Submitted by Jan Lowcock

Everyone had an eye on the weather forecast as 21 Nature Vancouver members and guests joined Neill and Jan for a birding field trip to Terra Nova Park in Richmond on March 29.

The parking lot was active from the start with a flyover of 4 Sandhill Cranes and observation of one immature and 2 adult bald eagles. Stiff winds over the water made for an interesting flight pattern and view of a Pileated Woodpecker. We headed south along the inner trails, checking out the pond and bushy areas adjacent to the walkways. The newer birders had lots of practice spotting kinglets, bushtits, towhees, sparrows and newly arrived Tree Swallows. The West Dyke trail was cooler and windy, but rewarding with sightings of Wilson’s Snipes, Marsh Wrens (and nest) and the aerobatic displays of juvenile Northern Harriers. The rain mostly held off until we were a few minutes away from the end of our looping walk, as we secured the last of a 40 species count.

Thanks to everyone who came out, supported others with their expertise and introduced a visiting Malaysian birder to some of our western North American birds.