Delta Ponds-Third Saturday Birding Feb. 17

This outing led by Dan and Anne Heyerly, began near the Greenway Footbridge. The group was a nice mix of beginner birders to highly experienced birders and had a nice range of ages, as well.  The rainy forecast didn’t deter 23 attendees. Although it only sprinkled briefly, it was a chilly 38 degrees. We went out on the bridge first and spotted a Great Blue Heron along the shore, a pair of Lesser Scaup on the river, and a Bald Eagle perched high atop a tall tree. Two Downy Woodpeckers were together in a tree across the river. Our group then headed north along the East Bank Path. Two flashy Common Mergansers flew across the pond. White-breasted Nuthatches were calling and provided good views. A Green-winged Teal, a Spotted Sandpiper, and an Anna’s Hummingbird were spotted by the group. A wooded area along the path provided views of Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Lesser Goldfinch, and Brown Creepers. Heading back to the start location we were happy to find a Black Phoebe along the way, and a bit later a Cooper’s Hawk in a tree across the pond. Thank you to Dan and Anne Heyerly for leading this walk, providing identification tips, and sharing scope views!
Delta Ponds Feb. 17, 2024 8:07 – 10:49 AM Traveling – 1.6 miles
Bird List – 39 species
Canada Goose 65
American Wigeon 5
Mallard 12
Green-winged Teal 1
Lesser Scaup 2
Bufflehead 2
Common Goldeneye 1
Hooded Merganser 2
Common Merganser 6
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Anna's Hummingbird 2
American Coot 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Glaucous-winged Gull 1
Western/Glaucous-winged Gull 1
Double-crested Cormorant 18
Great Egret 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Bald Eagle 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 1
Black Phoebe 1
California Scrub-Jay 1
American Crow 8
Black-capped Chickadee 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Brown Creeper 3
Bewick’s Wren 3
European Starling 5
American Robin 37
House Finch 3
Lesser Goldfinch 4
Golden-crowned Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 2
Spotted Towhee 4
Red-winged Blackbird 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 1

The announcement: Meet at 8am at the Greenway Pedestrian/Bike bridge and walk over to Delta Ponds.  Parking is available at Valley River Center.  Walk will be on  paved and gravel paths. We are excited to have Anne and Dan Heyerly as our walk leaders this month.

Our Third Saturday Bird Outings continue to be open to all participants. Questions? Contact tolalla@gmail.com.