Friends of Fish Creek Birding Course – Week 6 – Western Headworks Pathway

Oct15

Posted by Dan Arndt

Another week, another great week of birding one of the incredible natural areas of Calgary. This time we headed down the Western Headworks Pathway, one of the primary irrigation canals of the Bow River, which extends all the way to Chestermere Lake and provides water to farms even further east and south from Calgary. Our walk took us from just south of 17th Avenue SE all the way to 50th Avenue SE and back again, all the while keeping us incredibly close to the birds and allowing for some decent shots despite the gray, gloomy skies and incredibly poor light all morning long.

One of the best sightings early on were this pair of Yellowlegs, one Greater and one Lesser, showing off the differences in overall body size, bill shape, and bill length.

Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs

Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs

Greater Yellowlegs

Greater Yellowlegs

Shortly after that we came across a large mixed flock of Mallards, Northern Shovelers, Green-winged Teal, and even a lone Northern Pintail was in the mix!

female Northern Shoveler

female Northern Shoveler

A constant reminder of just how close to the Bow River we were was the nearly incessant flocks of gulls, ducks, and even one large flock of nearly forty female and juvenile Common Mergansers.

female Common Mergansers

female Common Mergansers

One raft of Mallards seemed to weave in and out of a flock of American Wigeon and even involved a few Hooded Mergansers, but this lone Pied-billed Grebe nearly escaped our notice hidden amongst some vegetation.

Pied-billed Grebe

Pied-billed Grebe

female Hooded Merganser

female Hooded Merganser

male Hooded Merganser

male Hooded Merganser

At least two of the male American Wigeon were in full breeding plumage, but instead of the usual white crown on the bird, these Wigeon had yellowish crowns. Very strange.

American Wigeon

American Wigeon

Another bonus bird that hasn’t been seen on many of our walks for the past year are these Eurasian Collared Doves. While common in residential neighbourhoods, they aren’t often found in the usual spate of parks the Friends of Fish Creek courses will visit.

Eurasian Collared Doves

Eurasian Collared Doves

In contrast, these Rock Pigeons, while posing beautifully on a train bridge, are as common as, well, Rock Pigeons on our walks.

Rock Pigeons

Rock Pigeons

At the far south end of the walk we found our first Killdeer of the day, well hidden amongst the gravel and vegetation on the shore.

Killdeer

Killdeer

Our walk back was essenially better looks at many of the same birds, and as we came up alongside the Hooded Mergansers, something spooked them and flushed them up off the canal.

male Hooded Merganser taking off

male Hooded Merganser taking off

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: Oct 11

Oct13

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, email us at birdscalgary@gmail.com.  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.

Compiled by Terry Korolyk

A HUMMINGBIRD that has been coming to a feeder at a home in Calgary Bowness may be an immature female ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD as revealed through photographs. The bird was seen again Wed Oct 10; but no reports thus far today. For more information, call Terry Korolyk at 403-254-1878.

Several immature hybrid COMMON-BARROW’S GOLDENEYE were seen in a flock of 12-13 immature Goldeneye just offshore from the dam at Chestermere Lake on Mon Oct 9. At least 3 male and 2 female probable sibling hybrids were seen in the group by Terry Korolyk.

At a large slough in the northeast corner of the Hwy 560 – Rge Rd 283 junction Terry saw 17 TRUMPETER SWANS. He saw an adult SNOW GOOSE and an adult TUNDRA SWAN at McElroy Slough on Inverlake Road; then he saw 2 adult TUNDRA SWANS at the slough just east of Shepard on twp Rd 232.

Tim Hopwood watched a PALM WARBLER on the Chevron Pathway at Prince’s Island on Oct 9

Janet Gill saw a HARRIS’ SPARROW south of the main T-junction pathway at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary Oct 9.

Corinne Griffin saw a SWAINSON’S THRUSH just NW of Linden Oct 9

Steve Kassai still had 3 EURASIAN COLLARED DOVES in his yard in North Haven on Oct 9.

Ron Kube saw 8 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS west of Hwy 22 northwest of Cochrane on Oct 8

A PACIFIC LOON was seen at Barrier Lake in Kananaskis Country on Fri Oct 5. The bird was seen by Joan and Malcolm Macdonald; it was just off the dam of the lake at 5pm.

Bill Wilson saw a male SURF SCOTER in the middle of Glenmore Reservoir in Calgary on Thu Oct 4.

Sun Oct 7, Steve Kassai observed a female HARLEQUIN DUCK at Beaverdam Flats. He found a total of 55 HOODED MERGANSERS while birding Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and the Irrigation Canal between 17 and 50 Ave SE on Fri Oct 5.

A goose that may have been a ROSS’S GOOSE was found by Ron Kube on Sat Oct 6 at Hwy 552 and Rge Rd 274

Andrew Hart reported 4,000 SNOW GEESE and 200 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE at Stobart Lake southeast of Strathmore on Sun Oct 7.

Ian Halladay reported 150 SNOW GEESE and 35 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE at the north end of Weed Lake at Langdon on Sun Oct 7. Andrew Hart saw 2 SWANS there on Oct 7

Terry Korolyk saw 3 SWANS at Lac des Arcs on Hwy 1 east of Canmore both Oct 5 and 7.

Bob Lefebre saw 14 COMMON REDPOLLS in St. Andrews Heights in NW Calgary Oct 4

Steve Kassai saw a PALM WARBLER and a HERMIT THRUSH in Beaverdam Flats on Oct 7.

Bill Wilson saw a HERMIT THRUSH and a SWAMP SPARROW at Confederation Park in NW Calgary Oct 6.

Ian Halladay found 34 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER at Weed Lake on Hwy 560 at Langdon Oct 5.

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Mon Oct 15.

Aggressive little hummingbirds!!

Oct13

Calliope, Rufous and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can all be observed in Calgary during the summer. However, in the winter, they don’t stand a chance of surviving the harsh climate and so they head south, spending their winters in Mexico and Central America. In Houston, we normally only see one species of hummingbirds, Ruby-throated, especially as they migrate through in the fall. However, this weekend I noticed some unusual behavior for a Ruby-throated Hummingbird and upon closer inspection, I confirmed my suspicions; I was seeing a female Rufous hummingbird, a species that turns up now and again in the winter in Houston. So how did I know it was a Rufous?

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology describes the Rufous hummingbird as “the feistiest hummingbird in North America”; many other sources say the exact same thing. This species is very aggressive, territorial and defensive and will not hesitate to chase other hummingbirds. That’s why, when I noticed a hummingbird chasing all the other hummingbirds, my first thought was a Rufous. Sure enough, I got glimpses of Rufous plumage as the bird whizzed around, harassing the others. I didn’t expect to see the Rufous up close and personal but it was my lucky day, it came and perched directly in front of me!

Female Rufous Hummingbird, perching in a deceivingly calm manner!

It was definitely an interesting experience and it shows how knowing certain habits and behaviors of birds can help you identify the species before you’ve actually seen looked at the bird through binoculars.

Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird, taking a break from being harassed by the female Rufous.

Attn Backyard Birdwatchers!

Oct10

If you feed birds in your yard each winter, why not turn your hobby into research that supports bird conservation? By joining Project FeederWatch and sharing information about which birds visit your feeders between November and April, you can help scientists at Bird Studies Canada and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology track changes in bird numbers and movements.

Project FeederWatch begins on November 10 and runs until early April. Taking part is easy! Just count the numbers and kinds of birds at your feeders, and enter the information on the FeederWatch website (or on printed forms). Last season, 2565 Canadians participated, and another 13,000 people in the United States.

Results from ‘citizen science’ programs like Project FeederWatch help research and conservation organizations monitor long-term population trends and changes. FeederWatch has shown a northward expansion in the ranges of some species like Northern Cardinals and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, probably the result of changing climate and habitats. FeederWatchers have also documented a range-wide decline in Evening Grosbeaks. This species was a common bird at feeders just 25 years ago.

FeederWatch has also tracked the seasonal movements of irruptive species, and recorded the spread of avian illnesses. In 2011-12, Canada experienced a mild winter, with very little snow cover in much of the country. As a result, birds had access to lots of natural foods, which was a factor in fewer birds being seen at feeders.

After 25 years of Project FeederWatch as a North America-wide program, we know the patterns of fluctuations. Many ‘irruptive’ birds such as winter finches (e.g., Common Redpolls, Pine Siskins, and Pine Grosbeaks) tend to move out of their normal ranges at regular intervals. They feed largely on tree seeds. When their food in northern and mountainous areas is in short supply, they move into southern and lowland areas, and descend on feeders.

Join Project FeederWatch

The $35 Project FeederWatch enrollment fee includes a Bird Studies Canada membership and four issues of BirdWatch Canada magazine. You will also receive educational materials, including: a large full-colour poster of common feeder birds; a bird calendar; a comprehensive instruction and data booklet; a useful bird-feeding handbook; the latest FeederWatch results; articles on bird behaviour; answers to your bird questions, and more!

Bird Studies Canada (www.birdscanada.org) is dedicated to advancing the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of wild birds and their habitats. BSC is Canada’s national body for bird research and conservation, and is a non-governmental charitable organization.

There are four ways to register for Project FeederWatch in Canada:

Visit the “Explore Data” section of the FeederWatch website at http://watch.birds.cornell.edu/PFW/ExploreData to find the top 25 birds reported in your region and bird summaries by state or province.

For further information contact Kerrie Wilcox, Bird Studies Canada, (519) 586-3531 ext. 134, kwilcox@birdscanada.org

Posted by Pat Bumstead

Friends of Fish Creek Autumn Birding – Week 5 – Elbow River Bird Survey

Oct8

Posted by Dan Arndt

The epitome of “backyard birding”, can be experienced with the monthly Elbow River Bird Survey that Gus Yaki has been doing on the first of the month for nearly twenty years. Starting at Stanley Park, the walk meanders along the Elbow River through the neighborhoods of Parkhill/Stanley Park, Elbow Park, and Altadore before reaching its terminus at the Glenmore Reservoir at the Glenmore Dam.

 

The day started with a huge number of Black-billed Magpies, American Robins, and American Crows. This crow was taking a bath when we spotted it, and definitely looked like it was enjoying itself!

American Crow

American Crow

A little further down the river we came across some Wood Ducks. This stretch of the Elbow River has historically been good for the Wood Duck population as there have been families along the river that regularly fed them. According to Gus, one winter there were nearly forty of them along a 100-meter stretch.

juvenile Wood Duck

juvenile Wood Duck

male Wood Ducks

male Wood Ducks

Another of the common backyard birds we saw in incredibly high numbers were the Red-breasted Nuthatches, which seemed to be a constant chorus of calls every time we stopped.

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Red-breasted Nuthatch

To add to the chorus were the Pine Siskins, seen in the hundreds on Sunday’s walk. They’re a nomadic species that can be found wherever there is a good pine or spruce cone crop, and will likely be a regular addition to our lists as the autumn progresses into winter.

Pine Siskin

Pine Siskin

As we got to Riverdale Park, nearly at the west end of this walks extent, the number of European Starlings seemed to balloon into massive proportions. They were sporting their Sunday best, too, with fresh autumn plumage and beautiful iridescent greens, purples, and yellows shining in the sunlight.

European Starling

European Starling

This Black-billed Magpie was one of a fairly high number as well, also in bright, iridescent colors.

Black-billed Magpie

Black-billed Magpie

As our walk neared its end, we managed to get some very good, close looks at a number of Northern Flickers, and while they’re not the most uncommon bird, they did seem to make themselves very well known by the end of the day. After the one in this photo took off, it flew within 10 feet of my head and was quickly followed by its mate.

Northern Flicker

Northern Flicker

Our walk finally came to a close, we were cursed with bad luck over the reservoir, seeing only a very small number of Rock Pigeons and Ring-billed Gulls flying over the dam, and sadly, none of the more charismatic of the waterfowl and/or gulls one might hope to see on such a large body of water.

 

Have a great week, and see you back here next Monday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postcards from Texas: Hawks and hummingbirds

Oct6

Posted by Matthew Sim

Here I am, back in Houston, Texas once again for the school year and enjoying the southern birding. Last weekend I was able to make a trip from Houston down to the Gulf coast to several world-reknown birding spots, Smith Point and High Island.

We started out at Smith Point, where a hawk watch is held every year from September through November at the Candy Abashier Wildlife Management Area, counting migrating raptors on their journeys south. As soon as we stepped out of the car, we were treated to good looks at several American Kestrels and Sharp-shinned Hawks passing by upon their migration. Also, several groups of American White Pelicans greeted us. We got onto the 30 foot observation tower next, stopping to watch dozens of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds feed at the hummingbird feeders set up for them on the platform. While watching the hummingbirds, we noticed one leucisitic female. Leucism is when reduced pigmentation in an animal causes it to be partially white. In this case, the female Ruby-throated Hummingbird’s forehead was white, instead of being the normal green.

After watching the hummingbirds for several minutes we scanned the sky looking for migrating raptors though by this time it was late morning and most of the hawks had already soared upward on the thermals (columns of warm, rising air) and were mere specks in the sky. We did see several small groups of Broad-winged Hawks, a Peregrine Falcon, a Northern harrier and many Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks, the latter two which thankfully stayed fairly low, making some nice passes right by the tower. We also spotted several distant Magnificent Frigatebirds.

Sharp-shinned Hawk

We stayed for a while longer, realizing, that the earlier we get out the better birding there will be, though it was a couple hours drive just to get to Smith Point. Eventually, we left the hawk watch and went to another spot on the point, James H. Robbins Park where we saw quite a few shorebirds, including Least Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, American Oystercatchers and Semipalmated Plovers.

Semipalmated Plover

By now, the temperature was starting to climb so we decided to make just one last stop before heading home, world famous High Island which is well known for its amazing spring migrations, though it can be good in the fall as well. We attempted to get to Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary though we soon discovered that the sanctuary was filled with mosquitoes, who spared no mercy on our exposed arms, legs and necks. After 3 minutes we were done. Dismayed we tried the Boy Scout Woods sanctuary, also in High Island though it was filled with mosquitos as well and a 5 minute stay was all we could manage. The one positive of High Island was I did get to see 2 Inca Doves, a new bird for me at Boy Scout Woods, though the ferocious mosquitoes made sure I did not get to fully enjoy these lifers.

It was a great trip and I did learn some new things about Texas birdwatching:

  • try to get to Smith Point before the hawks soar into the stratosphere!
  • High Island+ fall= lots of mosquitoes!

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: Oct 4

Oct5

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, email us at birdscalgary@gmail.com.  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.

Compiled by Terry Korolyk

Bird Sightings:
Sept. 27
–WHITE-FACED IBIS(11), Namaka Lk.SE of Strathmore, by Clive Elliot.

Sept. 30
–ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK(2), Plateau Mtn. Kananaskis area, by Peter Roxburgh et al
–NORTHERN PYGMY OWL(1), same as above.
–HARRIS’S SPARROW,imm, backyard of Dorothy Johnston, Marlborough area, seen through Oct.2. Call her at 403-272-7916 if wishing to see the bird.

Oct.1
–SNOW GOOSE(60), NW of Linden, by Corinne Griffin.
–SANDHILL CRANE, several near Twp.Rd 314 and RR 270, by CG.
–RED-TAILED HAWK (HARLAN’S), Elbow River Survey trip, by Gus Yaki et al.
–HOODED MERGANSER,21 seen Oct.1 by Bob Lefebvre, and 34 by Bill Wilson on Oct.2, in the irrigation canal S. of 17 Ave SE off Deerfoot Tr.

Oct. 2
–CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD, possible imm. female,at a feeder in Bowness. ID tentative so far.

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: Oct 1

Oct2

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, email us at birdscalgary@gmail.com.  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.

Compiled by Terry Korolyk

SEPT 27

PALM WARBLER – west Fish Creek PP, Richard Clarke
AMERICAN TREE SPARROW – in Calgary area

SEP 28

SEMIPALMATED PLOVER – 1 at slough on 304 St, SE 2 kms south of Hwy 552 – Richard Clarke
PECTORAL SANDPIPER – 100 as above
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER – 20 as above
AMERICAN BITTERN – slough on Twp Rd 273 just east of Rge Rd 261 southeast of Irricana – RC
HERMIT THRUSH – 2 at Confederation Park – Bill Wilson
SWAMP SPARROW – 1, as above

SEP 29

HERMIT THRUSH – at Confederation Park – BW

SEP 30

SNOW GOOSE – 4 adults at slough on 304 St 2 kms south of Hwy 552-Terry Korolyk
SANDHILL CRANE – 2 at a slough south of the Jumpingpound Gas Plant north of Hwy 1
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER – 34 at the slough on 304 St SE, 2 kms south of Hwy 552 – TK
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER – 1 as above
PECTORAL SANDPIPER – 50 as above, 25 at slough on 338 Ave and Hwy 799
BAIRD’S SANDPIPER – 2 as above
LEAST SANDPIPER – 3 as above, 3 at slough on 338 Ave and Hwy 799

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Thu Oct 4.

BIRD STUDY GROUP:

Bird Study Group meets 1st Wednesday of the month, 7:30pm in Room 211 of the BioSciences Building, U of C.

WEDNESDAY, OCT 3, 7:30pm – IMPORTANT BIRD AREAS (IBAs) IN ALBERTA – Petra Rowell, Nature Alberta.

WEDNESDAY, NOV 7, 7:30PM – DANIEL ARNDT AND DAVID PUGH will share their experiences with technology in the world of birding.

Friends of Fish Creek Birding Course – Week 4 – Carburn Park

Oct1

Posted by Dan Arndt

One of the regular parks attended by the Friends of Fish Creek birding courses is Carburn Park. Located just off Deerfoot Trail, it is an oasis of mixed deciduous and coniferous forest in the middle of the urban landscape, and is adjacent to Beaverdam Flats to the north, and the Southland Dog Park to the west. The route we took this week took us from the parking lot, south to a small grove of trees containing a special surprise for us, exploring some bird feeders just off the main trail, then back up along the river before returning to our vehicles by way of the east bank of the middle pond.

 

For some reason, I was pretty gung-ho about taking photos for the first half of the walk, but once we got near the ponds there weren’t a lot of opportunities given the general shyness of the birds, the close foliage, and shooting into the light, I didn’t really get many good opportunities.

Carburn Park

Carburn Park

Our first stop of the morning was at the bridge that crosses the Bow River, and but unfortunately there weren’t too many birds on, or over the water. What we did get was this (relatively) gorgeous Rock Pigeon posing gracefully on this dead tree limb.

Rock Pigeon

Rock Pigeon

Heading south along the river, we had hopes of flushing a Ring-necked Pheasant, or seeing something interesting on the river, or at the very least, getting some interesting birds at the bird feeders, but as they hadn’t been seen on any of the walks this week, we were quite surprised at a trio of Great-Horned Owls at the southern-most point of our walk!

Great-horned Owl

Great-horned Owl

Great-horned Owl

Great-horned Owl

This one thought that he could hide from the shutterbugs clicking away with their cameras…

Great-Horned Owl

Great-Horned Owl

Moving over to the feeders and allowing these owls their space, we came upon a large mixed flock of sparrows and warblers in a large Russian Olive tree. Orange-crowned Warblers, Yell0w-rumped Warblers, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, and even a pair of American Tree Sparrows!

American Tree Sparrow

American Tree Sparrow

Our walk continued with a few other nice sightings. Common Mergansers fishing alongside large flocks of Ring-billed Gulls resting on the gravel bars, and even a small flock of Green-winged Teals flushed up by one of the many fishing rafts on the river. One of the Ring-billed Gulls had managed to pluck a small fish from the river, causing all the other gulls around to fly at it in an attempt to steal away an easy meal. Sadly, I don’t think any of them ended up with lunch in all the commotion!

Along the river was also a stretch of about 10 meters that was highly productive, with many Black-capped Chickadees, a few Ruby-crowned Kinglets, another pair of Orange-crowned Warblers, Belted Kingfishers, Northern Flickers and a Downy Woodpecker to top off the list. Around the corner from there was another gravel bar populated entirely by Ring-billed Gulls, and this juvenile posed nicely for us. It wasn’t until it began walking away that we noticed that it was injured, with its tail-feathers skewed off to the side making it seemingly unable to fly.

juvenile Ring-billed Gull

juvenile Ring-billed Gull

We trudged through the woods getting very good, close looks at a lone Golden-crowned Kinglet, a Red-necked Grebe on the middle pond, and a few Buffleheads on the far north pond. On our way back along the east side of the middle pond, we were assaulted by another small flock of Black-capped Chickadees in search of a handout.

Black-capped Chickadee

Black-capped Chickadee

As we rounded the bend and neared the parking lot, a few of us were reflecting that we hadn’t seen a Muskrat in any of the ponds. Sure enough, within a few moments, this little guy swam over to the far bank and hung around just long enough for us to get some shots of him.

Looks like we’ll be touring the Elbow River, from Stanley Park through to the Glenmore Dam.

Good birding!

 

 

 

 

Snowy Owls Released

Sep30

In June of this year, we featured a post entitled Help For Wildlife Rehabilitation. The Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) has been rehabilitating injured wildlife and releasing them back into the wild for over 20 years.  The lease on their land is ending, and they have to move to a new location. Consequently, they are trying to raise $250,000 this year.  AIWC has always relied on donations but they need your help now more than ever. This is just one sample of the vital work they do for wild species.