Park, 5381 125A St, Surrey. Meet at 8 am. There should be enough room to park below the traffic circle on 125A St.
To sign up for future outings go to the signup form and put an x by your name.
https://tinyurl.com/dncb-signup
Delta Naturalists Society 