Search Results for: pileated

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: Dec 29

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 report was prepared on Thursday December 29.

Bird Sightings:

Dec. 26:

–NORTHERN PINTAIL(M), Bow River, north end Carburn Park, by Bill Wilson.

–GREEN-WINGED TEAL(F), Bow River, near storm-water outfall S.of the Ivor Strong bridge, by BW.

–PILEATED WOODPECKER, Bebo Grove, Fish Creek PP, by BW.
Dec. 27:

–CINNAMON TEAL (possible female), Bow River, below the weir at Wyndham-Carseland PP. Not positively identified as such, but the bird seems to have all the right ID features, by Terry Korolyk.

Dec.28:

–AMERICAN ROBIN(5), centre of the Weaselhead , west end of Glenmore Park.

–DARK-EYED JUNCO(5), in a yard in the Southview area in SE Calgary.

–GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET(1), same as above.

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Monday, January 2, 2012.

Calgary Christmas Bird Count Results

Dec20

Thanks to everyone who participated in the 60th Calgary Christmas Bird count on December 18, 2011. A record number of 239 birders took part in this year’s count, with 117 feeder-watchers and 122 observers in the field.

Conditions on count-day were excellent. Light overnight snow stopped just at the start of the count and it was generally cloudy throughout the day. The temperature remained in a narrow range between minus 3 deg and zero deg. Snow cover was around 10 – 15 cm. Glenmore Reservoir was fully frozen and the Bow and Elbow Rivers were partly frozen. Birders in the field put in a total of 238 party-hours, 68 percent on foot, covering 229 km on foot and 1021 km by car.

Some Count Highlights

69 species were recorded, tied for third highest-ever; we have averaged 65 species for the past 20 years. Two additional species have been recorded in count-week (December 15-21) so far, Long-tailed Duck and American Dipper

66,529 individual birds were counted, our highest-ever. Bohemian Waxwings were the most numerous, with almost 20 000 counted, and over 1000 individuals were counted for another ten species, four of them finch species.

We had a new bird for the count, our first since 2005. This was an American Pipit found on the Bow River. The bird had first been sighted there on December 3. Other rarities were a Pied-billed Grebe found at the outlet of the Elbow River (4th count record) and a Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch (2nd count-record). Excellent photographs were taken of these rarities which will greatly aid the documentation process.

Other unusual species (recorded in two or less years in the prior ten): Canvasback (1), Northern Harrier (1), Hoary Redpoll (21) and Evening Grosbeak (2).

Record numbers for Cooper’s Hawk (6), Rough-legged Hawk (17), Northern Flicker (142), Pine Grosbeak (852) and White-winged Crossbill (1129).

High Counts (more than three-times the prior ten-year average) for two regularly recorded species: Prairie Falcon (3) and Common Redpoll (1543).

Low counts (less than one-third the prior ten-year average) for one regularly recorded species: American Wigeon (2).

Five “missing” species (seen on count-day in seven or more years in the prior ten, but missed this year): Green-winged Teal, Redhead, Harlequin Duck, Mountain Chickadee and American Dipper.

I will be presenting the results at the Bird Study Group meeting on Wednesday January 4, 2012 at 7:30 PM in Room 211 of the Biosciences Building, University of Calgary, as part of the traditional Calgary region CBC review evening. Please let me know if you notice any omissions or errors in this provisional compilation. Final results will be posted on the Audubon database as soon as it is re-functioning.

MOST IMPORTANT — please inform me of any count-week sightings of any species not on the list below.

List of species recorded on count-day

Cackling Goose, 2; Canada Goose, 8191; Wood Duck, 7; American Wigeon, 2; Mallard, 14623; Northern Pintail 1; Canvasback, 1; Lesser Scaup, 1; Bufflehead, 178; Common Goldeneye, 2993; Barrow’s Goldeneye, 20; Hooded Merganser, 5; Common Merganser, 60; Gray Partridge, 125; Ring-necked Pheasant, 24; Ruffed Grouse, 3; Pied-billed Grebe, 1; Bald Eagle, 19; Northern Harrier, 1; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 8; Cooper’s Hawk, 6; Northern Goshawk, 6, Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Rough-legged Hawk, 17; Merlin, 19; Gyrfalcon, 2; Prairie Falcon, 3; Killdeer, 5; Gull sp., 1; Rock Pigeon, 3221; Great Horned Owl, 5; Belted Kingfisher, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 131; Hairy Woodpecker, 24; Northern Flicker, 142; Pileated Woodpecker, 1; Northern Shrike, 2; Blue Jay, 102; Black-billed Magpie, 2366; American Crow 51; Common Raven, 192; Black-capped Chickadee, 1360; Boreal Chickadee, 10; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 344; White-breasted Nuthatch, 55; Brown Creeper, 12; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 18; Townsend’s Solitaire, 8; American Robin, 63; European Starling, 515; American Pipit, 1; Bohemian Waxwing, 19593; Cedar Waxwing, 10; American Tree Sparrow, 6; Harris’s Sparrow, 2; Dark-eyed Junco, 213; Snow Bunting, 3; Rusty Blackbird, 1; Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, 1; Pine Grosbeak, 852; Purple Finch, 1; House Finch, 1280; Red Crossbill, 139; White-winged Crossbill, 1129; Common Redpoll, 1543; Hoary Redpoll, 21; Pine Siskin, 571; Evening Grosbeak, 2 and House Sparrow, 6214

Total species, 69. Total individuals, 66 529.

Phil Cram

crampj@telusplanet.net

Walking the Weaselhead

Dec12

As a Calgary native, I consider it a particularly unfortunate state of affairs that it’s only in the last two years that I began exploring the Weaselhead. Accessed from either North or South Glenmore Park, it is quite likely one of Calgary’s most unique micro-environments, in which three species of hummingbird can be found in the summer, and the Boreal Chickadee can be found in winter. Hearing that it would be the location for our final birding walk of the autumn birding course, I was excited at the opportunity to see some new and exciting species.

It began by walking down the winding trail from the 37th Street parking lot at the western entrance to North Glenmore Park. After stocking one of the feeding stations, we briefly left, but rushed straight back when we noticed a robin-sized bird fly in and land on the ground at the feeder. It was another photo first for me to be able to snap some very close-up shots of a Pine Grosbeak. One of the distinctly beautiful birds both for its song and plumage, with a brutally sharp bite.

Heading down to the bottom feeder stations, we were delighted by the number of Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, and Common Redpolls taking advantage of the free food available at the feeders.

This Downy Woodpecker also was taking an interest in the feeders, and seemed entirely unfazed at how close we were able to get.

Across the bridge we were treated to the sight of a few more Common Redpolls, followed by Black-capped Chickadees and Red-breasted Nuthatches feeding at the fence-posts along the pathway.

I think our best bird of the day though was this Pileated Woodpecker who made an appearance and actually sat still long enough for us to get some shots of it.

The feeding station where the Boreal Chickadee pair had been seen all week was productive, but unfortunately the Boreal Chickadees didn’t show up. We did get some nice close views of the Red-breasted Nuthatches again, and the more common Black-capped Chickadees and a single Northern Flicker.

Finally we headed back, only seeing the same species at those feeders on the way back, and nothing in particular that really stole the show from the beautiful Pileated Woodpecker.

And that wrapped up the Autumn Birding course for us. In the new year, Bob Lefebvre will be leading a Sunday walk with the same group until mid to late April, and between now and then are a few important outings on my list, the biggest of which being the Christmas Bird Count, which I’ll post my photos and stories from next week.

Posted by Daniel Arndt.

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: Oct 27

Oct28

This report was prepared on Thursday October 27.

October 20
— TRUMPETER SWAN/TUNDRA SWAN (48), mixed flock on large pond at jct of Twp. Rd. 314 and RR 265, Corinne Griffin Swans have been slow to arrive this fall. Most common on Weed Lake near Langdon and Chestermere Lake

October 23
— GREAT HORNED OWL Wildwood Drive, west Calgary, Anne Jones

October 25
–PILEATED WOODPECKER Sunnyslope, west of Three Hills, on RR 260 ca. 400 m. north of Twp. Rd 312, also in Three Hills itself, CG

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Monday October 31.

BIRD STUDY GROUP:

Bird Study Group meets 1st Wednesday of the month, Room 211, BioSciences Building, U of C.

November 2: Digital bird photography with Brian Elder.

Family Time For The Birds

Jun24

I had a day off this last Tuesday so I took the opportunity to go biking and birding in Fish Creek Provincial Park. It was a beautiful morning; the sun was out, the sky was blue, the birds were singing and the weather was warm; finally! I got to Fish Creek at around 8:30 a.m. entering the park just off the intersection of Canyon Meadows drive and Acadia . I was preparing to go down the steep hill into the park only to find that the trail was flooded! Instead I followed the trail around the ridge until I entered the park beside the ranch.I did some random wandering on small paths through Fish Creek, finding a pheasant, a kingfisher, several catbirds and 3 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, among other birds. I then carried on to bridge number 11, leading to Hull’s Wood. Rounding a bend in the path I was surprised to see a male Pileated Woodpecker, just meters from the path. Before I could get my camera out of my bag, he had flown further away; apparently he was surprised to see me!

I reached Sikome Lake and rode my bike up the hill, in hopes of finding some Great Horned Owls and their owlets; I was not disappointed! There in their regular tree, was the Great Horned Owl family, two young ones and one adult.

As I continued my circuit, I found some more interesting birds, including some Green-winged Teal.

And the Pelicans! The water is so high in the river that pelicans are everywhere; I was able to count up to 27 pelicans at one time, half in the water, half circling in the sky, their bright white feathers contrasting magnificently with the clear blue sky. Another post on the pelicans will follow this one. However, this day, was truly the day of families. At one secluded spot near the river, I found 4 different nests all within a couple of feet of each other. The first belonged to a Downy Woodpecker, the second to a House Wren and the last two to Tree Swallows.

At the Downy Woodpecker nest, the male would visit the hole every couple of minutes and would be instantly greeted with the call of the hungry young in the inside. He continued his work incessantly, feeding his ever hungry offspring.

The House Wrens hardly ever came in and out of their nest but the male was always nearby, singing very loudly and stopping only for the occasional break.

The Tree Swallows would vigorously defend their nests from potential threats, such as the kestrel that flew over several times. The Kestrel in turn would chase away a Swainson’s Hawk that could have been a potential threat to the Kestrel’s family.

As I was leaving the park in late morning I came across a coyote sitting on a hill, looking very content as well as many Savannah Sparrows singing.

Family time for the birds is a busy time of year; I saw 52 species of birds that morning and I had luck as I got to see some of them raising their families.

Posted by Matthew Sim

Birds of the Weaselhead

Jun22

Last week we went for a walk through the Weaselhead area of SW Calgary. It was very wet and the rivers were high, but we did manage to find some nice birds.

The creek near the junction with the Elbow River.

Eastern Phoebes are nesting under both of the wooden bridges…

There are lots of Least Flycatchers in the area…

It appears that Beavers have chewed through this retaining wall, just to make it easier for them to get from the forest to their pond…

We saw this male Calliope Hummingbird do its spectacular U-shaped display flight, where it climbs to a height of about 80 feet, and then dives rapidly towards the ground, and up again…

We never saw any Pileated Woodpeckers, but there is evidence of their activities on many of the big trees…

Cliff Swallows at their mud nests under the bridge over the Elbow River…

A Spotted Sandpiper was feeding on top of some logs in the river…

Cedar Waxwings were busy flycatching along the waterways…

And there were several Red Squirrels, looking for handouts…

Posted by Bob Lefebvre

Year-Round Birds

These are the bird species that are seen year-round in Calgary. Some are abundant, and others are rare. Some, like Canada Geese, vary in numbers at different times of the year.

Frequency:

A = Abundant (Over 500)
C = Common (101 to 500)
FC = Fairly Common (26 to 100)
S = Scarce (1-25)
R = Rare – irregular occurrence, in low numbers, and not necessarily in every year
E = Erratic – numbers fluctuate greatly from year to year

Canada Goose – A

Mallard – A

Harlequin Duck – R

Common Goldeneye – FC

Common Merganser – FC

Gray Partridge – FC

Ring-necked Pheasant – FC

Ruffed Grouse – FC to S (subject to 10-year cycles)

Bald Eagle – FC

Merlin – S

Rock Pigeon – A

Great Horned Owl – FC

Long-eared Owl – S

Short-eared Owl – R

Northern Saw-whet Owl – R

Downy Woodpecker – FC

Hairy Woodpecker – S

Northern Flicker – FC to S

Pileated Woodpecker – S

Blue Jay – FC

Black-billed Magpie – A

Common Raven – S

Black-capped Chickadee – C

Boreal Chickadee – S

Red-breasted Nuthatch – FC to S

White-breasted Nuthatch – S

Golden-crowned Kinglet – R

House Finch – C

House Sparrow – A

Source: Bird Date and Location Guide compiled by Gus Yaki.

59th Calgary Christmas Bird Count Results

Dec27

Thanks to everyone who participated in the 59th Calgary Christmas Bird count, December 19, 2010. Almost 200 people took part in this year’s count, with 102 feeder-watchers and 93 birders in the field.

Special thanks go to Lenora and Dick Flynn for hosting a most enjoyable wind-up party, to Donna and Arthur Wieckowski, Bob Lefebvre and John McFaul for helping with the compilation, to Jean Moore and her team captains for organising the feeder-watch part of the count, and to Terry Korolyk, John McFaul and Jim Washbrook for helping to organise the teams in the field.

Conditions on count-day were cool but very pleasant. The temperature remained in a narrow range between minus 15 deg and minus 13 deg, and light snow fell during part of the morning. Snow cover was around 20 cm, probably deeper in places. Glenmore Reservoir was fully frozen and the Bow and Elbow Rivers were more than half-frozen.

Birders in the field put in a total of 205 party-hours, 70 percent on foot, covering 230 km on foot and 881 km by car.

Some count highlights were:
63 species recorded, the same as last year, compared with an average of 65 species for the past 20 years. Two additional species have been recorded in count week so far, Gull sp. and American Dipper.

43 705 individual birds were counted, which is 15 percent below the average for the past ten years. For the more common species, more were at below-average levels than above-average, perhaps reflecting mortality due to the recent periods of cold .

Unusual species (recorded in two or less years in the prior ten): Cackling Goose (5), Trumpeter Swan (2), Mourning Dove (1), Black-backed Woodpecker (1) – second count record) and Purple Finch (at least 1).

Record numbers for: Trumpeter Swan (2), Bald Eagle (30), Hairy Woodpecker (32), Common Raven (364) and House Finch (1551).

High Counts (more than three-times the prior ten-year average) for three regularly recorded species: White-throated Sparrow (6), Snow Bunting (9) and Red Crossbill (195).

Low counts (less than one-third the prior ten-year average) for five regularly recorded species: Wood Duck (3), Common Goldeneye (404), European Starling (65), Cedar Waxwing (3) and Common Redpoll (55).

Eight “missing” species (seen on count-day in six or more years in the prior ten, but missed this year): American Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Redhead, Harlequin Duck, Gyrfalcon, American Dipper and American Tree Sparrow.

Species seen by only one route (All feeder-watchers counted as one route): Trumpeter Swan, Wood Duck, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Hooded Merganser, Prairie Falcon, American Coot, Killdeer, Mourning Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Black-backed Woodpecker, Northern Shrike, Cedar Waxwing, Purple Finch and American Goldfinch.
Species seen by only two routes (All feeder-watchers counted as one route): Barrow’s Goldeneye, Ruffed Grouse, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, Mountain Chickadee and White-throated Sparrow.

List of species recorded on count-day:

Cackling Goose, 5; Canada Goose, 9,705; Trumpeter Swan, 2; Wood Duck, 3; Mallard, 12,044; Greater Scaup, 2; Lesser Scaup, 1; Bufflehead, 114; Common Goldeneye, 404; Barrow’s Goldeneye, 22; Hooded Merganser, 4; Common Merganser, 37; Gray Partridge, 64; Ring-necked Pheasant, 9; Ruffed Grouse, 2; Bald Eagle, 30; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 7; Cooper’s Hawk, 3; Northern Goshawk, 3; Red-tailed Hawk, 2; Rough-legged Hawk, 2; Merlin, 19; Prairie Falcon, 2; American Coot, 1; Killdeer, 4; Rock Pigeon, 1,777; Mourning Dove, 1; Great Horned Owl, 4; Belted Kingfisher, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 142; Hairy Woodpecker, 32; Black-backed Woodpecker, 1; Northern Flicker, 108; Pileated Woodpecker, 3; Northern Shrike, 1; Blue Jay, 54; Black-billed Magpie, 1,870; American Crow, 44; Common Raven, 364; Black-capped Chickadee, 1,476; Mountain Chickadee, 2; Boreal Chickadee, 20; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 287; White-breasted Nuthatch, 58; Brown Creeper, 8; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 12; Townsend’s Solitaire, 4; American Robin, 89; European Starling, 65; Bohemian Waxwing, 4,104; Cedar Waxwing, 3; White-throated Sparrow, 6; Dark-eyed Junco,134; Snow Bunting, 9; Pine Grosbeak, 28; Purple Finch, 1+; House Finch, 1,551; Red Crossbill, 195; White-winged Crossbill, 89; Common Redpoll, 55; Pine Siskin, 460; American Goldfinch, 1; and House Sparrow, 8,155

Total species 63. Total individual birds 43,705.

Phil Cram

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

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

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: