PHOTO:Canada Geese by Freddie Whiting…..
Despite only four of us being signed up for the walk this morning, once everyone gathered we had a nice group of six: Colin, Stephanie, Freddie, Roger, Margaretha, and myself. Rain began drizzling as we arrived at the parking area, but we nonetheless headed to Shirley’s Walk. This lovely trail has beautiful views of the marshes, distant cottonwood groves, and even more distant snow-capped mountains. Cottonwood trees, reed beds, and blackberry tangles on either side of the trail provide abundant habitat for local and migratory birds.
Dozens of different bird species have been seen here through the year, but not today! Numbers and diversity seemed rather low for the season. Some Red-winged Blackbirds sang but most skulked in the bushes. A couple of Anna’s Hummingbirds were active and gave us brief views. We heard at least 15 singing Marsh Wrens, yet they also stayed deep in the reed beds. I am not sure if anyone actually spotted one. Bewick’s Wren – a regular at the northeast end of the trail, also stayed hidden, though it gave its loud and distinctive call a few times. A single Golden-crowned Sparrow was seen on the trail; most of these abundant winter visitors have left now. We also saw one White-crowned Sparrow. A distant Northern Harrier cruised the marshes.
We spotted what turned out to be the only warbler of the morning high up in the branches of a tree. Seen at first from the underside, moving around, it took a few good looks to confirm its identity as a migrant Yellow Warbler. The harbour creek had Mallard and Canada Geese, and flocks of swallows flew around. We identified Violet-green Swallows, Tree Swallows, and a few Barn Swallows. Glaucous-winged Gulls, Great Blue Heron, and European Starlings were also seen near the water here and American Goldfinches were in the birch trees. Bald Eagles flew overhead, and American Robins called. We headed south through the empty dog park, checked out the two lookout areas to the east and west of the spit, and then back through the woodland area. The view from the west side looks over the marshes and islands of the south arm of the Fraser. This spot can be good for snipe and waterfowl of various species. Colin and Stephanie spotted a pair of Green-winged Teal for us and swallows were seen flying overhead but it was otherwise quiet.
Some dog walkers kindly told us about seeing an owl in the woods, but unfortunately their complex description of where it was proved too difficult for any of us to either remember, follow, or utilise and we failed to see the owl. The park and forest were quiet apart from Song Sparrows, American Robins and European Starlings, and we walked fairly quickly back to the parking lot. Our bird total came to 28 species and a pleasant walk was enjoyed by all.
Report by Anne Murray
Photos are on flickr
Next Tuesday & Wednesday (May 13 & 14) the outings will be to Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver.
Meet at 8 am by the Pitch & Putt. Parking is no longer free in the park. There is free parking below the tennis courts on 37th Ave at Elizabeth St.
To sign up for an outing, click on the DNS bird outing schedule sheet.
Delta Naturalists Society 