Thirty-one DNCBers (yes 31) spent another beautiful Wednesday morning touring the Little Campbell Hatchery and adjacent amazingly-signed park trails at the Semiahmoo Fish & Game Club (SFGC) in Surrey. We had lots of neat sightings and they’re posted on our “repaired” Flickr site.
Eight set out at 7:30 a.m. from Petra’s in two vehicles while I followed alone (delayed to take baby car seat home for grandparent duties). Fortunately our SFGC “head honcho” Roy Thomson was there to guide the masses through the capture pen and upgraded Hatchery (see their website here). This club of conservation-minded volunteers was incorporated in 1957 and since then has built and owns this property and the first class facilities. Roger took the Group Photo in front of the Hatchery sign as we have done for past SFGC outings.
Although Roy’s interesting and informative explanations of the facilities, fish and birds was the hilight, we had so many neat sightings. We saw nesting Red-breasted Sapsuckers and Downy Woodpeckers in trunk holes, fornicating Tree Swallows, baby White-tailed Deer (days, perhaps hours old). We saw colourful species including both Rufous and Anna’s Hummingbirds, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Western Tanager, and several Warbler species, Common Yellowthroat and heard (some saw) Yellow, Orange-crowned, Black-throated Gray. We had Flycatcher species too, Pacific-Slope, Willow and Western Wood-Pewee, and Wrens, Bewick’s and Pacific. For Shorebirds, we saw families and nesting Killdeer and Spotted Sandpipers. As for Raptors, in addition to the many Bald Eagles and Northern Harriers, we saw the pair of Red-tailed Hawks beside their nest with two, perhaps three, fuzzy young.
Following the Hatchery tour with the thousands of Coho Fry in their new tanks, there were so many folk that we split into groups and wandered the well-groomed trails with the many informative signs explaining the history and flora and fauna there. We couldn’t find the Barred Owl family, although Roy had photos. We didn’t enter the barn with the three Barn Owl owlets either. In addition to the Red-breasted Sapsuckers and Downies, other Woodpeckers seen were Hairy and Northern Flickers. Of course, we saw lots of Sparrow, Finch and other common species; Brian’s eBird List indicates about 40 species seen or heard today (see list below on website).
We finally got back to the hatchery around 11:45 a.m., after Roy led us through some Amazonian-like, unused trail along the Little Campbell river. It was pub time, so we thanked Roy for an awesome morning, and about 10 of us went to the Town Hall Pub on King George Highway in South Surrey. I had their Cottage Pie with a 20 oz House (Red Truck) Lager and they were both scrumptious. And I was home in time to join Sandra at granddaughter Juliette’s regular Wednesday Gymnastics class. Another glorious DNCB outing.
The 31 were: SFGC’s Roy Thompson, wandering Roger M, David & Noreen, Bryan & Masae, Ken & Anne, Wazza & Lynne, sisters Pat & Maureen, Richmond Brian & Louise, North Van Richard, North Delta Liz, Johnny Mac & Jean G, Boundary Bay Valerie, PB Lorna, Chris McV, our Flickr Guru Glen, always cool & relaxed Margaretha, Langley’s Tom, Bob, Joanne & Gareth, Vancity Lidia, Gerhard, Burnaby Marion and me (Yes, I remembered them all).
On Wednesday, June 5, our destination is Colony Farm Regional Park in Coquitlam. Leaving Petra’s at 7:30 a.m. we plan to meet others at the Community Gardens parking lot about 8:30 a.m. Don’t forget our monthly Nats meeting on Tuesday, June 4 where the distinguished and renowned Dr. David Bird will present on Birds and Their Sex Lives. All welcome (free) at 7:30 p.m. at the Benediction Lutheran Church on 56th Avenue in Tsawwassen. For more info, reports and photos, see our website at www.dncb.wordpress.com and, as always, your comments are encouraged. Cheers: Tom
Tom Bearss, President, Delta Naturalists Society
