PHOTO: American Kestrels by Christine Gaio…..
Ten DNCBers stopped at Kiniski’s where the pilings had the usual large gathering of Double-crested and Pelagic Cormorants. There were more Cormorants on the water and flying by. Also on the water were Horned Grebes, Surf Scoters, Red-breasted Mergansers, Common Loons and a Pacific Loon with its thinner beak and white neck front.
Four more joined us at Lighthouse Park to make 14. We were Terry, Jim, Karen, Connie, Christine, Alexandra, Lorna, Bob, Dottie, Jacquie, Jean, Mike, Debbi, David S.
From the parking lot we saw Common Loons, Cormorants and Horned Grebes. In the water farther along were Red-breasted Mergansers, Surf Scoters, Harlequins and Brant Geese. Flying by were Cackling Geese, White-winged Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks. Some saw Orca in the distance. We had a rain shower, but it soon stopped and left a rainbow. Heading inland we saw Song Sparrows, Pine Siskins, Anna’s Hummingbirds, House Finches, Towhees, Juncos and Chickadees.
The pond on Edwards Drive had Mallards, Wigeon, 40 Hooded Mergansers and a Great Blue Heron. There was a Red-tailed Hawk perched on a distant tree.
On the west side of the marina we heard and watched two Belted Kingfishers flying from side to side. In the water were Red-breasted Mergansers and there was a Heron on the shore. A Cooper’s Hawk was perched in a tree across the road, and farther along another Red-tailed Hawk was perched.
At the beach on the east side of the marina were more Red-breasted Mergansers, Surf Scoters, Harlequins and Horned Grebes. We were entertained by a Belted Kingfisher flying and hovering. On the shore were Black Oystercatchers and Black Turnstones, and a single Sanderling flew by.
Most of us carried on to Seabright Farm to look for American Kestrels. Two Bald Eagles were perched along the road. Christine got a great photo of a pair of Kestrels perched side by side, high up in a dead tree. One flew off before I got my photo. Another Eagle flew over and we heard a Kingfisher. No new birds were added to our list, but we had a good view of a coyote.
Report by Terry Carr
Photos are on flickr
Next Tuesday & Wednesday (Nov 5 & 6) the outings will be to Ladner Harbour Park
4905 Mcneelys Way (off River Rd – NE of former West Coast Seeds store).
Meet at 9 am in the parking lot by the caretaker’s residence.
To sign up for an outing, click on the DNS bird outing schedule sheet.
Delta Naturalists Society 