PHOTO: Lazuli Bunting by Christine Giao….
13 DNCBers met at Sturgeon Slough in Pitt Meadows – Margaret, Lee, Bryce, Christine, Connie, Carolyn, Bill, Lidia, Mike, Freddie, Claude, Roger & Terry.
The east side of the road was very birdy – Cedar Waxwings, Willow Flycatcher, Hairy Woodpecker, Tree Swallows and a gorgeous Lazuli Bunting that Christine tracked down.
We crossed the road for our usual route along the dyke. There were more Tree Swallows, Cedar Waxwings and a Willow Flycatcher. Another Lazuli Bunting appeared, a Common Yellowthroat sang in full view, and an Osprey flew by carrying a fish.
Common Yellowthroat on Elderberry by Christine Gaio
Osprey with fish by Freddie Whiting
At the corner was a Bald Eagle, a Belted Kingfisher, Northern Flickers, Cedar Waxwings and Willow Flycatchers. At least 4 Belted Kingfishers were flying along the slough. We had fleeting glimpses of Bullock’s Orioles, American Goldfinches and Yellow Warblers. Rufous Hummingbirds and Willow Flycatchers perched on high branches. There were Killdeer in the field.
In the waterway on the east side of the path were a Wood Duck with ducklings and a Great Blue Heron. A Green Heron flew into the reeds on the edge of the golf course. Two Eastern Kingbirds were active across the slough where we had seen a Yellow-breasted Chat in previous years.
On our way back to the road Connie spotted an American Kestrel land on a power pole.
We drove a bit further to Catbird Slough where the Yellow-breasted Chat has been seen this month. We did not hear or see it. We did see Bullock’s Orioles, Gray Catbird, Yellow Warbler, Eastern Kingbird and Cedar Waxwings. We stopped across the road where the Chat had been seen. Again no luck, but Christine did see a flock of Red Crossbills.
Bullock’s Oriole by Terry Carr
Our next stop was Grant Narrows at the south end of Pitt Lake. This was a brief stop to see an Osprey nest and Cliff Swallows nesting on the viewing tower.
From here 9 of us then went for lunch at the Swaneset Golf Club – a nice ending to a very successful morning of birding.
Report by Terry Carr
Photos are on flickr
eBird checklists
Sturgeon Slough
Catbird Slough
Grant Narrows
Next week (June 24 & 25) the outings will be to Blackie Spit at Crescent Beach.
Meet at 8 am in the gravel parking lot at the NE end of McBride Ave in Crescent Beach. Go past the paved parking lot and sailing club.
Delta Naturalists Society 