45

The waterfowl of the Fraser Delta, British Columbia BARRY A. LEACH

Introduction average annual rainfall on the north An account has been given earlier mountainous side is 200 mm. (80 in.). In (Leach 1970) of the establishment of a the centre, at Steveston on Lulu Island, ‘Slimbridge on the Pacific’. This paper it is 100 mm. (39 in.) and on the south describes the surrounding area, its water­ side, at Boundary Bay it is 90 mm. fowl populations and the management (36 in.). Snowfall averages 36 mm. (14 in.) problems. but in some winters it remains only a day The Fraser delta is part of the lowland or two. The average annual temperature which extends from the Coast Mountains at Ladner in the centre of the delta is of British Columbia southward across the 9.5°C. The minimum frost-free period is alluvial plains of the Fraser River, the about 150 days per year and the average Skagit and other small rivers, to the annual period is some 200 days (Taylor southern extremity of Pugit Sound in the 1970). Due to the ‘puddling’ of cold air State of Washington. It may, however, be between the dykes, frosts tend to linger treated as a clearly defined sub-unit of on the delta farmlands. The growing this ecological area because recent en­ season begins in mid-March and lasts for vironmental changes in the Fraser Valley 250 to 265 days. have been more intensive than in the The main geographical features of the neighbouring area of Washington State lower valley and delta of the Fraser River immediately south of the international were formed during the retreat of the border. In this study the ‘Fraser delta’ Cordilleran ice sheet between fourteen will include those parts of the Fraser and eleven thousand years ago. The great Valley’s alluvial plain which are contained thaw left a broad fjord between the Coast between the coasts and tidal reaches or Mountain Range to the north and the the Fraser, Pitt, Serpentine, Nicomekl and Cascade Range to the south-east. Relieved Campbell Rivers (Figure 1). of the burden of ice 1,700 metres (5,500 The climate of the delta is mild, but feet) thick, the land rose about 300 subject to considerable variation. The metres (1,000 feet) so that by 9500 B.C.

Figure 1. Map of Frazer Delta, British Columbia. Localities numbered on map: 1 Sea Island; 2 Reifel Island; 3 Westham Island; 4 Burnaby Lake; 5 Stanley Park; 6 Iona Island; 7 Annacis Island; 8 Pitt Lake, Pitt Valley; 9 Deas Island; 10 Tsawwassen; 11 Burns Bog. 46 W ildfowl

the elevation was within 30 metres (100 mountain goats into the famous beauti­ feet) or less of its present elevation. The fully patterned blankets. large moraines of glacial till, strewn across The arrival of the white colonists began the lower parts of the valley, helped to a series of drastic environmental changes. contain vast alluvial deposits which raised The establishment of a Hudson’s Bay the valley bottom out of the sea. Most of trading post in 1827 at Fort Langley the present alluvial plain was marsh, but 56 km. (35 miles) from the mouth of the the hills formed by the moraines were Fraser encouraged intensive beaver covered with dense temperate Pacific trapping. The depletion of this animal coast rain forest predominantly cedar, fir led to the disappearance of many ponds. and hemlock, with spruce, alder, maple The Gold Rush of 1858 resulted in a and willow along the fringes. sudden influx of settlers, and the pre­ The water levels of the Fraser River emption, clearing and draining of land. marshes were subjected to considerable In 1898 a great flood demonstrated the changes by the spring run-off from the need to dyke the sea coast and tidal ice and snows of the vast mountain ranges reaches of the rivers. This vast under­ in the river’s watershed. These, together taking transformed most of the tidal with the effects of the tides on the delta, marshes into farmland. Inland water reduced the habitat for waterfowl nesting bodies were also drained so that of the in the larger marshes. However, the three hundred lakes and large ponds growth of a large population of beaver described by early settlers in the Munici­ led to the creation of many ponds in the pality of Surrey, none now remains. Sumas upland areas which provided breeding Lake, which supported a large waterfowl habitat for ground nesting waterfowl as population in the central part of the well as tree nesting species such as the Lower Fraser Valley, was drained in the Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, and 1920’s to yield 365 hectares (900 acres) perhaps American Goldeneye. Natural of agricultural land. catchments in the hilly areas and In spite of the reduction of the depressions in the alluvial plain formed marshes, large numbers of waterfowl lakes, some covering hundreds of hectares. continue to visit the Fraser delta during The larger islands of the delta comprised their migratory journeys. This is due to from west to east : tidal marshes, in the survival of the extensive tidal mudflats which bulrush and cattail predominated; of Boundary Bay and the estuarine marshy meadows of grasses and sedges; marshes of Roberts Bank and Sturgeon and peatbog dominated by labrador tea Bank, which offer secure resting areas. and hard-hack. The combination of tidal Furthermore, these are matched by feed­ marshes, islands, fresh marshes and lakes ing habitat in the 70,000 hectares (175,000 made the lower Fraser Valley the first acres) of meadow and arable lands still major stopping place for waterfowl regularly flooded by the heavy rains migrating southward down the Pacific between November and April. Coast from Eastern Siberia, Alaska, and Arctic Canada. Wetlands of the Fraser River Delta The Stalo groups of the Coast Salish Indians settled in places where the forest Boundary Bay—Mud Bay met the river or tidal marshes. Here they This bay was formed by tidal flow in had unlimited supplies of timber for the post-glacial period when the Fraser houses and boats in close prosimity to Valley was a fjord. The 6,000 hectares their main foods, salmon and shellfish. (14,800 acres) of inter-tidal flats are However, they also hunted mammals and deltaic deposits of sands, interspersed birds in the river marshes. Night-hunting with thin seams of clayey silt, mica, for waterfowl was conducted in dug-out shells and organic materials. These canoes with a bright pitch fire burning support three basic plant communities on the prow. The hunters crouched in important to waterfowl, (a) The eel grass the shadow of a mat screen and paddled Zostera marina beds on the lower tidal or drifted downstream close enough to flats, which support considerable num­ reach the birds with five-pronged spears bers of Black Brant, especially during the or nets. This method was remarkably spring, (b) The red, green and blue-green similar to that used on the marshes of the algae community on the inter-tidal flats, Caspian Sea as described by Savage associated with a large variety of small (1963). The Stalo Indians also hung nets marine animals which are eaten by waders between poles on the tidal flats in order and dabbling ducks, especially Green­ to catch low flying waterfowl at night. winged Teal, (c) The salt marsh, with Waterfowl feathers and down were woven several species of terrestrial halophytic together with the hair of dogs and plants, beyond the sea-dyke and on a Waterfowl of the Fraser Delta 47 number of small islands in the eastern levels due to heavy rainfall and the sea­ part known as Mud Bay. This community sonal run-off from the adjacent mountains provides subsidiary foods for dabbling virtually limit waterfowl breeding to tree ducks and, in Mud Bay, an important nesting species. Flocks of dabbling duck loafing area, especially at high tide or congregate in the Pitt River marshes in rough weather. Beyond the flats the tidal early autumn. Geese are also attracted to waters provide feeding opportunities for the more secluded parts of the marsh. large flocks of diving ducks, especially the scoters and scaup. The Fraser Valley Farmlands Together with the tidal flats and Roberts and Sturgeon Banks marshes, the farmlands constitute a These are the Fraser River’s estuarine major attraction to waterfowl. The most deposits of sand and silt which extend for important are those closest to the several kilometres into Georgia Strait estuarine marshes on Sea, Lulu, Reifel creating 13,000 hectares (31,800 acres) of and Westham Islands and on the main­ inter-tidal flats. The higher foreshores of land north of Boundary Bay and along the delta islands support thick stands of the valleys of the small rivers draining bulrush Scirpus spp. and cattail Typha into Mud Bay. Further up the valley, spp. Along the outer fringes the Lesser Sumas Prairie, formerly the site of a Snow Geese feed on rhizomes and shoots, shallow lake, and other extensive areas of associated with large flocks of American stubble, maize, meadow and arable land Wigeon and loafing Pintail. As in also attract flights of dabbling duck. Boundary Bay, the deeper waters are Peat Bogs attractive to a variety of diving ducks, grebes and loons. Large sphagnum peat deposits are located on Lulu Island and south of the The Fraser River Islands Fraser at Burns Bog. Although they are subject to flooding in winter and contain The estuarine islands have a similar large open bodies of water in peat cut­ flora to the foreshore marshes described tings, the peat bogs lack vegetation attrac­ above. Their shores and channels are tive to waterfowl. Migrating waterfowl frequented by dabbling ducks. Further sometimes rest on the open waters and a upstream, the larger river islands are in­ few pairs of Mallard and Blue-winged tensively farmed and provide feeding Teal nest on the fringes of the bogs. areas for dabbling ducks. The trees along their shores afford nesting habitat for Lakes and ponds Wood Duck. The only natural shallow lake in the delta area frequented by waterfowl is one The Pitt River of 137 hectares (339 acres) located in the This short river flows from Pitt Lake centre of Burnaby, an eastern suburb of to join the Fraser a few miles east of New Vancouver. Its shores are lined with cat­ Westminster. The marshes south of the tail, and yellow flag Iris pseudacorus lake have been much reduced in recent backed by marshy land and mixed wood­ years, but a wild remnant still offers land. Mallard, Blue-winged Teal, Cinna­ habitat for Coast Deer Odocoileus hem- mon Teal, Gadwall and Wood Duck nest ionus columbianus, Black Bear Euarctos there. These are joined by flocks of americanus, Bald Eagle Haliaetus leuco­ migrating ducks in the autumn. Canada cep h a la , Osprey Pandion haliaetus caro­ Geese visit the lake regularly. The White- linensis, and Sandhill Crane Grus cana­ fronted Goose and the Whistling Swan densis. Considerable fluctuations in water are rare visitors there. 48 Wildfowl

Waterfowl 3 Lesser Canada Goose Branta canaden­ Forty-one species of swans, geese and sis parvipes ducks have been recorded on the Fraser This medium-sized Canada Goose is River delta. seen on the coast of British Columbia in October and November. Dozens of skeins, each of between 50 and 200 birds Group A. Breeding birds and regular pass over the Fraser delta in mid-October. wintering population. Some of these alight to feed on the meadows or to rest and preen on the tidal 1 Lesser Snow Goose Anser caerulescens mud-flats or open water areas in Burns caerulescens Bog. In the early 1960’s a flock of up to This is the commonest wintering goose two thousand birds wintered on Mud Bay, on the marshes of Roberts and Sturgeon feeding on an 80 hectare (200 acre) Banks. From October till March there private sanctuary in the vicinity. Increas­ are usually about 3,000-4,000, but between ingly frequent disturbance by poachers March and April as many as 6,000. They put an end to this situation. In 1963 gales feed along the tide line on the roots of drove unusually large numbers of these bulrush, and very occasionally cattails. geese east of their main migration route John Work, who kept a journal of the first along the west coast of Vancouver Island. exploration of the delta in December About 10,000 spent several days on the 1824, recorded that : Fraser delta, until the opening of the “On the low land at the entrance of shoodng season drove most of them south­ the (Fraser) River geese, particularly ward. However, 2,000 remained till white ones, were very numerous and January at the newly-established water­ were by no means shy, they allowed fowl refuge at Reifel Island. Since then themselves to be approached easily. Mr. flocks of between 20 and 200 birds have McKay killed 3 of them.” visited the refuge annually between Since then the Snow Geese have learnt October and January. to be more wary and they seldom venture over the sea-dykes except in stormy 4 Black Brant Branta bernicla orientalis periods at high tide. However, in The main southward migration of November 1971 at the Reifel Island refuge Black Brant from Alaska to Baja Cali­ about 250 birds began to feed regularly fornia, passes the British Columbia coast on young grain beside the entrance road far out to sea. However, several small in close proximity to visitors. In the groups arrive on the inside passage early 1960’s several ringed geese were between Vancouver Island and the main­ recovered indicating that they were land, and winter in the shallow bays of hatched on Wrangel Island, NE. Siberia. Georgia Strait and Puget Sound, Others have been recovered in central Washington. In recent years the beds of Oregon and south central California. eel grass in Boundary Bay have supported This suggests that the Fraser and Skagit a wintering population of only a few (Washington) deltas are mainly stopping dozen birds. A decade ago 500-1,000 places for birds wintering further south. Brant were regularly seen there in mid­ winter. Between March and May the northward migration progresses along the 2 Great Basin or Moffitt’s Canada Goose coast. The Canadian Wildlife Service Branta canadensis moffitti estimates that about 14,000 birds pass This is the large ‘honker’ which nests through Boundary Bay in this period. A in the interior valleys of British Columbia. few birds also occur regularly at In the past it has been asserted that some Tsawwassen, South Roberts Bank. Non- of these birds migrate to the Fraser delta, breeding birds occasionally remain but this is not proven. The status of this throughout the summer. race has become difficult to define since the establishment of breeding populations 5 Pintail Anas acuta acuta of uncertain origin at Stanley Park in Like the American Wigeon, the Pin­ Vancouver, at the waterfowl refuge on tail is mainly a passage migrant but con­ Reifel Island, and at Burnaby Lake. siderable numbers are present throughout Over a hundred pairs of these birds now the winter. Their preference for flooded nest in the Lower Fraser Valley. Some arable land causes them to concentrate in geese from the flock introduced to Elk the southern half of the delta. They Lake on Vancouver Island may also cross arrive in August and their numbers peak the Strait of Georgia to the Fraser River in late October. The average number marshes. present October-December 1969 was Waterfowl of the Fraser Delta 49

32,326. By mid-December most of them or snow limits the grazing. Estimates by have moved south, but numbers build up Munro (1949) of wintering populations in again in February and remain high till January of three consecutive years showed early April. One pair nested for three considerable variation. He counted from successive years (1966-1968) at Serpentine Fraser River mouth to Boundary Bay and Fen near Mud Bay, and three pairs found 7,590 in 1947, 1,060 in 1948 and successfully hatched a total of 16 duck­ 3,151 in 1949. Wigeon make up about 21% lings at Iona Island in 1968. of the wildfowlers’ annual bag. The main exodus is in April. A few birds linger 6 American Green-winged Teal Anas into May but there are no nesting records crecca carolinensis for the Lower Mainland. This little duck arrives on the coastal marshes in large numbers in September. 10 Blue-winged Teal Anas discors dis­ cors In early October it appears to outnumber all other ducks, but by November there This is a summer resident breeding in is a marked reduction from 20,000 to flat, open farmlands of the Lower Fraser 3,000-4,000. Munro (1949) counted 4,500 Valley wherever ditches, sloughs, ponds in 1947, 4,000 in 1948 and 3,200 in 1949, and rivers offer suitable habitat. Numbers all in January. During the spring this bird of breeding birds show considerable passes through the delta rapidly and the annual variation. They respond very flocks are never as conspicuous as those readily to habitat management. The addi­ in the autumn. This species occasionally tion of small ponds and clumps of rushes breeds in the Lower Fraser Valley. A nest to an open 12 hectare (30 acre) meadow was unfortunately destroyed in the course on the Reifel Refuge resulted in a of bulldozing the pen ponds at the Reifel quadrupling of the nesting population the Waterfowl Refuge in 1966. One pair following spring. They arrive late in nested at Iona Island in 1969. April and are gone by September. Some birds on passage north also visit the delta 7 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in May but they are seldom identified in platyrhynchos the fall. The Mallard nests in the marshes, farm­ 11 Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera sep­ lands and parks of the Lower Fraser tentrionalium Valley. Large numbers pass through or winter on the delta. The Canadian Wild­ Also a summer visitor, the Cinnamon life Service Census for October, Novem­ Teal arrives early in April and nests in ber and December 1969 showed an the same localities as the Blue-winged average total of 34,602 on the tidal Teal. Numbers seem to have increased in marshes. Although not the most numerous the last decade; usually about forty pairs wintering duck they are the most highly breed in the coastal area. It, too, leaves prized quarry and constitute about 38% in late summer. Few birds have been of the ducks shot on the Lower Main­ recorded in winter. land. 12 Shoveler Anas clypeata 8 Gadwall Anas streperà streperà This duck is a local resident in the Like the Cinnamon Teal, the Gadwall Lower Fraser Valley. In the winter it is has increased as a breeding bird. About usually seen in small groups of a score or twenty pairs nest in the coastal area two among large flocks of other species. It beside brackish sloughs and fresh water nests only in the few remaining localities areas, especially at Burnaby Lake, Reifel where reedy cover adjoins a fresh or Island, and near the Iona Island sewage brackish pond. Thus the total breeding lagoons. This duck is also present in the population in the delta is seldom more winter. than ten pairs, located mainly at Iona, Sea and Reifel Islands. 9 American Wigeon Anas americana 13 Canvasback Aythya vallisneria Large flocks of ‘Baldpates* are evenly distributed throughout the marshes of the Flocks totalling about 200 winter on the delta. Fluctuations in numbers in the coast. Smaller groups are also found on autumn suggest that many thousands of the inland waters of the Lower Fraser birds are on passage to Oregon and Valley. California. Census figures for Wigeon show an average total of 45,582 birds 14 Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis between October and December. In This duck is found in small or scattered January numbers drop, especially if frost groups on inland waters or on the tidal 50 Wildfowl sloughs and bays between October and 20 Pacific Harlequin Duck Histrionicus March. A few remain on the coast histrionicus pacificus throughout the summer, but they do not These occur frequently in small groups nest. on the coastal waters of the Lower Main­ land. They nest along the mountain 15 Pacific Greater Scaup Aythya marila streams of the Coast Range. In mid-June mariloides the drakes return to the sea, where they This species winters in large numbers are joined by the ducks and young in on the coastal waters especially in Boun­ September or October. They prefer rocky dary Bay where very large concentrations shores and kelp beds and are less often have been seen during peak migration seen off the estuary marshes. between mid-October and December. During the rest of the winter the popu­ 21 Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemaIis lation is about 3,300 birds. The ‘Old Squaw’ winters in large num­ bers on the open coastal waters. Flocks of several hundred birds are present from 16 Wood Duck Aix sponsa mid-October till mid-March. A common resident breeding where there are suitable nesting trees near bodies 22 Barrow’s Goldeneye Bucephaia islan­ of fresh or brackish water large enough dica to offer it security. The felling of old This species nests in the southern in­ poplars along the Fraser River and marshy terior of British Columbia and occurs on sloughs led to a drop in numbers, but rocky sections of the Lower Mainland during the last decade the provision of Coast between October and March in nesting boxes in the Pitt Valley, Burnaby larger numbers than the American Lake, Reifel Island and Stanley Park has Goldeneye. The total of 3,388 counted resulted in an encouraging increase. The within 15 miles of Vancouver in Decem­ Lower Fraser and Pitt Valleys have a ber 1970 is the largest concentration nesting population approaching 200 pairs. reported in the North American Christ­ Winter counts in the last two years have mas count. also shown an increase in numbers. 23 American Goldeneye Bucephaia clan­ 17 American Black Scoter Melanitta gula americana nigra americana Commonly observed in small or scat­ This species occurs less frequently than tered groups along the coast and on the other scoters. It is unusual to see inland waters between October and more than a score or two wintering in any March. Small flocks remain until April. single location. They arrive early in A few birds are seen during the summer, October and all but a very few depart by and one pair has nested at Burnaby Lake. late April. 24 Bufflehead Bucephaia albeola 18 Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata This little duck is very common on salt and fresh waters throughout the This is the most common scoter on the winter. Even roadside ditches or ponds a open coastal waters. The total wintering few yards wide attract a bird or two. populations number several thousand but Because the wintering population is so they are so spread over the waters of scattered it is very difficult to assess its Boundary Bay and Georgia Strait that it size. Only a few remain later than April is difficult to make an accurate count. or early May. They arrive in late September and most depart by mid-April. Flocks of non­ 25 Hooded Merganser Mergus cuculla­ breeders, sometimes several thousand tus strong, linger through the summer This species frequently winters on the months. coast. A few pairs also nest beside secluded wooded ponds and lakes in the 19 Pacific White-winged Scoter Melan­ Lower Fraser Valley. itta fusca dixoni This species arrives in mid-October, 26 Red-breasted Merganser Mergus ser­ and reaches a total wintering population rator serrator of about a thousand. Numbers dwindle This species is common in the delta through April and May. It is rare in waters in the winter, arriving in Septem­ summer. ber and October, when it prefers salt Waterfowl of the Fraser Delta 51 water. However, it is also attracted up 2 Trumpeter Swan Cygnus cygnus buc­ the river estuaries by the movements cinator of salmon parr. It leaves in March for A rare migrant on the coast. A pair the boreal forest in the north which it lingered at Reifel Island for several weeks approaches via the Pacific Coast and in the spring of 1969. They also occur major inlets. regularly at Pitt Lake and Lulu Island. 27 American Merganser Mergus mer­ 3 Pacific White-fronted Goose Anser ganser americanus albifrons frontalis This large ‘saw-bill’ is a frequently This goose occurs occasionally in small observed resident in the Lower Fraser numbers as a passage migrant in late Valley. During the winter it is found on September and early October. Groups of fresh or brackish waters, usually in small 30-40 birds remain on the delta for a flocks of up to twenty birds. However, few days, roosting on Roberts Bank or over 400 have been seen together on one Boundary Bay and grazing on the adja­ small lake. In the spring the pairs move cent farmlands. They also occur in ¿ie into the clear waters associated with the Pitt Valley. Single birds or pairs have mountains north of the delta. wintered in recent years at Reifel Island, Burnaby Lake and Stanley Park. 28 Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis jamaicensis 4 Dusky Canada Goose Branta canaden­ This winters on tidal sloughs and sis occidentalis sewage lagoons, normally in flocks of up Vancouver Canada Goose Branta cana­ to 50. However, congregations of several densis fulva hundred have been reported. One or two The large, dark plumaged Canada pairs nest occasionally beside Iona Island Geese which are occasionally observed or sewage lagoons, and Burnaby Lake. shot on the Fraser delta have usually been recorded as ‘Western Canada Geese’ or ‘Queen Charlotte Canada Geese’ be­ cause dark birds are found nesting on the Queen Charlotte Islands (fulva). However, fulva tends to be sedentary, whereas considerable numbers of occiden­ talis migrate along the west coast of Vancouver Island and winter in Oregon. Thus dark birds seen on the Fraser delta are likely to be the latter race. 5 Cackling Goose Branta canadensis minima This litde goose winters in small groups Group B. Species which occur regularly or singly on the delta, and occurs regu­ in small numbers. larly at Reifel Island and Stanley Park. 1 Whistling Swan Cygnus columbianus columbianus 6 European Green-winged Teal Anas This species is an occasional passage crecca crecca migrant and rare winter visitor. Though Recorded as a regular, rare transient in their usual migration route is in the in­ the Lower Fraser Valley. Its resemblance terior, in some autumns groups of over to carolinensis makes it easy to overlook. twenty fly over the delta. In 1965 many At least ten birds were observed in 1971. alighted in the valley near Mud Bay where over a score were illegally shot. 7 European Wigeon Anas penelope Several of the survivors were nursed back This bird winters regularly in very to health in Stanley Park. A pair of these small numbers. A group has been birds placed on Burnaby Lake nested observed feeding on the same meadow on there. Unfortunately the eggs were des­ Reifel Island throughout the last decade. troyed in 1966 and the cygnets were killed by waste oil discharged into the 8 Redhead Aythya americana lake in 1967. A flock of 29 wintered in Small numbers have been recorded on 1966 on Westham Island, 28 were seen the delta coast during spring and winter on Sea Island in 1961, and groups of four months. The flock of 61 seen on Pitt to six birds occur regularly near Clover- Lake in February 1972 is the largest dale between February and early May. recorded. 52 W ildfowl

9 Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris ments in soil analysis, drainage and Small groups winter on freshwater irrigation, and from shifts in economic ponds and sloughs in the Lower Fraser demands. Early in the present century Valley. Occurs regularly at Burnaby Lake, grain farming was predominant, but Lost Lagoon and Pitt Valley. dairy farming, beef-cattle finishing, poultry growing and market gardening have now taken over. It is claimed that Group C. Casual migrants and ‘acciden­ reduction in the acreage under grain led tals’. to a drop in the wintering population of 1 Emperor Goose Anser canagicus waterfowl, which were formerly attracted to the stubble fields. However, it seems A casual winter visitor. A single bird likely that other changes, especially indus­ wintered at White Rock, 1965-1970. It fed trial and urban growth and increased along the shore and roosted on a jetty hunting pressure, have had more detri­ beside the pier. mental effects upon the wintering water­ fowl population. 2 Baikal Teal Anas formosa The shores of the Fraser’s North Arm Recorded as accidental in the Checklist have now become so congested with in­ of Vancouver Birds. dustrial activity that the only remaining waterfowl habitat of any significance is 3 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Iona Island, where sewage lagoons A casual visitor to the Fraser Valley. provide an artificial attraction to ducks. One or two birds have occurred at Iona Sea Island foreshore is still valuable Island in the spring, and at Stanley Park habitat, but the location of Vancouver in the autumn 1961, 1970 and 1971. International Airport there has resulted in action to reduce the avian population 4 Smew Mergus albellus in order to prevent ‘bird strikes’ on air­ One adult male seen on three occasions craft. Annacis Island and the upper reach at Lost Lagoon, Stanley Park, Vancouver, of the South Arm have also become in­ in November 1970. dustrial areas, but efforts are now being made by the Provincial Fish and Wild­ life Branch and the Canadian Wildlife Service to secure the islands in the lower reaches for wildlife management. Further south, the construction of a large coal- loading jetty on Roberts Bank is the first phase in the development of a major deep- sea harbour. The loss of half of South Roberts Bank will be matched by the urban-industrial development of the adjoining delta farmlands. However, even this seems preferable to the six reclama­ tion schemes proposed in the last decade, which would have converted much of Boundary Bay into industrial or residen­ tial sites. Though public protests have blocked these plans, suburban housing Management problems developments have covered much of the neighbouring farmlands around Ladner, Land use and more are planned for the west shore The construction of 530 km. (330 miles) of Boundary Bay. of dykes along the coastal and estuarine The extension of suburban sprawl shores of the Lower Fraser Valley entirely beyond the South Arm of the Fraser changed the ecology of the delta. Though resulted from the construction of the most of the construction took place at Deas Island Tunnel in 1960. Ease of access the turn of the century, the distributions also encouraged an increase in hunting and habits of the higher animals of the pressure. This, in turn, has had effects region are still undergoing responsive upon the habits of waterfowl wintering changes. These are further complicated on the delta, especially the geese. by the impact of other human develop­ ments in agriculture, industry and urban growth. Wintering populations Changes in agricultural practices in the During the last three decades the Fraser Valley have resulted from improve­ Canadian Wildlife Service and the Waterjowl of the Fraser Delta 53

Provincial Fish and Wildlife Branch have daily bag limits. Apart from about 200 collected information about the size and hectares (500 acres) of tidal marsh within content of the wintering wildfowl popu­ the Reifel Waterfowl Refuge, all fore­ lation. This process has been sporadic shore areas are open to shooting, as are and conducted mainly to demonstrate the all lands not specifically posted with ‘No value of the waterfowl resources in terms Hunting’ signs. In these areas an average of hunting recreation, rather than to of over 15,000 duck hunters are able to provide ecological data (Taylor 1970). hunt between sunrise and sunset. In 1965, However, when combined with data from for example, 16,600 hunted an average of the Vancouver Natural History Society’s 14.4 days each. This gives a total of about annual bird counts and the observations 240,000 waterfowl hunting days in the of many other groups and individuals, the Lower Mainland. This figure is an im­ official statistics confirm that the Fraser pressive illustration of the economic and delta has retained its importance as a recreational value of the waterfowl wintering area or resting place for resource. But, in the absence of any migratory waterfowl. management or control, it also represents If it is to continue to do so provision a terrible degree of continuous harassment must be made in the development of for the ducks and geese. The harassment Greater Vancouver for the conservation of probably has more effect upon the sur­ three types of habitat: (i) coastal waters vival rate of waterfowl than the actual and tidal flats; (ii) estuarine marshes; (iii) annual bag of about 115,000 birds. The deltaic farmlands. ability of the survivors to feed is severely The coastal waters and flats meet the restricted by the almost continuous needs of the diving ducks, especially the presence of hunters in the most favour­ scoters, scaups, goldeneyes, Buffleheads, able marshes and meadows. Within a and Long-tailed, Ruddy and Harlequin week or two of the opening of the season ducks. The eel grass beds of Boundary the great majority of geese quit the delta Bay are essential to the ecology of the for the great refuges of Oregon and Black Brant and are also important to the California. Most of those duck remaining American Wigeon which use them as a quickly adopt the habit of flying inland secondary source of food, and to the after sundown and feeding trader the diving ducks which seek animal foods cover of darkness. therein. The situation would be much improved The estuarine marshes must be con­ if sanctuaries were established in the main sidered together with the deltaic farm­ feeding areas. In order to attract and hold lands. The loss or reduction of either a wintering population of geese they would seriously deplete the numbers of would each have to cover at least 200 wintering dabbling ducks. The loss of the hectares (500 acres). As described above, foreshore marshes would deprive the the provision of temporary sanctuary in Lesser Snow Geese of an important Langley and a permanent refuge at Reifel staging and wintering area. Conversely, Island had an immediate effect upon the the preservation of these marshes alone migratory habits of considerable numbers might meet the needs of the Lesser Snow of Lesser Canada Geese. There have also Geese, but it would not ensure the main­ been progressive adjustments in the feed­ tenance of the present wintering duck ing habits of the Lesser Snow Geese at populations. The latter depend for much Reifel Island. The regular appearance of of their food upon the neighbouring Moffitt’s Canada Geese and White-fronted agricultural areas and the tidal areas Geese in the Pitt Valley is clearly attribu­ provide only secondary feeding oppor­ table to the presence there of large tunities. When frost or snow deprive the privately owned marshes where shooting dabblers of their inland feeding oppor­ is strictíy limited. tunities, the numbers fall from several The effect of the establishment of the thousand to a few hundred. The survival Reifel Refuge upon the duck population of low-lying farmlands further up the is more difficult to assess. In the mid­ Fraser Valley or in Washington State will sixties there were about 30,000 dabbling not compensate for losses on the delta ducks there by November. According to because the inland areas are more T . Burgess, who has been working there frequently under frost or snow. on a study of duck food ecology, the peak Reductions in wintering populations of number in 1968 was 63,500 and in dabbling ducks and Canada Geese are November 1969 it reached 136,000. Casual undoubtedly also caused by the tradi­ observations at Boundary Bay and Stur­ tional shooting methods and the absence geon Bank did not indicate a correspond­ of any waterfowl management practices, ing decrease, so the increase at Reifel other than the fixing of seasonal dates and Island could be attributed to birds which 54 Wildfowl would previously have flown further hands of any limited group, whether for south in earlier years. controlled hunting or sanctuary purposes. In spite of these indications of the However, the deterioration in the quality beneficial effects of refuges upon the size of duck hunting and the closing of many and variety of the wintering waterfowl areas close to the ever expanding subur­ populations, attempts to establish new ban developments has made the British refuges on the delta farmlands or to ex­ Columbia Wildlife Federation, which acts tend the boundaries of the Reifel Refuge on behalf of the hunters’ clubs, receptive to include more of the tidal flats and to the idea of management policy for the estuarine marshes have not yet met with remaining waterfowl habitat. success. The development of the Reifel Refuge demonstrated on a small scale the value of Breeding populations habitat management. It also resulted in the decision by Ducks Unlimited (Canada) The breeding populations of waterfowl to extend its work into British Columbia. in the Lower Fraser Valley are limited Together with the federal and provincial by the lack of suitable nesting areas beside wildlife authorities this organisation has fresh or brackish waters. Furthermore, contributed to the establishment of a there are considerable numbers of preda­ 6,500 hectare (16,000 acre) Wildlife tors, including the Great Horned Owl Management Area in the Crestón Valley Bubo virginianus, Cooper’s Hawk Acci­ in the interior of British Columbia. A piter cooperii, Red Fox Vulpes fulva, similar Management Area embracing Raccoon Procyon lotor, Mink Mustela Boundary Bay, the North Roberts Bank, vison, Opossum Didelphis marsupialis and the islands and waters of the South Virginiana, several species of weasels and Arm of the Fraser River would seem an skunks, domestic cats and dogs. Never­ impossible dream if it were not for the theless, the provision in a few localities of fact that a green belt, extending across nest boxes for Wood Ducks, and of new these areas and the farmlands between nesting sites for Canada Geese, Mallard, them, would also meet many other recrea­ Blue-winged Teal and Gadwall has tional and environmental needs of evoked an immediate response from the Greater Vancouver. Recent developments birds. There is no doubt that an exten­ in regional government have brought the sion of this type of work would have creation of such a green belt within the marked effect upon the size of the breed­ realm of possibility. Similarly, in some ing population of these species. areas of the valley a few hunting clubs have taken the first steps towards the The shift towards habitat management management of specific areas of farmland It is generally accepted that a clear in co-operation with the owners. Some habitat management plan would result in are now examining the possibility of an immediate increase in both the winter­ habitat improvements and the introduc­ ing and breeding populations of waterfowl tion of Canada Geese, Wood Ducks and on the Fraser Delta. It would also help to Mallard. Thus it is a time both of change prevent the loss of further valuable and of opportunity for waterfowl conser­ habitat, especially if the plan was part of vationists in the Fraser River delta. a regional policy for the conservation of beaches and green belts. But until recently both the federal and provincial Acknowledgements governments have been reluctant to I should like to thank C. Shepard and acquire lands for wildlife management R. W. Campbell of the Vertebrate purposes. Similarly, duck hunters, who Museum, U.B.C., E. W. Taylor and R. D. traditionally regard wildlife as common Harris of the Canadian Wildlife Service property, have strongly resisted attempts for their assistance in collecting data for to place choice habitat in the exclusive this paper.

Summary The Fraser River Delta, British Columbia, has extensive waterfowl habitat with both estuarine and freshwater marshes. Drainage and reclamation has significantly reduced these areas but sufficient remains to support substantial numbers of wintering waterfowl of a wide variety of species. The Delta is also of importance to migrant waterfowl, while small numbers breed there. Industrial and urban growth and increased hunting pressure are having detrimental effects on the wintering waterfowl population and it is vital that the various habitats are conserved, and sanctuaries provided to reduce the disturbance from shooting. The breeding population would benefit from the provision of nesting boxes and protection from predators. Habitat management is seen as the answer to the various threats. Waterfowl of the Fraser Delta 55

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Barry A. Leach, Douglas College. Institute of Environmental Studies, New Westminster, B.C., Canada.