With 28 attendees (the majority being non-members) Saturday’s open outing for the Delta Naturalists Society was quite possibly a record turnout for us! Many had found the event through social media, and while plenty were new to birding, the enthusiasm was immediate and infectious. It’s always a pleasure to watch people begin to notice birds—really notice and delight in them—for the first time.
We gathered in the parking lot at Ladner Harbour Park, where the surrounding trees were already alive with spring song. The familiar chorus of Black-capped Chickadees, Song Sparrows, House Finches, and American Goldfinches resonated overhead. European Starlings added their usual chaotic commentary, while several Downy Woodpeckers busied themselves at feeders set up by a local resident. It was a lovely place to begin: equal parts introduction and immersion.
From there, we set off up McNeelys Way toward the bridge. The water held Great Blue Herons standing in patient contemplation, alongside Green-winged Teal and Mallards dabbling in the shallows. Then, a moment of collective delight: a Marsh Wren popped up into full view, chittering emphatically. For a bird that so often prefers to remain hidden, this was a gift. We lingered as long as it allowed, which, to its credit, was longer than expected.
The marshes themselves seemed alive with sound: the electronic songs of Red-winged Blackbirds, the rattling of Marsh Wrens, and the softer, more plaintiff keening of Golden-crowned Sparrows. At the bridge, things quieted somewhat, though we did find a lone Pied-billed Grebe near the boat ramp.
Shirley’s Walk delivered the goods. Anna’s Hummingbirds zipped and hovered, occasionally launching into their dramatic diving displays. A Bewick’s Wren sang loudly from a conspicuous perch, affording everyone a good look, while overhead Bald Eagles drifted past with effortless authority. Out over the marsh, a Northern Harrier quartered low and methodically, flushing small flocks of Mallards and Green-winged Teals ahead of it.
Two Hooded Mergansers—one male in his striking black-and-white regalia—floated in a quiet slough, drawing admiration. And then, a small but meaningful milestone: an Orange-crowned Warbler appeared in the trees above us, bright and energetic. For me, the first warbler of the season always feels like a turning point, a subtle but unmistakable shift toward spring proper! A Tree Swallow slicing through the air nearby reinforced the point.
Back within the park itself, American Robins and Spotted Towhees worked the understory, while a Ruby-crowned Kinglet flickered restlessly through the canopy. During a brief stop by the restrooms, an American Kestrel shot overhead—small, fast, and sharply defined against the sky. Its compact size, pointed wings, and pale rufous tones distinguished it neatly, and it vanished almost as quickly as it appeared.
Into the woods we went, where our third and final wren species made a noisy appearance: the Pacific Wren, its astonishingly loud voice belying its tiny size. A Yellow-rumped Warbler joined the list shortly thereafter, and Downy Woodpeckers continued their steady presence, calling and foraging as we moved along.
By the time we reached the dog park and turned back, the pace had eased slightly. The water was relatively quiet, and the usual Mute Swan was notably absent, presumably off attending to more important swan business elsewhere. But by then, it hardly mattered.
We wrapped up the morning with 35 species and, more importantly, nearly three hours of engaged, curious, and thoroughly enjoyable birding. What stood out most was not just the diversity of birds, but the energy of the group. Many of the newcomers stayed for the entire outing—no small feat—and asked thoughtful questions and seemed genuinely delighted by what they were experiencing.If even a handful of those 28 people walked away seeing the world a little differently—hearing birds where before there was just background noise—then I’d call that a resounding success!
Report by Thea Beckman
Photos are on flickr
Delta Naturalists Society 