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Rare Bird Alert Calgary: Jan 12

Jan13

Have you seen an unusual bird in Calgary? If it is on this Reportable_Birds (PDF), please report it to the Nature Calgary Rare Bird Alert line at 403 221-4519 and leave a message after the beep at the end of the recording. If you would like some help with species identification, us email us at zoxox@shaw.ca  To report injured wildlife call the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society at 403 239-2488, or the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation at 403 946-2361.

This Bird Albert was recorded on Jan 12, 2012.

JAN 8

TRUMPETER SWAN – seen by Bob Worona at Frank Lake
NORTHERN PINTAIL – 3 seen by BW as above
AMERICAN ROBIN – 30 seen by Gary Malcolm at Waterfall Valley in Bowmont Park
THREE-TOED WOODPECKER – Richard Clarke saw one 300 metres from the parking lot on the Wild Rose Trail at Brown-Lowery PP

JAN 9

CINNAMON TEAL – a male in breeding plumage, reported by Gus Yaki,Andrew Stiles, and members of the FFCCPP, seen along the east side of the Bow River north of the Hwy 22X bridge
VARIED THRUSH – being seen daily in Bob Lefebre’s yard in southeast Calgary.
TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE – 4 seen by Shawn McCready on the Grotto Canyon trail east of Canmore, about 2 kms from the trailhead
AMERICAN ROBIN – 20 seen by Gary Malcolm on the Fournier property in Bowmont Park
PRAIRIE FALCON – at the Calgary Zoo Ranch , seen by Dwight Knapik

JAN 10

CINNAMON TEAL – still present as above

The next scheduled update of the bird alert is on Mon Jan 16.

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: Jan 9

Jan10

Have you seen an unusual bird in Calgary? If it is on this Reportable_Birds (PDF), please report it to the Nature Calgary Rare Bird Alert line at 403 221-4519 and leave a message after the beep at the end of the recording. If you would like some help with species identification, us email us at zoxox@shaw.ca  To report injured wildlife call the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society at 403 239-2488, or the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation at 403 946-2361.

This report was prepared on Thursday, Jan 9.

Sunday, JANUARY 8
–SNOWY OWL (5 + 9) – 5 observed by Terry Poulton on TwpRd 262, E of RgeRd 262 (near Bruce Lake). 9 owls seen by Terry Korolyk included 6 on RgeRd 253 & TwpRd 262 between Hwy 564 and RgeRd 255; 1 on TwpRd 240 at Cheadle; 2 E of Shepard (one on TwpRd 232, the second on RgeRd 284 just S of TwpRd 232)

Saturday JANUARY 7
–LESSER SCAUP (1f 1m) – N of Hwy 22x bridge over the Bow R by TK
–AMERICAN KESTREL (1m) – E of Hwy 22 on TwpRd 320 at RgeRd 42 (NW of Cochrane) by Ron Kube
–AMERICAN DIPPER (1) – Big Hill Springs PP by Steve Kassai
–GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET (2) – location as above by SK
–PINE GROSBEAK (2) – location as above by SK

Friday, JANUARY 6
–WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL (1f) – seen by Carol Coulter in her yard in SE Calgary

Wednesday, JANUARY 4
–RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER (1) – last reported sighting – by Jeff Bank, coming to a feeder at Karen Scott’s, adjacent to SW corner of George Lane Park in High River

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Thursday, Jan 12, 2012.

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: Jan 6

Jan7

Have you seen an unusual bird in Calgary? If it is on this Reportable_Birds (PDF), please report it to the Nature Calgary Rare Bird Alert line at 403 221-4519 and leave a message after the beep at the end of the recording. If you would like some help with species identification, us email us at zoxox@shaw.ca  To report injured wildlife call the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society at 403 239-2488, or the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation at 403 946-2361.

This report was prepared on Thursday, Jan 5.

Wednesday, JANUARY 4
–TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE (4) – Elbow River monthly survey by Gus Yaki and CFNS field trip
–RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER (1) – George Lane Park in High River by Jeff ____

Tuesday, JANUARY 3
–HOODED MERGANSER (1m) – Elliston Park in SE Calgary by Terry Korolyk and Bob Lefebvre
–NORTHERN PINTAIL (1m) – Ralph Klein Park in SE Calgary by TK
–KILLDEER (10) – 6 at Hull’s Wood, 1 at Bankside, 3 at Mallard Point,all in Fish Creek PP, by TK
–TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE (2) – Brittania subdivision in SW Calgary by Phil Cram
–RED CROSSBILL ( 25) – Britannia by PC

Monday, JANUARY 2
–LESSER SCAUP (1f, 1m) – Hwy 22x bridge over the Bow R by TK
–GREEN-WINGED TEAL (1f) – Mallard Point in Fish Creek PP by TK
–COMMON GOLDENEYE X BARROW’S GOLDENEYE (1m) – Policeman’s Flats, SE of Calgary off Dunbow Rd, by TK

Sunday, JANUARY 1
–KILLDEER (3) – Carburn Park by Jeff Bingham
The Fish Creek PP annual New Year’s Day Bird Count reported the following:
–REDHEAD (1)
–GADWALL (1)
–RED-TAILED HAWK (1)
–PRAIRIE FALCON (1) – Hwy 22x bridge over the Bow R
–KILLDEER (record 15)
–EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (1) – new for the count

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: Jan 2

Jan3

Have you seen an unusual bird in Calgary? If it is on this Reportable_Birds (PDF), please report it to the Nature Calgary Rare Bird Alert line at 403 221-4519 and leave a message after the beep at the end of the recording. If you would like some help with species identification, us email us at zoxox@shaw.ca  To report injured wildlife call the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society at 403 239-2488, or the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation at 403 946-2361.

This report was prepared on Monday Jan 2.

Bird Sightings:

–RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER (1) – seen by many observers in High River’s George Lane Park or coming to Karen Scott’s feeder at 506 – 4 St (bordering the park)

Sunday, JANUARY 1
–SNOWY OWL (many) – 18 seen by Ron Kube on a trip to Rockyford and return to Calgary (route was E on Hwy 564 to Rockyford then return W on Hwy 9 and back roads, S on RgeRd 253 to NW of Strathmore, then returning to Calgary on Hwy 564 and RgeRd 262; 4
owls seen by Terry Poulton on TwpRd 262 between RgeRds 242 and 254; another owl seen independently by both Terry and Eddy
Matuod on Country Hills Blvd and Barlow Tr in NE Calgary; and finally a Snowy seen by Eddy on Symon’s Valley Rd, 800 m S of Big Hill Springs Rd
–PRAIRIE FALCON (1) – corner of 144 Ave NW and RgeRd 15 by EM
–NORTHERN HARRIER (1) – Calgary Zoo’s private facility SE of Calgary by Dwight Knapik

Saturday, DECEMBER 31
–SNOWY OWL (7) – between Beiseker and Drumheller by David Pugh
–NORTHERN HAWK OWL (1) – Hwy 596 just W of Turner Valley by Daniel Arndt

Friday, DECEMBER 30
–PRAIRIE FALCON (1) – Inglewood Bird Sanctuary by Jim Walling
–AMERICAN DIPPER (1) – Fish Creek PP just east of Macleod Tr by Bob Lefebvre
–NORTHERN GOSHAWK (1) – Fish Creek PP, just S of Bebo Grove by Bill Wilson

Thursday, DECEMBER 29
–LESSER SCAUP (1f) – channel on W side of Bow River just SW of Glenmore Tr bridge by BW
–NORTHERN PINTAIL (1m) – S of Deerfoot Tr, N of Beaverdam Flats by BW
–DUCK sp (1) – unusual duck somewhat like an American Black Duck but with a white speculum and white throat with few markings seen near the footbridge to Prince’s Island Park by K O’Connell

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Thursday, Jan 5, 2012.

BIRD STUDY GROUP – Meets the first Wednesday of the month, 7:30 pm, Room 211, BioSciences Building, University of Calgary. The next meeting will be Wednesday January 4. The program will be a review of local Christmas Bird Count results.

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: Dec 26

Dec27

Have you seen an unusual bird in Calgary? If it is on this Reportable_Birds (PDF), please report it to the Nature Calgary Rare Bird Alert line at 403 221-4519 and leave a message after the beep at the end of the recording. If you would like some help with species identification, us email us at zoxox@shaw.ca  To report injured wildlife call the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society at 403 239-2488, or the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation at 403 946-2361.

This report was prepared on Monday December 26.

Bird Sightings:

October – December 26:  –RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER: Around since October 2011, the woodpecker continues to be seen in the same location as previously reported, in High River.

Dec. 24:

–NORTHERN HAWK OWL: Just west of Turner Valley along Hwy.546. Seen previously on Dec. 19.

–NORTHERN SHRIKE: Glenmore Reservoir, south escarpment W.of yacht club. By Bill Wilson.

–EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE: Deer River Green, SE Calgary, by Dave Breckon.

–PEREGRINE FALCON: W. of Black Diamond.

–TUNDRA SWAN(1): Frank Lake. Previously reported from the High River CBC.

Dec. 25:     –VARIED THRUSH:(1), seen in yard of Bob Lefebvre in SE Calgary.

Dec.26:      –SNOWY OWL(3), east of Calgary, by Terry Korolyk.

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Thursday, December 29.

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: Dec 22

Dec23

Have you seen an unusual bird in Calgary? If it is on this Reportable_Birds (PDF), please report it to the Nature Calgary Rare Bird Alert line at 403 221-4519 and leave a message after the beep at the end of the recording. If you would like some help with species identification, us email us at zoxox@shaw.ca  To report injured wildlife call the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society at 403 239-2488, or the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation at 403 946-2361.

This report was prepared on Thursday December 22.

Bird Sightings

Several Christmas bird counts over the last week produced some interesting birds as follows:

December 18, Calgary bird count produced 69 species, including the following species of interest: AMERICAN PIPIT (first ever for the count); GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-INCH ( second ever for the count); CANVASBACK, PIED-BILLED GREBE, NORTHERN HARRIER, HARRIS’S SPARROW, RUSTY BLACKBIRD, COMMON GRACKLE, RED-TAILED HAWK, LONG-TAILED DUCK, HARLEQUIN DUCK AND AMERICAN DIPPER.

December 20, High River count produced a record 56 species, including the following species of interest: RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, TUNDRA SWAN, PEREGRINE FALCON , and COMMON MERGANSER, all a first for the count. Five species of owls included LONG-EARED AND NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL.

December 18:
–KILLDEER: Up to 12 different birds were seen by three different parties along the Bow River; near the 22x bridge; at Policeman’s Flats; and two at Griffith’s Woods along the Elbow River.

December 19:
–NORTHERN HAWK OWL(1), just W. of Turner Valley along Hwy.546; by Andrew Slater
–GOLDEN EAGLE (imm), 1km. S. of Turner Valley along 208 Str., by AS.

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Monday, December 26.

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: Dec 19

Dec20

Have you seen an unusual bird in Calgary? If it is on this Reportable_Birds (PDF), please report it to the Nature Calgary Rare Bird Alert line at 403 221-4519 and leave a message after the beep at the end of the recording. If you would like some help with species identification, us email us at zoxox@shaw.ca  To report injured wildlife call the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society at 403 239-2488, or the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation at 403 946-2361.

This report was prepared on Monday December 19.

December 17
–RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER: Been around for over a month at feeders behind 506-4str., High River, behind George Lane Park.
–BLUE-WINGED TEAL:(F) Bow River at Policeman’s Flats, end of Bow River Bottom Trail, off Dunbow Rd, by Terry Korolyk.
–AMERICAN WIGEON: same as above.
–GADWALL: near 22x bridge on the Bow River, by TK
–LESSER SCAUP: same as above.
–NORTHERN HAWK OWL: SW of Turner Valley, at 226 Ave and 112 Str, by Ross Lein.
–TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE(3): Beaverdam Flats, by Steve Karsai.
–NORTHERN GOSHAWK: same as above.

December 18:
The following species were all seen during the Calgary Christmas Bird Count:

–AMERICAN PIPIT: Bow River at Carburn Park.
–GRAY-CROWNED ROSY FINCH: at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.
–CANVASBACK: Bow River near downtown Calgary.
–PIED-BILLED GREBE: mouth of the Elbow River.
–NORTHERN HARRIER: along 50th Ave on eastern edge of the city.
–HARRIS’S SPARROW: substation on 50th Ave. SE., and another also in SE Calgary.

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Thursday December 22.

Red-bellied Woodpecker Photos

Dec18

Red-bellied woodpecker from Wikipedia

As many of you know, there has been a Red-bellied woodpecker living in George Lane Park in High River for the last few weeks. Blog reader and photographer Duane Starr visited the park on December 17, and took a series of excellent photos of this rare bird.

You can see his collection of Red-bellied woodpecker photos on his  website. Just click any of the thumbnail pictures on the left to see a larger view of the photo.

Once you’ve enjoyed the woodpecker pictures, you must travel on over to his photos of the Great Gray Owl – they are fantastic.

Thank you Duane, for sharing your work!

Posted by Pat Bumstead

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: Dec 15

Dec16

Have you seen an unusual bird in Calgary? If it is on this Reportable_Birds (PDF), please report it to the Nature Calgary Rare Bird Alert line at 403 221-4519 and leave a message after the beep at the end of the recording. If you would like some help with species identification, us email us at zoxox@shaw.ca  To report injured wildlife call the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society at 403 239-2488, or the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation at 403 946-2361.

This report was prepared on Thursday December 15.

recently
— DARK-EYED JUNCO, Oakridge (Calgary), Margaret Bruner

December 10
— WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL 6, Cedarbrae (Calgary), J. Weldtman

December 12 and succeeding
— RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, George Lane Park, High River, several obs

December 14
— KILLDEER, Hull’s Wood, Fish Creek PP, Terry Korolyk
— AMERICAN TREE SPARROW 2, same, TK

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Monday December 19.

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: Dec 12

Dec13

Have you seen an unusual bird in Calgary? If it is on this Reportable_Birds (PDF), please report it to the Nature Calgary Rare Bird Alert line at 403 221-4519 and leave a message after the beep at the end of the recording. If you would like some help with species identification, us email us at zoxox@shaw.ca  To report injured wildlife call the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society at 403 239-2488, or the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation at 403 946-2361.

This report was prepared on Monday December 12.

December 8
— NORTHERN PINTAIL, Cave & Basin, Banff NP, J&M McDonald, Jerry Pilny
— WESTERN GREBE, Lake Minnewanka, same obs
— WILSON’S SNIPE, Cave & Basin, same obs
— SNOWY OWL, Lynnwood yard flyby, Pat Bumstead
— COMMON GRACKLE, Lynnwood yard, PB

December 10
— AMERICAN WIGEON, Pine Coulee Reservoir, Terry Korolyk
— NORTHERN HARRIER, east of Stavely, TK
— NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL, south of Water Valley, J&MMcD
— GREAT GRAY OWL, near Elkton, J&MMcD
— SHORT-EARED OWL, near Ovans Slough, J&MMcD
— AMERICAN ROBIN 5, Queen’s Park Cemetery, Bill Wilson

December 11
— RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, George Lane Park, High River, Peter Maksymiw
(second provincial record if accepted)

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Thursday December 15.