Nature Vancouver

Thirteen members braved the wet but mild weather and joined Kelly Sekhon for a walk along Richmond West Dyke. We walked from Garry Point to Blundell and back to Steveston for lunch at Charthouse restaurant where three more fair-weather birders joined the group. We started the walk by observing a mixed flock of ducks and gulls at Garry Point Park (South West corner of Richmond - Click here for a map) at 1000. A large group of American Widgeon included an Eurasian. Green-winged Teals, Northern Pintails, Gadwalls and couple of female Buffleheads were the other ducks. Gulls included the usual - Ring-billed, Mew, Thayer's and Glaucous-winged. In the River there was a single male Red-breasted Merganser and few Red-throated Loons. A few small groups of Snow Geese flew over from Westham Island. A Northern Shrike was also observed in the Crab Apple trees near the slough. Along the dyke a pair of Bald Eagles provided a close view from a cottonwood tree. Other birds in the marsh included several Northern Harriers and Northren Flickers. Steady downpour kept the small song birds under cover. However, as usual the Red-winged Blackbirds were getting ready for the spring by practicing their beautiful song.