Trip report by Tom Plath

Despite dubbed as a shore birding field trip very few were observed possibly evicted by Peregrine Falcons. The dozen or so participants did enjoy an unseasonably warm and pleasant walk from the foot of 104th Street to 96th Street and back. First to greet us were a few small, loose flocks of American Pipit eventually allowing us scope views as they foraged on the decaying foreshore vegetation. There was a continual overflight of Northern Pintail flocks, recently returned from their arctic breeding grounds and along the tide edge Glaucous-winged and California Gulls roosted along with a lone Black-bellied Plover. A flock of juvenile Pectoral Sandpipers flew by which we later observed through scopes albeit at a distance. American Wigeon were busy dabbling along the tide edge and a group of Northern Shoveler were noted. When we reached 96th Street the importance of Boundary Bay for wintering and migrating waterfowl became evident. Thousands of dabblers could be seen along the tide edge as far as the eye could see towards 72nd Street. Impressive indeed! During the return walk an immature female (by size) flushed a group of starlings and also included a few passerines – American Goldfinch, Song and Savannah Sparrow and close to 104th Street a small group of Yellow- rumped Warblers along the hedgerow. A total of 27 species were recorded during our beautiful evening walk.