look for in the coniferous woods at any time of year are second broods. Standing dead trees (“wildlife trees”) years, a Lewis’s Woodpecker has been observed near Golden-crowned Kinglets, Downy Woodpeckers and provide sites for cavity nesting Tree Swallows, Violet- the park in early September. BURKE Hairy Woodpeckers, and the crow-sized Pileated green Swallows, Downy Woodpeckers, Hairy MOUNTAIN Woodpecker. Signs of recent Pileated Woodpecker Woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches and a host of FALL activity are elongated holes and fresh woodchips at the other species. As the days shorten, birds get ready for their long NATURALISTS base of a “wildlife tree” (also called a snag, which is a southward journey. By mid-September most of the dead or dying tree). A number of neotropical migrants return each year to nest swallows have departed, followed over the next few in the Park. Swallows, flycatchers, vireos, warblers, weeks by warblers, flycatchers, vireos and other Both Ruffed Grouse and Sooty Grouse inhabit the Park grosbeaks, thrushes and tanagers all spend most of their neotropical migrants. Their numbers are often briefly but tend to be fairly secretive except in spring when their lives in the tropics, but come north to breed. Swainson’s swollen as birds from further north pass through this area. The Birds of Minnekhada loud booming calls can be heard anywhere in the Park. Thrushes, Black-headed Grosbeaks and Western One of the better locations to find Ruffed Grouse is along Tanagers are among the later arrivals. Look for them in Many overwintering species begin arriving by October. Regional Park and Area the North Trail. Winter Wrens are abundant and their mid- to late-May. Swainson’s Thrushes are usually The pasture in front of the Lodge often holds Northern long, musical song is one of the prettiest to fill the woods. found in the coniferous woods, along with Townsend’s Shrikes which were once known as “butcher birds” from Nestled at the foot of Burke Mountain in northeast Warblers and Western Tanagers. their habit of impaling prey on thorns. Short-eared Owls Coquitlam is a little bit of paradise called Minnekhada Brushy thickets along the marsh attract a number of and Rough-legged Hawks also frequent this habitat. Regional Park. The variety of habitats, ranging from high species including Song Sparrows, Spotted Towhees, Riparian (streamside) vegetation along the marsh and by rocky knolls to marshes, from deep coniferous woods and and Marsh Wrens. Great Blue Herons feed in the Addington Marsh provides nesting habitat for many Various sparrows begin to make their appearance as fall stands of alder and birch, to brushy thickets is reflected in marsh year round, along with Mallards and Wood species. Listen for the easily recognized “fitz-bew” song progresses. The rather elusive Lincoln’s Sparrow can the diversity of birds present. Hawks, owls, grouse, Ducks. of the Willow Flycatchers. You might be fortunate to be found in shrubby thickets around the marsh. Fox waterfowl, herons, woodpeckers and a variety of see male Common Yellowthroat Warblers performing Sparrows are often confused with Song Sparrows, but songbirds make the Park a satisfying destination for SPRING showy display flights in which they rise up to 30 metres in look for a chunkier build, an unstriped head, very heavy birdwatchers. the air, singing loudly as they go – all to attract a female. By March, Tree Swallows, Violet-green Swallows and breast streakings and a pale lower bill. The Fox Sparrow Yellow Warblers, Wilson’s Warblers, Marsh Wrens Barn Swallows can be found swooping over the marsh. overwinters in the area. Look also for Golden-crowned Bird records have been collected over a number of years and Red-winged Blackbirds are some of the other Cliff Swallows and Northern Rough-winged Swallows Sparrows and White-crowned Sparrows in the brushy by interested birders, by staff of the Great Vancouver species that find a home in this habitat. occur in smaller numbers at this time. thickets along the marsh and by cleared areas. Regional District (GVRD) Parks Department and by members of the Burke Mountain Naturalists. As of Woods dominated by alder trees form only a small American Bittern, Sora and Virginia Rail along with the Over the years, some interesting species have turned up September 2006, the bird species list contains 160 section of the Park but they provide habitat for Warbling species. This includes birds observed in the Park and in fish-eating Pied-billed Grebe should all be looked for in in the Minnekhada Park area. Perhaps the most Vireo and Red-eyed Vireo. In the dense understory, the immediate vicinity, including Addington Marsh, the the South Marsh. Did you know that many species of noteworthy to date was the Common Poorwill found Bewick’s Wrens find safe nest sites in downed logs or fields in front of Minnekhada Lodge and along Oliver Road grebes, including the Pied-billed, consume large dead on Quarry Road in October 1987. This species is brushy piles. east of the Park gate. We recommend that you obtain a quantities of their own feathers? Some biologists believe considered ‘accidental’ in the Greater Vancouver Region.

Park map, available at the entrance kiosks, and carry a they do this because they cannot readily digest fish If you walk quietly along the ditches by Addington Marsh, good bird guide to aid in bird identification. bones. The feathers may act as padding to protect their you might flush the uncommon Green Heron which nests WINTER stomachs against punctures from sharp bones. in nearby DeBoville Slough. Eastern Kingbirds are Waterfowl numbers increase in winter months and many YEAR ROUND of the species counted in the Park and area are found From the Panabode Trail, a short side-trail leads outside sometimes seen in the vicinity of the marsh and the rare A number of bird species live in the Park year round and during this season. The North Marsh is one of the best Park boundaries to a lookout offering superb views over Western Kingbird has been observed in front of are called “resident” species. Although you should be places locally to see Ring-necked Ducks. Look also for Addington Marsh and the Pitt River. From here, scan the Minnekhada Lodge. able to find them at any time of the year, some are more the common Green-winged Teal, Bufflehead, Hooded marsh for ducks such as Cinnamon Teal and Blue- readily observed in certain seasons. Merganser and Common Merganser, Northern winged Teal which have returned by mid-spring. If you From the Dyke Trail, head up to the Low Knoll which offers a bird’s-eye view of the North and South Marshes. Shoveler, American Widgeon and other species. are very lucky, you may see a Sandhill Crane. From a From the Quarry Road parking lot, the trail passes From here, you may spot a resident Red-tailed Hawk or distance, these stately birds can be confused with herons through a stand of red alder before entering a forest of even a Turkey Vulture, a summer visitor to the area. On Northern Pygmy Owls have been seen during the winter cedar, hemlock and Douglas fir. Here the trail forks and but in fact they are quite different and belong in a near Addington Marsh at the east end of Oliver Road and separate family. Sandhill Cranes have slate-grey days when the clouds lie low, flocks of both Black Swifts forks again, giving birders the choice of longer or shorter and Vaux’s Swifts can be seen from the this vantage on the Low Knoll in the Park. Great Horned Owls are walks. One trail encircles the Park and takes in a variety plumage, sometimes tinged with brown, a distinctive red easier to find in late winter when they begin breeding. patch on their forehead and a considerably shorter bill point. Swifts fly on stiffly-held wings that seldom seem to of habitats. From this main trail, several others branch off move. If you are feeling ambitious, a trek to the top of Look for them especially along the Panabode Trail near to the marsh located in the centre of the Park. Following than a heron. If you see them in flight, notice the long the picnic area by the Lodge. straight neck. Herons fly with their neck held in an s- High Knoll will provide even more wide-ranging views the perimeter trail with side-trips to the marsh will enable across Addington Marsh to the Pitt River where Ospreys the careful observer to find a number of different birds. curve, not outstretched like a crane. Northern Harriers Raptors are more readily found at this time of year. Both are readily identified by their long tail, slender wings and can often be seen fishing. Sharp-shinned Hawk and Cooper’s Hawk, two small Black-capped Chickadees can be found anywhere in the white rump patch. They can be found coursing low over woodland hawks nearly identical in plumage and shape, Rarities don’t occur only during migration, and it is best to Park, while the similar but less-common Chestnut- the marsh, hunting for rodents. Spring migration can can be found along the forest edges. Falcons are keep you eyes and ears open throughout the year for backed Chickadees are usually found in the coniferous sometimes yield the unexpected. One year, a White- identified by their long tail, pointed wings, rounded head unexpected surprises, such as the Chipping Sparrow woods. A high-pitched two-note call indicates the throated Sparrow turned up in April at the end of Oliver and generally, a moustache stripe. Look for American which turned up here one June. Also in June, there was a secretive Brown Creeper. This tiny bird spirals up a tree Road adjacent to the Park. Kestrel, the larger Peregrine Falcon, and the smaller confirmed report of an American Redstart warbler. trunk, probing the bark for insects. Another small forest- and darker Merlin. Winter can bring other interesting Erratic species such as many ‘winter finches’ can arrive in dweller is the Red-breasted Nuthatch which scurries SUMMER birds such as Townsend’s Solitaire, a grey thrush with any season and White-winged Crossbills were recorded down tree trunks head-first looking for insects that the By summer, most species are well into the business of white outer tail feathers. Look for it especially in front of in the Park one summer. On three occasions over the Creeper over-looked on its upward journey. Other birds to rearing young and some early nesters are already on their the Lodge. BIRD LIST FOR MINNEKHADA REGIONAL Other Nearby Areas: PARK AND AREA UNCOMMMON CASUAL DeBoville Slough and the Pitt River dykes are adjacent to Cackling Goose Red-breasted Northern Goshawk Lewis’s Woodpecker Minnekhada Regional Park and both offer superb bird- The following is a list of the 160 species observed in Trumpeter Swan Sapsucker Spotted Sandpiper Least Flycatcher watching opportunities. To learn more about these areas, Minnekhada Park and in the immediate area. Given Gadwall Hairy Woodpecker Lesser Yellowlegs American Redstart pick up a copy of the Burke Mountain Naturalists’ current information (in 2006), the species have been Blue-winged Teal Pileated Woodpecker Long-billed Dowitcher Chipping Sparrow brochures “The Birds of DeBoville Slough” and another classified as common, uncommon, rare or casual Cinnamon Teal Olive-sided Flycatcher Ring-billed Gull White-throated Sparrow brochure describing the natural history of DeBoville according to the likelihood of a sighting when in-season. Northern Pintail Western Wood-Pewee Common Poorwill Yellow-headed Blackbird Slough at your local library or from our website given The taxonomic order and names comply with the Lesser Scaup Hammond’s Flycatcher below. American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North Common Goldeneye Pacific-slope Flycatcher American Birds 7th edition and the 47th supplement. Barrow’s Goldeneye Eastern Kingbird

Sooty Grouse Northern Shrike Getting There: Common is defined as a species that should be found in Ruffed Grouse Cassin’s Vireo suitable habitat on every visit. Uncommon indicates that Pied-billed Grebe Hutton’s Vireo Contact Information the species is not easily found, but is present in limited Double-crested Northern Rough-winged Swallow Burke Mountain Naturalists numbers and/or is secretive and hard to spot. Rare Cormorant means that the species can be present in very low American Bittern Chestnut-backed PO Box 52540, number or may be very difficult to find. Casual identifies Green Heron Chickadee RPO Coquitlam Centre, a species considered very rare, with only 1-3 known Turkey Vulture Brown Creeper COQUITLAM BC, V3B 7J4. records. Sharp-shinned Hawk Bewick’s Wren 604-937-3483 Cooper’s Hawk Ruby-crowned Kinglet http://www.bmn.bc.ca Introduced species have an [I] after their name. They are Rough-legged Hawk Hermit Thrush not native to this area, but are known to have been American Kestrel American Pipit The BMN holds meetings on the second Tuesday of each present for more than 10 years. Virginia Rail Yellow-rumped Warbler month (except June, July and August) at Como Lake Sora Black-throated Gray United Church, 535 Marmont St. in Coquitlam. Regular American Coot Warbler walks and hikes are organized throughout the year. New Killdeer Townsend’s Warbler members are always welcome; feel free to attend our COMMON Wilson’s Snipe MacGillvray’s Warbler meetings to find out more. Mew Gull Western Tanager Canada Goose Barn Swallow California Gull Fox Sparrow BMN wants to hear of any unusual wildlife you see. Your Wood Duck Black-capped Chickadee Rock Pigeon [I] Lincoln’s Sparrow observations will contribute to our knowledge of the local American Widgeon Bushtit Band-tailed Pigeon Golden-crowned environment. Mallard Red-breasted Nuthatch Great Horned Owl Sparrow Green-winged Teal Winter Wren Common Nighthawk Bullock’s Oriole Ring-necked Duck Marsh Wren Black Swift Purple Finch Bufflehead Golden-crowned Kinglet Greater Vancouver Regional District, Central Vaux’s Swift Red Crossbill Hooded Merganser Swainson’s Thrush Area Parks Office Belted Kingfisher Evening Grosbeak Common Merganser American Robin House Sparrow [I] 9174 Avalon Avenue Ring-necked Pheasant Varied Thrush BURNABY, BC, V3N 7J4 Great Blue Heron European Starling [I] Tel: 604-520-6442 Osprey Cedar Waxwing www.gvrd.bc.ca/parks/Minnekhada.htm Bald Eagle Orange-crowned Warbler Northern Harrier Yellow Warbler RARE A map showing the features and facilities in Minnekhada Red-tailed Hawk Common Yellowthroat Snow Goose Thayer’s Gull Park is available on the GVRD web site (in pdf format). Glaucous-winged Gull Wilson’s Warbler Tundra Swan Caspian Tern Rufous Hummingbird Spotted Towhee Northern Shoveler Mourning Dove Downy Woodpecker Savannah Sparrow Text by Christine Hanrahan. The bird data Greater Scaup Barn Owl DIRECTIONS; Northern Flicker Song Sparrow Red-breasted Western Screech-Owl Minnekhada Regional Park is located in northeast were originally compiled by Christine Willow Flycatcher White-crowned Sparrow Merganser Northern Pygmy Owl Coquitlam, 7 km from the Lougheed Highway. Turn north Hanrahan (1993) and were updated by Larry Warbling Vireo Dark-eyed Junco Ruddy Duck Barred Owl onto Coast Meridian Road and follow the signs to the Red-eyed Vireo Black-headed Grosbeak Cowan (2006). Common Loon Short-eared Owl Quarry Road entrance and parking area. Steller’s jay Red-winged Blackbird Horned Grebe Western Kingbird Northwestern Crow Brewer's Blackbird © The Burke Mountain Naturalists, September 2006 Merlin Gray Catbird CAUTION: ALWAYS LOCK YOUR VEHICLE, AND Common Raven Brown-headed Cowbird Peregrine Falcon Townsend’s Solitaire LEAVE NOTHING OF VALUE VISIBLE FROM OUTSIDE. Tree Swallow House Finch Sandhill Crane Bohemian Waxwing Violet-green Swallow Pine Siskin Greater Yellowlegs Western Meadowlark No cycling or motorized vehicles on the trails. Dogs are Cliff Swallow American Goldfinch Funding for this leaflet was Pectoral Sandpiper White-winged Crossbill welcome, but must be on leash. provided by TD Canada Trust.

2006 – 09