Loon Survey, Part Two

Sep1

Last month I reported on my trip to Leisure Lake, southwest of Calgary, to monitor the breeding Common Loons there (see the blog post, Loon Survey, Part One).  On June 14 there was a breeding pair of loons, with two eggs in the nest.  I returned to the lake on July 10 to see if the young loons had fledged.

Leisure Lake, in the Bragg Creek/Priddis area, southwest of Calgary.

I soon saw the loons, the two young birds following their parents around the lake.  The newly fledged loons were already quite large, and seemed to be doing well.

Two young loons following their parents.

One of the young loons in its brownish plumage.

The next step in the loon survey was to return to check on the loons in August, to see if the young have survived their first few weeks of life.  I’ll report on that in Part 3.

 Posted by Bob Lefebvre

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: August 29

Aug30

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 Aug 29, 2011.

AUG 27:

–GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE(300), S.of Eagle Lk, and 10 at Cattleland slough, by Rob Worona
–RUDDY TURNSTONE(3),Cattleland Feedlot slough, n.of Strathmore, by RW.
–LAPLAND LONGSPUR(20),same as above.
–CANADA WARBLER(5), one reported by Tony Timmons et al. at Mallard Pt.;3 at Mallard Pt./Bankside on Aug.28 by Janet Gill/ Bernie Diebolt, and one by RW at Eagle Lake on the 28th.
–BLACKPOLL WARBLER(1), Mallard Pt.by TT et al.
–AMERICAN REDSTART(4), Mallard Pt. by TT et al.
–OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER(1),Sikome Lk, Fish Creek PP(FCPP), by TT et al.

AUG. 28:

–CASPIAN TERN(2) adult and imm.,S end Weed Lake, east of Langdon, by Terry Korolyk et al.
–SANDERLING(5), S end Weed Lk, by TK et al.
–LESSER YELLOWLEGS(500) Weed Lk, by TK et al.
–STILT SANDPIPER(150), Weed Lk, by TK et al.
–MAGNOLIA WARBLER(2)one at Mallard Pt./Bankside, FCPP, by JG/BD.; one by RW at Eagle Lk.
–OVENBIRD(1),RW, at Eagle Lk.
–CONNECTICUT WARBLER(1)Hull’s Wood, FCPP, by TK.

The next scheduled update of the bird alert is on Thursday Sept. 1.

BIRD STUDY GROUP:

Bird Study Group meets 1st Wednesday of the month, Room 211, BioSciences Building, U of C.  September meeting is Wednesday, September 7 with Ken Havard presenting

“Birding in Northwest India”. Meeting time is 7:30pm. Contact Andrew Hart at <andrewhart AT shaw.ca>

Sunday Showcase: Rare Water Birds

Aug28

These birds are always a treat for any birdwatcher to find, and David Lily managed to photograph them as well. Thanks for sending these in David!

Sora

American Bittern

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: August 25

Aug26

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 Aug 25, 2011.

AUG 19

AMERICAN REDSTART – Al and Helga Borgardt at Mallard Point

AUG 20

PHILADELPHIA VIREO – Hull’s Wood by Terry Korolyk, 2 birds
SWAINSON’S THRUSH – Hull’s Wood by TK

AUG 23

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER,  immature COOPER’S HAWK – Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, seen by Andrew Slater

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON – 2 seen at Confluence Park by Bernie Diebolt, Janet Gill and a Nature Calgary group immature WESTERN TANAGER – TK at Hull’s Wood

The next scheduled update of the bird alert is on Mon Aug 29.

 

Nature Calgary Bird Study Group Meeting

Bird Study Group meets 1st Wednesday of the month, Room 211, Bio Sciences Building, U of C. Meeting is free and open to everyone interested in birding.

September meeting is Wednesday, September 7 with Ken Havard presenting “Birding in Northwest India”. Meeting time is 7:30pm.

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: August 22

Aug23

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 Alert was recorded on Monday, Aug.22.

Bird Sightings:

There were many observations of wading and shorebirds over the weekend by many observers. Below are some of the larger numbers observed. Weed Lake is located on Hwy 560 (extension of Glenmore Tr) just east of Langdon

SUNDAY, August 21
–WESTERN SANDPIPER (2 im) – Weed Lake by Ilya Povalyaev
–COOPER’S HAWK (1 im) – Porcupine Valley on Nose Hill by Steve Kassai
–NORTHERN CARDINAL (1 f) – seen by Laura Herperger and 2 other observers in Laura’s yard on Crescent Bluff, overlooking Sandy Beach.

SATURDAY, August 20
–GOLDEN PLOVER (1 im) – Weed Lake by IP
–HUDSONIAN GODWIT (3) – as above
–SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (340) – as above
–SANDERLING (7) – as above
–STILT SANDPIPER (140) – as above
–RED-NECKED PHALAROPE (300) – as above
–LESSER YELLOWLEGS (250) – as above
–PECTORAL SANDPIPER (19) – flooded field just E of RgeRd 275 just S of Hwy 1 by IP
–BLACKPOLL WARBLER (2) – Hull’s Wood in Fish Creek PP (FCPP) by Terry Korolyk
–CAPE MAY WARBLER (1 f) – as above
–CONNECTICUT WARBLER (1 im) – as above
–TOWNSEND’S WARBLER (2) – as above

FRIDAY, August 19
–OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (1) – Mallard Point in FCPP by Al & Helga Borgardt

THURSDAY, August 18
–MOURNING WARBLER (1 im) – Confederation Park by Bill Wilson
–BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (1) – Inglewood Bird Sanctuary (IBS) by Gus Yaki and CFNS field trip
–BLACKPOLL WARBLER (1) – as above

WEDNESDAY, August 17
–WHITE-FACED IBIS (flock of 75) – Frank Lake by Shonna McLeod and Vivian Bissette

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Thursday August 25.

Sunday Showcase: Ferruginous Hawks

Aug21

During a hot prairie drive southeast of Calgary, we were astonished to see these five Ferruginous hawks – one adult and four youngsters – about 100 yards away from the road.  They were totally unconcerned with our presence, either trying to cool off in the shade or sharing a ground squirrel in the 30+ temperatures. It was the bird sighting of a lifetime for a raptor fan!

Photos and post by Pat Bumstead

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: August 18

Aug19

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 Alert was recorded on Thursday, Aug.18.

Bird Sightings:

There were a few reports of migrating small songbirds through the Calgary area. The next two weeks should see an increase of migratory song birds.

Tuesday, August 16:
–EASTERN PHOEBE(1), Inglewood Bird Sanctuary (IBS), by Andrew Slater.
–ORANGE-CROWNED WARLBER(2), Carburn Park, by Andrew Hart and CFNS group.
–BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER(1), yard of Pat Mitchell in the Valley Ridge subdivision, Calgary.
–YELLOW-RUMPED WARLBER(3), IBS, by AS.
–BLACKPOLL WARBLER(1), Carburn Park, by AH and CFNS group.
–AMERICAN REDSTART(2), one at IBS by AS, and one on the 17th at Votier’s Flats, Fish Creek PP, by David Pugh.
–WILSON’S WARBLER(4-6), one at IBS by AS, and 3-5 near the south shore of Glenmore Res., by DP.
–PINE SISKIN(1), An unusually yellow bird seen at the feeder of Shirley Haigh. If interested in seeing this bird, call Shirley at 403-288-1307.

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Monday August 22.

Red-necked Grebe Life History Pics

Aug17

The Canadian Nature Photographer has an outstanding post about Red-necked Grebes in a Calgary pond. You have to see this!

Red-necked Grebe life history in photos has been captured by Nature Calgary members Ian Neilson and Nancy Murdoch – view at http://www.canadiannaturephotographer.com/Ian_Neilson_Nancy_Murdoch.html

Posted by Pat Bumstead

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: August 15

Aug16

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 Alert was recorded on Monday August 15.

Bird Sightings:

There were many observations of wading and shorebirds over the weekend by many observers. Below are some of the larger numbers observed. Weed Lake is located on Hwy 560 (extension of Glenmore Tr) just east of Langdon

SUNDAY, August 14:
— CANADA WARBLER (1) – North Glenmore Park by Rob Worona
–BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER (1) – Elkwater in the Cypress Hills (near first washrooms as you drive west along the lakeshore from the centre of town) – Jeremiah Kennedy. The Gnatcatcher was first reported on Aug 9.
–RED-NECKED PHALAROPE (1200) – Weed Lake by Terry Korolyk
–LESSER YELLOWLEGS (600) – Weed Lake by TK
–WHITE-FACED IBIS (1) – Langdon Corner Slough (junction of Hwys 1 & 9)- by several observers

SATURDAY, August 13
–The following birds were all netted by banders at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary (IBS):
–CANADA WARBLER (1 recapture)
–NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (7)
–WILSON’S WARBLER (1)
–TENNESSEE WARBLER (2)
–YELLOW WARBLER (9)
–YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (1)
–TRAILL’S FLYCATCHER (2)

FRIDAY, August 12
–SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (fair numbers) – Weed Lake by Richard Clarke
–SANDERLING (6) – Weed Lake by RC. Richard also saw similar numbers of shorebirds seen by Terry Korolyk on previous day (Thursday Aug 11)

THURSDAY, August 11
–RED PHALAROPE (1 imm) – Weed Lake by TK
–RED-NECKED PHALAROPE & WILSON’S PHALAROPE (several hundred) – Weed Lake by TK
–LESSER YELLOWLEGS (several hundred) – Weed Lake by TK
–SANDERLING (6) – Weed Lake by TK
–BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (13) – Weed Lake by TK

WEDNESDAY, August 10
–CANADA WARBLER (1) – IBS by banders

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Thursday August 18.