Christmas Bird Counts

Nov26

Christmas Bird Count 2010-2011

The annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) – the longest-running Citizen Science survey in the world – will take place from December 14, 2010 to January 5, 2011. Tens of thousands of volunteers throughout North America will brave winter weather to add a new layer to over a century of data.

Counts are often family or community traditions that make for fascinating stories. Accuracy is assured by having new participants join an established group that includes at least one experienced birdwatcher. Count volunteers follow specified routes through a designated 24-km diameter circle, or can arrange in advance to count the birds at home feeders inside the circle and submit the results to a designated compiler.

All individual Christmas Bird Counts are conducted between December 14 and January 5 (inclusive) each season, with each individual count occupying a single calendar day.

From feeder-watchers and field observers to count compilers and regional editors, everyone who takes part in the Christmas Bird Count does it for love of birds and the excitement of friendly competition – and with the knowledge that their efforts are making a difference for science and bird conservation.

Over 40 counts take place each year in Alberta. Compilers for each count would be happy to hear from anyone interested in taking part, and to answer any questions you may have. For the Calgary region, the dates of the counts,and contact information for the compilers, are as follows:

Sun Dec 19: Calgary: Compiler, Phil Cram, em crampj@telusplanet.net Phone (403)228-4142

Sat Jan 1: 18th Fish Creek Provincial Park Count (morning only). Compiler,Jim Washbrook, em Jim.washbrook@prairiesky.ab.ca Phone (403) 613-9216

New participants wishing to register for the feeder watch in Calgary on Dec 19/10 should phone Jean Moore at 403-282-4162.

For information on other CBC’s in southern Alberta, see our Free Nature Walks page.

Third Quarter Winners

Oct31

Here are the top finishers in each category in the third quarter of the Birds Calgary 2010 competition.

ADULT CATEGORIES

Advanced
Michael Harrison – 193 species
Jim St. Laurent  –  122
Kristin O’Connell – 111

Intermediate
Ed Kissinger     – 121 species
Cindy & Dan Parliament – 118
Janet Gill   – 114

Novice
Louise Moreau & Michael Geldorp – 83 species
David Sim   – 45

Non-Motorized Transport – Advanced
Michael Harrison – 193 species
Bill Wilson   – 163

Non-Motorized Transport – Intermediate
Linda Bailey   -78 species
Andrew Hart  – 69
Bob Lefebvre  – 55

Non-Motorized Transport – Novice
Louise Moreau & Michael Geldorp – 21 species

YOUTH CATEGORIES

Sub-adults (born 1991, 1992, 1993)
Katie Donohue – 94 species
Reggie Lybbert – 37

Fledglings (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997)
Matthew Sim – 89 species
Gilbert Lybbert – 57

Nestlings (born 1998 or later)
Lucianna Lybbert – 39 species
Stephanie Sim   – 37
Jarom Lybbert – 36

Non-Motorized Transport – Fledglings
Matthew Sim – 75 species
Gilbert Lybbert – 29

Non-Motorized Transport – Nestlings
Jarom Lybbert – 21 species
Lucianna Lybbert – 15

OTHER CATEGORIES

Big Day – Novice
Louise Moreau & Michael Geldorp – 24 species

Big Sit – Advanced
Colin Young – 52 species

Yard List
Matthew Sim & family – 62 species
Bob Lefebvre & family – 35
Lybbert family   – 31

Crows By The Thousands

Sep5

Originally posted August 27, 2009

Note: It appears that the crows are not roosting in the usual spot on Nose Hill this year.  If anyone knows of a large night-time crow roost in the city, please leave a comment.

A sure sign that autumn is here is the sight of thousands of American Crows gathering together in huge communal roosts every night.  On August 20/09 at 6:00 pm there were several hundred gathered along the south side of Nose Hill Park west of 14th Street in NW Calgary.  The crows accumulate throughout the evening, arriving from all over the city and from the surrounding countryside, and then move farther into the park to roost in trees overnight.  Yesterday, August 25, I walked into the pre-roost area at 8:45 pm, as it was getting dark. I can only guess at the number of crows gathered there but it surely must have been many thousands.  At 9:00 pm they were still arriving from the south at the rate of about one hundred a minute.

American Crow

This same area was used as a roost last fall.  One observer reported on Albertabird that there were almost 8,000 crows there on August 25, 2008.   The largest night-roost reported, from Oklahoma, had over a million birds!

The reason that crows gather in large roosts like this is for protection from predators, which large numbers in a small area offers.  In the daytime the crows are scattered over hundreds of square miles.  If they were to stay there overnight, they potentially would be prey to the dozens of Great Horned Owls which occupy that large area.  By concentrating in a small area, the crows reduce their losses to a minimum – one or two that might be taken by the owls that occupy this small territory.

Unless you are the kind of person who is freaked out by being surrounded by a huge mob of chattering birds in near-darkness, it is well worthwhile to take a walk to this roost before the crows migrate.  The area is easily accessible.  Park in the lot near Brisebois Drive NW, on the north side of John Laurie Boulevard, about halfway between 14 Street and Shaganappi Trail.  A short walk up the paved path in Many Owls Valley will take you into the midst of the crows.

If you know of another nighttime crow roost in the city, please leave a comment.

Posted by Bob Lefebvre

Previously posted comments:

  • c lannan Says:
    September 22, 2009 at 1:21 am editfor the last two weeks, hundreds (maybe a thousand)crows arrive on the rooftops and fences of Edgebrook Point (which backs on to Shaganappi Trail) across from the NW corner of Nose Hill around 7 p.m and stay for about an hour. Do you have any idea how much longer this will last and if it is likely to reoccur in future years.
    Reply
    • Bob L Says:
      September 24, 2009 at 1:15 am editThe crows will probably depart in mid- to late October. They roosted in the same area last year and sometimes crows will use the same roost for years, so they may be back again next fall. But they do sometimes change roost locations, so maybe not.
      Reply
  • Marlo Says:
    October 2, 2009 at 5:06 pm editLast night (October 1st, 2009) I left my office building about 7:40 pm (around dusk) at 7th Street and 5th Avenue SW. Across the street at MacDougall Centre, there were anywhere from 200-400 crows, maybe more, perched on the building and the park that surrounds it. They were flying back and forth, and you could see massive spots on the sidewalk and street where they collectively relieved themselves. I had never seen any birds on the building as there are gargoyles on the roof to keep the pigeons away, so it came as quite a surprise. My colleage mentioned to me that she’s seen them cluster in that spot around dusk and dawn at this time of year for the last few years now.
    Reply
  • Kevin Says:
    October 5, 2009 at 1:31 am editI have been working the graveyard shift @ my work downtown on 3rd Ave and 6th for the past week. I have noticed that every evening hundreds of these crows fly in from the north between 7:00pm – 7:15pm, and perch themselves on the nearby apartment buildings. It’s almost eerie to watch, with their precise timing and all, and if you’re ever up to see, they all flee back to where they came around sunrise. A word of warning though, make sure you carry an umbrella if you’re in the area then.
    Reply
  • Darlene Says:
    October 12, 2009 at 11:59 pm editThank you to all who took the time to put these comments in. I just watched a program about crows, and they are quite smart. I used to feed them in my backyard and am fascinated with them. I will for sure be out with umbrella to watch them next year at McDougal and Nose hill.
    Reply
  • Sara Says:
    October 29, 2009 at 5:17 am editwe just got freaked out but the hundred or so crows roosting in the trees surrounding our house tonight. about a mile from the park but still in a populated residential area. i was worried it was some sort of bad omen.
    Reply
  • Rob Jobst Says:
    February 25, 2010 at 8:54 am editThe Mount Royal Escarpment, which separates eastern Mount Royal from the community of Cliff Bungalow, sees hundreds of crows gathering every evening from mid- to late-summer through some point in the fall. If you want to take in a good show, go to the little park at 5th Street and 24th Avenue SW and watched the “squadrons” of crows fly in from the east and settle on the wooded hilllside. Every once in a while they will get spooked and all explode into the sky at once and the sky almost goes black with the hundreds of swirling crows. I very much enjoy the spectacle from my apartment a block away, but I wouldn’t want to be those people that live in the condos right across the street from the roost… 800 crows make a lot of noise!

    • Second Quarter Winners

    Aug11

    Here are the winners of the second quarter of the Birds Calgary 2010 competition.  Congratulations to all you keen birdwatchers!

    Kristin O'Connell, 2nd Place Advanced

    ADULT CATEGORIES

    Advanced

    Colin Young – 192 species
    Kristen O’Connell – 140 species
    Jim St Laurent – 131 species

    Intermediate

    Linda Bailey – 168 species
    Cindy & Dan Parliament – 134 species
    Andrew Hart – 124 species

    Novice

    Susan Konopnicki – 118 species
    Louise Moreau & Michael Geldorp – 91 species
    Vic Urban – 73 species

    Reggie Lybbert, 1st place Sub-adults

    YOUTH CATEGORIES

    Sub-adults (born 1991, 1992, 1993)

    Reggie Lybbert – 61 species

    Fledglings (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997)

    Matthew Sim – 124 species
    Jacob Farkas – 75 species
    Gilbert Lybbert – 70 species

    Nestlings (born 1998 or later)

    Lucianna Lybbert – 53 species
    Jarom Lybbert – 51 species

    OTHER CATEGORIES

    Big Day

    Jacob Farkas – 41

    Michael Geldorp, Louise Moreau and daughter - Various categories

    Louise Moreau & Michael Geldorp – 35

    Big Sit

    Bob Lefebvre – 28

    Non-Motorized Transport – Advanced

    Colin Young – 190 species
    Bill Wilson – 154 species
    Chris Havard – 88

    Non-Motorized Transport – Intermediate

    Bob Lefebvre – 67 species
    Andrew Hart – 65 species

    Non-Motorized Transport – Novice

    Louise Moreau & Michael Geldorp – 28 species

    Non-Motorized Transport – Fledglings

    Matthew Sim, Three 1st place wins

    Matthew Sim – 69 species
    Jacob Farkas – 37 species

    Yard List

    Matthew Sim & family – 64 species
    Linda Bailey – 49 species
    Bob Lefebvre– 35 species

    Robin Family Portrait

    Jul1

    We have received some astonishingly lovely American Robin photos. These pictures come from 22 year old Aimee Braun in N.E. Calgary, who tells me she used her little Kodak M883 camera and the ‘Beach’ setting to capture the detail. The adults made the nest under an awning in her yard, so she had a perfect view.

    Thank you, Aimee for sending these along. We look forward to receiving any future pictures you would like to send!

    Don’t Pick Up Baby Robins

    Jun8

    It’s late spring in Calgary, and across the city baby or fledgling robins (and other bird species) are dropping out of their nests. This seems a strange way to propagate the species, but for generations adult robins have been giving fledglings a boot. They can fly a few feet, but spend most of their time on the ground.

    People are always concerned that this baby bird has fallen out of its nest and needs help. The truth is he was pushed out of the nest to get on with the business of growing up. DO NOT PICK THEM UP. Don’t take them to a zoo or wildlife rehabilitation centre.

    It may seem cruel to us, but this is the way robins conduct their family life, and judging by the number of robins in the country, it works. The best thing for you to do is keep dogs and cats away while the youngster gets his bearings. He’ll move along in a little while.

    Baby robins look something like their parents, but have speckled chests, and fluffy down feathers poking out here and there. Yes he looks helpless, but they manage to survive in huge numbers.

    Just think of them as the true image of spring, and keep the dogs and cats away. Use their presence in your yard as an opportunity for a nature talk to the kids, which will be a lot more helpful to the birds!

    Osprey Nest Webcam Now Live

    May11

    Osprey by P Bumstead taken Florida 02/10

    For the third year in a row, a pair of Osprey on the Bow River have become internet stars.

    Birdwatchers in the city (and around the internet world) have access to a bird’s eye view of an Osprey nest via a high-resolution webcam, thanks to an arrangement between the Calgary Zoo and ENMAX Corporation.

    For over 15 years, a pair of nesting Osprey has built their summer home on a platform constructed by the Calgary Zoo atop a pole erected by ENMAX Power Corporation. The platform is located at the extreme east end of St. George’s Island.

    The live streaming camera captures in full cycle the birds’ dramatic seasonal milestones, from nest building and mating rituals, to egg laying, incubation, hatching, feeding and fledging, a period of intense activity that is all centred at the nest. Last year, more than 50,000 hits were recorded as people watched the exciting events of the Ospreys unfold between April and September.

    For more information on the Osprey camera and to watch the nest live, 24 hours a day, visit the ENMAX osprey pages

    First-Quarter Winners

    Apr24

    Here are the winners of the first quarter of the Birds Calgary 2010 competition. Congratulations to all you keen birdwatchers!

    Pileated Woodpecker by Ken Johnson

    ADULT CATEGORIES

    Advanced
    Michael Harrison – 81 species
    Colin Young – 78 species
    Hank Vanderpol – 76 species

    Intermediate
    Cindy and Dan Parliament – 56 species
    Bernie Diebolt – 55 species
    Jim Donohue – 53 species

    Novice
    Susan Konopnicki – 50 species
    Louise Moreau & Michael Geldorp – 38 species
    Vic Urban – 35 species

    YOUTH CATEGORIES

    Sub-adults (born 1991, 1992, 1993)
    Katie Donohue – 54 species

    Fledglings (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997)
    Jacob Farkas – 36 species
    Matthew Sim – 35 species
    Gilbert Lybbert – 22 species

    Nestlings (born 1998 or later)
    Lucianna Lybbert – 16 species
    Jarom Lybbert – 11 species
    Emma Bentley – 8 species

    OTHER CATEGORIES

    Big Day – Novice
    Louise Moreau & Michael Geldorp – 15 species

    Non-Motorized Transport – Advanced
    Michael Harrison – 81 species
    Colin Young – 75 species
    Bill Wilson – 58 species

    Non-Motorized Transport – Novice
    Louise Moreau & Michael Geldorp – 8 species

    Yard List
    Arthur & Donna Wieckowski – 24 species
    Pat Bumstead – 23 species
    Val Pritchard tied with Phil Cram – 21 species

    Elbow River Bird Survey

    Apr24
    (Note:  The Elbow River Bird Survey is a Nature Calgary field trip.  Like all of Nature Calgary’s field trips, it is free, and anyone can participate – you don’t have to be a member.  Meet in the parking lot at Stanley Park on 42 Avenue SW,  just west of Macleod Trail, at 8:30 am.  If you would like to join us, call Gus or Aileen at 403-243-2248.)
     
    When I began to bird seriously, I found that the fastest way to learn was to go on field trips offered by Nature Calgary (also known as the Calgary Field Naturalists’ Society).  The best way to see a lot of bird species and learn to identify them is to go out in the company of experienced birders.
    One of my favourite field trips is the Elbow River Bird Survey.  This is a walk along the Elbow from Stanley Park to the Glenmore Dam.  It has been led on the first day of each month for over fifteen years by Gus Yaki and his wife, Aileen Pelzer.  The walk starts shortly after dawn and takes about three and a half hours.
    IMG_1826 adj
    Wood Ducks perched beside the river, March 1, 2008.
    IMG_0962
    A Common Merganser on the River near Stanley Park, November 1, 2009.

    Gus is a lifelong naturalist and is very informative about birds, plants, and other natural history.  He keeps track of all the bird and mammal species seen, and the numbers of each.  He is gathering valuable data on the changes in bird populations along the river.

    IMG_0970 trimmed
    Gus Yaki (pointing) leading a walk on the Elbow River pathway, November 1, 2009.
    The walk is mostly flat and easy, with one small hill between Sandy Beach and the Glenmore dam.  There are a variety of habitats on the walk.  You can see waterfowl on the river and the reservoir, songbirds in the parks and along the tree-lined urban streets and backyards, woodpeckers in the stand of old poplars in Riverdale Park, and the occasional raptor almost anywhere.  In recent years Gus has been posting the list of species seen each month on the Albertabird Listserv.  You always see something interesting.
    Goshawk - Elbow River trimmed
    This Northern Goshawk had just knocked a Common Goldeneye down onto the ice on the river. It flew off without pursuing the attack. February 1, 2009.
    Like all of Nature Calgary’s field trips, this walk is free and open to everyone.  You do not have to be a member of Nature Calgary to participate.  If you plan to attend, since this is a one-way walk, call Gus and Aileen ahead of time, so they can arrange to carpool us back to the starting point.  The starting time changes throughout the year so check the field trip list on the Nature Calgary website or on the Calgary Rare Bird Alert (RBA) on Albertabird.
    To participate, meet in the parking lot at Stanley Park on 42 Avenue SW,  just west of Macleod Trail at 8:30 am.  If you would like to join us, call Gus or Aileen at 403-243-2248.
    IMG_0977
    The Elbow River with the Glenmore Dam in the Backgound.
    IMG_0976 adj
    The Elbow River between Glenmore Dam and Sandy Beach.
    IMG_0972 Adj
    Downstream from Sandy Beach.

    Some Recent Results of the Elbow River Bird Survey:  

      Wednesday, December 1, 2010. Sunny, calm, -02 to 02C.

    1. Canada Goose-262
    2. Mallard-60
    3. Common Goldeneye-1f
    4. Rock Pigeon-2
    5. Downy Woodpecker-2
    6. Hairy Woodpecker-1
    7. Northern Flicker-1
    8. Black-billed Magpie-31
    9. Common Raven-5
    10. Black-capped Chickadee-22
    11. Red-breasted Nuthatch-1
    12. White-breasted Nuthatch-3
    13. Townsend’s Solitaire-2
    14. American Robin-2
    15. Eur. Starling-4
    16. Bohemian Waxwing-60
    17. Dark-eyed Junco-1
    18. House Finch-1
    19. House Sparrow-12

    (Eastern Gray Squirrel – 6 )

    November 1, 2010, 9:20-11:50am. Partly cloudy, calm –1 to 6 C.

     

     

    1. Canada Goose-5
    2. Wood Duck-2
    3. Mallard-50
    4. Hooded Merganser-3
    5. Bald Eagle-1
    6. Rough-legged Hawk-1
    7. Ring-billed Gull-20
    8. Rock Dove-3
    9. Downy Woodpecker-4
    10. Northern Flicker-3
    11. Blue Jay-2
    12. Black-billed Magpie-52
    13. American Crow-1
    14. Common Raven-3
    15. Black-capped Chickadee-22
    16. Red-breasted Nuthatch-3
    17. White-breasted Nuthatch-1
    18. American Robin-4
    19. European Starling-13
    20. House Finch-7
    21. House Sparrow-15

     

     October 1, 2010. Mostly sunny, becoming windy, 20kph, 02-10C.
    1. Canada Goose-60
    2. Wood Duck-3
    3. Mallard-2
    4. Osprey-1
    5. Bald Eagle-1 ad/1 imm.
    6. Harlan’s Hawk, light morph-1, chased by 20 starlings, then harassed by 25 B.b. Magpies.
    7. Merlin-1
    8. Ring-billled Gull-4
    9. Rock Pigeon-4
    10. Northern Flicker-10
    11. Blue Jay-1+
    12. Black-billed Magpie-60
    13. American Crow-24
    14. Common Raven-1
    15. Black-capped Chickadee-16
    16. Red-breasted Nuthatch-6
    17. White-breasted Nuthatch-2
    18. American Robin-70
    19. European Starling-30
    20. Yellow-rumped Warbler-1
    21. House Sparrow-7
    • Eastern Gray Squirrel-9
    • Red Squirrel-1

     

    September 1, 2010. Mostly cloudy, NW wind 20kph, 7-12C.  

    1. Canada Goose-2
    2. Wood Duck-4
    3. Mallard-17
    4. Common Merganser-3
    5. Red-necked Grebe-1
    6. Osprey-2
    7. Bald Eagle-1 imm.
    8. Sharp-shinned Hawk-1
    9. Cooper’s Hawk-1
    10. Merlin-1, repeatedly diving at Northern Flickers.
    11. Ring-billed Gull-1+
    12. California Gull-60
    13. Rock Pigeon-1
    14. Northern Flicker-12
    15. Western Wood-Pewee-1
    16. Red-eyed Vireo-1
    17. Blue Jay-3
    18. Black-billed Magpie-25
    19. Am. Crow-44
    20. Common Raven-4
    21. Black-capped Chickadee-1, unusually low number.
    22. Red-breasted Nuthatch-3
    23. American Robin-40
    24. Gray Catbird-1
    25. European Starling-5
    26. Cedar Waxwing-40
    27. Yellow-rumped Warbler-2 imm.
    28. Wilson’s Warbler-11
    29. Clay-colored Sparrow-1+
    30. House Finch-3
    31. Pine Siskin-20
    32. Am. Goldfinch-1 m.
     (Amazingly, first time without a House Sparrow).
    Eastern Gray Squirrel-1
    Mule Deer-1
      
     August 1, 2010, 0700-1045. Heavy overcast, light drizzle, 14-15C. 7 observers.

    1.. Mallard-25
    2.. Common Merganser-11
    3.. Common Loon-2
    4.. Osprey-1
    5.. Merlin-1
    6.. California Gull-41
    7.. Rock Pigeon-25
    8.. Downy Woodpecker-3
    9.. Northern Flicker-18
    10.. Western Wood-Pewee-3
    11.. Least Flycatcher-1
    12.. Black-billed Magpie-46
    13.. American Crow-23
    14.. Common Raven-5
    15.. Tree Swallow-8
    16.. Cliff Swallow-500
    17.. Black-capped Chickadee-3
    18.. Red-breasted Nuthatch-4
    19.. House Wren-6
    20.. American Robin-48
    21.. Gray Catbird-5
    22.. Cedar Waxwing-30
    23.. Yellow Warbler-3
    24.. Western Tanager-3, all 3 at different sites.
    25.. Chipping Sparrow-6
    26.. Clay-colored Sparrow-1
    27.. Song Sparrow-1
    28.. Brown-headed Cowbird-1
    29.. Baltimore Oriole-1 juv. m.
    30.. House Finch-15
    31.. American Goldfinch-1 m.
    32.. House Sparrow-60.
    Also seen, amidst dense leaves at the Glenmore Dam, was a warbler head with a
    gray face, eye-ring, light throat and with a yellow wash, apparently on the
    upper chest. The first impression was that of a female American Redstart, but
    the yellow was definitely on the chest, not on the flanks. At no time was any of
    the rest of the body seen. The only other choice was a Virginia’s Warbler. Both
    species of course are unlikely at this time. A birding mystery.

    Eastern Gray Squirrel-1
    Least Chipmunk.

    July 1, 2010, 0630-11am, Stanley Park-Glenmore Dam.

    1.. Canada Goose-51
    2.. American Wigeon-1 m.
    3.. Mallard-7 + young.
    4.. Common Goldeneye-2 f.
    5.. Common Merganser-3 f.
    6.. Osprey-1 on nest
    7.. Swainson’s Hawk-1
    8.. Red-tailed Hawk-1+
    9.. Rock Pigeon-5
    10.. Downy Woodpecker-2
    11.. Northern Flicker-9
    12.. Least Flycatcher-3
    13.. Red-eyed Vireo-1
    14.. Black-billed Magpier-46
    15.. American Crow-11
    16.. Tree Swallow-10+
    17.. Bank Swallow-3
    18.. Cliff Swallow-20+
    19.. Black-capped Chickadee-5
    20.. Red-breasted Nuthatch-1
    21.. House Wren-6
    22.. American Robin-32
    23.. Gray Catbird-4
    24.. European Starling-14
    25.. Cedar Waxwing-15
    26.. Yellow Warbler-12
    27.. Clay-colored Sparrow-4
    28.. Song Sparrow-1
    29.. Lincoln’s Sparrow-1
    30.. White-throated Sparrow-1
    31.. Brown-headed Cowbird-3
    32.. House Finch-10
    33.. House Sparrow-10
    Eastern Gray Squirrel-12
     
    June 1, 2010, 0640-1100.  Mostly cloudy, S wind 10kph, 5-12C.

    a.. Canada Goose-34 + 15 yg/
    b.. Mallard-15 m
    c.. Common Goldeneye-2 f
    d.. Common Merganser-1 f
    e.. Osprey-1
    f.. Red-tailed Hawk-1+
    g.. Spotted Sandpiper-2
    h.. Franklin’s Gull-10
    i.. Rock Pigeon-14
    j.. Downy Woodpecker-2
    k.. Northern Flicker-10
    l.. ?Western Wood-Pewee-1
    m.. Black-billed Magpie-23
    n.. Am. Crow-4
    o.. Tree Swallow-36+
    p.. Bank Swallow-1
    q.. Cliff Swallow-20+
    r.. Black-capped Chickadee-16
    s.. Red-breasted Nuthatch-4
    t.. House Wren-5+
    u.. Swainson’s Thrush-1
    v.. Am. Robin-36
    w.. Gray Catbird-4+
    x.. European Starling-20
    y.. Yellow Warbler-16+
    z.. Chipping Sparrow-5
    aa.. Clay-colored Sparrow-8+
    ab.. Song Sparrow-1 heard
    ac.. Common Grackle-2
    ad.. Brown-headed Cowbird-6+
    ae.. House Finch-3
    af.. House Sparrow-14
    a.. Eastern Gray Squirrel-7
    b.. Red Squirrel-1

    Saturday May 1, 2010 0700-1200. Mostly sunny, calm, 0-10C.
    1. Canada Goose-15, with three clutches of 5, 5, and 3 young.
    2. Wood Duck-3 m.
    3. Mallard-20
    4. Bufflehead-10
    5. Common Merganser-6
    6. Ring-necked Pheasant-4 m
    7. Common Loon-1
    8. Horned Grebe-4
    9. Red-necked Grebe-1
    10. Cooper’s Hawk-1
    11. Red-tailed Hawk-1
    12. Merlin-2
    13. Rock Pigeon-8
    14. Franklin’s Gull-60+
    15. white-headed gulls, high in flight-10+
    16. Yellow-bellied? Sapsucker-3
    17. Downy Woodpecker-8
    18. Hairy Woodpecker-1
    19. Northern Flicker-10
    20. Blue Jay-1
    21. Black-billed Magpie-26
    22. American Crow-10+
    23. Tree Swallow-3
    24. Northern Rough-winged Swallow-6, over river, seen by Aileen.
    25. Black-capped Chickadee-35
    26. Red-breasted Nuthatch-10
    27. White-breasted Nuthatch-1 hear
    28. American Robin-60
    29. European Starling-12
    30. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER-2
    31. Song Sparrow-1
    32. BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD-1
    33. House Finch-12+
    34. Pine Siskin-3
    35. House Sparrow-10

    Eastern Gray Squirrel-6

    Wednesday March 31, 2010 (for April), Partly cloudy, calm,
    0-8C. Ice at Reservoir Dam still frozen.

    1.. Canada Goose-16
    2.. Mallard-20
    3.. Common Merganser-2
    4.. Ring-billed Gull-12
    5.. Rock Pigeon-6
    6.. Downy Woodpecker-8
    7.. Northern Flicker-6
    8.. Blue Jay-1
    9.. Black-billed Magpie-16
    10.. American Crow-4
    11.. Common Raven-8
    12.. Black-capped Chickadee-12
    13.. Red-breasted Nuthatch-5
    14.. American Robin-36
    15.. European Starling-6
    16.. House Finch-10
    17.. Pine Siskin-1
    18.. House Sparrow-6
    Eastern Gray Squirrel-2

    Monday March 1, 2010, 8:00-12:30. Sunny, calm, -4 to 9C.

    1. Canada Goose-140
    2. Wood Duck-1 pr.
    3. Mallard-60
    4. Common Goldeneye-1 m.
    5. Common Merganser-4
    6. Merlin-1 carrying prey.
    7. Rock Pigeon-5
    8. Great Horned Owl-2
    9. Downy Woodpecker-8
    10. Hairy Woodpecker-5
    11. Northern Flicker-6+
    12. Blue Jay-1+ heard.
    13. Black-billed Magpier-30
    14. Common Raven-3
    15. Black-capped Chickadee-22
    16. Red-breasted Nuthatch-5
    17. White-breasted Nuthatch-3
    18. Brown Creeper-2
    19. European Starling-5
    20. House Finch-6+
    21. Pine Siskin-2+
    22. House Sparrow-16

    Eastern Gray Squirrel-6

    Monday, February 1, 2010, 0815-1145. Sunny, Calm, -6 to -2C.
     
    1.. Canada Goose-190
    2.. Mallard-160
    3.. Common Goldeneye-2
    4.. Common Merganser-2
    5.. Bald Eagle-1 ad.
    6.. Rock Pigeon-4
    7.. Downy Woodpecker-4
    8.. Hairy Woodpecker-1
    9.. Northern Flicker-2
    10.. Black-billed Magpie-45
    11.. Common Raven-9
    12.. Black-capped Chickadee-62, counted by Tony T.
    13.. Red-breasted Nuthatch-1
    14.. White-breasted Nuthatch-1
    15.. European Starling-8
    16.. Bohemian Waxwing-350
    17.. House Finch-6
    18.. House Sparrow-24
    Eastern Gray Squirrel-4
      

    Saturday January 3, 2010: 8:30-12noon, Sunny, calm, -12C. 7 participants

    1.. Canada Goose-450
    2.. Mallard 500
    3.. Common Goldeneye-8
    4.. Common Merganser-2
    5.. Downy Woodpecker-7
    6.. Hairy Woodpecker-2
    7.. Black-billed Magpie-60
    8.. Common Raven-14
    9.. Black-capped Chickadee-32
    10.. Red-breasted Nuthatch-7
    11.. White-breasted Nuthatch-1
    12.. Bohemian Waxwing-200
    13.. House Finch-1
    14.. Common Redpoll?-5
    15.. House Sparrow-35
    a.. Eastern Gray Squirrel-7
    b.. White-tailed Jackrabbit-tracks.
    c.. Coyote tracks

    Posted by Bob Lefebvre

    .

    1. Canada Goose-262
    2. Mallard-60
    3. Common Goldeneye-1f
    4. Rock Pigeon-2
    5. Downy Woodpecker-2
    6. Hairy Woodpecker-1
    7. Northern Flicker-1
    8. Black-billed Magpie-31
    9. Common Raven-5
    10. Black-capped Chickadee-22
    11. Red-breasted Nuthatch-1
    12. White-breasted Nuthatch-3
    13. Townsend’s Solitaire-2
    14. American Robin-2
    15. Eur. Starling-4
    16. Bohemian Waxwing-60
    17. Dark-eyed Junco-1
    18. House Finch-1
    19. House Sparrow-12

    Eastern Gray Squirrel – 5

    Sure Signs of Spring

    Apr19

    These busy little birds have only one thing on their minds – excavating holes to nest in! This black-capped chickadee and red-breasted nuthatch were photographed by Anne Elliott at Carburn Park in southeast Calgary earlier this month.