Young Birder Trip to Cypress Mountain
Young Birders at Yew Lake on Cypress Mountain in West Vancouver - Photo: Kalin Ocana
We had a nice Young Birder Trip on Sunday to Cypress Mtn in West Vancouver. We had 18 people register and despite the rain 14 still showed up!
We had a great group and walked around Yew Lake. We were surprised to see how quiet it was. There was no Olive-sided Flycatchers singing. No Red Crossbills chirping and no American Dippers at the Lake. We did see a Hammond’s Flycatcher and some Warbling Vireos and Orange-crowned Warblers. We saw and heard a very angry Lincoln’s Sparrow. It was likely one of the pair that nested there which is unusual here in Vancouver. There were lots of Chestnut-backed Chickadees and a few Northern Flickers. We were hoping for some Sooty Grouse but didn’t see or hear any. Likely the rain had made some birds quiet today.
There were a lot of curious Steller’s Jays and a loud singing Slate-colored Fox Sparrow. Fox Sparrows especially slate ones are rare in the lower elevations of Metro Vancouver in the summer but they are local breeders in the local mountains here.
Slate-colored Fox Sparrow on Cypress Mtn - Photo: Paul Jacques
We heard the beautiful flute call of a Hermit Thrush. We were admiring dragonflies and huckleberries and eating some and native blueberries and then began our ascent up the mountain. We had a Sharp-shinned Hawk fly over us. Then we quickly found a mixed flock of warblers at the lower start of the trail. Here we saw Black-throated Gray, Wilson’s and lots of Townsend’s Warblers and a few Orange-crowned.
A curious Steller’s Jay came in and the kids fed it on their hands. As they were having fun with the jay we turned around and spotted a Red-breasted Sapsucker in the tree! There were lots of Golden-crowned Kinglets and a few Dark-eyed Juncos and Song Sparrows about too.
Steller’s Jay in West Van - Photo: Claire Tong
Steller’s Jay on the Howe Sound Crest Trail in West Van - Photo: Claire Tong
We kept going up the trail in the fog and rain and hoped we would encounter a Northern Pygmy-Owl. It was not to be. We did find a very accommodating Hammond’s Flycatcher at eye level tail pumping and hawking for insects! As we continued on, we saw a Hermit Thrush, more Wilson’s Warbler and a Varied Thrush.
Hammond’s Flycatcher on Cypress - Photo: Paul Jacques
We did see a Sierra Dome Spider which Claire spotted and a Douglas Squirrel that the youth enjoyed feeding. A few noisy Vaux’s Swifts flew over us in the fog.
Sierra Dome Spider on Cypress Mtn
Douglas’ Squirrel in West Vancouver - Photo: Claire Tong
Right before we got to the top at Bowen Lookout two Canada Jays came flying in. Maybe they smelled the peanuts! The kids were squealing with delight at this and they all had a mini photo shoot with the birds. They really are charming birds.
Canada Jay on Cypress - Photo: Claire Tong
Canada Jay on Cypress - Photo: Paul Jacques
Canada Jay in West Vancouver - Photo: Leo Jaspers
Canada Jay eating walnuts
Canada Jay closeup!
Canada Jay eating nuts
We continued to the lookout. There we had none of the spectacular view normally afforded here due to the thick fog. At one point the fog dissipated a little, so that we could see some of the shapes of the islands in Howe Sound. We had our lunch here and had a Yellow-pine Chipmunk and Douglas’s Squirrel and several Steller’s and Canada Jays for company!
The foggy view from the top of Bowen Lookout on Cypress Mtn
Yellow-pine Chipmunk on Cypress - Photo: Claire Tong
One of the Steller’s Jays were begging for food and shaking its wings as a chick would do to an adult. It was pretty cute. The kids had great fun with all these birds and critters and put nuts on their heads so that the birds could land on their heads and had another photoshoot each.
Canada Jay about to land on Claire’s head
Leo feeding a Canada Jay with a Steller’s Jay waiting its turn at Bowen Lookout.
Miranda feeding a Canada Jay on Cypress
Kaia feeding a Canada Jay on Cypress
Paul feeding a Canada Jay on Cypress
Canada Jays on Cypress - Photo: Paul Jacques
On this trip we had one of my previous young birder graduates Kalin Ocana with us. I will note he has a criminal record check as all volunteers do with the program. It made me proud to see how he could talk about the birds and their habitats to the children and answer their questions. I still remember meeting him for the first time at 12 and his excitement at showing me an American Dipper when I was up in Penticton viewing a Little Gull. All the young birders who have come through my program have really amazed me with their ability and it’s been so rewarding to work with them.
Kalin Ocana joined us today
Young Birders at Cypress Bowl
We may have got wet but had a great trip all together. Thanks to all the youth who came out and the parents for bringing them.
Our next trip is Sept 20th at 1pm at Boundary Bay. If you want to register please email me at BCBIRDERGIRL@GMAIL(dot)COM
