Twenty-two Delta Nats Casual Birders spent another gorgeous Wednesday morning around the Little Campbell River Hatchery at the Semiahmoo Fish & Game Club (SFGC) in Surrey. We saw lots of neat species and you can see some amazing photo evidence on our Flickr site at: https://www.flickr.com/search/?group_id=3027315%40N23&text=2018-22&view_all=1.
We (10) car-pooled from Petra’s at 7:30 a.m., drove smoothly against traffic, and met our organizer Ken Borrie at 8 a.m. in the SFGC parking lot in Surrey. The large group of over 20 folk spent the next 15 minutes with the usual introductions, bonding, and idle chatter. Some watched both Tree and Barn Swallows feeding young in nest boxes and mud nests respectively. Others read the info on various signs about the SFGC’s Hatchery and Salmon trapping. Then David took the obligatory Group Photo in front of the hatchery sign.
As we began our walk along the Forest Trail, we noted the impressive Signage everywhere, describing the flora, fauna, the history, and everything found along this river and in the woods. It was a beautiful walk in an idyllic setting. Langley Tom kept track of our bird sightings and he recorded over 40 species (see list below). Being casual birders, most of us were pleased with seeing some of the “candy” birds that we don’t often see. For example, some “up-close-and-personal” sightings included: several Black-headed Grosbeaks, Western Wood Pewee, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Wilson’s & Yellow Warblers, Hutton’s Vireo, Swainson’s Thrush, Rufous Hummingbirds, White-crowned and Savannah Sparrows, Juncos with young, Cedar Waxwings, American Goldfinches & Purple Finches. Our intrepid Roger even found a Purple Martin.
Great Horned Owls didn’t nest here this year, but we saw the adult Barred Owl, and SFGC’s Roy Thompson later saw the two owlets. Another exciting find was a pair of Red-breasted Sapsuckers regularly going in and out of their nest cavity in a dead tree trunk, obviously feeding young. Then Roy took us into the Barn Owl Barn, just after someone scared Mom out and into a nearby tree. We got to look at the two baby Barnies in the nest box, probably born around May 5, according to Roy. We didn’t stay long so as not to agitate the concerned Mom.
Some had a brief tour of the Hatchery and saw the 30,000 salmon fry in the two new tubs. SFGC members have a super education program, which even includes school classes hatching eggs and raising fry which are later released. It was almost 11:30 a.m. when we said goodbye and thanks to Roy, and decided to go directly to lunch, postponing our visit to Redwood Park for another day.
Sixteen of us dined at '50s & '60s memorabilia-filled MCJAC’s Roadhouse Grille on King George Highway. Ken had it all organized for us and owner Sharon and server Rachael gave us exceptional attention in our own enclave of the restaurant. My Cordon Blue Burger and Salad Special with a pint of Steamworks Kolsch lager was scrumptious, however Mike B wouldn’t have liked the automatic service charge for a large group requesting single bills. I got to granddaughter Juliette’s gymnastics class before 2 p.m.; it was another glorious DNCB outing.
We 22 were: Outing Organizer Ken B, DNCB Administrator Terry C, Rare Species Sighter Roger M, David & Noreen, Guru Anne M, Annieville sisters Maureen & Pat, Boundary Bay’s Mike B2 & Valerie W, Roger Two, Marion S, Johnny Mac, photogs Glen B & Ladner Jack, PB Lorna, Richmond Brian, Langley Bob M & Langley Tom W, Galapagos Jim K, SFGC’s Roy T and me.
Next Wednesday, June 6, we will leave Petra’s at 7:30 a.m. for Colony Farm. We expect to meet at the Community Gardens parking lot at 8:30 a.m. Don’t forget our last 2017-18 monthly DNS meeting on Tuesday, June 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Benediction Lutheran Church in Tsawwassen. All welcome to hear David & Diane Reesor’s presentation on the Birdlife and Sloth Bears in Sri Lanka. Also, join Terry and our Nats Display at the Delta Landfill Open House this Saturday, June 2, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. More info on these events is on our website at www.dncb.wordpress.com. As always, your comments are welcome. Cheers: Tom
Tom Bearss, President, Delta Naturalists Society
Langley Tom W’s List:
American Robin
Tree & Barn Swallow
Purple Martin
Canada Goose
Mallard
Gadwall
House sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Black-capped Chickadee
Great-blue Heron
Cedar Waxwing
Black-headed Grosbeak
American Goldfinch
Purple Finch
House Finch
Brown Creeper
Yellow Warbler
Wilson Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
North-west Crow
Brown-headed Cowbird
Spotted Towhee
Bewick’s Wren
Pacific Wren
Starling
Dark-eyed Junco
Hutton's Vireo
Barred Owl
Barn Owl
Red-tailed Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Western-wood Peewee
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Anna’s & Rufous Hummingbird
Gull Species.
