Twice a year Calgarians are treated to an influx of active, colourful little birds called warblers, as they pass through on migration.
Wilson's Warbler
These small birds can be an enormous challenge for any birdwatcher. They prefer thick shrubs, and never seem to sit still long enough for you to get a good look at them. Along with the shorebirds, warblers are one of the ultimate challenges for a birdwatcher.
Warblers are 4-5″ songbirds with plumage of predominantly yellow with black, grey, white, red, blue or chestnut markings. There have been over 25 warbler species recorded in Calgary.
Tennessee Warbler
They consume large quantities of insects, as well as spiders and berries. If you’re walking in a very buggy area this time of year, be sure and look up!
One of the best ways to learn about warblers is to go birding with an experienced naturalist. There are three Nature Calgary trips left in August, and many more coming in September. Give the trip leaders below a call and join them on their walk, or watch this blog for September outings.
m: Bird Beaverdam Flats Park. Meet S parking lot (Lynnview Rd & Lynnview Way, S of 62 Av SE). N from Glenmore Tr at 18 St SE, then left. Leader, Andrew Hart, 403-279-5209.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Sun Aug 16, 8:30a
Tue Aug 18, 6:30pm: Bird Carburn Park, S from Glenmore Tr E at 18 St SE to second stoplight, then right & follow signs. Leader, Gus Yaki,
403-243-2248.
Tue Aug 25, 6:30pm: Bird Edworthy Park, Meet S side of Boothman Pedestrian Bridge accessed from Shaganappi Tr & Bowness Rd if N of
river, or from W end of Spruce Dr if S of river. Leader, TBA, 403-243-2248.
I have seen migrating Wilson’s Warblers, American Redstarts, Tennessee Warblers, and Yellow-Rumped Warblers in the past week (and lots of Yellow Warblers, which are summer residents but also migrate through). Any of the parks along the Bow or Elbow Rivers are great places to see warblers.