PHOTO: White-crowned x Golden-crowned Sparrow (hybrid) by Brian Avent….
Thirteen DNCBers met at Centennial Beach for a walk around this part of Boundary Bay Regional Park.
Bob, Dottie, Dorothy, Margaretha, Jacquie, Connie, Vicky, Lorna, Roger, Brian, Debbie, Terry & Christine.
There were several Bald Eagles in the trees around the parking lot – including one with its wings open in the sunshine. Feeding on the ground were European Starlings and beady-eyed Brewer’s Blackbirds. In the pond were Mallards, American Wigeon and Northern Shovelers. On the bay were Canada Geese with one Snow Goose. Mt Baker and other snow-capped mountains made a nice backdrop.
We were told that along the beach was a dead Skate. Sure enough we found the huge, flat, diamond-shaped fish on the sand. We turned it over to see its teeth. It was a Big Skate (Beringraja binoculata) which can be up to 8 feet long. They are usually found on sandy or muddy bottoms and feed on invertebrates and small fish.
Big Skate by Terry Carr
A flock of Sanderling flew in to probe the wet sand for food. On the water were huge mixed flocks of Canada Geese, Brant Geese and ducks. Closer to shore were two female Common Goldeneye, a Double-crested Cormorant, a Horned Grebe and a Great Blue Heron.
The lagoon was full of Green-winged Teal, Dunlin and Long-billed Dowitchers – but we could not find the American Avocet that has been seen here on the previous few days. Closer to the pumphouse were Greater Yellowlegs, Gulls, Killdeer and more Dowitchers. Debbi found a Lesser Yellowlegs. Far out were huge flocks of Northern Pintail, American Wigeon and Scaup. A Northern Harrier and a Kingfisher flew in the distance.
Crossing the bridge and walking along the waterway and along the inner trails we saw Gadwall, House Finches, House Sparrows, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Song Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, Towhees, Robins, Juncos, Pine Siskins, Starlings, Flickers, Fox Sparrows and an Anna’s Hummingbird. One of Brian’s photos captured a hybrid White-crowned x Golden-crowned Sparrow. There were also recent beaver cuttings.
Back at the concession area we added a Common Loon and had a flyover of 9 Trumpeter Swans. On the ground was a mixed flock of Brewer’s and Red-winged Blackbirds.
Report by Terry Carr
Photos are on flickr
Next Tuesday and Wednesday (Dec 17 & 18) the outings will be to Stanley Park.
Meet at 9 am below the Second Beach Swimming Pool.
To sign up for an outing, click on the DNS bird outing schedule sheet.
Delta Naturalists Society 