PHOTO: Glossy/White-faced Ibis by Christine Gaio…..
Nine DNCBers met at Richmond’s Terra Nova Park on a very cold, but dry, morning. There was fresh snow on the north shore mountains.
In the river were Wigeon, Gulls and Cormorants. A Heron and a Harrier flew over. We heard, but did not see, a Bald Eagle. It looked like you could walk on the weed covered pond. A group of Gadwall were floating on it. In the bushes, feeding on crab apples, were Fox Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Spotted Towhees, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Juncos, Starlings and Robins. At the community gardens we added House Finches, Bushtits, Chickadees, Varied Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Anna’s Hummingbird.
Owl whisperer Christine found a roosting Great Horned Owl and added Pine Siskins and an American Goldfinch. While we were watching the owl, two Trumpeter Swans flew over.
On the foreshore we could see large flocks of Northern Pintail and Mallards. Northern Harriers and Great Blue Herons were patrolling the marsh and a Coyote walked by. We were surprised that we did not see Snow Geese.
On the way back to the cars there were Flickers, Bushtits, Varied Thrush, House and Purple Finches, Robins, Starlings and a Red-tailed Hawk.
Next, we decided to drive to the Garden City Community Gardens to look for the Ibis that has been in the marsh there. Sure enough, it was feeding up close and personal – and being harassed by crows. It is thought to be a juvenile White-faced or Glossy Ibis. Another one has been seen at Brunswick Point. This was a neat ending to another pleasant DNCB outing.
Report by Terry Carr
Photos are on flickr
eBird checklists
Terra Nova
Garden City Lands
Next Tuesday & Wednesday (Nov 26 & 27) the outings will be to Blaine, USA (Drayton Harbor & Semiahmoo Spit). Bring passport or Nexus.
Meet at 9 am at Blaine Marine Park. Approx 235 Marine Drive, Blaine, WA, USA.
Cross the railway tracks and park on the street by the small lookout (across the street from Sundance Yacht Sales). We’ll look for birds there and at the pier at the end of Marine Drive. Then we will drive around the bay to Semiahmoo Resort. Before going to the resort we will park by the APA museum in Semiahmoo Park (at the beginning of the spit on the left).
Delta Naturalists Society 