Delta Naturalists Society

The tide was far out so we left the beach for later and started on our usual route between the ponds. The South Pond was unusually empty of ducks – but there was a Pied-billed Grebe and a group of Coots. In gaps in the thick growth around the North Pond we were able to see Gadwall, Mallards and Scaup. In the bushes were Song Sparrows, White-Crowned Sparrows, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, Lincoln’s Sparrows, Spotted Towhees, Goldfinches, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, House Finches, Marsh Wrens, Red-winged Blackbirds, Chickadees, Robins and Juncos. Noisy flocks of Snow Geese and Canada Geese flew over.

Because of construction for the new Sewage Treatment Plant, we no longer have access to the sewage ponds which usually have many ducks and shorebirds. We walked along the fence to the road so that we could at least look toward the sewage ponds. They held Pintail, Shovelers, Mallards and Green-winged Teal. On the far side we could just make out a flock of Dowitchers. Two Northern Harriers were flying in the distance.

Rejoining the path to the river we heard a Killdeer and saw a juvenile Bald Eagle fly over. A group of noisy crows may have been chasing a raptor. A small group of Snow Geese were on the other side of the river. Two Flickers were moving from tree to tree, and we saw our first Great Blue Herons. Flocks of Yellow-rumped Warblers and House Finches took turns occupying one tree. Lorna found a dead Deermouse. The tide was still far out when we returned to the beach but Snow Geese were spread out on the sand with many Great Blue Herons beyond on the tide line. Closer to shore, Green-winged Teal seemed to be plowing the sand with their bills.

Everyone enjoyed the walk on this cloudy but dry morning. Although there did not seem to be a lot of birds, Brian’s ebird checklist had 34 species.

Report by Terry Carr

Photos are on flickr.

eBird checklist