Maplewood Conservation Area

I was out of the house early on this Sunday morning and headed for North Vancouver to visit two birding locations. My first stop would be the Maplewood Conservation area and then  up to Grouse Mountain to walk the Powerline Trail. I added one more stop at the end of the day in Vancouver.

My target birds were migrating flycatchers and warblers at Maplewood. For Grouse I hoped to see Willow Flycatcher, Western Tanager and possibly Band-tailed Pigeon. There was also a chance of Warblers.

I've  had very mixed results at Maplewood with more poor outings than good ones. It is located off the Ironworkers Bridge heading towards Deep Cove, situated on Burrard Inlet. It is split in half by a small salt water inlet.

I was poking around on the East side when I noticed a large bird up high in a tree. My first thought was a Hawk, but it was a Turkey Vulture. It seems that these birds have pretty well spread all across the US and Canada now. It's rare to see one perching so close.

Turkey Vulture - Maplewood Conservation Area, North Vancouver BC

I crossed the footbridge over to the West side and heard a few woodpeckers high above. At the marsh I saw this Mallard and her ducklings.


Mallards - Maplewood Conservation Area, North Vancouver BC

It's not unusual to see deer on the grounds, I believe this is a black-tailed.


Black-tailed Deer - Maplewood Conservation Area, North Vancouver BC

I was almost back at the bridge when I heard an unfamiliar call. There had been reports of migrating flycatchers and sure enough, this was a Western Wood-pewee. Flycatcher ID can be tricky, the Willow Flycatcher is the most common flycatcher in the Lower Mainland. This bird had a different call and behaviour. It would perch on a branch and then sally out to catch bugs on the fly. I used my IPhone birding app to confirm the call I'd heard. It was a Western Wood-pewee.

Western Wood-pewee - Maplewood Conservation Area, North Vancouver BC

For a change, I had opportunities to take some close-up photos as the bird was not bothered by my presence.

Western Wood-pewee - Maplewood Conservation Area, North Vancouver BC

I took my leave of the Pewee and walked back across the short bridge. There was a couple there who had spotted a mammal in the stream below. I zoomed in and took some shots and showed them the results. We agreed it was an Otter, not a Beaver. After a bit of research at home I concluded it was a River Otter.

River Otter- Maplewood Conservation Area, North Vancouver BC

River Otter- Maplewood Conservation Area, North Vancouver BC

Another photographer tried to get closer and spooked a nearby Great Blue Heron. It flew up to the bridge and landed on the railing, about 6 feet away from me. This was all I could get with my lens from so close.

Great Blue Heron - Maplewood Conservation Area, North Vancouver BC

I left Maplewood and headed for Grouse Mountain, unaware they were paving Capilano Road. After a detour through residential areas that took about twelve turns, I arrived. The Powerline trail straddles the base of Grouse Mountain. There is a bit of a climb, but nothing like going up the Mountain on the Grind. Overall it was quiet for birds. I did not see or hear Western Tanager but managed a few shots of other species. The one species I saw but could not photograph was Orange-crowned Warbler. 

The first bird I saw was a Rufous Hummingbird perched on a wire. I've seen Male Rufous in many locations this year, most of them away from Hummingbird feeders.

Rufous Hummingbird - Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver BC

Also on the wire nearby was a Willow Flycatcher. These flycatchers like to sit on a higher perch for long periods and sally out when something appealing flys by. Their call of a loud Fitz-bew is unmistakeable. 

Willow Flycatcher - Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver BC

I got to the end of the trail and turned around to come back. I heard some rapid twittering coming from nearby, it was a flock of Bushtits. One of them was very cooperative and posed for me nicely.

Bushtit - Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver BC

Bushtit - Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver BC

On my way back from North Vancouver I decided to make a quick side trip to the PNE grounds. They had added a nice conservation area a few years ago and someone had recommended it to me. The area was quite nice, but I was probably a bit late in the day (and season) for any special birds.

I did see these immature Canada Geese swimming on the pond.

Canada Geese - Hastings Park Sanctuary, Vancouver BC

And here's a Double-crested Cormorant with what looks like a first year bird.

Double-crested Cormorants - Hastings Park Sanctuary, Vancouver BC

That ended a long day of birding with lots of driving and a good walk in the middle of the day.