PHOTO: Townsend’s Warbler by Susan Gemeinhardt….
10 DNCBers met at the High View Lookout on Cypress Mountain – Dorothy, Lidia, Susan, Lindly, Caude, Terry, Christine, Bruce, Nicki, Freddie. Traffic was very light in both directions on the Canada Day holiday.
There was a great view down to the city. We often have nice bird sightings here – but today they were hidden in the trees. We did see Robins – including one carrying Salmonberries – Juncos, Waxwings, Chickadees and a Warbling Vireo. Two pairs of Anna’s Hummingbirds were zipping around.
A surprising number of cyclists were pedalling up the steep mountain road. Our next stop was the cross country ski area. We had a nice shady forest walk to Hollyburn Lodge and First Lake. There was a good selection of flowers – Bunchberry, Queen’s Cup, False Hellebore, Foamflower, Avens, Asters and Coralroot Orchids. Bees and other insects were busy on the Dandelions. We heard, and finally saw, the hoped for Townsend’s Warblers. A pair of them were flitting back and fort across the path, feeding on insects. We did not see the hoped for Canada Jays. Merlin teased us with other bird songs – including White-winged Crossbills. Walking back down to the parking lot we saw a Band-tailed Pigeon on a treetop, and Bruce spotted a Townsend’s Warbler on another treetop.
Our last stop was at the end of the road to walk along the lovely Yew Lake Trail. We soon saw a Red-breasted Sapsucker, a Robin feeding a fledgling, and an Orange-crowned Warbler. We had a couple of views of an Olive-sided Flycatcher on distant treetops, and Vaux’s Swifts flying above. A Red-breasted Sapsucker landed close by, and Anna’s and Rufous Hummingbirds appeared. Back near the parking lot a Steller’s Jay flew from tree to tree.
Report by Terry Carr
Photos are on flickr
Next Tuesday, July 8, the outing will be to Manning Provincial Park (Day Trip).
We will meet about 9:30 am at the Manning Park Resort Parking lot. Then we will drive up to the Blackburn Peak/Heather Meadows parking lot. We will walk along the Paintbrush Trail. Bring a picnic lunch. After lunch we will drive to the Strawberry Flats Trail. We will leave the park around 3 pm.
Delta Naturalists Society 