Young Birder Walk with Coquitlam Public Library at ƛ̓éxətəm Regional Park
Young Birders during the youth walk at ƛ̓éxətəm Regional Park in Coquitlam - Photo: Melissa Hafting
We had a nice field trip sponsored by the Coquitlam Public Library on March 29, 2025. The event was 2SLGBTQ+ and BIPOC inclusive. We met at ƛ̓éxətəm Regional Park community garden parking lot at 9:30 am and had 20 youth signed up. All the teens were really keen to search for birds and thank you to the Coquitlam Public Library for providing binoculars for all the youth present who needed a pair and of course for sponsoring this free and inclusive event for teens. We met a lot of new young birders at the event too which was fantastic.
Youth searching for birds at ƛ̓éxətəm Regional Park in Coquitlam - Photo: Melissa Hafting
We started out by the community gardens where we searched the ditch, hoping for an American Bittern and we quickly found one. The bittern was a lifer for many of the youth. We then headed along towards the Millennium Bridge and en route we saw Rufous Hummingbirds and heard a Ring-necked Pheasant calling. Over the grassy fields we had Violet-green and Tree Swallows flying and calling over us, delighting the youth.
An American Bittern in a ditch by the Community Gardens at ƛ̓éxətəm Regional Park in Coquitlam - Photo: Cole O’Byrne
When we got to the bridge we saw several Common Mergansers fly over us and one drake on the water. We also saw a female Common Goldeneye swimming away from us giving us some side eye.
After crossing the bridge and unsuccessfully looking for River Otters we looked in the ditch and saw some Gadwalls, Wood Ducks and Mallards. A Song Sparrow perched in front of us and sang its beautiful song and one of the youth named Leo said how they may be drab but sing so beautifully and we all concurred.
Paul spotted a Mule Deer out in the field and then Oliver spotted two others! The youth really enjoyed seeing the deer. As we watched the Deer Bentley spotted a Northern Shrike! Melissa explained to the youth that we better check out the shrike a bit more closely, as it is the time of year that a rare Loggerhead Shrike could show up. We got good looks and photos of the bird confirming a thin eye mask and an adult Northern Shrike. Several of us remarked how beautiful an individual it was, with crisp stunning black and gray plumage.
An adult Northern Shrike at ƛ̓éxətəm Regional Park in Coquitlam seen on our walk - Photo: Cole O’Byrne
As we walked on we noticed that the Northern Shrike was following us down towards the duck pond and then another appeared which was super cool. They also followed us down to the pumphouse on our way out and none of us were sad about it! Raymond and Naomi were rightfully excited that they got accepted to Beaverhill Bird Observatory Young Ornithologist Workshop in Alberta this summer and were discussing what birds they would see with past participants Bentley and Paul.
At the duck pond the youth got stellar views of Violet-green and Tree Swallows and several of the Tree Swallows were visiting their nest boxes which was great to see. In the pond itself Paul spotted a Pied-billed Grebe for us. Luis spotted a female Bufflehead and we watched some Hooded Mergansers and beautiful Wood Ducks, Mallards, Gadwalls and Canada Geese. The youth really delighted in watching the Red-winged Blackbird males displaying with their fancy epaulets. We were also serenaded by a Marsh Wren.
Next we searched the fields across from the duck pond and hoped to see a Say’s Phoebe and Mountain Bluebirds. We saw 3 beautiful bluebirds and some of the youth gasped in awe when they saw the males. We never saw a phoebe but saw lots of American Robins and continued on our walk back and Raymond spotted a Red-tailed Hawk and 2 Turkey Vultures!
Mountain Bluebird in Coquitlam - Photo: Paul Jacques
Roseanne the Library Technician from the Coquitlam Public Library spotted a male Anna’s Hummingbird that was perched and singing for us. Leo spotted a few moulting Golden-crowed Sparrows that were singing as well. Naomi showed us a pair of Northern Flickers chatting up a storm on a tall snag. A few American Goldfinches then flew over us, chirping sweetly and we truly felt that spring was in the air with all the bird song and activity that we encountered today.
We also lucked out with the weather as it didn’t rain hard, just a light sprinkle and we all had a fabulous time. Thanks again to all the youth who came out and to the Coquitlam Public Library for running the inclusive young birder walk.
