PHOTO: House Finch by Colin Huggett…
9 Delta Nats met at Brunswick Point on River Road in Ladner on a gorgeous fall morning – Roger, Margaretha, Jim, Lindly, Colin, Dottie, Mike, Bob, Terry.
Jim and Mike left their cars at the 34th Ave entrance to the dyke – to ferry us all back to River Road at the end of the walk. That meant that we walked a bit farther along the dyke but we did not have to walk all the way back to River Road.
We like to complain that the new parking lot on River Road requires a much longer walk than we used to have, when parking was allowed at the end of River Road. In fact, the longer walk produces more bird sightings. The good news is that the city has finally placed a portable toilet at the new parking lot.
A stop on the river before the parking lot found a lone Mute Swan close to shore. At the parking lot we heard many noisy Killdeer in the fields. We could see them flying but we could not find them on the ground. A Cooper’s Hawk landed briefly on a power pole. Before we reached the end of the road we had added Starlings, Robins, Towhees, Song Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows (including many juveniles), Savannah Sparrows, Red-winged Blackbirds, Brewer’s Blackbirds, Juncos, House Finches, Eurasian Collared-Doves, Flickers, Herons, Crows and Gulls. Photos showed that one of the sparrows was a Lincoln’s Sparrow.
The river was very calm. There were many ducks close to shore at 34th Street when the tide was high – but there were no birds in the river along River Road. The cormorant pilings were empty. A large flock of Cormorants flew over and there were many of them lined up on a log farther along. Three noisy Sandhill Cranes were flying on the other side of the River. Large flocks of Canada Geese and Cackling Geese flew over – but the Snow Geese have not arrived yet.
Northern Harriers were patrolling both sides of the dyke. Most of the fields were empty after harvesting. Apple trees were loaded. House Finches were feeding on Crabapples. We added Goldfinches, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Downy Woodpecker and Bushtits. Two Common Yellowthroats appeared briefly. Marsh Wrens were singing but would not sit still for photos. Surprisingly we did not see any Eagles. The tide had been going out so as we got to the end of the walk, so the ducks, gulls and shorebirds were far away. There were many noisy Killdeer at this end of the walk too.
It was a lovely walk on a lovely day – and the ride back to the parking lot was much appreciated.
Report by Terry Carr
Photos are on Flickr
Next Tuesday & Wednesday (Sept 30 & Oct 1) the outings will be to Blackie Spit at Crescent Beach (3136 McBride Ave) in Surrey.
Meet at 8 AM in the gravel parking lot at the NE end of McBride Ave in Crescent Beach. Go past the paved parking lot and sailing club.
Saturday Oct 4 outing to Reifel Bird Sanctuary on Westham Island with Thea Beckman.
Meet at 9 AM sharp! No need to book parking – just tell the officer at the gates that you’re with the Delta Naturalists. Non-Reifel members will need to pay admission.
To sign up for an outing, click on the DNS bird outing schedule sheet.
Delta Naturalists Society 