March 7 - Maplewood Flats, North Vancouver

Another one of my "diversity location" posts. I decided to give this site a try to do something different, little knowing that many birding locations would be closed in the next week or two due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

I've never had a lot of luck here, other than a lifer Rock Wren in 2016. I did see a nice collection of birds on this day with one new one for 2020. I also have to say that some of the photos taken were of good quality, as light conditions were good for the day.

First up was the common Spotted Towhee. It can look quite menacing at times.

Spotted Towhee - Maplewood Flats Conservation Area, 

North Vancouver BC

I caught a hummingbird sitting still for a moment. it was an Anna's which now seems to be the dominant hummingbird species in the Lower Mainland.

Anna's Hummingbird - Maplewood Flats Conservation Area, 

North Vancouver BC

I'm quite certain that these next two ducks are both Common Goldeneye, first the female and then the male.

Common Goldeneye (F) - Maplewood Flats Conservation Area,  North Vancouver BC

Common Goldeneye - Maplewood Flats Conservation Area,  North Vancouver BC

Although so common as to be overlooked, the American Robin is one of the most striking and photogenic birds one can see.


American Robin - Maplewood Flats Conservation Area,  North Vancouver BC

This Junco shot didn't turn out quite as well:


Dark-eyed Junco - Maplewood Flats Conservation Area,  North Vancouver BC

And last but not least, a new species for the year. The Mew Gull is similar in size and appearance to the common Ring-billed Gull. The Mew Gull has a smaller/pointier bill with little to no black on the tip.

The gull in the foreground may be an immature Ring-billed (or a mew) , but I'm quite confident about the one in the background being an adult Mew Gull.


Mew Gull - Maplewood Flats Conservation Area,  North Vancouver BC - 2020 Bird #65

That ended this outing, March 2020 would be an interesting month to try to get some safe birding done.