Tag: Hastings Park

Snipe in a snap

My contribution to the Vancouver Christmas Bird Count was Wilson’s Snipe. Long was this bird hiding among the grasses from me. Today’s sighting was short – I flashed the bird, and observed it as it flew away.

From all places, I found it in the Hastings racecourse infield – a habitat which is slated to become a parking lot in a 20 years redevelopment plan for Hastings Park. Contended with this plan are The Friends of Hastings Park, who would like to have a real park in the neighborhood.

Hastings Park Conservancy

It has a 6 lane traffic vain to the south known as Hastings Street, and an amusement park on the east known as the PNE. Yet, the habitat was created with birds in mind and birds who have heard of the park visit and stay.

The MacGillivray’s Warbler has been seen there for the last month (I was delighted to see him today personally for the second time, and fairly late in the season for our region).

The Hastings Park Conservancy offers free guided birding tours once a month. Our tour this morning started with two Cooper’s Hawks chased by a small flock of concerned Crows, ample of Golden-crowned Kinglets who wanted to see how pretty we were from a close range, a Belted Kingfisher who showed us one of his acrobatic maneuvers, and more.

It was after our group of birders dispersed when I got to see the MacGillivray’s Warbler; I also had the privilege of spending some time in the company of a new and exciting park visitor: an American Dipper, a black songbird who dives into water streams and feeds on small fishes and aquatic invertebrates. Below is an image of the same bird, taken a week later by H.D. Cooper; with permission.
American Dipper

After birding I joined a demonstration by the Friends of Hastings Park who are striving to expand the natural habitat of the park.

Here’s the birds’ list for Hastings Park.

A notice to small birds out there

Warning: if you’re a small bird or a rodent and you’re reading this post, stay away from Hastings Park! A Great Horned Owl has been seen there since mid September. He’s still there. The crows will alarm you of his whereabouts at day time, but not at night – they leave to roost. Also, there’s an immature Cooper’s Hawk at the park. Beware.

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