Trip report by Evelyn Huang

The morning started with slightly cool temperatures of 15C, mild WNW winds and mostly clear skies. Some 17 birders, including trip leaders Jan Lowcock and Evelyn Huang, started the trip at the parking lot by Byrne Road, where we heard singing White-crowned Sparrows, Spotted Towhees, American Robins and a Bewick’s Wren. We first walked east from the parking lot, and saw some Black-capped Chickadees and Bushtits. An American Kestrel was hovering over the river on the far side, and we saw it take a few dives toward a small flock of around 20 peeps. We concluded that the peeps were most likely Least Sandpipers based on location, time of year, size and shape, but the distance made it impossible to identify them with certainty. A Killdeer was heard by a few birders, and soon located on the far side by some logs on the beach. A Double-crested Cormorant was fishing in the water, and some Gadwall were resting near by.

Turning back, we headed west away from the Fraser River and toward a path that yielded several flying Violet-green Swallows, a pair of Brown-headed Cowbirds, American Goldfinches and a Rufous Hummingbird. A singing Wilson’s Warbler was heard by many but not sighted. The pond yielded a few Mallards but little else; some Wood Ducks were feeding in the nearby stream.

We walked further west and came upon a Great Blue Heron nesting colony, with at least five active nests in plain view. Herons could be seen standing over the nests.

Continuing to the dyke trail, we heard a singing Common Yellowthroat Warbler and Orange-crowned Warbler but neither were sighted. A number of Rufous Hummingbirds flew through, busy chasing each other. A Cooper’s Hawk was sighted closer to the end of the dyke trail path, where we also came upon a feeder occupied by a Downy Woodpecker and a pair of Purple Finches.

The temperature steadily climbed all morning and was around 24C when the group headed back toward the parking lot. On our return we observed more Great Blue Herons, Gadwall, Black-capped Chickadees and singing Song and White-crowned Sparrows.

Our eBird list totaled 38 species. Thanks to everyone who came out.