Where: Centennial Beach (Delta), Boundary Bay Dyke Trail (Delta), Crescent Beach (Surrey), and Piper Spit (Burnaby) Weather: Sunny, 12-17C
The Outing
We hit four sites on our first official fall bird outing and the weather, though sunny, was indeed fall-like, with it starting at only 12C at Centennial Beach, along with a brisk wind. It warmed up to around 17C by late in the afternoon.
Centennial Beach: Raptors on Raptor Trail once again failed to materialize, but we did see a bald eagle out on the tidal flats. Shorebirds were also scarce, possibly due to the tide being way out, as it often is when we visit. We saw gulls, a Brewer’s blackbird couple, a wigeon or two, plus a bunch of goldfinches that would not stop flitting about.
Boundary Bay Dyke Trail: Planes were plentiful, and birds were, too, but much like earlier, they were flitting like mad from tree to tree and branch to branch, making good shots a fun (?) challenge! We did see a Northern harrier or two, as well. As always, the view was nice.
Crescent Beach/Blackie Spit: Seagulls were flying around in abundance, as were some herons, but no loons, alas. We did see some more yellowlegs and a few cormorants. The beach and park were fairly busy, which surprised me a little. Apparently everyone wanted to be outside on the first nice Saturday of fall. By now it was warm enough to doff jackets, if desired.
Piper Spit: This place was crawling with people and children (not that children aren’t people, but you know what I mean). Coots were croaking, but all the shorebirds were in one tight group, snoozing. Golden hour was setting in, so light was rather harsh. We shot a heron grooming up in a tree. They always look weird up in trees. I did not notice any pigeons or seagulls, and the land mass seems to be continuing to expand, so I assume they are letting more water flow out of the lake, Or maybe it’s magic.
Overall, it was a good day of birding, even if we didn’t see anything super exotic, and even though a lot of the birds were even more uncooperative than usual. Don’t they know we just want to capture them in all their pretty glory?
The Shots
Soon™
The Birds (and other critters)
Sparrows and sparrow-adjacent:
- American blackbird
- American robin
- Anna’s hummingbird
- Black-capped chickadee
- Brewer’s blackbird
- Golden-crowned sparrow
- Goldfinch
- Northern flicker
- Savannah sparrow
- Song sparrow
- Spotted towhee
- Steller’s jay
- Yellow-rumped warbler
Waterfowl:
- American coot
- American wigeon
- Canada goose
- Great blue heron
- Greater yellowlegs
- Green-winged teal
- Mallard
- Northern pintail (possibly)
- Wood duck
Common:
- American crow
- Glaucous-winged gull
- Ring-billed gull
- Pacific gull (?)
Raptors:
- Bald eagle
- Northern harrier
Non-birds:
- Douglas and gray squirrels
- Dragonflies
- Grasshoppers
- A fuzzy little caterpillar dude (or dudette, who can tell?)
- Various aircraft
