PHOTO: Varied Thrush by Susan Gemeihardt…..
9 Delta Nats met at Terra Nova Rural Park in Richmond – Jonathan, Lidia, Connie, Colin, Susan, Dorothy, Lorraine, Anne and Terry. Again those of us coming from south of the Fraser had terrible traffic to deal with.
From the parking lot we saw 18 species. A noisy pair of Bald Eagles watched from a tree top. Robins, Starlings and Song Sparrows were feasting on Mountain Ash berries. In the river were Mallards, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Double-crested Cormorants and Gulls. Dowitchers, Snow Geese, Canada Geese, Herons, Ravens, Crows, Red-winged Blackbirds and a Northern Harrier flew over.
In the playground were many more Robins. In the pond were American Wigeon and Gadwall. A Merlin was perched at the top of a pine tree. Bright red Muscaria amanita mushrooms caught our attention here and in several places on our route. Walking through the community gardens we saw many of the same birds, but we searched in vain for owls in the surrounding trees.
Across Westminster Highway we added Chickadees, Towhees, Golden-crowned Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, Juncos, Flickers, Cedar Waxwings, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and a Varied Thrush. A Heron was sitting on top of a chimney.
On the foreshore thousands of Snow Geese were moving back and forth, with Eagles and Harriers occasionally flying above them. Herons were watching from pilings.
Heading back to dyke we added Anna’s Hummingbirds, Downy Woodpecker, Fox Sparrow and more Cedar Waxwings and Herons. A fairly tame Raven was still at the parking lot.
Common Raven by Terry Carr
It was another enjoyable walk on a lovely fall morning.
Report by Terry Carr
Photos are on Flickr.
Next Tuesday & Wednesday (October 28 & 29) the outings will be to Ladner Harbour Park.
4905 Mcneelys Way (off River Rd – NE of former West Coast Seeds store). Meet at 9 AM in the parking lot by the caretaker’s residence.
To sign up for an outing, click on the DNS bird outing schedule sheet.
Delta Naturalists Society 