PHOTO: Common Yellowthroat by Freddie Whiting….
Thirteen of us gathered at the Blackie Spit parking lot at 8am this morning. That was two more than signed up, but no worries, that is why we are called “Casual Birders”. It was nice to see an enthusiastic group gathered on a grey and cloudy morning, with rain threatening. As usual, we first walked the sandy spit from which the park gets its name. The path is now marked by a post and rope fence to stop people wandering off into the grassland on either side. This area can be very productive in migration time. In summer, it is home to Savannah Sparrows and, listening carefully, we heard several males singing their high-pitched song. Glaucous-winged Gulls and two Caspian Terns flew overhead. A very large flock of Canada Geese were hauled out on the eastern shore of the bay – someone helpfully counted 220 so that is what I entered into eBird. There were no birds on the water and no shorebirds on the beach. Mid-summer can be very quiet as so many species are nesting further north or inland. Only one Bald Eagle was seen today, and the only ducks present were some scruffy-looking Mallards.
We made our way east to the Rene Savenye area, named after the late, renowned, Surrey and White Rock Naturalists’ member. About a dozen Purple Martins were active and noisy around the nest boxes here, their distinctive calls instantly identifying them despite the poor light. The nest boxes are part of a long term project to rebuild once declining martin populations in the Fraser estuary. There were very few other swallows this morning – I only counted 3 Tree Swallows and 2 Barn Swallows, a low number for Blackie Spit. Many House Finches, Spotted Towhees, and Song Sparrows were heard, and sometimes seen, in the bushes here and later along the inland trail. Anna’s Hummingbirds were active throughout the park, with several juveniles seen trying out their flying skills.
Our group then followed the main trail around the park. The ditches on either side of the dyke that are crowded with ducks in winter, were now empty. I counted a total of 5 singing male Red-winged Blackbirds, and some of us heard Marsh Wrens and a Common Yellowthroat. Our group relaxed into chit chat as we continued our walk to the pump house and through to the Community Gardens. I had hopes of seeing Western Tanagers and Black-headed Grosbeaks in the poplars along the railway line, a regular spot in summer for these two migrant species. However, it was not to be. A very long train noisily progressed along the railway track beside the trail, eliminating all hope of hearing bird song. By the time it had passed, we were at the gardens, admiring people’s vegetable-growing efforts. I got excited briefly by the sight of a white bird in flight, but it was likely just a Caspian Tern again. The gardens were full of flowers and vegetables, but few birds were seen. I was disappointed not to see some Rufous Hummingbirds here. Two Brown-headed Cowbirds flew over when we were looking for Cedar Waxwings. We eventually saw a lone waxwing in a tree on the trail back from the gardens. I also finally picked up the unmistakable “fitz bew” call of a Willow Flycatcher as we returned past the pump house, adding this lone flycatcher species to the list. Our total bird count was 26 species seen or heard at this point, and we did not add anything new on the remainder of our walk back through the woodland. We did however have lots of enjoyable chit chat and admired the many wildflowers, native and non-native, that were growing in the park. We checked out the beach area on the way back to the parking lot, but the only species there were numerous juvenile Homo Sapiens enjoying end of school year picnics.
Our group today was Bill, Carolyn, Claude, Freddie, Colin, Stephanie, Jeff, Lindly, Lynne, Warren, Marguerite, Roger and Anne
Report by Anne Murray
Photos are on flickr
Next Tuesday & Wednesday (July 1 & 2) the outings will be to Cypress Provincial Park in West Vancouver.
Meet at 8 am at the High View Lookout on the road up to Cypress Provincial Park. There is a large parking area and we may see some birds there. Then park at the cross country ski area and walk into Hollyburn Lodge and lake. Then park at the downhill area and walk the Yew Lake loop.
Delta Naturalists Society 