One Delta Nat scoped the compensation lagoon & spit on a nice sunny balmy day to get closer views of the many Bonaparte’s Gulls in breeding plumage (only one with black head)!Several Whimbrel were foraging amongst the large roosting group of Great Blue Herons.Two Killdeer & three Black Oystercatchers also were present on this tiny land reserve.
No Brown Pelican today which is what I decided to investigate despite the outing being cancelled since only one person signed up (with many Nats away in the Cariboo under Terry’s awesome organizing)! This rare pelican does occur at the jetty breakwater once in a while. One was seen July 8 last year, and July 10, 2022.
The jetty base revealed more interesting bird species.Highlights including the House Wren – which I saw singing on the top of a pole along the shoreline. It’s the first ever record here -found June 15 by amazing birders/photographers Destiny & Alex. These uncommon wrens are known to occasionally occur at nearby Brunswick Point.
One Bullock’s Oriole called out from the large base cottonwoods – this species seems to be increasing in number in the lower mainland, or perhaps they are being displaced by just moving farther north in summer. There are many more sightings or orioles in several close by locations that I usually frequent – Brunswick Point, Deas Island, Ladner marshes & Boundary Bay Park.
A busy pair of Violet-green swallows were actively foraging for insects above shoreline and by the deciduous shrubs! They likely used a Delta Naturalists Bird Box to raise their family. There are three birdhouses on posts in front of Tsatsu shores!
Thank you Delta Bird Box team for building them, putting them up & cleaning them out! A lot of dedicated volunteer work helps ensure our cavity nesters continue to reproduce and prosper instead of decline in number!
Here’s my ebird list! A total of 33 species were seen and/or heard this pleasant summer morning!
Report by Debbi Hlady
Delta Naturalists Society 