Posted by Matthew Sim
This summer while I was up in Calgary, I noticed a lot of starlings as well, especially in Fish Creek P.P. On one of my excursions to the park, I positioned myself beneath a Starling’s nest hole and managed to capture a few shots as the bird descended to feed it’s young.
Preparing for landing…
Landing; note food in beak
At nest hole; seems to be startled by the ferocity of its two young!
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, email us at birdscalgary@gmail.com. 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.
Compiled by Terry Korolyk
Carol Coulter has a SONG SPARROW in her yard in Calgary Southview this week and COMMON REDPOLLS have been reported by several observers throughout the week
OCT 22
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER – female on Glenmore Reservoir – Gus Yaki and FFCPP
BUFFLEHEAD – 1200, as above
VARIED THRUSH – 1, as above
OCT 23
BLACK SCOTER – flock of 6 immature/females at Glenmore Reservoir and a single immature Surf Scoter were just off point northeast of Sailing Club – seen by Ray Werschler in early afternoon; late afternoon sighting by Dan Arndt 150 yds west of the platform in the middle of the bay
CLARKE’S GREBE – on large pond at Carburn Park – seen by Bob Storms at 9:30 am and again by Andrew Hart at 6pm
SCOTERS – at least 20 White-winged or Surf Scoters at Glenmore Reservoir – RW
VARIED THRUSH – at home of John Koper? east of the Hwy 24 Bridge at Carseland.
OCT 24
HOODED MERGANSER – 31 at Elliston Park – Terry Korolyk
CLARKE’S GREBE – still on pond in Carburn Park – Sandra Savage, Bob Storms
MEW GULL – adult at Carburn Park – BS
DUNLIN – at the point just north of the parking area at Weed Lake on Hwy 560 at Langdon – TK
The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Mon Oct 29.
BIRD STUDY GROUP:
Bird Study Group meets 1st Wednesday of the month, 7:30pm in Room 211 of the BioSciences Building, U of C. WEDNESDAY, NOV 7, 7:30PM – DANIEL ARNDT AND DAVID PUGH will share their experiences with technology in the world of birding.
A large number of blog readers have been emailing photos and leaving comments this week, asking about the large numbers of ‘black’ birds in their yard. The answer to everyone is that they are European Starlings.
Large flocks of up to 100 birds at a time have been reported from many south east communities, and just outside the city. They are generally mentioned as visiting apple trees, crab apple trees, or in my case, a mountain ash tree loaded with berries. This winter fruit is heavily relied upon by native birds such as Bohemian Waxwings and American Robins that overwinter here, which is one reason many birders do not like to see Starlings in their yard.
First brought to North America by Shakespeare enthusiasts in the nineteenth century, European Starlings are now among the continent’s most numerous songbirds. They are stocky black birds with short tails, triangular wings, and long, pointed bills. Though they’re sometimes resented for their abundance and aggressiveness, they’re still dazzling birds when you get a good look. Covered in white spots during winter, they turn dark and glossy in summer. For much of the year, they wheel through the sky and mob lawns in big, noisy flocks.
By Ernie Allison
Ernie Allison loves nature. More specifically, he loves birds and wants to teach others how to appreciate them, too. To help further this mission, he writes for the Perky Pet bird feeder provider, birdfeeders.com .
Many bird enthusiasts wish they could help more with bird conservation efforts, but they just don’t have the money to donate to national and international foundations set up for the cause. Luckily, there is a lot you can do in your own back yard to help birds and nature in general. Here are some simple steps you can take to enjoy nature and protect it at the same time.
Bird Feeders
While it is true that birds survived before people started using bird feeders to feed them, the presence of bird feeders have changed the habits of many species. A few birds that would naturally migrate during the winter may choose to overwinter if you make food available (Overwintering Birds of Calgary). This means that by researching what birds are native to your area, you can provide the right food to keep them healthy during the winter. Fat is hard for them to come by in cold weather so suet, peanut butter, and other fatty treats are best.
White-breasted Nuthatch at suet feeder. Photo by Pat Bumstead
Northern Flickers will come to suet feeders. Photo by Bob Lefebvre
This does not mean that you should only feed birds in the winter. Truthfully, in the summer there is more competition because there are more birds around, so by feeding year-round, you will be more effective, as well as get to see more variety of species. This is also a good way to get birds in the habit of visiting your yard.
Millet feeders attract house sparrows, blackbirds, cowbirds and not much else. So if your goal is to attract a variety of birds, a millet feeder alone will not do the trick. In order to attract a variety of birds you must have a variety of feeders and food types.
Pine Siskins eating niger seed. Photo by Pat Bumstead
House Finches and Dark-eyed Junco. Photo by Bob Lefebvre
However, the activity around your millet feeder will attract the attention of other birds. Other birds will land nearby to see what is going on. Once they see that the sparrows have found millet to eat in a safe place, they will check your yard for other types of food. If the type of food these birds are looking for is available, they may decide to feed in your yard as well.
Be sure that you know what kind of birds will be attracted to your feeder. Certain feed attracts Rock Pigeons, which are not only annoying, but it is illegal to feed them in some areas. While Alberta and Calgary are not among these places currently, it is always good to check out your local laws to be sure.
American Goldfinch eating a niger seed/sunflower seed mix. Photo by Bob Lefebvre
Mourning Doves at sunflower chip feeder. Photo by Pat Bumstead
The types of birds you see will depend on the type of food you provide. Black-capped chickadees will be most attracted to oil-sunflower seeds, but will also visit suet feeders occasionally. House finches and nuthatches also enjoy sunflower seeds, so this is a good choice if you want to attract a variety of birds with one type of food. Woodpeckers enjoy suet feeders most. Make sure your feeder is properly anchored and has bars and places for the birds to cling to. Saucer feeders are effective for woodpeckers as well, and woodpeckers have even been seen at hummingbird feeders.
Northern Flickers on nut feeder. Photo by Bob Lefebvre
White-crowned Sparrow. Photo by Bob Lefebvre
Wildlife Garden
A great way to help out the avian creatures in your area is to provide a natural environment where they can thrive. By installing plants that are native to your area, you promote the health of other local native species.
Be sure to provide water sources as well. These are great for the health of your garden and for attracting wildlife. Running water is less likely to lie stagnant and accumulate diseases, but there are many ponds and birdbaths that can be easily cleaned with a little effort.
American Robins are regular visitors to birdbaths. Photo by Bob Lefebvre
House Finch bathing in a fountain. Photo by Bob Lefebvre
You can also design your landscaping in a way that allows smaller birds to be unseen by predators when they are at your feeders. By having multiple levels of trees and shrubs, you promote a safe, diverse environment.
If invasive species are growing in your lawn or garden, remove them by hand. Chemicals harm native species and animals as well. By taking the time to weed by hand, you are protecting the environment, not exchanging one evil for another.
By leaving rotten trees, grass clippings, and other debris in specific areas, you can attract wildlife. You also keep those materials out of the landfill by allowing them to compost in your yard. There are ways you can arrange it so that it’s not an eyesore. The bugs and worms that are attracted to these areas will draw birds and other creatures, which can lead to some great photo opportunities.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are attracted to flower gardens. Photo by Pat Bumstead
Common Grackles feeding on the ground. Photo by Pat Bumstead
While house sparrows are the most common species attracted to birds in the Alberta area, by doing a bit of research, you can set your sights on rarer birds. There is an abundance of wildlife in this area, so take these steps to protect it and enjoy it at the same time.
Swainson’s Thrush. Photo by Pat Bumstead
Varied Thrush. Photo by Bob Lefebvre
Baltimore Oriole feeding on oranges. Photo by Bob Lefebvre
Harris’s Sparrow. Photo by Bob Lefebvre
Here is the trailer for the new documentary film Winged Seduction: Birds of Paradise. The world premiere is in Banff on Sunday October 28, at 7:30 pm in the Eric Harvie Theatre at the Banff Centre. The film looks absolutely amazing so see it if you can!
Posted by Dan Arndt
Another week, another great week of birding one of the incredible natural areas of Calgary. This time we headed down the Western Headworks Pathway, one of the primary irrigation canals of the Bow River, which extends all the way to Chestermere Lake and provides water to farms even further east and south from Calgary. Our walk took us from just south of 17th Avenue SE all the way to 50th Avenue SE and back again, all the while keeping us incredibly close to the birds and allowing for some decent shots despite the gray, gloomy skies and incredibly poor light all morning long.
One of the best sightings early on were this pair of Yellowlegs, one Greater and one Lesser, showing off the differences in overall body size, bill shape, and bill length.
Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs
Greater Yellowlegs
Shortly after that we came across a large mixed flock of Mallards, Northern Shovelers, Green-winged Teal, and even a lone Northern Pintail was in the mix!
female Northern Shoveler
A constant reminder of just how close to the Bow River we were was the nearly incessant flocks of gulls, ducks, and even one large flock of nearly forty female and juvenile Common Mergansers.
female Common Mergansers
One raft of Mallards seemed to weave in and out of a flock of American Wigeon and even involved a few Hooded Mergansers, but this lone Pied-billed Grebe nearly escaped our notice hidden amongst some vegetation.
Pied-billed Grebe
female Hooded Merganser
male Hooded Merganser
At least two of the male American Wigeon were in full breeding plumage, but instead of the usual white crown on the bird, these Wigeon had yellowish crowns. Very strange.
American Wigeon
Another bonus bird that hasn’t been seen on many of our walks for the past year are these Eurasian Collared Doves. While common in residential neighbourhoods, they aren’t often found in the usual spate of parks the Friends of Fish Creek courses will visit.
Eurasian Collared Doves
In contrast, these Rock Pigeons, while posing beautifully on a train bridge, are as common as, well, Rock Pigeons on our walks.
Rock Pigeons
At the far south end of the walk we found our first Killdeer of the day, well hidden amongst the gravel and vegetation on the shore.
Killdeer
Our walk back was essenially better looks at many of the same birds, and as we came up alongside the Hooded Mergansers, something spooked them and flushed them up off the canal.
male Hooded Merganser taking off
Calliope, Rufous and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can all be observed in Calgary during the summer. However, in the winter, they don’t stand a chance of surviving the harsh climate and so they head south, spending their winters in Mexico and Central America. In Houston, we normally only see one species of hummingbirds, Ruby-throated, especially as they migrate through in the fall. However, this weekend I noticed some unusual behavior for a Ruby-throated Hummingbird and upon closer inspection, I confirmed my suspicions; I was seeing a female Rufous hummingbird, a species that turns up now and again in the winter in Houston. So how did I know it was a Rufous?
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology describes the Rufous hummingbird as “the feistiest hummingbird in North America”; many other sources say the exact same thing. This species is very aggressive, territorial and defensive and will not hesitate to chase other hummingbirds. That’s why, when I noticed a hummingbird chasing all the other hummingbirds, my first thought was a Rufous. Sure enough, I got glimpses of Rufous plumage as the bird whizzed around, harassing the others. I didn’t expect to see the Rufous up close and personal but it was my lucky day, it came and perched directly in front of me!
Female Rufous Hummingbird, perching in a deceivingly calm manner!
It was definitely an interesting experience and it shows how knowing certain habits and behaviors of birds can help you identify the species before you’ve actually seen looked at the bird through binoculars.
Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird, taking a break from being harassed by the female Rufous.
Posted by Dan Arndt
The epitome of “backyard birding”, can be experienced with the monthly Elbow River Bird Survey that Gus Yaki has been doing on the first of the month for nearly twenty years. Starting at Stanley Park, the walk meanders along the Elbow River through the neighborhoods of Parkhill/Stanley Park, Elbow Park, and Altadore before reaching its terminus at the Glenmore Reservoir at the Glenmore Dam.
The day started with a huge number of Black-billed Magpies, American Robins, and American Crows. This crow was taking a bath when we spotted it, and definitely looked like it was enjoying itself!
American Crow
A little further down the river we came across some Wood Ducks. This stretch of the Elbow River has historically been good for the Wood Duck population as there have been families along the river that regularly fed them. According to Gus, one winter there were nearly forty of them along a 100-meter stretch.
juvenile Wood Duck
male Wood Ducks
Another of the common backyard birds we saw in incredibly high numbers were the Red-breasted Nuthatches, which seemed to be a constant chorus of calls every time we stopped.
Red-breasted Nuthatch
To add to the chorus were the Pine Siskins, seen in the hundreds on Sunday’s walk. They’re a nomadic species that can be found wherever there is a good pine or spruce cone crop, and will likely be a regular addition to our lists as the autumn progresses into winter.
Pine Siskin
As we got to Riverdale Park, nearly at the west end of this walks extent, the number of European Starlings seemed to balloon into massive proportions. They were sporting their Sunday best, too, with fresh autumn plumage and beautiful iridescent greens, purples, and yellows shining in the sunlight.
European Starling
This Black-billed Magpie was one of a fairly high number as well, also in bright, iridescent colors.
Black-billed Magpie
As our walk neared its end, we managed to get some very good, close looks at a number of Northern Flickers, and while they’re not the most uncommon bird, they did seem to make themselves very well known by the end of the day. After the one in this photo took off, it flew within 10 feet of my head and was quickly followed by its mate.
Northern Flicker
Our walk finally came to a close, we were cursed with bad luck over the reservoir, seeing only a very small number of Rock Pigeons and Ring-billed Gulls flying over the dam, and sadly, none of the more charismatic of the waterfowl and/or gulls one might hope to see on such a large body of water.
Have a great week, and see you back here next Monday!
In June of this year, we featured a post entitled Help For Wildlife Rehabilitation. The Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) has been rehabilitating injured wildlife and releasing them back into the wild for over 20 years. The lease on their land is ending, and they have to move to a new location. Consequently, they are trying to raise $250,000 this year. AIWC has always relied on donations but they need your help now more than ever. This is just one sample of the vital work they do for wild species.
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, email us at birdscalgary@gmail.com. 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.
Compiled by Terry Korolyk
Bird Sightings:
Sept.22
–SWAMP SPARROW(several) Frank Lake by Marcel Gahbauer.
Sept. 23
–PRAIRIE FALCON, PEREGRINE FALCON(2), NORTHERN PYGMY OWL and CLARK’S NUTCRACKER(139),seen at Plateau Mtn, in the Kananaskis, by Peter Roxburgh et al
Sept. 26
–At Confederation Park were a NASHVILLE WARBLER,PALM WARBLER(2),SWAMP SPARROW(2), WHITE-THROATED SPARROW(20) and a HERMIT THRUSH, all seen by Bill Wilson. A HERMIT THRUSH was seen there by BW on the 24th.also.
–At IBS were HERMIT THRUSH(7),PALM WARBLER(7), OVENBIRD,SWAMP SPARROW and the first fall AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, all seen by Greg Meyer.
–Seen at IBS by Sandra Savage were two RUSTY BLACKBIRDS.
The next meeting of the Nature Calgary Bird Study Group will be held on Wednesday October 3 in Room 211 of the Biosciences Building of the University of Calgary. Doors are open at 7:00 PM and the meeting will begin at 7:30 PM.
Petra Rowell, Nature Alberta will be presenting “Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Alberta”. The IBA program is a global effort to identify, conserve, and monitor sites that provide essential habitat for bird populations. Of 600 IBA sites in Canada, 48 are in Alberta (of which 36 are globally significant).
There is a large map of the University of Calgary campus at http://www.ucalgary.ca/map. The Biosciences building is in the right of the map and is marked BI. Parking is available in lots L21 and L25. Evening parking is available for $5.