PHOTO: L azuli Bunting by Christine Gaio….
Seven DNCBers met at Colony Farm Regional Park in Coquitlam. The weather forecast said that the rain would stop before 8 AM – but it did not. It was steady rain to begin with but there were breaks later.
We started along the path towards the works yard looking for one of our target birds – Lazuli Bunting. We heard them but did not see them. We also heard but did not see Common Yellowthroats. A very large Northwestern Salamander was crossing the road and stopped on the edge for a long time thinking that we did not see it. We did see Ring-necked Pheasants, Song Sparrows, Robins and Mallards. A large group of Tree and Rough-winged Swallows were perched together and a Bittern flew out behind them.
Heading back through the Community Gardens and along the path beside the Coquitlam River we soon added White-crowned Sparrows, Rufous Hummingbirds, Barn Swallows, Goldfinches, Willow Flycatchers, Wood Ducks, mating snails and the hoped-for Eastern Kingbirds. A Canada Goose family with three goslings was walking along the path before descending to the river. Herons and two Cooper’s Hawks flew over. At the pond were more Tree & Barn Swallows, Red-winged Blackbirds, Wood Ducks, Mallards, Hooded Mergansers and Gadwall.
On our return walk Christine pointed out a fast swimming Muskrat and Lorna found a Yellow-spotted Millipede moving across the path. We saw more of the same birds plus Black-headed Grosbeaks, Cedar Waxwings, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Starlings and Anna’s Hummingbirds.
Back at the parking lot most of us decided to go back towards the works yard to look for the Lazuli Buntings again. We were successful this time and also saw Yellow Warblers and Vaux Swifts.
Report by Terry Carr
Photos are on flickr
OUTINGS NEXT WEEK
Tuesday & Wednesday (June 2 & 3) the outings will be to the 41B Pond & ReifelBird Sanctuary.
Some people may meet at the 41B Pond on Tsawwassen First Nation at 8 AM.
Meet at Reifel at 9 AM. DNS has been booked as a group. You do not need to book parking – just tell the gatekeeper that you are part of the DNS group booking.
Non-Reifel members will need to pay admission.
Sunday (June 7) there will be an outing to Reifel Bird Sanctuary.
Meet at Reifel at 9 AM. DNS has been booked as a group. You do not need to book parking – just tell the gatekeeper that you are part of the DNS group booking.
Non-Reifel members will need to pay admission.
To sign up for an outing, click on the DNS bird outing schedule sheet.
Delta Naturalists Society 