It was a rainy and windy Tuesday morning so only six stoic DNCBers enjoyed an eventually sunny morning in Vancouver at Jericho Beach and then Camosun Bog. We had some neat sightings among the gorgeous Fall colours as you will see from Richmond Brian’s, Roger’s, Glen’s and Terry’s photos on our Flickr site at: https://www.flickr.com/search/?group_id=3027315%40N23&text=2017-41&view_all=1.
Roger drove five of us (Glen, Terry, Mike & me) in his Birdmobile from Petra’s at 7:40 a.m. and we met Richmond Brian at Jericho Park. The drive was horrendous (again) as the traffic was backed up on 99 and in Vancouver. Rain and wind warnings didn’t help. We took several of “Roger’s Shortcuts” which always add significant time, but with four local B.C. born guys in the van, the 40 minute drive that took over an hour and half, was seamless, relaxing and very informative. At almost every corner we passed through the side streets of Vancouver, the conversation escalated from each guy as to what buildings were there over the past 70 years, who lived in them (including ancestral relatives), what crimes were committed there, where were the best haunts for misspent youths, etc. Truly fascinating listening.
Arriving just after 9 a.m. we parked on the street (free) next to the Jericho Beach east parking lot. The rain had stopped but it was still windy and cool as we met Brian who had just photographed a Sharp-shinned Hawk sitting on a picnic table. Then a flock of Savannah Sparrows surrounded us in the grass. We walked to the beach where Roger hailed down a runner, in shorts and T shirt, who took the group photo of us all rugged up like we were in the Arctic. We walked the beach as the sun began to appear on the horizon, enjoying the vista across English Bay to Vancouver, Stanley Park and the mountains behind North and West Vancouver. Large flocks of Double-crested Cormorants circled by, a few Pelagics around too. Horned Grebes bobbed among the waves. We had a bit of an ID test as there were several Gull species on the shore other than the common Glaucous-winged. We saw Mew, Ring-billed, Thayer’s (now included with Icelandic?), Herring, probably Western and perhaps California, and of course various Hybrids of these Gull species. It was sort of fun to confirm an ID, when in reality we were just guessing.
At the Sailing Club, we wandered inland along the treed trails of Jericho Park. The sun was shining now and it warmed up nicely as flocks of Finches, both House and American Goldfinches glistened in the bushes. I had good looks at both Golden- and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. Lots of common stuff around including Steller’s Jay, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Wigeons and GBH in the ponds, but we couldn’t find any Warblers or a Goshawk. Approaching 11 a.m., we decided to visit Camosun Bog before lunch.
Brian and I entered the Bog at 21st and saw a Bewick’s Wren and a flock of Bushtits. The others entered at 19th St. and saw an Anna’s Hummingbird. We met in the middle and all commented on the beautiful new boardwalks and very informative signage. Some were fascinated with the fungi on the trees, others with the carnivorous Sundew plant, rare Cloudberry, Bog Cranberry or prolific Labrador Tea. This urban wilderness in Pacific Spirit Regional Park is a very interesting and rare ecosystem.
Approaching noon, we drove to Terry’s choice, Aphrodite’s Organic Café on West 4tt Ave. Not being a real fan of healthy organic stuff, I was very pleasantly surprised with my bacon and three poached egg Aphrodite Breakfast along with a tasty Scandal beer (organic lager made in Prince George). It was so good that I don’t remember the ride home in the brilliant sun as I snoozed in the back seat. I got home before 2 p.m. with a Timmy’s doughnut and Iced Capp for Sandra and in time to take grandson Thomas for a walk in the neighbourhood. Meanwhile Glen continued on past the Tsawwassen fields full of our early migrant Snow Geese. It turned out to be a glorious DNCB outing.
Next Tuesday, October 24, we will leave Petra’s at 7 a.m. and carpool at 7:30 a.m. from the Peace Arch Park parking lot to Deception Pass in Washington State. This is a new DNCB destination and Roger & Terry have organized an interesting itinerary for the all-day outing. Check out directions and other outing info on our website at: www.dncb.wordpress.com. As always, your comments are encouraged. these Cheers: Tom
Tom Bearss, President, Delta Naturalists Society
