Rare Bird Alert Calgary: Nov 15

Nov16

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

Nov. 12

–STELLAR’S JAY, seen around Bragg Creek for past two weeks, by Michael Woertman.
–SNOWY OWL(2),Twp.Rd.262 and RR255, by Eddie Matoud.
–NORTHERN PYGMY OWL,Powderface Tr.,Mt.McDougall Memorial parking lot, by Dan Arndt.
–SURF SCOTER(imm),Pinde Coulee Res., by Terry Korolyk
–RED-BREASTED MERGANSER(imm), same as above, by TK.

Nov.13
–TOWNSEND SOLITAIRE, Bebo Grove, FCPP, by Gus Yaki et al. Also seen there on the 14th.

Nov. 14
–MEW GULL, IBS, by DA. North end.
–NORTHERN PINTAIL/MALLARD hybrid, by TK, SW corner 22x and McLeod Tr.
–DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT,Bow River, Beaverdam Flats,by Bill Wilson.
–GREATER SCAUP(f), same as above, by BW.

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Mon. Nov. 19th .

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: Nov 12

Nov14

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 Sighting

Nov 6:
PACIFIC LOON, SURF SCOTER, female, south end of Tilley Res. east of Brooks, Robert Warple.
GYRFALCON, dark morph, west of Vauxhall, RW.

Nov 8:
SNOWY OWL, Cross Iron Blvd, east side of Hwy 2, Anthony Miller.

Nov 9:
HARRIS’ SPARROW, 4 miles s of Okotoks, Wendy Adam.
CASSIN’S FINCH male, Wintergreen Woods Est. Bragg Cr., canuckbirder.

Nov 10:
SHORT-EARRED OWL, GREAT GRAY OWL, nw of Cochrane between Grand Valley Rd/Twp Rd 280/Jack Eby Rd/ Hwy 579, Dan Arndt.
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, WESTERN GREBE Beaverdam Flats, Gus Yaki/FFCPP.
TUNDRA SWANS (2), Bowness Pk, k25jh, and 2 at SW corner McLeod Tr/Hwy 22x, Terry
Korolyk.

Nov 11:
TUNDRA SWANS (2), Beaverdam Flats, GY etc.

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Thursday Nov 15.

Friends of Fish Creek Autumn Birding – Week Ten – Beaverdam Flats

Nov14

Posted by Dan Arndt

 

One of the advantages (and disadvantages) of having my long lens unavailable for any length of time is the creativity that I’m allowed in the scenic and wide angle shots as opposed to the tight close-ups I’ve grown to prefer in the past year and a bit. I’ve also noticed that it seems like we always go to the same locations when I don’t have my long lens!

This week’s location, Beaverdam Flats, is just one such location.

Beaverdam Flats

Starting at the parking lot, we explored the trees nearby and found our only Golden-crowned Kinglet and Red-breasted Nuthatches of the day. Walking down the slope to the river we were greeted by a flyover of a juvenile Bald Eagle, and great views of both the river as a whole, as well as the frost that had accumulated overnight from the freezing fog.

juvenile Bald Eagle

Bow River

Bow River

hoarfrost

Hoarfrost encrusting the bushes, trees and grass along the Bow River.

The sheer number of Canada Geese and Mallards is hard to explain, and we even had a (relatively) small flock of Ring-billed Gulls on the gravel bar as well. Intermixed with the larger waterfowl were no small number of Buffleheads, Common Goldeneye, and even a Redhead or two for good measure.

Canada Geese

Canada Geese

Common Goldeneye in flight

Common Goldeneye in flight

Ring-billed Gulls

Ring-billed Gulls

We lucked out again and found a lone Barrow’s Goldeneye in amongst the throng, and were even a little more surprised by a lone, late migrating American Coot on the far bank.

Barrow's Goldeneye

Barrow’s Goldeneye hidden amongst the Mallards.

American Coot

A single, hardy American Coot forages about in the shallow riverbed.

As we followed the bend of the river around to the north side of the park, then trudged through back to the hilltop, we were greeted by our last new species in the park, this pair of Tundra/Trumpeter Swans. I suspect they’re Trumpeter Swans based on their proportions, but I could be wrong.

Swans

Swans

 

As we returned to our vehicles, we decided to go take a look in on Pat Bumstead’s amazing yard list, and specifically, to see the Mourning Doves. These two were found across the street roosting in a tall spruce.

Mourning Dove

Mourning Dove

Mourning Doves

Mourning Doves

Have a great week, and good birding!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Travel Tuesday – Rare and Random Calgary Birds!

Nov13
Long-tailed Ducks

Four of the six Long-tailed Ducks seen from the Rowing Club on the Glenmore Reservoir. November 4, 2012

American Three-toed Woodpecker

American Three-toed Woodpecker at the Jumpingpound Demonstration Forest. November 3, 2012.

Snow Buntings

Snow Buntings on Grand Valley Road. November 3, 2012.

Dunlin

Dunlin at Weed Lake. October 26, 2012.

Clark's Grebe

Clark’s Grebe at Carburn Park. October 26, 2012.

Northern Harrier

Northern Harrier at Chestermere Lake. October 21, 2012.

Varied Thrush

Varied Thrush at Chestermere Lake. October 21, 2012.

Rough-legged Hawk

Rough-legged Hawk on Sibbald Creek Trail. October 20, 2012.

Great Gray Owl

Great Gray Owl on Grand Valley Road. October 20, 2012.

Greater White-fronted Geese

Greater White-fronted Geese at Lake Namaka. October 14, 2012.

Rusty Blackbird

Rusty Blackbird at Eagle Lake, October 14, 2012.

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle at Glenmore Reservoir, October 13, 2012.

Anna's Hummingbird

Anna’s Hummingbird, South Calgary, November 6, 2012.

Thanks for reading!

Sunday Showcase: A Golden Eagle

Nov11

Logan Gibson spotted this adult Golden Eagle on November 4 about 5 km west of Turner Valley.  It had been feeding on carrion and flew to this tree to clean its talons before flying off.

Watch for more of Logan’s photography on the Alberta Birds Facebook group.

Calgary Christmas Bird Count 2012

Nov10

The 61st Calgary Christmas Bird Count will be held on Sunday December 16, 2012.  Phil Cram is organizing it, and as usual he’d like to get as many birders involved as possible.  The goal is to have over 100 people in the field that day, and over 100 watching their feeders.  If you want to participate in the field, contact Phil by email at crampj(at)gmail.com.  If you’d like to take part in the Feederwatch program, email Jean Moore at jmmoore(at)ucalgary.ca or phone (403) 282-4162.

Note that Bird Studies Canada is no longer charging a $5 fee to participate in the field, as they did in the past.

Wood Duck.  Photo by Daniel Arndt, December 11, 2011.

It would great to see new records for participation!  It’s a lot of fun, so sign up now, and pass this message on to anyone you know who might be interested.

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: Nov 8

Nov9

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:

–ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD(F), been seen for some weeks at a feeder at 4919-21Str.SW. by Lloyd and Barbara Trevors.

–RED-TAILED HAWK(HARLAN’S), at RR43 S.of the George Fox Trail N.of Cochrane, by Ron Kube. One was also seen on Nov.5th at Beaverdam Flats by Gus Yaki et al. Nov. 5

–LONG-TAILED DUCK(5) Glenmore Reservoir below the rowing club,by Sandra Savage.

–BLACK SCOTER(F or Imm) Glenmore Res., east bay, by Ray Wershler. Nov. 7

–RED-BREASTED MERGANSER(F), Bow River at Beaverdam Flats, by GY et al.

–THAYER’S GULL(1st yr.), Bow River about .5km N.of 22x bridge at a rocky point, by Terry Korolyk.

Winter Birding Course 2013

Nov8

If you’ve been following Dan’s posts about the Friends of Fish Creek Birding Course outings and want to join in the fun and learn about Calgary’s birds, now is your chance!  Twelve weeks of field trips in a variety of parks in Calgary.  Sign up today as many sessions fill up quickly.

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: Nov 5

Nov7

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:

Oct 22/23:
ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD, female coming regularly to feeder at 4919-21 St SW, Barbara & Lloyd Trevor.

Nov 2:
LONG-TAILED DUCK, female, at Rowing Club, Glenmore Res., Yousif Attia.

Nov 3:
REDHEAD x CANVASBACK in pond s of Shepard Landfill at end of McIvor Blvd, Terry Korolyk, Nature Calgary field trip.
FRANKLIN’S GULL, THAYER’S GULLS (2), Shepard LF. TK etc.
THAYER’S GULL’S (6) juv.. SNOW GOOSE, n of Hwy 22X bridge, FCPP. as above.
GLAUCOUS x HERRING GULLS as above.
TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE, RUSTY BLACKBIRDS (2), Elliston Pk.
AMERICAN PIPIT, RUSTY BB, at IBS, Kingsley Blades/NC.

Nov 4:
LONG-TAILED DUCKS, (6) Glenmore Res. Dan Arndt., and 2 from S shore, Chip Scialfa.
RED-THROATED LOON, Glenmore Res.
SPRUCE GROUSE (8), Larsen Pasture Rd, Grand Valley Rd, Eddie Matoud.
RUSTY BB (2), IBS, Steve Kassai.

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Thursday Nov 8.

The next meeting of the Nature Calgary Bird Study Group will be held on Wednesday November 07 in Room 211 of the Biosciences Building of the University of Calgary. Doors are open at 7:00 PM and the meeting will begin at 7:30 PM.

Dan Arndt and David Pugh, both members of the BSG advisory group, will be sharing their experiences with technology in the field of birding.

Wednesday Wings: Leucistic Chickadees

Nov7

These pictures were taken recently by Dan Kingston at Waiparous Village, NW of Calgary.  There are two leucistic chickadees coming to the feeders there.  They have been seen together, and are likely litter mates.  If you have an opinion as to which species they are, let us know in the comments.  Also, the feet on one of the birds don’t look normal – any opinions on this?