The September 28th birding field trip at Iona Beach Regional Park began with light winds and cloud cover, slowly breaking way to sunny skies by the trip’s end. A group of 13 set out from the parking lot, scoured the outer pond and southern inner pond from the walkway. The ponds held a few species of dabbling ducks, Pied- billed Grebes and American Coots. Three large flocks of Double-crested Cormorants flew overhead, and we had full vocal, flying and diving performances from Caspian Terns. The marsh area and woodlots were relatively quiet with chirps and fleeting glimpses of 3 species of sparrows plus calls from ever reliable Spotted Towhees. Spotting scopes were useful to see a flock of 15 plus Capsian Terns congregated on the north side of the Fraser. The sun emerged and we finished at the beach to catch the incoming tide. In the quest for “one more species” a Peregrine Falcon zoomed in and perched, a perfect finale. Post walk, a small group paid a visit to the Iona Island Bird Observatory banding station staffed and operated by Wild Research. Rae Xamin, bander in charge, was happy to show us a juvenile Song Sparrow prior to its release.

Here is the link to the eBird list https://ebird.org/checklist/S276149467

Thanks to everyone who came out.
Jan Lowcock and John Chandler