We were a small group today as some of our regulars were off on a trip inland. It was hot and sunny. The Blackie Spit parking lot was relatively empty when we arrived there just after 8am. This popular beach spot for families soon filled up – by the time we left there was not a spare parking place anywhere. Our group today was Lorna, Dorothy, Mei, Margaret and me. A Black-headed Grosbeak was singing loudly from within a cottonwood tree, but we could not see it – the foliage is very thick at this time of year. The grosbeak is a summer visitor to BC; its song is a rich warble, similar to a robin’s.
We started by walking along the spit. A number of Savannah Sparrows were singing their high-pitched little songs. These sparrows live in the long grass, and their plumage matches their habitat. Two Bald Eagles, a flock of Canada Geese and a Great Blue Heron were visible in the distance. A couple of Glaucous-winged Gulls flew over.
We retraced our steps to the car park and then took the Rene Savenye trail eastward. Rene was a marvellous guy and a great naturalist; it is nice to see his dedication recognized by a plaque at this location. Purple Martins were flying around and perched on the nestboxes in the water; we also saw 2 Barn Swallows and a couple of Violet-green Swallows flying quite high up. There were no ducks around and no shorebirds – this location is alive with waterbirds in spring, fall, and winter, but summer is always much quieter. The heat was keeping the birds quiet, and there was little activity in the vegetation, other than a flock of House Finches, one Song Sparrow calling and a Spotted Towhee. A Hummingbird briefly flew, silhouetted against the sky; we could not determine if it were a Rufous or an Anna’s. I had expected to see Cedar Waxwings that are often in this area in June, but no luck. We decided to keep the trip short and walked back to the car park through the wood. Even here, in the shade, the birds were quiet.
We finished our morning, walking to the waterside through picnicking school children and back to the carpark, now completely full. It was a pleasant morning, in good company, with 19 species on the eBird list.
Report by Anne Murray
eBird Checklist
Blackie Spit (Incl. Dunsmuir Farm & Nicomekl estuary)
Jun 23, 2026
Traveling
1.50 km
104 Minutes
X Canada Goose
1 hummingbird sp.
X Glaucous-winged Gull
1 Great Blue Heron (Great Blue)
2 Bald Eagle
1 Northern Flicker (Red-shafted)
1 Western Warbling Vireo — Heard
5 American Crow
4 Black-capped Chickadee
2 Violet-green Swallow
10 Purple Martin
2 Barn Swallow (American)
1 European Starling
3 American Robin
10 House Finch
6 White-crowned Sparrow (pugetensis)
8 Savannah Sparrow
1 Song Sparrow
2 Spotted Towhee
1 Black-headed Grosbeak
Number of Taxa: 20
Next Tuesday & Wednesday (June 30 & July 1) the outings will be to Cypress Provincial Park in West Vancouver.
Meet at 8 AM at the High View Lookout on the road up to Cypress. There is a large parking area and we may see some birds there. Then park at the cross country ski area and walk into Hollyburn Lodge and Lake. Then park at the downhill area and walk the Yew Lake loop.
To sign up for an outing, click on the DNS bird outing schedule sheet.
Delta Naturalists Society 