PHOTO: Yellow Warbler by Bruce Taylor….
11 of us met at the parking lot at Alaksen at 8am. It was a gorgeous sunny morning. We scanned London Slough from the parking lot and saw some Cedar Waxwings, Mallards, Canada Geese and Wood Ducks.
We started our walk at the native wildflower garden behind the staff parking lot. This plot is managed by DNS member Sage Kosa (Kindred Gardens). Not only was it nice to look at the well-kept wildflower garden but it was pretty birdy as well. The first sighting was an Orange-crowned Warbler. There were Yellow Warblers and Warbling Vireos as well. Purple Martins and Barn Swallows were flying overhead, and the expected birds like Spotted Towhee, American Robin, House Finch, American Goldfinch and others were in the bushes and trees around us.
Heading off on the trail, things were less birdy but the group got more chatty. A juvenile Bald Eagle stopped us in our tracks as it was sitting on a branch not far above the trail, drying it’s wings. We ended up gingerly walking right under it. At a clearing along the trail we noticed lots of Barn Swallows flying overhead and realized they were divebombing a Merlin perched at the top of a tree.
Making our way around to an open barn we saw the Barred Owl that was seen by the group yesterday. It posed nicely for pictures. There were several owl pellets inside the open barn area, so we guessed that the rafters are a common roost for the owl. Leaving this spot we heard and saw a Western Flycatcher.
Almost back to where we started, we decided to explore the area around the office buildings. This ended up being a very birdy area as well with more warblers, vireos, Creepers and finally a few Black-headed Grosbeaks. Merlin also picked up Bullock’s Oriole a few times, but we didn’t get eyes on one.
An enjoyable morning, with an impressive 35 bird species.
Report by Nicky Brockamp
Photos are on Flickr
Next Tuesday & Wednesday (August 5 & 6) the outings will be to Deas Island Regional Park, 6090 Deas Island Rd, Delta (off River Rd east of the Massey Tunnel).
Meet at 8 am in the parking area near the rowing club.
To sign up for an outing, click on the DNS bird outing schedule sheet.
Delta Naturalists Society 