PHOTO: Bald Eagles by Chris McVittie…….
Photo by Chris McVittie
Our birding group gathered punctually at the TFN dyke entrance at 9am, but the weather did not cooperate. We sheltered for awhile in our cars until the rain eased and then proceeded down the trail. The weather remained breezy and drizzly the whole walk. Starting off the walk, I got briefly excited thinking a Robin perched on a roadside wire might be a Shrike, but calmer heads prevailed. Marsh Wrens and Red-winged Blackbirds were calling from the reeds around the pond, but they were not too keen on showing themselves. Two Hooded Mergansers and a Bufflehead were swimming in the pond.
The presence of two majestic Bald Eagles, perched on the only tall tree in the middle of the marshes, probably contributed to the skulking behaviour of the smaller birds throughout the morning. A third eagle, a juvenile, flew around the reed beds. A light rain drizzled on us throughout our walk and the visibility was not great. We had timed the walk for a good high tide so at least we were not peering out to sea. Groups of Mallard, American Wigeon and Green-winged Teal fed along the shore in shallow water, and the usual large flock of wintering Dunlin flew along the beach. A quick snap of some phone photos allowed me to roughly estimate about 500 – 600 birds in the twisting and turning flock.
Dunlin by Chris Mcvittie
There were a number of Ring-billed Gulls standing on the shoreline with the ducks. Two Glaucous-winged Gulls flew overhead (large size, no black on wing tips) and I saw at least one California Gull (large size compared with Ring-billed, black wing tips as if dipped in ink).
A Northern Harrier flew over the reed bed, hunting for voles. None of the yellow-bellied marmots that live in this area deigned to show themselves on this damp morning.
After a chattery walk to just past the eagle tree, and with the wind chill and drizzle intensifying, we decided to reverse our tracks and head home, having seen 20 species on our walk. The group today was Chris, Ron, Brian, Louise, Colin, Stephanie, and Anne.
Report by Anne Murray
Photos are on flickr
Next Tuesday & Wednesday (March 31 & April 1) the outings will be to Serpentine Fen in Surrey.
Meet at 9 AM in the parking lot on King George Blvd by the bridge over the Serpentine River.
Delta Naturalists Society 