Birding The Sloughs

Jul20

Seven people set out on Thursday’s Nature Calgary trip to sloughs east of Calgary. The day was warm but mostly somewhat overcast limiting temperatures to the mid twenties.

After admiring a Cooper’s Hawk being mobbed by Eastern Kingbirds as we assembled at Carburn Park we went to Langdon and between Weed Lake and the northern end of the Langdon reservoir saw:

American Avocet
Black-necked Stilt
Eared Grebe
Red-winged Blackbird
Swainson’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Crow
California Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Franklin’s Gull
Ruddy Duck
Lesser Yellowlegs
Mallard
American Wigeon
Spotted Sandpiper
Killdeer
Forster’s Tern
Wilson’s Phalarope
Red-necked Phalarope
Pectoral Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Savannah Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Lesser Scaup
Northern Shoveler
Western Meadowlark
Marbled Godwit
American Robin
Brewer’s Blackbird
Common Grackle
Eastern Kingbird
Northern Pintail
Cinnamon Teal
Green-winged Teal
Redhead
Northern Harrier
Blue-winged Teal
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Barn Swallow
Black Tern
American Coot
Western Kingbird
Canvasback
Double-crested Cormorant
Marsh Wren
Common Goldeneye
Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow
Wilson’s Snipe
Bufflehead
Ring-necked Duck
House Sparrow
European Starling
Rock Pigeon
Gadwall

We went on to the slough near Hwy 24 and added:

Baird’s Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Stilt Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
Killdeer
Canada Goose
Sora

Then we went our to Nakama Lake to add:

Baird’s Sparrow
American White Pelican
Clay-colored Sparrow
Western Grebe
Pied-billed Grebe

Finally we stopped st the SW corner of Eagle Lake to round off the day with:

Great Blue Heron
Common Tern
Upland Sandpiper

The New Finch on the Block

Jul8

From dawn to dusk, I am serenaded by House Finches in my yard. I’ve got bird feeders front and back, and hence House Finches front and back. They seem to sing louder just before or after a rainstorm, so they’ve been real vocal lately!

These melodic crooners are relatively new to my yard here in southern Alberta. About five years ago I had one bird, the following year I had 5, then I had 13… I no longer bother to count as they’re everywhere.

Male house finch

Male House Finch

Originally a resident of the southwestern USA, house finches were introduced to eastern North America in the 1940’s. Sold as Hollywood Finches, a great marketing gimic, they were eventually released and spread across the entire eastern USA and southern Canada in the next 50 years.

They have become naturalized throughout eastern North America, and are spreading westward. The western population is also spreading eastward, and the two populations of these adaptable birds are now meeting in the Great Plains.

In many areas, they have displaced the House Sparrow, itself an immigrant from Europe. House Finches are one of the few birds aggressive enough to evict House Sparrows from their nests, and as my House Finch population grew, the House Sparrow population in my yard dropped.

Originally inhabitants of undisturbed habitats, they have adapted to areas altered by humans, and their rapid spread has been made easier by the large number of bird feeders put out by bird-loving humans.

Unfortunately, they have also displaced the native Purple Finch in some areas. The male House Finch can be told from Cassin’s and Purple Finches by its streaked belly, browner back and nape, longer unforked tail and different call notes. Female House Finches have much plainer faces than the other finches.

It’s a good thing I enjoy the cheerful melodies of the House Finches, as I think they’re here to stay.

May Species Count Update

Jul8

I’ve finally finished the report for Calgary’s May Species Count and it has been posted on Nature Calgary’s website.

It turns out that it was a record setting year in the Calgary area for both number of species, 210 and number of birds, 100,000. The record for number of species had been reported as 216 in 2002 but, in checking the data, I found only 208 species listed. It appears that 8 reports of birds identified only at the genus level (e.g. Empidonax sp, accipiter sp. etc) were included in the total.

For any “mammalers” in the crowd, the following species were recorded on the count: Elk, Moose, White-tailed Deer, Mule Deer, Muskrat, Snowshoe Hare, White-tailed Jackrabbit, Coyote, Richardson’s Ground Squirrel, Columbian Ground Squirrel, Red Squirrel, Least Chipmunk, Eastern Gray Squirrel, Porcupine, Gray Wolf, American Marten, Deer Mouse and a vole species. Tim Allison was the lucky person seeing both the wolf and marten in K-country.

A little more recent info – there is at least one Violet-green Swallow in my NW Calgary neighbourhood. I’ve seen the bird on and off over the past month (3 weeks ago I had a male and female pair) … this will be a good species for next year’s Calgary competition if the bird(s) return. Also of interest for the competition, I heard a Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow a few days ago on the Country Hills Golf Course – the course is private but I believe there is a city path on the hillside near where I heard the sparrow.

Brian Elder

Elbow River Monthly Survey

Jul2

Elbow River Monthly Survey, 01Jul09. Sunny, calm, 05-16C. 5 participants. One had to scrape ice off windshield.

1.. Canada Goose-6 + yg
2.. Mallard-11 + yg
3.. Common Merganser =4f +yg
4.. Ring-necked Pheasant-1m
5.. Osprey-4 at two nests
6.. Merlin-1
7.. Franklin’s Gull-50+
8.. Sterna Tern-1
9.. Rock Pigeon-3
10.. Downy Woodpecker-2
11.. Northern Flicker-5
12.. Black-billed Magpie-80 (many young out of nests)
13.. American Crow-12
14.. Tree Swallow-10
15.. N. Rough-winged Swallow-1
16.. Bank Swallow-1
17.. Cliff Swallow-2 (Dam colony greatly reduced).
18.. Black-capped Chickadee-7
19.. Red-breasted Nuthatch-1
20.. House Wren-9
21.. Am. Robin-40
22.. Gray Catbird-2
23.. Cedar Waxwing-5
24.. Eur. Starling-6
25.. Yellow Warbler-11
26.. Chipping Sparrow-2
27.. Clay-colored Sparrow-5
28.. Lincoln’s Sparrow-2
29.. Common Grackle-1
30.. Brown-headed Cowbird-4
31.. House Finch-5
32.. House Sparrow-20
Eastern Gray Squirrel-12

Dawn Chorus Census at Weaselhead

Jun21

Results of the CFNS Dawn Chorus, Weaselhead Natural Area, 0330-0715, 20June 2009. Clear sky, light fog, light wind, 10-12C. Seven participants. This year’s census was about ten days later than most previous years.

2008 results are supplied for comparison; CFNS Dawn Chorus; Weaselhead Natural Area. 0330-0745, 08 June 2008. Partly overcast, becoming complete, with light drizzle by end. NW wind, 15kph. Temp. 07-09C. Ten Participants.

In analyzing the data from the previous counts held in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005; 2006, 2007 and 2008 total number of bird species detected before 6am respectively were: 39, 46, 37, 34, 27, 20, 31 and 28, but this year it was 33. This figure could signify many things; in 2005 we had a devastating flood that adversely affect the bird population of the Weaselhead. It could also have been affected by the weather, or that more of the participants had better hearing and identification skills.

New species added to the count for the first time were: Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot and Tennessee Warbler. Beavers have impounded more water, thus providing more wetland habitat.

A total of seven mammals were recorded on this morning’s early census.

The time and order of the first detection of each species, and the approximate numbers of each species are shown below. 2008 results are supplied for comparison.

Year /Time……………… Approx. # of individuals encountered.

[2009](2008) Species. (2008); [2009]

0330; 0420. Coyotes howling——–2+; 2+

0330; 0413. American Robin———25; 25

0337; 0336. Clay-colored Sparrow—10; 6

——; 0337. Boreal Chorus Frog——2; –

——; 0338. Small flying bat———–1; –

0354; 0335. White-throated Sparrow–6; 10

0359; 0400. Spotted Sandpiper———1; 1

——; 0359. Gray Catbird—————2; –

0400; 0405. Killdeer———————1; 1

0404; 0414. Yellow Warbler———-12; 15

0405; ——. Tennessee Warbler——- 0; 1

0407; 0500. House Wren—————6; 6

0408; 0709. American Wigeon——–2; 1

0409; ——. Am. Beaver—————0; 1

0409; 0408. Veery———————-10; 12

0417; 0426. Mallard, flying————-6; 1

0444; 0430. Common Goldeneye, f—5; 2+

0446; 0353. Lincoln’s Sparrow———4; 1

0449; 0403. Great Blue Heron———-1; 2

——; 0444. Chipping Sparrow———2, –

0450; ——; Bald Eagle—————–0; 2

——; 0450. Muskrat——————–3; –

0455; 0443. Sora————————-4; 1

0456; 0451. Least Flycatcher———–4; 6

0457; 0550. Ring-necked Pheasant—1; 2

0504; 0509. Red-winged Blackbird—8; 4

0504; ——; Red Squirrel————-0; 4

0515; 0650. Gull sp.——————–1; 30

0516; 0712. Tree Swallow————2; 9

0516; ——; American Coot———–0; 1

0521; ——, Franklin’s Gull———–0; 20

0522; ——; Pine Siskin—————-0; 4

0522; 0545. American Goldfinch—–8; 3

0527; 0526. Pileated Woodpecker—-1; 1

0530; 0544. Common Raven———-2; 2

0534; 0537. Northern Waterthrush—2; 1

0536; 0535. Eastern Phoebe———–2; 1

0540; ——; Pied-billed Grebe——–0; 1

0546: 0425. Black-capped Chickadee-1; 1

0548; 0650. Brown-head. Cowbird—2; 4

0551; 0620. Red-breasted Nuthatch–1; 1

0559; 0550. Red-eyed Vireo———-1; 1

0604; 0640. White-tailed Deer——1; 2

0610; ——; Swainson’s Thrush——-0; 1

0612; 0543. Rose-br. Grosbeak——-2; 2

——; 0612. American Crow———-1; –

0620; 0506. Canada Goose———–10; 1

0625; 0708. Least Chipmunk——–1; 2

——; 0630. Baltimore Oriole———2; 1

——; 0630. Hermit Thrush————1; –

0639; ——; Common Yellowthroat–0; 1

0640; 0630. Cedar Waxwing——–10; 4

0641; 0710. Blue-winged Teal——–4; 1

0646; ——; Red-naped Sapsucker—0; 1

——; 0648. Western Tanager———1; –

——; 0655. Orange-cr. Warbler——1; –

——; 0700. Northern Flicker———-1; –

0709; ——; Snowshoe Hare———0; 1

0710; 0730. Cliff Swallow————5; 100

——; 0712. Mourning Dove———-1; –

0713; 0740. Black-billed Magpie—-1; 1

0715; ——; Rich. Ground Squirrel-0; 6

I thank all participants who participated and whose hearing help to detect all the birds.

Gus Yaki

Nature Calgary Summer Field Trips

Jun17

Activities are FREE, open to anyone interested. Come join us!

Sat Jun 20, 3:30am: Dawn Chorus, Weaselhead. Hear 40+ bird species. Meet
parking lot, 66 Av & 37 St SW. Dress warmly. Leaders, Gus Yaki/Aileen
Pelzer, 403-243-2248.

Sun Jun 21, 7am: Sheep River Valley for Lazuli Buntings.  Meet Anderson
LRT (Macleod Tr)  S of pedestrian overpass.  Bring lunch,  Leader, Mike
Harrison, 403-236-4700.

Sun Jun 21, 8am: Birding Griffith Woods Park, 2.5 km W from Sarcee Tr.
on Hwy 8, then left on 69 St SW into Discovery Ridge. Continue straight
at traffic circle, then left on Discovery link to parking lot. Leader,
Grant Brydle, 403-720-4957.

Sun Jun 21, 9am: See 30 of the largest or most unusual trees species
within a 3 km radius in Calgary. Meet at Stanley Park, 42 Av SW, two
blocks W of Macleod Tr. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Email
gyaki@calcna.ab.ca to register and receive advance information.

Tue Jun 23, 6:30pm: Birding Bowmont Park. Meet Maranatha Church, 2111 52
St NW (N end of Home Rd), Leader, Jan Reseneder, 403-286-5920.

Wed Jun 24, 6:30pm: Visit private garden for 70 species of Cactus and
succulents. Meet at 4915-15 St SW. Host, Hugo Render. For more info,
403-243-2248.

Sat Jun 27, 7:30am: Birding the Water Valley area. Meet Assumption
School, 34th Av NW (NW corner of Sarcee Tr, at Hwy #1). Bring Lunch.
Leader, Eric Tull, 403-295-0830.

Sun Jun 28, 9:30am: Tour of the private Canadian Rocky Mountain Ranch in
the foothills southwest of Calgary to see Bison and Elk, including
young, up close. Bring Lunch! Optional unguided hillside nature walk
after lunch. Meet at Anderson LRT Stn (Macleod Tr), S of pedestrian
overpass, to carpool. Hosts, Pat & Dr. Terry Church. Limit: 20
participants. To register,  call 403-249-2641.

Tue Jun 30, 6:30pm: Bird Griffith Woods Park, 2.5km W on Hwy 8 from
Sarcee Tr SW, then left at 69 St SW into Discovery Ridge. Continue
straight at traffic circle, then left on Discovery Link into parking
lot. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248.

Wed Jul 1, 6:30am: Monthly Elbow River Birding Survey. Meet Stanley
Park, 42 Av SW, just W of Macleod Tr. Walk to Glenmore Reservoir, ride
back (3.5 hours). Call leaders, Aileen Pelzer/Gus Yaki, 243-2248, to
ensure vehicle space for return.

Sat Jul 4, 8am: Birding Bebo Grove, FCPP, S end of 24 St SW. Leader, Al
Borgardt, 403-281-4306.

Tue Jul 7, 6:30pm: 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.

Tue Jul 14, 6:30pm: Bird FCPP, S. of Hwy 22. Meet at Boat Launch, S. end
of Bow Bottom Tr SE. Leader, Nimali Seneviratne, 403-836-5146.

Sat Jul 18, 8am: Bird Weed Lake & Wyndham/Carseland Prov. Park. Meet at
Carburn Park, S from Glenmore Tr E at 18 St SE to second stoplight, then
right & follow signs.  Bring lunch. Leader, Andrew Hart, 403-279-5209.

Sat Jul 18, 8am: Bird Votier’s Flats, FCPP, S end of Elbow Dr SW.
Leader, Al Borgardt, 403-281-4306.

Sun Jul 19, 7:30am. Bird Bow Valley Provincial Park. Meet Assumption
School, 34th Av NW (NW corner of Sarcee Tr, at Hwy #1). Bring Lunch.
Leader, Eric Tull, 403-295-0830.

Tue Jul 21, 6:30pm: Bird Weaselhead Natural Area. Meet parking lot, 37
St/66 Av SW. Leader, Aileen Pelzer, 403-243-2248.

Tue Jul 28, 6:30pm: Bird Bowness Park, 48 Av, W of 85 St NW. Meet first
parking lot. Leader, TBA, 403-243-2248.

Sat Aug 1, 7am: Monthly Elbow River Birding Survey. Meet Stanley Park,
42 Av SW, just W of Macleod Tr. Walk to Glenmore Reservoir, ride back
(3.5 hours). Call leaders, Aileen Pelzer/Gus Yaki, 243-2248, to ensure
vehicle space for return.

Tue Aug 4, 6:30pm: Bird Mallard Point, E end of Canyon Meadows Dr SE.
Leader, Andrew Hart, 403-279-5209.

Sat Aug 8, 8am: Bird Carburn Park. Meet in parking lot. S from Glenmore
Tr E at 18 St SE to second stoplight, then right & follow signs. Leader,
Al Borgardt, 403-281-4306.

Sat Aug 8, 9am: Bird E of Calgary for autumn migrant shorebirds, etc.
Meet at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary at E end of 9 Av SE. Bring lunch.
Leader, Eric Tull, 403-295-0830.

Sun Aug 9, 8am: Birding Griffith Woods Park, 2.5km W on Hwy 8 from
Sarcee Tr SW, then left at 69 St SW into Discovery Ridge. Continue
straight at traffic circle, then left on Discovery Link into parking
lot. Leader, Grant Brydle, 720-4957.

Tue Aug 11, 6:30pm: Bird Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9 Av SE.
Leader, Aileen Pelzer, 403-243-2248.

Sat Aug 15, 8am: Bird Hull’s Woods, FCPP, for autumn migrating warblers,
etc. Meet in first parking lot, E of Bow Bottom Tr after entering Park.
Leader, Al Borgardt, 403-281-4306.

Sun Aug 16, 8:30am: 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.

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.

Tue, Sep 1, 7:30am: Monthly Elbow River Birding Survey. Meet Stanley
Park, 42 Av SW, just W of Macleod Tr. Walk to Glenmore Reservoir, ride
back (3.5 hours). Call leaders, Aileen Pelzer/Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248, to
ensure vehicle space for return.

Yellow Birds in Calgary

Jun16

We’ve been getting a lot of queries about yellow birds in our fair city, so we thought we would introduce you to some of them.

There are many species of small birds with some yellow on them, but these three are the brightest, and the yellowist!

Male American Goldfinch

Male American Goldfinch

Goldfinches (5 inches) are generally found at backyard niger seed feeders in the city. Females are a duller yellow and do not have the black cap.

Yellow warbler

Male Yellow Warbler

Yellow warblers (5 inches) can be found in shrubby areas with lots of cover. Females do not have the dark streaking on the breast.

Male Western Tanager

Male Western Tanager

Western Tanagers (7 inches) prefer coniferous habitats. The bright red head of the males fades to yellow outside the breeding season.

Calgary Area May Species Count

Jun7

The 2009 Calgary Area May Species Count was conducted on May 30 & 31 with 57 participants. The following is a summary of the results. Complete results will be posted on the Nature Calgary website once the data has been verified by participants.

In total, 210 species were recorded with an additional 7 species recorded in the count week (3 days before/after the count). In comparison, 205 species were recorded for 2008 and 207 for 2006; average number of species for the prior 10 years is 200; the high count was 216 species in 2002. There were no new species on this year’s count. 288 species have been recorded on the count since 1979.

Weather was not a major factor in this year’s count – at least concerning the comfort of the observers! We had generally clear skies with day-time temperatures in the low 20’s both days; however, it was just above freezing in the early morning and the wind did pick up considerably late Sunday afternoon.

Coverage was similar to recent counts with 143 hours human powered (walking, cycling) covering 200km and 204 hrs driving (including birding stops) covering 4000 km. Most of the areas have been done by the same participants for the last few years

This count is notable for its numbers – nearly 100,000 birds were counted – a new record. Ian Halladay and his trusty Frank Lake crew counted for over ¼ of the birds thanks to their diligent counting of Franklin’s Gulls. New highs were recorded for 51 species including Franklin’s Gulls.

· Canada Goose: 4687 (Prev: 3945, 10 yr avg: 2771)

· Lesser Scaup: 1166 (Prev: 1133, 10 yr avg: 825)

· Bufflehead: 777 (Prev: 395, 10 yr avg: 226)

· Pied-billed Grebe: 54 (Prev: 44, 10 yr avg: 20)

· Great Blue Heron: 76 (Prev: 68, 10 yr avg: 45)

· Osprey: 21 (Prev: 20, 10 yr avg: 12)

· American Coot: 6132 (Prev: 4081, 10 yr avg: 1782)

· Black-necked Stilt: 116 (Prev: 85, 10 yr avg: 17)

· Solitary Sandpiper: 16 (Prev: 15, 10 yr avg: 6)

· Ruddy Turnstone: 3 (Prev: 2, 10 yr avg: 0)

· Franklin’s Gull: 30621 (Prev: 13189, 10 yr avg: 9371)

· Mourning Dove: 76 (Prev: 70, 10 yr avg: 48)

· Eurasian Collared-Dove: 10 (Prev: 2, 10 yr avg: 0)

· Red-naped Sapsucker: 28 (Prev: 27, 10 yr avg: 12)

· American Three-toed Woodpecker: 8 (Prev: 7, 10 yr avg: 2)

· Pileated Woodpecker: 8 (Prev: 7, 10 yr avg: 5)

· Alder Flycatcher: 18 (Prev: 16, 10 yr avg: 3)

· Western Flycatcher: 5 (Prev: 3, 10 yr avg: 1)

· Western Kingbird: 80 (Prev: 60, 10 yr avg: 31)

· Eastern Kingbird: 201 (Prev: 158, 10 yr avg: 97)

· Blue-headed Vireo: 7 (Prev: 6, 10 yr avg: 2)

· Gray Jay: 70 (Prev: 39, 10 yr avg: 24)

· Blue Jay: 44 (Prev: 26, 10 yr avg: 21)

· Common Raven: 340 (Prev: 279, 10 yr avg: 175)

· Purple Martin: 20 (Prev: 12, 10 yr avg: 5)

· Mountain Chickadee: 36 (Prev: 35, 10 yr avg: 21)

· Brown Creeper: 4 (Prev: 2, 10 yr avg: 1)

· House Wren: 432 (Prev: 417, 10 yr avg: 262)

· American Dipper: 10 (Prev: 9, 10 yr avg: 5)

· Golden-crowned Kinglet: 39 (Prev: 27, 10 yr avg: 14)

· Ruby-crowned Kinglet: 397 (Prev: 314, 10 yr avg: 184)

· Hermit Thrush: 26 (Prev: 21, 10 yr avg: 9)

· Gray Catbird: 93 (Prev: 57, 10 yr avg: 35)

· Tennessee Warbler: 230 (Prev: 191, 10 yr avg: 61)

· Yellow Warbler: 746 (Prev: 721, 10 yr avg: 513)

· Cape May Warbler: 11 (Prev: 7, 10 yr avg: 1)

· Townsend’s Warbler: 30 (Prev: 22, 10 yr avg: 12)

· Common Yellowthroat: 101 (Prev: 97, 10 yr avg: 60)

· Vesper Sparrow: 236 (Prev: 233, 10 yr avg: 154)

· Savannah Sparrow: 756 (Prev: 670, 10 yr avg: 534)

· Le Conte’s Sparrow: 49 (Prev: 44, 10 yr avg: 17)

· Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow: 9 (Prev: 4, 10 yr avg: 1)

· Lincoln’s Sparrow: 136 (Prev: 123, 10 yr avg: 64)

· Swamp Sparrow: 5 (Prev: 4, 10 yr avg: 1)

· Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 41 (Prev: 32, 10 yr avg: 20)

· Red-winged Blackbird: 5033 (Prev: 4898, 10 yr avg: 2816)

· Yellow-headed Blackbird: 2373 (Prev: 2272, 10 yr avg: 1451)

· Brown-headed Cowbird: 1651 (Prev: 1056, 10 yr avg: 767)

· House Finch: 51 (Prev: 45, 10 yr avg: 11)

· Pine Siskin: 927 (Prev: 769, 10 yr avg: 226)

· Evening Grosbeak: 36 (Prev: 23, 10 yr avg: 4)

Thanks to all of the participants.

Good birding.

Brian Elder
Calgary

Posting from the field

Jun1

Just in time for the summer birding season, we can now post directly to our blog from a cell phone or Blackberry. Talk about instant reporting!

Don’t expect long posts – wearing out the thumbs isn’t nearly as exciting as bird watching! But we’ll surely be the first to post any rare bird sightings in the city.

Stay tuned!
Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

Baby Robins Dropping Down

May31

It’s late spring in Calgary, and across the city baby or fledgling robins are dropping out of their nests. This seems a strange way to propogate 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 rehab centre.

Fledgling robin

Fledgling robin

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 help to the birds!