PHOTO: Snow Geese by Chris McVittie…..
17 DNCBers met at Richmond’s Terra Nova Park on a very cold morning – Alan, Brian & Louise, Chris, Jim, Christine, Dorothy, Jean, Lidia, Susan, Grace, Henry & Naoko, Lee, Bob & Dottie, and Terry. Those of us coming from south of the Fraser were delayed by a dump truck broken down in the tunnel.
There was a great view across the river to YVR and the snow-capped mountains behind. In the river were Mallards, Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Bufflehead, a Horned Grebe and a Common Loon. In the marsh beside the river was a row of Great Blue Herons with a large flock of gulls and a single Snow Goose on the shore beyond them. Two small flocks of Dunlin flew past and a Marsh Wren flitted in the reeds. Near the far shore were some dabbling Trumpeter Swans.
Walking carefully on the compact snow and ice we began our usual circuit of the park. The ponds were completely frozen. In the surrounding bushes were Golden-crowned Sparrows (with colourful leg bands), Song Sparrows, Red-winged Blackbirds, Towhees, Chickadees and Robins. A Northern Flicker landed on a nearby snag, and a Red-tailed Hawk was perched on a distant treetop.
As we entered the community gardens a massive, noisy flock of Snow Geese was landing in the fields beyond. As we approached those fields, we spotted a Northern Shrike sitting in the open. It stayed long enough for most of us to have a good look.
As we returned to the community gardens, a helicopter spooked the Snow Geese and they flew over us before returning to the fields. In fact we had several more great views of large flocks of Snow Geese flying over us during the morning.
We continued our usual route across Westminster Highway. As we passed a group of conifers we heard Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoo. So the search was on for an owl. With much difficulty, Christine and Lee found a Great Horned Owl, well camouflaged in the high branches. Then most of us were able to spot it. An Anna’s Hummingbird was shimmering in the sunlight. Later several more Hummingbirds darted by. We crossed the dyke to the salt marshes, walking careful on the ice covered path. It was surprisingly quiet there – only Herons, Song Sparrows, Crows and Eagles.
On our way back to the parking lot, we heard, and then were entertained by, a busy Red-breasted Nuthatch. Back at the parking lot by the river we added another Loon. Photos showed that it had a very narrow bill and a white eye ring – so it was a juvenile Red-throated Loon. As we were about to drive away, Grace came back to tell us that there were Wilson’s Snipe and a Killdeer in the marsh by the river. So we rushed over for a look. That brought our eBird checklist to 31 species and made a nice ending to a very enjoyable morning outing.
Report by Terry Carr
Photos are on Flickr
Next Sunday, Tuesday & Wednesday (February 16, 18 & 19) the outings will be to Centennial Beach in Tsawwassen.
Meet at 9 am in the concession/washroom parking lot.
To sign up for an outing, click on the DNS bird outing schedule sheet.
Delta Naturalists Society 