Hi All

On Saturday I managed to get a mostly daylight run up to North
Bend/Boston Bar BC and although the lighting was not ideal (strong
backlighting in the morning) I did manage to compile a small list with
some interesting sightings.

The trip started at 7:00 AM and ended at 8:00 PM.

The following list is in the order of observation.

AMERICAN CROW - as ubiquitous as always
GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL - a small flock of these birds has taken to feeding
on spilled grain in the rail yard in Port Coquitlam.
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD - the flocks in the rail yard have diminished
greatly however the Spring cacophony was very apparent.
BREWERS BLACKBIRD - mixed in with the Red-wings
MOURNING DOVE - 21 birds feeding on spilled grain
ROCK DOVE - see crows
EUROPEAN STARLING - see.....
RED-TAILED HAWK - the sentinel of the east end of the rail yard keeps
the Rock Doves in line. Several others observed along the route in the
vicinity of nest sites.
SONG SPARROW - several along the ditches.
AMERICAN ROBIN - showing up in increasing numbers along the route.
CANADA GOOSE - split up into breeding pairs along route and no large
flocks in the rail yard.
BALD EAGLE - these are also paired up with the odd pockets of sub adult
birds still kicking around.
COMMON MERGANSER - still large numbers off the mouth of the Stave River.

MALLARD - small scattered flocks.
AMERICAN WIDGEON - same as Mallard.
NORTHERN FLICKER
STELLER'S JAY
HOODED MERGANSER
BUFFLEHEAD
TRUMPETER SWAN - small flock of 5 with 2 adults and three juveniles.
DARK-EYED JUNCO - flock sizes are increasing in the upper Fraser Valley.
Largest flock had about 30 in it with a total seen around 150. There
were no big flocks in the Fraser Canyon.
VARIED THRUSH - these birds are moving back up the Fraser Canyon after
being pushed out by the heavy snow a couple of weeks ago.
PINE SISKIN - increased numbers of these birds were visible in the
Fraser Canyon. I saw several flocks for a total of about 150.
KILLDEER - this bird flew across in front of the engine as we were
pulling into the yard in the evening. It flew through the headlight beam
so quickly I could not make it out. I was only able to make the ID by
opening the side window and hearing all the racket.

Good birding.

Roger Craik
Maple Ridge BC