We had 19 participants (names at end) enjoying a, finally, rainless Wednesday morning at spectacular Queen Elizabeth Park in downtown Vancouver. The gardens were gorgeous and we saw some neat birds too. Check out the beaut photo evidence on our Flickr site at: www.flickr.com/groups/dncb, then click the magnifying glass icon in the “Photo Pool” row, and add 2017-18 to “DNCB Photos” in the Search box at the top of the page.
Eleven of us carpooled nicely from Petra’s in three vehicles at 7:30 a.m. (Glen B chauffeuring Margaretha’s van, Roger Two, and D&N driving). The drive into the city was relatively smooth , for a change, through rush hour traffic, and we got to the Golf Course parking lot at the Park before 8:30 a.m. The masses were waiting there for us, underneath an active Bushtit nest watching the parents going in and out. We introduced the Newbies, annual visitor Lyle from Hamilton Ontario, Aussie Nance’s sister Vickie, returnee Richmond Bill, and the Vagabond Roger M (we never know where he is going or coming from). A nice lady took our group photo (without time-challenged sisters Pat & Maureen) outside the golf shop office; no Hummingbird feeders hanging there, although we did see several during the morning, both Anna’s and Rufous.
We started our walk among the trees around the golf course. There was lots of Warbler activity. We got good looks at Wilson’s and Yellow-rumped (mostly Audubon), but couldn’t identify Townsend’s, Nashville, MacGillivray’s, or Orange-crowned that were reported there this week. Several Nats got nice photos of a Black-throated Gray Warbler later and Dave Boyd saw a Tennessee Warbler near the Love Lock Structure. Lots of Warbling Vireos around too, but we couldn’t find the Cassin’s (or Hutton’s) Vireo. Three Olive-sided Flycatchers surprisingly posed on a high tree top. While watching the Flycatchers, an American Kestrel gave a fly-past. Vaux Swifts were high in the clouds.
We continued circling the park walking around the restaurant; everyone was bubbling over about how beautiful were all the different gardens. Longtime Gardener Ned said they were nine days late blooming this year, but we picked a perfect day as everything seemed to be in full bloom and in spectacular colour. Nat David was particularly good at identifying many of the trees, especially those with name plaques (e.g. Handkerchief Tree). In the “bowl” we saw the nesting Anna’s Hummingbirds, feeding two relatively large babies in the nest. At the Love Lock Structure, the nesting Red-breasted Nuthatches were around, but only fleetingly. Roger pointed out the Cooper’s Hawk nest, and some could see activity in it, but I gave up after staring at it from all sides for 20 minutes. They were either very deep in the nest, or I need glasses.
In the pond, a pair of Mallards was shepherding about seven ducklings. Nearby, while looking at Warbling Vireos and Hummers, a Western Tanager popped into Liz’s view. Then there were at least eight Tanagers flitting in the tall Cedars, for brilliant views and photos. So there was a lot of excitement this morning for our Photogs with not only the beautiful bird sightings, but also the dazzling flowers, the spectacular views of the city and mountains, and of course, the casual shots of DNCBers, if you can catch them when they’re not chatting.
Around 11:30 a.m., we returned to the vehicles and 13 of us decided to have lunch at the Locus Restaurant on Main Street. A great decision as the meals, breaky or lunch, were delish, and cheap, which we really like. Of course, the jug of 1516 beer went very well with my elk (yes elk) sandwich, home-made veggie soup and salad. Another awesome, and dry, DNCB outing. We 19 were: our Phantom/Vagabond Leader Roger M, Terry C, Chris M, Jim K, David & Noreen, Aussie Nance and Vickie, Richmond Brian A, North Delta Liz, sisters Maureen & Pat, our new Social member Valerie, Roger Two, Hamilton Lyle, Margaretha, Richmond Bill, Chauffeur Glen B and me.
Next Wednesday, May 17, we will leave Petra’s at 7:30 a.m. for Colony Farm (Lazuli Buntings?). We plan to meet at the CF Community Garden parking lot around 8:30 a.m., depending on traffic. Don’t forget Mother’s Day this Sunday, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., with our annual International Migratory Bird Day event at Cammidge House, with tea, displays, and a Bird/Nature Walk in Boundary Bay Regional Park. For more info on these and other Nats events, and to see reports on earlier DNCB outings, including two gems on our last two outings to Deer Lake in Burnaby and Tennant Lake in Washington, by Marion S and White Rock Al respectively, check out our website at: www.dncb.wordpress.com. Cheers: Tom
Tom Bearss, President, Delta Naturalists Society
