PHOTO: Red Admiral Butterfly by Bruce Taylor…
3 of us met in the public lot at Alaksen National Wildlife Area. We were Jeff, Nicki and Bruce.
We scanned London Slough and saw some young but almost fully grown Mallards, a Wood Duck and an invasive Red-eared Slider Turtle.
We made our way over to the wildflower meadow at the back of the staff parking lot – beautifully maintained by Kindred Gardens. Bees and every other sort of flying insect were buzzing around this area and Cedar Waxwings, House Finches, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Purple Finches were seen, and both Western and Willow Flycatchers were heard nearby.
At one of the buildings Barn Swallows were still flying in and out of some of the nests, and Violent-green Swallows were flying overhead.
A few warblers made themselves heard, as did a couple of thrush species.
We went to the nearby barn to look for the Barred Owl seen near it the previous day, but couldn’t find it.
We slowly made our way back to the parking lot. The outing netted 38 species and some delicious blackberries.
Report by Nicki Brockamp
Photos are on flickr
UPCOMING OUTINGS:
SUNDAY, JULY 12: Thea is leading a walk at Iona Beach Regional Park in Richmond
via Templeton St & Ferguson Rd.
Meet at 9 AM by the washrooms.
July 15 (WEDNESDAY ONLY): Manning Provincial Park
We will leave Tsawwassen at 7 AM and meet about 930 AM at the Manning Park Resort Parking lot. We will make a washroom stop there and look for birds. Then we will drive up the road on the other side of the highway to the Blackburn Peak/Heather Meadows parking lot at the end of the road (15 km). Elevation 6400 feet/1950 metres. Cascade Lookout is part way up that road (8km) where we usually see Clark’s Nutcrackers. We will walk along the Paintbrush Trail. There will be wild flowers right at the parking lot.
Bring a picnic lunch. After lunch we will drive to the Strawberry Flats Trail which is on the other side of the Resort past Lightning Lake.
Paintbrush Trail 1.5km loop, 30 minutes return, little elevation change. Starts from the upper parking lot at the end of the Blackwall Road. Excellent wildflower viewing from mid-July to mid-August.
Strawberry Flats Trail 2km or 45 minutes one way, little elevation change. Starts at Strawberry Flats parking.
Delta Naturalists Society 