Double-crested Cormorant. Photo by Erich Kohlweg.

Emerging into the spring sun after a week of two atmospheric rivers, 17 enthusiastic birders joined co-leaders Neill and Sarah-Jane in Hastings Park Sanctuary. We began the morning learning about the 1942 internment of Japanese Canadians in the park and the important restoration work in New Brighton Park by Nature Vancouver.

The group was fortunate to include birders with a variety of experience levels and several talented photographers. Some birders were new to Vancouver; others had many years of experience observing birds at their feeders, and some were on their first birding expedition ever!

Setting off, beginners had a chance to test out Nature Vancouver’s loaner binoculars on a few slow-moving, cooperative squirrels. Feeling more confident, we then attempted to get a look at the many small song birds in the eastern forested section of the sanctuary. We spotted a few Black-capped Chickadees, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and a Song Sparrow perched on a wire, singing impressively in the sunlight.

Our first view of the pond revealed a pair of preening Ring-necked Ducks amongst the many Mallards.

Male Ring-necked Duck. Photo by Erich Kohlweg.

A flock of American Goldfinches called us onwards. We were fortunate to see them feeding on seeds in different stages of molt, many with bright yellow on their heads and bodies.

The smaller of the two ponds in the sanctuary was quiet, offering a female Wood Duck an ideal spot for a morning nap. The bright sun allowed us an excellent view of the iridescent feathers on her sides and glimpses of the white teardrops around her eyes.

As we arrived at the viewpoint that looks south over the lake, the most dramatic moment of the day occurred: a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk attacked the nest of a Great Blue Heron. We attempted to see the nest through a tangled lattice of branches, but after limited success, we decided to move on in search of a better vantage point.

Nesting Great Blue Herons. Photo by Elena Xu.

Our next stop was the fishing pier on the north side of the largest pond. Shortly after our arrival, a colourful Great Blue Heron flew in, offering the group’s photographers a near-perfect photo opportunity. From the pier, everyone had the chance to see the previously obscured Great Blue Heron nest, plus another occupied nest close by. We also spotted a pair of American Wigeons, and noticed that the sun was striking a few male Mallards’ heads and necks at the perfect angle to reveal deep blue and purple hues.

Great Blue Heron. Photo by Erich Kohlweg.

Trip participant Nigel, a passionate advocate for Nature Vancouver’s restoration work at New Brighton Park, provided an interesting show-and-tell exhibit at the midway point of the walk: a Tree Swallow and Purple Martin nest from boxes installed in New Brighton. The Purple Martin nest was the first recorded in Vancouver since 1948.

While returning to our starting point, we came across two more Great Blue Herons’ nests and breeding pairs. The Bald Eagles, who nest across Hastings Street, also made a brief appearance, prompting a reflection on the unique adaptation of herons to locate their nests near breeding eagles. Despite Bald Eagles’ tendency to prey on heron nestlings, the territorial behaviour of eagles offers herons protection from other eagles.

Bald Eagle. Photo by Elena Xu.

In the final moments of the walk, a male Ruby-crowned Kinglet flitting in a nearby bush displayed his crown, offering all participants an excellent view of this striking behaviour.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Photo by Erich Kohlweg.

Thank you to all of the new birders who joined the trip!
The walk’s eBird list is here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S311654777

Photo by Nigel Peck.