PHOTO: California Darner by Chris McVittie…..
Four DNCB’ers met at the park for our 8am walk with Anne M leading. We were Anne, Susan, Richard and Chris.
We were greeted with a fair amount of chirping as we walked through the soon to be renovated playground. The walk looked promising. It was cooler than Tuesday with a wind that started to intensify as we set out.
The first trail was the Shirley Ann Bolhuis Trail heading East. There was a fair amount of activity on this trail – Anna’s Hummingbirds, Goldfinches, Robins, Tree Swallows, Song Sparrows, Brown-headed Cowbirds and many Marsh Wrens singing. We had expected to see some Flycatchers or Warblers, maybe a Swainson’s Thrush. There were none on the trail. In fact there were none all morning.
Arriving at the boat mooring area and bridge area we walked to the bridge to be dazzled by a couple of Mallards, some House Sparrows and a Great Blue Heron. The highlight was a couple of Bald Eagles trying to lock talons overhead. They were joined by three more who circled for a while before settling in riverside trees.
At this point in the walk it quietened down as the wind picked up. Twittering almost stopped and it became very quiet. We walked to the lifeboat hoping to see a Mute Swan but had to be content with a “Tufted” Song Sparrow – a new species or just the wind blowing it’s head feathers up into a tuft?
The walk to the end of the park was quiet. We did see Barn Swallows and more Mallards but none of the expected Wilson’s Snipe.
Dragonflies have started to come out and we managed to spot a California Darner resting on a Hawthorn. This was probably the sighting of the day. A lone Bushtit flitted about, probably nesting in the area.
A total of 24 Species with none of the expected migrants. Low count for this time of year. As usual a pleasant couple of hours in nature with good company.
Report by Chris McVittie
Photos are on flickr
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 