Nature Vancouver

Field trip, Saturday, October 4 – Colony Farm RP

With the weather forecast being on the wet side the day started with NO rain but the skies told us rain could be a distinct possibility. Five hardy (all weather) birders showed up for the walk which would take us on the circuit around the Coquitlam side of the Farms then across to the POCO side for the walk to the pond at the east side of the park.

We started west along Colony Farm Rd.  This stretch was quiet with few birds encountered. Great Blue Heron, Rock Pigeon, Song Sparrow, Northwestern Crow, Glaucous-winged Gull and Red-tailed Hawk.

We then headed north on the trail just east of the railway tracks. This trail, between the parking lot and where it climbs onto the dyke, was very birdie with lots of action. Robins were very numerous along with lots of Song Sparrows. Also encountered were House Finch, White-crowned Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-capped Chickadee, Cedar Waxwing and a bird or two that evaded identification.

Heading east and south we had our best bird of the day, a Green Heron followed along the way by Wood Duck, Mallard, Northern Harrier, Northern Flicker, & Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

The pond on the east side of the park was our final stop before heading back to the cars.  Not a lot of birds on the pond but not a wasted walk either. We had two Pied-billed Grebes, several American Widgeon, a Hooded Merganser, and a scolding Marsh Wren in the reeds. An American Coot remained elusive in the reeds, seen by only one of our group before disappearing.

Our walk ended around 12:15 back at the parking lot. The weather cooperated with only a few very light sprinklings being experienced.