PHOTO: Yellow-bellied Marmots by Terry Carr…………..
11 birders met at Ladner Harbour Park – Mei, Connie, Dottie, Bob, Teresa, Lorna, Lidia, Claude, Freddie, Jim and Terry. It was cool to begin with, but soon warmed up. A Black-capped Chickadee and a female Red-winged Blackbird were on the feeders by the caretaker’s house and a Flicker posed on a branch farther away.
We headed for Shirley’s Walk were we saw Robins, Song Sparrows, Towhees and American Goldfinches. Marsh Wrens were calling and we finally spotted one going in and out of a nest on the cattails. There was a single American Wigeon in the water and a Northern Harrier was patrolling the marsh. A pair of dark birds flew into a tree. Photos showed that Jim had correctly identified them as Brown-headed Cowbirds. Tree Swallows were flying overhead and one pair was mating on top of a distant snag. Below them were Herons and a Mallard. Anna’s Hummingbirds posed in the sunshine. Just before reaching the road we heard but could not see a Yellow Warbler. In the water across the road was a Canada Goose pair with a single gosling. In a distant tree a Crow was harassing an Eagle. Heading back along Shirley’s Walk we saw Red-winged Blackbirds and more Marsh Wrens and Anna’s Hummingbirds.
The walk through the woods to the viewing platform was very quiet. In the river were Mallards with a pair of Northern Shovelers. Eagles, Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows flew overhead. Walking back along the river we added a Mute Swan and a few more Anna’s Hummingbirds. Back at the parking area a male and female Downy Woodpecker were at the bird feeders.
Since it was fairly early some of us decided to drive to the Tsawwassen First Nations Dyke by the 41B Pond to look for marmots and Cinnamon Teal. Here the Marsh Wrens were also very active – along with Red-winged Blackbirds, Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows and Violet-green Swallows. We heard a Common Yellowthroat but it would not show itself. In the ponds were Mallards, Bufflehead, Gadwall, Pintails and Green-winged Teal. At the very last pond, in poor light, was a pair of Cinnamon Teal. But they flew off before everyone got a good look. There were several curious Yellow-bellied Marmots watching us from the rocks close to the path. There were a couple of very cute babies. These marmots are not native to Delta but have established a colony here – probably arriving on trains from the interior. They are now a highlight on this walk.
First timer Mei had come from Vancouver by bus. Before taking her to the bus stop, Lorna and I drove her to the Heron Colony by the ferry causeway. There were many occupied nests but leaves make it harder to see them now. A juvenile Bald Eagle flew in causing a noisy commotion before it perched nearby.
Report by Terry Carr
Photos are on flickr
eBird checklists
Ladner Harbour Park
TFN Dyke
Next Tuesday & Wednesday (May 12 & 13) the outings will be to Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver.
Meet at 8 AM by the Pitch & Putt.
Parking is no longer free in the park. There is free parking below the tennis courts on 37th Ave at Elizabeth St.
To sign up for an outing, click on the DNS bird outing schedule sheet.
Delta Naturalists Society 