The forecast showers did not make an appearance and even the sun appeared for a while. Seven birders joined co-leaders Sarah-Jane and Neill and right off we were serenaded by a Red-breasted Nuthatch that called down from the cedars by the parking lot. This bird refused to show itself so we set off into the park. As we came to the lawn bowling pitch, an American Robin sat up on a bare tree eating berries and was soon joined by a Hermit Thrush.

We proceeded along to the trees below the restaurant. We were treated to a fair sized flock of Bushtits that were close enough that we could tell the males from the females by their eye colour (females pale, males brown). There were also several Golden-crowned Kinglets, and a Bewick’s Wren put in a brief appearance. Moving along to the small quarry area to the north of the restaurant, two adult Bald Eagles flew back and forth above us for several minutes. Neill spotted a Cooper’s Hawk zooming west across the quarry and ahead on the path, several folks saw where it landed in the cedars. The American Crows nearby started mobbing the hawk, though it didn’t seem to take notice as it spread its wings and tail, sunning itself during the sun’s brief appearance. We also saw and heard several Anna’s Hummingbirds. A small flock of Canada Geese took off from the small quarry pond, leaving only Mallards. Or so we thought. Peeking into the corner of the pond, we found a beautiful pair of Wood Ducks under some overhanging branches, close to where Sarah-Jane had found them earlier in the week. A very nice find.

After enjoying the Wood Ducks, we headed to the grove of Western Red Cedars and Douglas Firs nearby. A Brown Creeper was spotted moving up a cedar trunk and then a Red-breasted Nuthatch was spotted coming down the trunk. Then another creeper, and then two more!

Heading to the west end of the park things started to quiet down, but several folks got some good views of a Spotted Towhee sitting up for us. At the end of the walk, a robin was spotted eating crab apples and in the same tree also feasting were two Varied Thrushes and a Hermit Thrush, perhaps the one we saw earlier. We ended the walk, rain-free and satisfied with the morning.

Our eBird list is here https://ebird.org/checklist/S288474488

Checking out Brown Creepers in a Western Red Cedar