A Bird Magnet!

Zip, zing, zoom – birds are flying everywhere! I knew this was going to be a good walk exclaims Mojgan – I just knew it.

The air is buzzing with excitement as the five of us explore this ‘new to us’ trail. We entered the grassy pathway just off Beaverbrook and are following Stoney Creek heading South – along side the power lines. A good mix of bushes, grasses, and conifers meet our eyes – perfect bird habitat. Keep this recipe in mind if you want to create your own backyard bird haven. Plant it and birds will come – in flocks – guaranteed!

Every so often a soft warm breeze blows, bringing with it the fresh fruity scent – kind of like ripe plums – of the flowering policeman’s helmet, an invasive species but a welcome reprieve from the rank sewage smell that wafts past our nose the odd time. Phew!

Why are there so many birds going into that particular tree, calls Amanda? Just look at them all: red breasted sapsuckers, female western tanagers, northern flickers, American robins, stellar’s jays …

Binoculars to eyes we all diligently scan up and down said tree.

Are those … grapes? They are!!!

Look at all of them! No wonder there are so many birds. Who would have thought we would see a grape vine down here? It has grown up right through that tree!

Do you think you can get a picture of them Randy?

Grapes … amazing – a bird magnet for sure.

Fresh fruit and berries are an important food source for many birds. Try planting a mountain ash tree in your yard, or apartment complex, and see what “bird traffic” you can generate this fall. Sliced apples, or apple cores, put into a hanging suet cage are a special treat for many feathered friends as well.

Stats: 5 birders

Date: Sept. 13, 2014

Bird Species Identified: 12

Time: 10 am – 11:30

Weather: sunny and 13 degrees

Location: Beaverbook and Noel trail

If you would like to be notified of upcoming bird walks, along Burnaby’s Stoney Creek, email birds@scec.ca and specify if you are interested in weekend walks or Thursday morning walks. We would love to have you join us!

 

Grapes & Group by Randy Snyder, Red Breasted Sapsucker by  Alison Pakulak

Grapes & Group by Randy Snyder, Red Breasted Sapsucker by Alison Pakulak