Mar 2025

On a Sunday afternoon at the beginning of March, I took a walk by the lake. The lake is near a residential area, with occasional traffic noise, but the environment around the water remains relatively undisturbed—a quiet retreat within the city.

Near the parking lot and along the trees by the lake, a large number of crows were perched or moving about. Overhead, a few pale-winged raptors circled the sky. Based on the color of their undertail coverts, I believe they were Red-tailed Hawks.

As expected, Mallards dominated the lake, displaying a variety of behaviors—most were resting, while a few were energetically splashing and calling. A few pairs of Wood Ducks floated gracefully in the quieter areas, keeping close to their mates. Small groups of American Wigeons were also present; they would likely be departing soon for their breeding grounds.

One particularly striking moment was spotting a female Hooded Merganser suddenly darting out of the reeds, half-flying, half-skimming across the water for several meters, almost gliding before reaching the lake’s center. She then repeatedly flapped her wings, dove, and shook her head—a behavior resembling the courtship display of a male. Eventually, she climbed onto a floating log to rest. On the same log, two Double-crested Cormorants were drying their wings. I suspect this female Hooded Merganser is the same one I saw throughout the winter. This time, I also spotted a male Hooded Merganser, though the two weren’t particularly close. I have a feeling they might stay in Vancouver for the summer instead of migrating. If they do pair up, they will likely nest somewhere near this lake.

The geese were, of course, a familiar sight. They occasionally wandered across the grassy areas near the lake. At one point, two geese that had been on the grass suddenly honked loudly and plunged into the water. Another goose followed, also honking, and the two engaged in what seemed like a standoff. Could this have been a territorial dispute or a competition for a mate?

The biggest surprise of the day was discovering that Great Blue Herons were nesting here. At first, I spotted a single pair, their nest nearly complete. A passing photographer mentioned she hadn’t seen herons nesting here before. She pointed me to another three pairs on the far side of the lake. I went to check and found all three. Among them, only one pair had a fully formed nest, while the other two pairs stood quietly on the branches. Occasionally, one would take flight, circle the lake, and land on a different branch. The pair actively building their nest worked together, adjusting the structure and preening each other. Sometimes, one bird gently pecked the other’s back.

At the top of a tree, I noticed a pair of Northern Flickers—I first heard their calls before spotting them.

Other songbirds included Bushtits, fluttering like insects between the trees near the residential area, and Black-capped Chickadees, whose calls were nearly constant along the path. Perched on the tips of bare branches near the water, an Anna’s Hummingbird made an appearance. Given the lack of evergreen trees or flowers nearby, I suspect it was drawn to bird feeders in the surrounding homes.

Overhead, Glaucous-winged Gulls occasionally passed by. A immature one lingered near the parking lot, where it was joined by European Starlings, American Robins, and, of course, crows.

2025.03.02