Vanier Park Sightings

stickman · **Posted:** Apr 28 10:35 am

Went for a walk around Vanier Park/Maritime Museum yesterday evening. Highlights include: Greater White-fronted Goose, Hermit Thrush, several great looks at American Goldfinches, many Yellow-rumped Warblers (Audubon's) and an obliging male Red-shafted Northern Flicker!

The White-fronted Goose has been at Vanier Park for over a week now hanging out w/a group of Canada Geese. If you've never seen one, this one may be there for a while yet as its obviously having an identity crisis...

It was tough to ID the Thrush at first (Swainson's vs. Hermit), but it was alone and flicking its wings & tail which are both characteristic of Hermits apparently. Didn't hear the song unfortunately, which is supposed to be quite impressive and distinct.

stickman · **Posted:** Apr 30 7:47 pm

I walked around this area again this evening:

-The White-fronted Goose is still there. Its actually really small. There is a Lesser White-fronted Goose, but the chances of it making it all the way down here are slim to none. Perhaps someone with more experience than me has had a look?

-I saw a Least Sandpiper wading along the shore of the pond which is a new one for me. These guys are tiny! I almost missed it because it's camouflaged so well and was hidden by the bank.

-Now that the swallows are out in full force this pond is a great place to see Barn, Northern Rough-winged and Violet-green Swallows.

Sam Salmon · **Joined:** Mar 13 10:49 pm **Posts:** 40

Swallows are early in the 'hood this year spotted my first last night.

VentureVancouver · **Posted:** Apr 30 8:10 pm

Are they Barn or Tree Swallows? I was talking to someone in Reifel and they told me Barn Swallows are an eastern thing...
Lots of Yellow-Rumped Warblers hanging about in the deciduous trees near the pond - and the eagles are stunning - rarely see them nesting this close to the ground!

RickWright · **Posted:** Apr 30 9:17 pm

I'm out of town until next weekend, but perhaps when I'm back the Kitsilano gang could get together for a walk. Let me know if you think you might be interested.

tuftedpuffin · **Posted:** Apr 30 9:51 pm

It is a small goose isn't it? Much smaller than what I thought something with Greater in the name would be called, and I noticed it didn't seem to have the black markings on the belly that are shown in my books. I almost wonder if it could be a Greylag goose. They can be found amongst Canada Geese in Europe... perhaps a feral bird? I really don't know though...

The goose sure seems friendly. Let me go right up to it, granted I did take my time approaching. It pretty much slept through it all right up until one of the Canada geese randomly nipped its bum. It jumped up, settled right down again.

Here is one of the photos I took of it if interested...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28138740@N07/4564770486/

RickWright · **Posted:** May 01 8:59 pm

Stopped off to take a quick gander at the Greater White-fronted Goose in Vanier Park this morning on our way out of town. Also there were a Wilson's Snipe looking kind of gawky on the lawn and a Wilson's Warbler among the usual Myrtle, Audubon's, and Orange-crowned.

stickman · **Posted:** May 02 3:56 pm

Thanks for checking this out Rick. Saw a Wilson's Warbler of my own today at Jericho Park alongside an Orange-crowned.

I would be up for a walk sometime -- as long as it doesn't conflict w/a Canucks game!

Julian

VentureVancouver · **Posted:** May 04 2:56 pm

Lots of Yellow-Rumped Warblers, Savannah Sparrows and a female Downy Woodpecker this morning in Vanier Park

stickman · **Posted:** May 30 5:24 pm

Saw 2 Eared Grebes at Vanier Park this afternoon along with the following notables:
-four Blue-winged Teal
-a Killdeer
-a Spotted Sandpiper
-Western Wood-Pewee
-Yellow Warbler
-Wilson's Warbler

stickman · **Posted:** Oct 31 11:47 am

I've been walking around this area almost every day the past few weeks, mostly in the evenings on the way home from work. There are a couple of Wilson's Snipes that have been lurking by the big pond for over 2 weeks. I haven't had many good looks as I only ever see them when flushed.

Saw a drab Western Meadowlark in one of the Willow trees yesterday as well as the following:
-2 Horned Grebes
-juvenille Cooper's Hawk
-Cackling Goose
-Snow Goose
-Canvasback

Also saw a Pectoral Sandpiper on several occasions a couple of weeks back although these guys have almost certainly moved on by now.

The wintering ducks have also returned as there are Buffleheads, Lesser Scaups, Green-winged Teals and a slew of Wigeons in the pond too!

Julian

RickWright · **Posted:** Oct 31 12:37 pm

There's been a Eurasian Wigeon on the pond these past few days.

stickman · **Posted:** Oct 31 7:19 pm

Thanks for the heads up Rick. Is the Eurasian Wigeon a female or male? Has it finished molting? I will look for it this week.

Julian

RickWright · **Posted:** Nov 01 3:31 pm

Colorful drake Eur Wigeon still there this afternoon, with a Canvasback and a handful of Lesser Scaup. 'Best' bird was a Western Meadowlark, though.

stickman · **Posted:** Nov 01 9:20 pm

Saw the Eurasian Wigeon today along with the Canvasback. Buffleheads etc... Didn't see the Meadowlark this time though. I did see a Cackling Goose among the Canada Geese again.

Vanier Park Sightings

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