PHOTO: Black-headed Grosbeak by Terry Carr….
Ten Delta Nats met at Campbell Valley Regional Park in Langley – Margaret, Richard, Terry, Connie, Lynne, Warren, Freddie, Dorothy, Margaretha, Claude.
The birds seemed to be few and far between on our shady forest walk. Merlin teased us with songs of birds that we could not see. We did see Song Sparrows, Robins,Towhees, Chickadees, Cedar Waxwings and several Douglas Squirrels. And then there were three Black-headed Grosbeaks chasing each other. Yellow Warblers appeared briefly but did not sit still for photos. A handsome Red-breasted Sapsucker did pose for us.
At the listening bridge we had closer views of several Black-headed Grosbeaks, a Rufous Hummingbird and a Brown- headed Cowbird. Three Red-tailed Hawks soared high above us. Yellow Warblers and Swallowtail Butterflies flew by.
The walk to the pond did not yield anything new. The pond had its usual collection of Bullfrogs and a few Dragonflies. Warren saw a large Garter Snake enter the pond. The pond area was busy with a Metro Vancouver Park program for young children who were having a ball seeing what they could catch in buckets.
The walk back to the cars was also very quiet. Buttercups and Lupin were in full bloom – as were Pacfic Ninebark and Honeysuckle. A Turkey Vulture was flying high above.
Four of us decided to stop at Fergus Watershed Biodiversity Preserve on the way home. Again Buttercups and Lupin were in full bloom but the birds were well hidden. We did see a Mallard, Robins, Song Sparrows and a Red-tailed Hawk.
Report by Terry Carr
Photos are on flickr
Next Tuesday & Wednesday (June 3 & 4) the outings will be to the Tsawwassen Ferry Causeway & Reifel Bird Sanctuary.
Meet at 8 am on the ferry causeway (small parking area on the right just before the end of the causeway).
Meet at 9 am at Reifel Bird Sanctuary. You do need to book parking. There will be a group booking for Delta Nats – just say that you are part of the group booking. There is an admission charge unless you have a Reifel membership.
To sign up for an outing, click on the DNS bird outing schedule sheet.
Delta Naturalists Society 