Travel Tuesday: Frank Lake

Jul2

Michael Pott sent us these outstanding photos of his trips to Frank Lake on June 27 and 28th.  He says his equipment is simple and of average quality-Nikon D7000, Sigma 120-300 mm with 2x extender, monopod.  Truly the most unique photograph of a Red-winged Blackbird I’ve ever seen!

_D7K0015

Wilson’s Phalarope

_D7K0110

Killdeer

_D7K8219

Red-winged Blackbird

_D7K8592

American Coot and young

_D7K9172

Franklin’s Gull

_D7K9219

Wilson’s Phalarope

_D7K9239

American Avocets

_D7K9302

Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet

_D7K9320_01

Wilson’s Phalarope, Black-necked Stilt

_D7K9348

White-faced Ibis

_D7K9973

White-faced Ibis

_D7K9978

White-faced Ibis, Yellow-headed Blackbird

_D7K9980

White-faced Ibis

Sunday Showcase: Birds of South Glenmore Park

Jun30

Last Sunday Tim Hopwood birded South Glenmore Park with the Friends of Fish Creek birding course. He got amazing photos of some of the birds and insects there. (To read about another field trip in South Glenmore park on the same day, see this post.)

American Robin

 American Robin on nest.

Blue-wingedTeal

Blue-winged Teal with young.

Brown-HeadedCowbird(female)

Female Brown-headed Cowbird.

Brown-HeadedCowbird(male)

Male Brown-headed Cowbird.

Butterfly

Butterfly – can someone identify the species in the comments section?

Clay-coloredSparrow

Clay-colored Sparrow.

DownyWP

Male Downy Woodpecker at nest hole.

Dragonfly

Dragonfly species.

EasternPhoebe

Eastern Phoebe.

HouseWren1

House Wren.

HouseWren2

House Wren.

HouseWren3

House Wren.

HouseWren4

House Wren.

LeastFlycatcher1

Least Flycatcher.

LeastFlycatcher2

Least Flycatcher.

Red-eyedVireo1

Red-eyed Vireo.

Red-eyedVireo2

Red-eyed Vireo.

Red-eyedVireo3

Red-eyed Vireo.

Red-eyedVireo4

Red-eyed Vireo.

Swallowtail

Swallowtail Butterfly species.

Another interesting bird that was seen that day was a hybrid Rose-breasted/Black-headed Grosbeak that has nested in the area for the last two years. Tim didn’t get a shot of it, but Trevor Churchill did.

Rose-breasted slash Black-headed Grosbeak Trevor Churchill

Hybrid Rose-breasted/Black-headed Grosbeak. This bird sounds just like a Rose-breasted, but clearly has features of both species. Photo by Trevor Churchill.

To see more of Tim Hopwood’s photos, go to his web page here.

Flood Birding in South Glenmore Park

Jun29

Posted by Bob Lefebvre

It was an interesting week in Calgary, to say the least. Massive flooding has caused enormous damage along the Bow and Elbow rivers, and forced tens of thousands of people from their homes. Dan Arndt, who leads the Friends of Fish Creek birding course group with me on Sunday mornings, and who normally blogs about our walks here, was one of those evacuated. He left the city to spend a few days camping in SE Alberta. Thankfully, his home was not damaged and he was able to return late Sunday.

I wasn’t sure we would be able to proceed with our walk last Sunday, but since South Glenmore Park was not directly affected by the flooding, we did go ahead. (Griffiths Woods Park, where the group birded he previous week, is completely submerged.) We decided to stay on the relatively dry ground of the paved path that runs well above the Glenmore reservoir.

IMG_7087

This was the most water we had to deal with.

We found a pair of Black-capped Chickadees by their nest hole, and this one had found a meal for the young.

IMG_7090

IMG_7097

The chickadee went in the nest hole, and after a minute emerged carrying a fecal sac. The parents will remove these to keep the nest clean while the young are in it.

We saw and heard quite a few Least Flycatchers on the day. This one was sitting quietly.

IMG_7113

Some birds were just getting started on their breeding activities. This pair of Cedar Waxwings were engaged in their mating ritual, in which the female would beg and flutter her wings, then the male would appear to feed her. Cedar Waxwings often pass food back and forth as part of their breeding behavior.

IMG_7115

IMG_7116

IMG_7117

IMG_7118

IMG_7119

IMG_7120

IMG_7121

Another very common bird, singing loudly throughout the park, was the House Wren. They seem to have quite small territories, as you could sometimes hear three birds singing at once.

IMG_7124

We heard about ten Red-eyed Vireos singing. They can be very hard to find in the leaves at the top of the Aspens. We did manage to track one down so our group could get a look, but this is the best photo I could get.

IMG_7134

We arrived at the lookout above the Weaselhead and saw that the the two ponds were almost joined, with only the raised paved path separating them.

IMG_7138

This lookout is a clearing in the woods with two benches. Birders have set up feeders there, and although they were well-stocked, no birds came while we were there. This can be a great spot at times (maybe earlier in the day). See my post The Lookout from June 2011. The only birds we saw were Brown-headed Cowbirds.

IMG_7139

From the lookout we could hear a distant Brown Thrasher, and an Eastern Phoebe down by the pond. We were relieved when we arrived at the pond to see that the high-water mark was below the deck of the wooden bridge where the phoebes nest, so their nest should be OK.

IMG_7146

Eastern Phoebe.

On the walk back we heard a Rose-breasted Grosbeak singing, and it turned out to be the hybrid Rose-breasted/Black-headed Grosbeak which has been in this area for the last two summers. Although I didn’t get a good photo, we did manage to see it. Since this was the last outing for the Spring birding course, it was a good bird to finish with.

One of our participants, Tim Hopwood, who is an excellent photographer, was out that day with the 9 am group. He managed to get some great shots of some of the birds we saw plus others as well.  I will post his photos here tomorrow.

Recovering from a 100-year Flood – How you can help: Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society

Jun26

For those of you who read our blog from elsewhere in North America, or elsewhere in the world, Southern Alberta has experienced floods that have reached levels almost unheard of in many of our lifetimes. The towns of High River, Bragg Creek, and Canmore have been completely devastated by flood waters, while Calgary’s downtown core and low lying areas are just now in the process of allowing the last residents home to begin the cleanup efforts.

Undoubtedly the impact on wildlife has been extreme, and while we focus our efforts primarily on our friends, family, and our neighbors, we shouldn’t forget that the animals still need our help, now more than ever. While I’m not a skilled laborer, and volunteers are coming out of the woodwork all over Calgary to help out people, I thought I’d contact the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society to see if they needed a hand.

The reply I received is as follows:

“Thank-you so very much for your email!  At this time our greatest need is fixing our waterfowl enclosure as the heavy rains have literally lifted our diving pool right out of the ground, which has significantly reduced the space to house orphaned and injured animals!

So we are looking for donations of supplies, gift cards and skilled labour to help get it all fixed up!     If you think this is something you can help with, we would be MOST grateful.   We are a very small non-profit organization with very little overhead and we receive no direct government funding, so the best way to make a direct impact on the kind of care we can give our animals is monetary donations.  Any money donated goes directly to helping the animals that we take in.  Donations can be made at our website www.calgarywildlife.org or by phoning me 403-266-2282.

Thank-you so very much!

Andrea

CWRS Business Administrator

403-266-2282

www.calgarywildlife.org”

 

I expect that in the coming weeks there will be calls for volunteers to help clean up our local parks, other wildlife rehabilitation centers, and the other natural areas that we love to explore so much. Consider this the first in a series of ways that those of us who love all the beauty that nature can provide.

Travel Tuesday – Kinbrook Island Provincial Park

Jun25

In all the commotion of the flood, the heartache, and the hard times many of us, our loved ones, and our friends are going through, sometimes you just need to get away for a little while. On Thursday night, my neighborhood was evacuated, and having expected the news earlier in the day, I packed up the jeep and convinced the better half that it would be a good idea to go camping for the weekend, until we could safely return home, so we packed up the only valuables in our basement (our camping supplies) and headed out.

Our destination was unknown initially, and we just wanted to get away from the swelling rivers and get a good night’s rest, but we found ourselves in Brooks, and headed down to the campground at Kinbrook Island Provincial Park.

Situated on Lake Newell, the campground is home to a number of grassland species that you’d be hard pressed to find here in Calgary, and many others that are here, but maybe a bit harder to track down. Located about an hour and a half south-east of Calgary on the Trans-Canada Highway, it is close enough that you can safely complete a full day trip there and back with plenty of birding time within the park grounds, but the camping is phenomenal, especially in early summer with all of the summer species singing their hearts out.

Tree Swallow hunting over the lake

Tree Swallow hunting over the lake

Western Kingbird looking quite regal

Western Kingbird looking quite regal

Baltimore Oriole catching some grub

Baltimore Oriole catching some grub

Mourning Dove skulking about

Mourning Dove skulking about

Brown Thrasher, lead vocals of the Dawn Chorus

Brown Thrasher, lead vocals of the Dawn Chorus

Ring-billed Gull portrait

Ring-billed Gull portrait

Red-winged Blackbird

Red-winged Blackbird

female Canvasback and young

female Canvasback and young

Baltimore Oriole

Baltimore Oriole

I'm very unused to seeing Brewer's Blackbirds in trees. Around Calgary they're most commonly seen on gravel roads near sloughs!

I’m very unused to seeing Brewer’s Blackbirds in trees. Around Calgary they’re most commonly seen on gravel roads near sloughs!

Vesper Sparrow

Vesper Sparrow

This male Northern Harrier was one of two Harriers I saw over the weekend. It was also the only species of raptor I saw on the campground over all three days.

This male Northern Harrier was one of two Harriers I saw over the weekend. It was also the only species of raptor I saw on the campground over all three days.

The irate chatter of the Marsh Wren was by far the most vocal bird I heard on the entire Nature Walk loop on Sunday morning.

The irate chatter of the Marsh Wren was by far the most vocal bird I heard on the entire Nature Walk loop on Sunday morning.

This Eastern Kingbird decided to come investigate what I was doing sitting down by the lake shore.

This Eastern Kingbird decided to come investigate what I was doing sitting down by the lake shore.

 

Now that I’m safely back in my unflooded home, my thoughts are turning more to the cleanup of our city, our parks, and hopes that all our readers made it through the worst of it unscathed.

Good birding, and stay safe.

Sunday Showcase: Birds of Bragg Creek

Jun23

Kim Selbee sent us these photos of birds taken in the Bragg Creek area. Although Bragg Creek is only about 25 km SW of Calgary (as the crow flies), some of the species coming to their feeders are rarely seen in the city.

Lazuli Bunting

Male Lazuli Bunting.

American Goldfinch

Male American Goldfinch.

Common Grackle

Male Common Grackle.

Female Evening Grosbeak

Female Evening Grosbeak.

Male Evening Grosbeak

Male Evening Grosbeak.

Male Red Breasted Grosbeak

Male Red-breasted Grosbeak.

Female Rose Breasted Grosbeak

Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

Purple Finch

Male Purple Finch.

Red Crossbill

Male Red Crossbill.

Red Shafted Flicker

Male Northern Flicker.

Rose Breasted Grosbeak

Male Red-breasted Grosbeak.

Kitesurfer At Weed Lake

Jun19

We received the following email from a reader, and wanted to pass it along.

“On Sunday June  16th I stopped at Weed Lake around 2 PM to see which birds might be around, only to find that there were almost no birds there. That was because someone was kitesurfing on the lake. I called the Report a Poacher line to report it, and then went in to tell the doofus that Weed Lake is a wetlands conservation project (just in case he couldn’t read that really large sign that says “wetlands conservation project”) and that these activities are not allowed in a wetlands area. I also told him I’d reported him and given the Fisheries Department his license plate number. He didn’t seem too concerned.
I have no idea if reporting it will make any difference but I hope so. Those of us who love and want to protect the species who use the wetlands may need to step up to the plate and police the area as best we can. Please stress to your readers how important it is to report every violation and every threat to the wilderness and wetlands areas we love.”
Heather Cuthill

May Species Count Highlights – Lafarge Meadows

Jun17

The May Species Count weekend is always both exciting and exhausting. Early morning wake ups, lots of ground to cover, and lots of birds to find mean there’s little time for anything else. While most participants in Calgary only have one or two areas to cover, between Bob Lefebvre and I, we cover four areas over two days, including the Weaselhead and North Glenmore Park on Sunday morning with the Friends of Fish Creek group, and the last two years we’ve gone on to cover Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and Pearce Estate Park in the afternoon. That wouldn’t be too bad, but the area I cover on Saturday is all walking, and includes the north end of Hull’s Wood all the way south to the south end of Lafarge Meadows. To give you an idea, I covered 18.2 km in 9 hours of walking, and netted 68 species of birds, down a few species from last year, but a few surprises (and even a new life-bird) more than made up for it.

One thing you get to see when you’re out at first light is behaviour that you rarely ever see. For instance, Tree Swallows do forage on the ground as well!

Tree Swallow

Tree Swallow

Shortly after this sighting was my lifer for the weekend, this Blackpoll Warbler was one of a flock of four birds foraging near the riverbank. Given that the water level had risen quite a bit in the past few days, I suspect there were a lot of insects climbing the trees to get up above the water level.

Blackpoll Warbler

Blackpoll Warbler

For the second year in a row, I’ve come across a fairly uncommon bird within the city limits, and while I only heard it last year, this year I was actually able to observe this Willow Flycatcher building a nest in the same grove I heard it last year. It was nice to get clear looks at it this time around!

Willow Flycatcher

Willow Flycatcher

Of course the Song Sparrows were plentiful, and apparently fearless in their search for a mate and announcing their territory. I walked within three feet of this little singer as I left the path near his perch.

Song Sparrow

Song Sparrow

No trip to the Sikome Lake area would be complete without a visit to the resident Great Horned Owls…

adult male Great Horned Owl

adult male Great Horned Owl

immature Great Horned Owl testing out the flight apparatus

immature Great Horned Owl testing out the flight apparatus

Forster’s Terns were a regular sight over the ponds near Highway 22X this year, while last year they were nowhere to be found.

Forster's Tern

Forster’s Tern

This Spotted Sandpiper took exception to another male sitting on his log, and charged him in their traditional territorial display.

Spotted Sandpiper

Spotted Sandpiper

When you’re out on a long walk like this, eventually you take some of the side trails and start pishing. This Lincoln’s Sparrow reacted quite strongly to my intrusion, and shooed me off.

Lincoln's Sparrow

Lincoln’s Sparrow

A couple of the most touching sightings though were the babies. This female Common Goldeneye with her five young in tow was the first group of young that I’d seen in the park this year.

female Common Goldeneye with young

female Common Goldeneye with young

But the most powerful experience I’ve had so far this year was nearly stumbling over this Killdeer nest, with one baby already hatched…

Killdeer hatchling

Killdeer hatchling

… and another hatching while I stood there in awe.

You can see the second hatchling pushing its little wings out of the egg.

You can see the second hatchling pushing its little wings out of the egg.

The last new bird I was able to add to my list for the day was pair of Least Sandpipers, which are fairly uncommon at this pond at the south end of Lafarge Meadows, but with a lack of mudflats outside the city, they were likely just passing through on their way to better feeding grounds further north.

Least Sandpipers

Least Sandpipers

As the day wore on and the morning turned to afternoon, my feet grew tired and I was about ready to pack it in, but not before finding this female Belted Kingfisher hunting over one of the backwater creeks on the west end of Hull’s Wood. It was a great end to a great day!

female Belted Kingfisher

female Belted Kingfisher

Fish Creek Big Day

Jun15

Posted by Matthew Sim

So how many species of birds can you find in a single day in Fish Creek P.P.? Last year, I set out to find the answer. I turned up 93 species, 7 short of my goal of 100. This year, I was back out again, trying my luck once more.  Once again though, I fell short, managing to find a total of 89 species for the day.

American Wigeon

American Wigeon were common throughout the park.

I won’t write up too much here or I could have several pages of notes but I will point out some of the highlights, and of course, low points. Surprising this year was the lack of quite a few species that should have been easy to find. Notably, Osprey, Belted Kingfisher, Ruddy Duck, Tennessee Warbler, Forster’s Tern, Black Tern and Pied-billed Grebe were missing. Some of these were absent due to the (until quite recently), low water levels at the Lafarge Meadows sloughs. I had wondered why there were few birds at the sloughs and Dan helped me out by pointing out the fact that the sloughs had been quite low for the last few weeks, perhaps turning away some species.

Brewer's Blackbird

While I did have some surprising misses, I also found some good species, including the Brewer’s Blackbird above.

Clay-colored Sparrow

Although some of the common species such as Osprey were absent, most, including the Clay-colored Sparrow above and the American Goldfinch below were relatively easy to find.

Goldfinch

Then there were some species that I missed last year but were easy to find this year. I could not find any LeConte’s Sparrows last year but this year I managed to find nearly a dozen. This little guy posed nicely for a few minutes near the Ranch.

LeConte's Sparrow

Perhaps I forgot to mention too that it was an early start? I was at the park just before 5, when the songsters were just getting started.

Lincoln's Sparrow

Lincoln’s Sparrow

One of the many birds to be singing early on was the Red-eyed Vireo. These little birds sing nice and loud but can be very tricky to spot. Luckily for me, this one Red-eyed Vireo below sang right from the top of a poplar. So although he was easy to see, he was still a long way up!

Red-eyed Vireo

It was a good day and I’m looking forward to doing it again next year. I guess then it will have become the 3rd Annual Fish Creek Big Day…

Spotted Sandpiper

Spotted Sandpiper