PHOTO: Rufous Hummingbird by Terry Carr…
Six Delta Nats met at the North 40 Park Reserve in East Ladner – Dorothy, Connie, Christine, Dottie, Bob and Terry. This was the site of the Vancouver Wireless Station until 1971. The buildings in the residential community were moved away, leaving the foundations and streets as remnants. Although it is a popular off-leash dog park, it is still a good birding location and the paved streets are pleasant for walking, and there are many mature trees.
The light rain showers soon stopped. We kept to the paved areas to avoid the mud. Bald Eagles were everywhere – mainly perched in pairs. Robins and Crows were everywhere too. We soon added White-crowned Sparrows, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Fox Sparrow, Juncos and Towhees. A gorgeous male Rufous Hummingbird posed on a high twig. Gulls and a Heron flew over. Some Downy Woodpeckers appeared briefly. We found a Bushtit nest from last year, but not any active ones. We did not find any hummingbird nests either.
There were a few areas with small flocks of Chickadees, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Golden-crowned Kinglets. It was challenging to follow these fast moving small birds, high in the foliage, with our binoculars and cameras.
Most of the birds were hunkered down on this damp morning but it was another enjoyable outing.
Four of us moved on to Beach Grove Park to look for the nesting Great Horned Owls. They are nesting again in the tree next to the formerly ivy covered tree. However, the ivy that they used to hide in, has been removed. The rain had started and the owls were hunkered down. One adult was well camouflaged near the nest, but the reported three owlets were not visible.
Report by Terry Carr
Photos are on Flickr.
Next Tuesday & Wednesday (April 15 & 16) the outings will be to Brydon Lagoon & Hi Knoll Park in Langley.
Meet at 8 AM in the parking lot at 19850 53 Ave, Langley.
To sign up for an outing, click on the DNS bird outing schedule sheet.
Delta Naturalists Society 