Vincent Tolley photographed this Mountain Bluebird pair just after the male had brought a meal to the female.
Mountain Bluebirds near Madden, north of Calgary, May 25, 2018. Photo by Vincent Tolley.
You can find Mountain Bluebirds at their nestboxes along rural roads all over the Calgary region this month. The best areas are NW, West and SW of town. Many of the boxes host Tree Swallows but if you are persistent you can find bluebirds.
On Thursday June 28 you can join Nature Calgary as Don Stiles leads a trip along his Bluebird Nestbox trail. See baby Mountain Bluebirds and Tree Swallows and learn about the nestbox program. For more information see this page.
You can see more of Vincent Tolley’s photos on his Flickr page.
Hello,
My husband and I are going to be in Calgary all day on Friday, June 8 from the States and would love to spend the day birding. Where would you suggest we go? I was thinking Inglewood, Fish Creek, and Elliston, but would love local advice!
Thank you,
Maria
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is good and is not too big, but Fish Creek Park is gigantic, soI suggest that you stay along the river. Park at the Boat Launch just north of the highway bridge Near Sikome and explore the ponds south of the bridge and the wooded areas near the parking lot. You could also go to Hull’s Wood or Burnsmead which are farther north along the river. I would say instead of Elliston, go to the Weaselhead Nature Area in the SW. Email if you near directions – birdscalgary at gmail.com.
We have a birdbath in our backyard and find that bones and muffins are being deposited in it. Do you have any ideas about who is doing this and why?
It’s likely a crow. They will often bring food to birdbaths or any water they can find, often to soften up things like hard bread. There is probably some garbage nearby that they can get at, like a dumpster by a restaurant.