PHOTO: Mountain Bluebird by Christine Gaio…..
Six Delta Nats met at Centennial Beach – Teresa, Margaret, Jeff, Christine, Lorna and Terry. Although showers were forecast they did not appear – instead there was a bitterly cold wind and a few clear patches.
Brewer’s Blackbird by Terry Carr
Beside the parking lot was a mixed flock of European Starlings and beady-eyed Brewer’s Blackbirds. Nearby were Golden-crowned Sparrows and a Spotted Towhee. The trees around the parking lot contained only crows until a juvenile Bald Eagle flew into one. In the pond were Mallards, American Wigeon and two male Northern Shovelers.
The tide was very high with whitecaps and only a few Wigeon were close to shore. We searched along the roped area for the female Mountain Bluebird that has been there all month. Sure enough we spotted it moving from rope to post to log and back again. We wondered what it could be finding to eat on this cold windy morning. Although they eat mainly insects they are omnivores, so it must be finding seeds.
Sanderling by Terry Carr
In the ditch were Mallards and a Gadwall pair and Herons and Brant flew over. About 100 Sanderling were darting back and forth along the shore, probing the sand with their beaks. They seemed oblivious to us and the dog walkers very close to them. A female Northern Harrier patrolled the shore. There were large groups of Brant and Gulls on a remaining sandbar. The high tide and rough water meant that the usual duck species were not nearby but flocks of Mallards, Northern Pintail and Green-winged Teal flew over.
An adult Bald Eagle was perched on a pole near the pumphouse. The water behind the pumphouse contained only Mallards. A light-coloured male Northern Harrier flew over. A pair of Bald Eagles was perched on another pole and then took turns soaring and gliding and returning to the pole while making their high-pitched whistles.
Bald Eagles by Terry Carr
Our return route inland was less windy but it was still very cold. A few small birds appeared in this more sheltered area – Song Sparrows, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Robins, Chickadees, Juncos, Towhees and House Finches. We saw another Heron and another female Harrier.
We met Debbi at the parking lot. She had done a short walk here and reported Fox Sparrows by the tennis courts.
Report by Terry Carr
Photos are on flickr
Terry’s eBird checklist
Debbi’s ebird checklist
Thea will lead another walk here on Sunday, December 28. Met at 9 AM in the concession/washroom parking lot.
Next Tuesday & Wednesday (December 30 & 31) the outings will be to Boundary Bay Dyke at 64th St.
Meet at the south end of 64th St at 9 AM.
To sign up for an outing, click on the DNS bird outing schedule sheet.
Delta Naturalists Society 