Trip report by Donna McKenzie

This Nature Vancouver Field Trip was held on May 10, 2025 in Musqueam Park. This local park is a good mix of forest, trails and meadows, and off leash dog park. We had 16 participants, and 5 experienced birders as resources.

We met at the little parking lot at the corner of SW Marine Drive and Crown Street. After introductions and waivers, we briefly reviewed the use of binoculars and the process of how to locate birds by sound and sight. When we started it was a cool 14c, with intermittent rain.

The first section is a little piece through the forest, and then an open meadow. There were few birds singing or moving, and it was at the end of that section before we we found the first 2 species. It again was quiet going down Crown Street to the bridge. At that point part of the group walked east to the washrooms, and the rest took the trail through the forest. Again very few birds seen. The washroom group were delayed so at that point the forest group continued from the trail junction out to the Fraser River. It finally got warmer and the sun came out. The bird activity picked up quite a bit and we started to see warblers, a flycatcher, a vireo, and a grosbeak, in addition to the resident species.

The total count was 25 species. Highlights included a Black-headed Grosbeak, a Black-throated Gray Warbler, a Western Flycatcher and a Warbling Vireo. Using a scope we got a good view of an active Bald Eagle nest with chicks.