PHOTO:
Thirteen birders met at the White Rock Pier at the tail end of a gorgeous sunrise – Terry, Deems, Chris, Bob, Margaret, Lidia, Dorothy, Pat, Teresa, Lee, Dottie, Jacquie, Fen. There were great views of Mount Baker and of Blaine’s Semiahmoo Resort. There were fewer birds than usual near the pier. Small mixed flocks of Surf Scoters and White-winged Scoters swam back and forth under the pier – disappearing to look for shellfish and then reappearing – sometimes with clams or mussels which they swallowed whole. Shells are crushed and digested by the gizzard.
Surf Scoter with mussel by Chris McVittie
A few Bufflehead were mixed in, but unusually there were no Cormorants, Loons or Grebes near the pier. There was the usual flock of Rock Pigeons. Beyond the breakwater we did see Common Loons, Pacific Loons, Red-throated Loons and Cormorants. Long-tailed Ducks were so far away that they were barely visible with a scope. On the breakwater were Gulls, Black Oystercatchers, a single Black Turnstone and a Kingfisher. A female Red-breasted Merganser appeared as we were leaving.
We left White Rock before the parking fee kicked in at 10am and drove to Blackie Spit in Crescent Beach. Christine joined us there. Near the Crescent Beach pier were Common Goldeneye and Bufflehead. Farther out were Common Loons and Horned Grebes. The tide was high and there Mallards, Wigeon and Pintails on the edge of the spit, along with a single male Common Goldeneye. Farther out was a long raft of Scaup.
Heading toward the Savenye area we added Eagles, Sparrows, Greater Yellowlegs, a Great Blue Heron, a Kingfisher and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. In the Savenye area we added Juncos, Towhees and a flock of Flickers. At the Nicomekl Estuary were Cormorants, Herons, Wigeon, Pintail, Green-winged Teal and a flock of Long-billed Dowitchers. After leaving the Savenye area we were entertained by 3 Western Meadowlarks that finally perched nearby for photos. Walking to the pumphouse we had more of the same ducks plus a Northern Shoveler. A lovely male Anna’s Hummingbird was showing off for us by flashing its brilliant throat feathers and spreading its tail. After leaving the parking lot Christine was able to photograph a Red-tailed Hawk posing beside the road.
Anna’s Hummingbird by Christine Gaio
The highlights of this enjoyable outing were the Meadowlarks and the Hummingbird display.
Report by Terry Carr
Photos are on flickr
eBird checklists
White Rock Pier
Blackie Spit
Next Tuesday & Wednesday (February 10 & 11) the outings will be to Boundary Bay Dyke at 64th Street.
Meet at the south end of 64th St at 9 AM.
Delta Naturalists Society 