Young Birder Trip to Grant Narrows in Pitt Meadows
Young Birders at Grant Narrows in Pitt Meadows - Photo: Melissa Hafting
On June 13-2026, 13 young birders and I went to Grant Narrows to look for birds such as Redstarts and Catbirds, that we don’t easily see in other parts of the lower mainland.
We walked the nature dyke trail to the tower hoping to find a Least Flycatcher like we did last year but had no luck with that species this year. We did encounter stunning male orange Bullock’s Orioles, Eastern Kingbirds, Swainson’s Thrushes, Cedar Waxwings Western Wood-Pewees, Warbling Vireos, Wood Ducks, Rufous Hummingbirds, Gray Catbirds, Red-winged Blackbirds and Brown-headed Cowbirds, Tree Swallows and Yellow Warblers on the trail though! It was very hot but a stunning walk full of beautiful scenery.
Tree Swallow on the nature trail near Katzie Marsh at Grant Narrows - Photo: Leo Jaspers
Gray Catbird at Grant Narrows - Photo: Melissa Hafting
Instead of taking the shorter way back, the kids decided they wanted to walk the full loop that runs all the way around Katzie Marsh. We did so and saw a lone Trumpeter Swan in the marsh. It is rare to see swans here in the summer since they breed in the far north and arctic, so the bird was likely injured and decided to over-summer.
Trumpeter Swans like this one are rare in Summer in the Metro Vancouver area - Photo: Luis Huxley
We also saw a Hairy Woodpecker and many beautiful Band-tailed Pigeons, Willow and Western Flycatchers, Common Yellowthroats, Song Sparrows, Western Tanagers, singing Pacific Wrens and Canada Geese and their goslings, Gadwalls, a couple Buffleheads and Common Mergansers to boot.
When we got onto the main dyke and were nearing the Katzie Marsh tower, we were sad to see that no Cliff Swallows were nesting on the tower, as they have done in previous years. In previous years someone had scraped the nests off. There was no evidence of that this year but I guess all the disturbance in previous years had caused the birds to vacate the nesting site. Truly sad. We did see Barn, Northern Rough-winged, Tree and Violet-green Swallows. We also saw the beautiful Purple Martins (our largest swallow) landing on the posts in Pitt Lake, which was cool to see. The youth enjoyed watching the Ospreys catching fish and bringing them back to their young.
Male Purple Martin at Grant Narrows - Photo: Luis Huxley
One of many nesting Ospreys we saw at Grant Narrows - Photo: Leo Jaspers
An Osprey about to eat a fish that it caught at Pitt Lake - Photo: Leo Jaspers
The park was full today with many boaters, paddleboarders and recreational hikers and fishermen. It was a scorcher at 29 C.
We had lunch back at the boat lunch and hydrated and then walked to Catbird Slough. It was a lovely walk and we had 6 American Redstarts, both male and females singing loudly! We also had a few shy Gray Catbirds, a Wilson’s Warbler, a singing Red-eyed Vireo and Black-headed Grosbeaks.
Male American Redstart singing at Pitt Lake near Catbird Slough - Photo: Luis Huxley
Immature male American Redstart at Grant Narrows - Photo: Luis Huxley
This male American Redstart sat still in the same position for quite some time - a rare thing for this species! - Photo: Leo Jaspers
We also had a couple Turkey Vultures, more Eastern Kingbirds, Northern Yellow Warblers and American Goldfinches on the walk to Catbird Slough.
Eastern Kingbird at Grant Narrows - Photo: Leo Jaspers
Male Northern Yellow Warbler at Grant Narrows - Photo: Luis Huxley
We got to the end of Catbird Slough and we were getting super tired, as we walked almost 8 km that day. However, we continued on and walked up to see the Yellow-breasted Chat. We could hear it calling in the distance from the dyke. It was a lifer for a few of the youth who came out today. We sadly never saw the bird but heard it singing loudly with its whistles. You can listen to our recording below:
After this, it was time to head back and meet the waiting parents and get some more hydration! We were surprised to see a Northern Harrier flying over us on the way back! It was a great day with stunning scenery and weather. We ended up with 56 species after 5 hours in the park. Thanks to all the youth who came out today and all the parents who brought them! Hope to see you all on our next trip to Victoria on July 19th!
