PHOTO: Hudsonian Whimbrels by Glen Bodie…..
Six Delta Nats met at the Tsawwassen Ferry Causeway on a cool, cloudy morning. On the north side of the causeway were Common Loons, Wigeon and Green-winged Teal. We crossed carefully to the south side of the causeway where there was much more activity – Harlequins, Common Goldeneye, Mallards, Surf Scoters, White-winged Scoters, Bufflehead, Red-breasted Mergansers, Brant Geese, Cormorants, Horned Grebes, a Red-necked Grebe and more Common Loons. On the shore were several Black Oystercatchers along with four Whimbrels. Whimbrels have recently been divided into two species – the North American species is now called Hudsonian Whimbrel. Whimbrels are relatively uncommon here so it was a treat to see them. We also saw Eagles, Starlings, Song Sparrows, Gulls and Herons.
At Reifel we were joined by four more bringing our number to ten. A very brightly coloured Anna’s Hummingbird entertained us near the entrance. In the House Pond were Shovelers, Pintails, Mallards and American Wigeon. On the ground were many Mallards, Wigeon and House Sparrows. A wintering Black-crowned Night-Heron was well camouflaged in the usual bushes.
On the East Dyke Path many Black-capped Chickadees were looking for handouts. There were also Robins, Towhees, Juncos, Song Sparrows, Red-winged Blackbirds, House Finches, Herons, Eagles and Flickers. Several Brown Creepers were busy going from tree to tree. Christine discovered 17 Sandhill Cranes in the far field towards Alaksen. We later saw them fly over. There were four Wood Ducks here – the only ones that we saw today. We looked for Saw-whet Owls and Amanita mushrooms but we were blanked on both.
From the hide in the northeast corner we could see Common Mergansers and Hooded Mergansers. In one of the ponds before the tower there was a male Ring-necked Duck – and his neck ring was visible. The more easily seen feature is the white ring on its bill, which distinguishes it from Scaup. Bob found a Downy Woodpecker and Christine watched a Raccoon swimming.
After climbing the tower we continued onto the West Dyke Trail where we saw more of the same birds. Northern Harriers were flying over the marsh, and there were Trumpeter Swans and Eagles on the far shore. We heard and saw Marsh Wrens, and flock of Canada Geese flew over. Shovelers and some shorebirds were resting on a log in the northwest pond. The shorebirds had their bills tucked in and we assumed that they were Dowitchers. However photos showed that they were Yellowlegs.
In the southwest pond we added Hooded Mergansers, Green-winged Teal and Coots. We heard Kingfishers several times and finally saw one land in a tree across the pond. Then it spent several minutes hovering before returning to the tree. Two River Otters were resting on the bank before swimming away.
In the central ponds we added Gadwall, Bufflehead and Pied-billed Grebes. Shovelers and Pintail seemed to be the most common ducks today and there was an unusually large number of Hooded Mergansers.
Just after leaving the parking lot we saw an adult Red-tailed Hawk perched in a tree – its bright red tail was visible.
This was another enjoyable outing to two of the premier birding hot spots in Metro Vancouver.
Report by Terry Carr
Photos are on Flickr
eBird checklists:
Ferry Causeway
Reifel
Next week Tuesday 9 December the outing will be to Stanley Park – weather permitting. (Wednesday.10 December cancelled).
Meet at 9 AM below the Second Beach Swimming Pool. Follow Google maps to Second Beach Swimming Pool. Pay parking is in effect.
To sign up for an outing, click on the DNS bird outing schedule sheet.
Delta Naturalists Society 