PHOTO: Juvenile Barn Swallows by Christine Gaio…..
Six DNCBers assembled at the Alaksen parking lot on a beautiful Tuesday morning — Lidia, Margaret, Bob, Dottie, David S. and Christine — where Margaret bravely took on the e-bird listing duty, to everyone else’s relief. From the lot we strolled through the cedars looking for owls (none seen) toward the buildings, where Barn Swallows cruised back and forth to two nests. The bushes near the buildings held Cedar Waxwings, Goldfinches and a solitary Bushtit. Common Yellowthroats were heard but not seen, but two young Barn Swallows posed for pictures on a branch. No water birds other than Mallards.
The trail on the other side of the bridge was active with bird life – including Goldfinches, Creepers, a Nuthatch, and Cowbirds. We happily ate our way along towards the Fraser River, sampling blackberries and cherries, then opting as a group for the longer walk, we continued following the river. A Marsh Wren was singing its heart out on a reed just in front of the lookout, and Towhees and House Finches were seen along the trail. At the end were Red-winged Blackbirds and Mallards in the water.
From here, Christine led us back along the trail-less-taken. Although grassy, and edged with blackberries and stinging nettle, it had been recently trimmed back and was easily passable and mercifully shaded. Bird life was scarce as the morning heated up, but we saw Sand Wasps, abundant dragonflies, Western Swallowtails and Lorquin’s Admirals.
Report by Dottie Uhlman
Photos on flickr
Next Tuesday & Wednesday (July 23 & 24) outings are to Deas Island Regional Park, 6090 Deas Island Rd, Delta (off River Rd east of the Massey Tunnel). Meet at 8 am in the parking area near the rowing club.
To sign up for an outing, click on the DNS bird outing schedule sheet.
Delta Naturalists Society 