PHOTO: Bushtit by Terry Carr….
Nine Delta Nats met at Deas Island Regional Park – Dorothy, Lee, Terry, Dottie, Bob, Mike, Connie, Margaret and Roger. At this time of year there were no ducks in the river or the slough. A Spotted Sandpiper flew in and bobbed its tail as it walked along the shore of the river. Several noisy flocks of Canada Geese were practicing for their flights south. We passed the historic Burr House which, in the summer, provides important shelter for a large colony of Little Brown Myotis and Yuma bats. It is one of the largest known maternity bat colonies of its kind in BC.
As we walked clockwise around the park we saw Cedar Waxwings, Robins, Towhees, Juncos, Goldfinches, Chickadees and Anna’s Hummingbirds. Bees were busy in the fields of Blanket Flowers. Many other wild flowers were still blooming along the trails. There was a Heron on the edge of the slough. The very low tide exposed a sunken boat across the slough. Looking for information later, I found that at one time it was believed to be an old rum rummer called Audrey B. However later research showed that it must be the remains of some other unknown vessel.
A Downy Woodpecker was moving up a distant dead tree. Another dead tree had a Flicker, a Brown Creeper and Black-capped Chickadees. The Flicker was going in and out of an opening in the tree. We also saw several Bald Eagles. We continued on the trail across the entrance to the George Massey Tunnel. Again there were no birds in the river but a Spotted Sandpiper stopped briefly. A flock of Bushtits was busy picking tiny bugs from the cottonwood leaves. On the way back to our cars we passed a huge eagle nest and saw and heard more of the same birds.
Report by Terry Carr
Photos are on flickr
Next Tuesday & Wednesday (August 12 & 13) the outings will be to Campbell Valley Regional Park in Langley (16th Ave entrance).
Meet at 8 am in the parking lot on the south side of 16th Ave. 20290 16th Ave.
Delta Naturalists Society 