PHOTO: Red-tailed Hawk by Chris McVittie……
Nine Delta Nats met at Terra Nova Rural Park in Richmond on a cold, clear morning – Terry, Chris, Teresa, Dottie, Connie, Jim, Bob, Dorothy and TK.
There were lovely views across the river to the Vancouver Airport and the snow-capped North Shore Mountains. In the river were American Wigeon, Mallards, Green-winged Teal and Gulls. A group of Short-billed Gulls was resting on a floating log. Double-crested Cormorants flew by and Bald Eagles were perched on nearby treetops.
An Anna’s Hummingbird entertained us and then a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk flew into the tree in the parking lot. After posing for photos it flew over the marsh raising ducks and about a dozen Great Blue Herons. It returned empty-handed to the tree to pose for more photos before flying away. The Herons returned to the marsh where they were joined by Red-winged Blackbirds noisily showing off their red shoulders.
Starting our usual counter clockwise route through the adventure playground we were entertained by a Common Raven and our juvenile Red-tailed Hawk now perched close to each other near the bridge. In the pond were Wigeon, Gadwall, Ring-necked Ducks, Pied-billed Grebes and Canada Geese. Two Canada Geese seemed to be making a nest on the beaver lodge on the other side of the pond.
Pussy Willows were heralding the beginning of Spring and Black-capped Chickadees were singing. Were they saying “cheeseburger” or “hey sweetie”? Flickers and Eagles flew over. There was a well camouflaged Fox Sparrow in the bushes. A Merlin flew over. Farther along were Robins, Crows, House Finches, Purple Finches, Song Sparrows, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Towhees and Juncos.
Just before we reached the dyke we had a glimpse of a pair of Hooded Mergansers that quickly disappeared. After crossing the dyke to the foreshore we had more views across the marsh to snow-capped peaks. On the ground with Starlings was a mottled brown bird that I thought was a Snipe. But when it moved back into the open we could see its yellow breast. It was a Western Meadowlark. In fact there were two of them going in and out of view before flying farther away. A Northern Harrier patrolled the Marsh and Trumpeter Swans flew along the shore. In the distance was a massive dark murmuration that was probably Starlings.
Western Meadowlark by Chris McVittie
Back by the pond the juvenile Red-tailed Hawk flew into a tree and posed for us again. The ducks and grebes were still in the pond. Trumpeter Swans had joined the ducks on the edge of the river – making a nice ending to a very enjoyable and productive outing.
Report by Terry Carr
Photos are on flickr
Next Tuesday & Wednesday (March 3 & 4) the outings will be to Iona Beach Regional Park in Richmond via Templeton St & Ferguson Rd.
Meet at 9 AM by the washrooms.
To sign up for an outing, click on the DNS bird outing schedule sheet.