Young Birders Trip to Grant Narrows in Pitt Meadows
Catbird Slough in Pitt Meadows - Photo: Raymond Liu
7 of us met up by the boat launch and our first foray started shortly after 9 am when we headed south along the dyke towards Catbird Slough. This trail has a narrow band of woodland on the east and marsh and slough variably to the west. Our primary targets were American Redstart, Black Swift, Gray Catbird, and Eastern Kingbird.
Male American Redstart at Catbird Slough - Photo: Heather Tocher
Before we even arrived at the spot where American Redstarts are known to be breed, we heard and got great looks at 2 singing males in brilliant plumage. Shortly after the Redstarts, we came across several Gray Catbirds singing away and perching for fantastic views. We even spotted some very distant Black Swifts that made us decide to push on all the way to Catbird Slough. We found Eastern Kingbirds on the way, plenty of Black Swifts right above us at Catbird Slough and a few of us caught a glimpse of a Wilson's Snipe as it flew past us and it dove into the marsh, out of sight.
Gray Catbird at Catbird Slough - Photo: Heather Tocher
Black Swift over Catbird Slough in Pitt Meadows - Photo: Bentley Colwill
As we walked north again and back to the Grant Narrows parking area for lunch, we were treated to singing Black-headed Grosbeaks, Purple Finches, Red-eyed and Warbling Vireos, Yellow Warblers and Song Sparrows. We were also very happy to get some great views of a pair of Bullock's Orioles! Bentley managed to get a stunning shot of a Great Blue Heron that flew over our heads calling its croaking call.
Yellow Warbler in Pitt Meadows - Photo: Heather Tocher
Song Sparrow at Pitt Lake - Photo: Bentley Colwill
A Great Blue Heron flew right over our heads - Photo: Bentley Colwill
After a quick lunch in the shade, we walked part of the blazingly hot and sunny outer dyke to Katzie Marsh to visit the Cliff Swallow nests at the roped-off/closed tower. Sadly, they were down to only two nests and we saw only 2 adults.
Adult Cliff Swallow in its nest on the viewing tower at Katzie Marsh - Photo: Heather Tocher
In the intense heat, we did a quick scope to find some Wood Ducks in the lake and enjoyed watching a pair of adult Osprey feed two chicks in the nest. Shortly after, an adorable, tail-less, just fledged American Robin hopped past us on the trail with its mother nearby.
Adult Osprey at eyrie with 2 chicks at Pitt Lake - Photo: Heather Tocher
Adult Osprey in flight over Pitt Lake - Photo: Bentley Colwill
An American Robin fledgling at Pitt Lake - Photo: Heather Tocher
A quick walk down part of the shaded inner trail turned up a Northern Harrier, a few Western Wood-Pewees and a few more Willow and Western Flycatchers. Next we added a few more swallows to our mix for the day: Barn, Tree, Violet-Green, Cliff, and Northern Rough-winged Swallows, plus dazzling Purple Martins.
A male Northern Harrier flies by Pitt Lake - Photo: Heather Tocher
Violet-green Swallow in Pitt Meadows - Photo: Heather Tocher
Everyone was so dedicated today in the heat during this mini heat wave. We found some great birds and had a great time together! Other birds of note today that we came across were: Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, Belted Kingfisher, Hairy Woodpecker, and breeding plumaged Sandhill Cranes. We finished the day with a total of 48 species and the youth were happy to get some nice photos!
Hairy Woodpecker at Pitt Lake - Photo: Heather Tocher
Sadly we only remembered to take our group photo after Julia and Sandra had already left!
Young Birders (minus Sandra and Julia) with Jim Palmer at beautiful Grant Narrows
