PHOTO: Western Tanager by Susan Gemeinhardt…
Ten Delta Nats met at Terra Nova Rural Park in Richmond – Terry, Lorna, Christine, Bob, Dorothy, Dottie, Lidia, Susan, Claude, Freddie.
A pair of Double-crested Cormorants landed on the river and several Mallards and Gulls flew past. A Great Blue Heron landed beside the river. We walked through the large adventure playground to the bridge. There were only Mallards on the weed-covered pond. We soon added Anna’s Hummingbirds, Robins, Song Sparrows, Flickers, Chickadees and Towhees. A pair of Downy Woodpeckers traded places on a snag. Flocks of Goldfinches and House Finches were busy feeding and a female Western Tanager posed with an insect in its mouth.
The community gardens were very colourful, and bees and other insects were busy on the flowers. Flocks of Bushtits were calling and foraging in the bushes. Christine reminded us that female Bushtits have yellow eyes – and there were some. Males and juveniles have black eyes. Owl whisperer, Christine, found a Barn Owl in a tree and we all had a good view. Cedar Waxwings were posing on treetops. A Merlin did a speedy flypast. We heard, but did not see, Bewick’s Wrens.
A tiny Garter Snake was sleeping on the edge of the bridge by the dyke path. Out on the foreshore we saw a Northern Harrier in the distance. Heading back to the cars we saw a Willow Flycatcher and more House Finches, Willow Flycatcher, Robins and Chickadees.
After leaving Terra Nova some of us stopped at Richmond Nature Park on the way home. The pond there is usually good for turtles and dragonflies. The dragonflies would not stop for photos and the turtles were not visible – but there was a Green Frog on the usual turtle platform.
Report by Terry Carr
Photos are on Flickr
Next Tuesday & Wednesday (Sept 2 & 3) the outings will be to Brydon Lagoon & Hi Knoll Park in Langley
Meet at 8 AM in the parking lot at 19850 53 Ave, Langley.
To sign up for an outing, click on the DNS bird outing schedule sheet.
Delta Naturalists Society 