PHOTO: Lesser Yellowlegs by Bob Winston……
On the last morning of summer, eight Delta naturalists met at Blackie Spit: Bob, Dottie, Teresa, Lorna, Jonathan, Lorraine, Pat and Julie. The tide was about as far out as it could go, the air still, the sky and water both shades of grey. Teresa sighted Caspian Terns flying over, but most everything else seemed to be still asleep, including a raft of seals on a sandbar across from the swimming club, and a whole lot of birds in the far distance. A few Great Blue Herons could be seen on a far sandbar stretching their wings. We saw very little else as we walked to the end of the spit. Strings of Canada Geese flew over, and we puzzled over one shorebird that stood quietly at the end. The mud flats were entirely empty. Walking back we spotted a few Common Loons on the water and three Horned Grebes.
There was more activity in the bushes as we headed towards the Savenye protected area – Golden-crowned Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Spotted Towhees and an Anna’s Hummingbird. Merlin picked up Meadowlark, which we have seen here in the past, but we did couldn’t find. At the entrance to the Rene Savenye area there were numerous Black-capped Chickadees, a flock of Bushtits, Dark-eyed Juncos and House Finches and an Eagle flying over. Starlings were flying around their favourite dead tree. The muddy area between the Savenye area and the lagoons was devoid of birds, but Yellowlegs, both Greater and Lesser, were running over the mud below the pilings near the channel. Only one Double-crested Cormorant was on a piling, but others flew by.
We added a few more species as we walked to the pump house, American Crow and Robin, Green-winged Teal and Mallards. Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs were side-by-side in the lagoon, and easy to compare. A large flock of American Goldfinches flew in and out of the trees as we walked, maybe 50-100 in all. As a flock they were fun to watch, widely spaced, with individual flight patterns so chaotic it was surprising they could all end up in the same place. At the pump house we clearly heard a Black-bellied Plover calling that we couldn’t spot. We were, though, able to cap off the walk with a Kingfisher for Lorna, first heard by Teresa and seen flying between the boat dock and pilings.
Walking to the cars, we all commented on how peaceful the morning had felt, with not many people on the paths. In all, a nice way to end the season.
Report by Dottie Uhlman
Photos are on flickr
Next Wednesday (September 30) the outing will be to Boundary Bay Dyke at 64th St in East Ladner. note: Tues September 29 outing canceled due to forecast of poor weather
Meet at the south end of 64th St at 8 AM.
To sign up for an outing, click on the DNS bird outing schedule sheet.