Rare Bird Alert Calgary: June 21

Jun24

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.

Compiler: Terry Korolyk

June 2:
LAZULI BUNTING: backyard of Marcel Gahbauer, Spruce Cliff area of SW Calgary.

June14:
CHUKAR PARTRIDGE: Glamorgan area, by Eugene West.

June 16:
NELSON’S SPARROW(2), one seen by Bill Wilson east of Calgary, one by Andrew Slater near Namaka Lake on the 17th.

June 17:
UPLAND SANDPIPER: a few km. E. of Carstairs turnoff and Hwy.2, by Terry Korolyk.

LE CONTE’S SPARROW(4): Namaka Lake area, by AS.

June 18:
GRAY JAY: North Glenmore Park, west end, by Lorne Bogdan.
LAZULI BUNTING(1)male,Fish Creek Prov. Park between bridge 4+5, by Helga and Al Borgardt.Also seen on the 19th.

June 19:
RED-TAILED HAWK(HARLAN’S): LaFarge Meadows, FCPP, by Gus Yaki et al.
GREATER YELLOWLEGS(1): LaFarge Meadows, FCPP, by GY et al.

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Monday 25.

Help for Wildlife Rehabilitation

Jun23

Posted by Bob Lefebvre

For twenty years, the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) has been rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife and releasing them back into the wild.  Eighty percent of the animals they deal with are birds.  Soon the lease on their land near Madden, north of Calgary, is ending, and they have to move to a new location.  In addition to the ongoing costs of operation, relocating is a huge undertaking which may include moving the existing buildings to the new location and reclaiming the current site.  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.

Impaled American Robin.

Please visit the AIWC website and donate if you can.  They are also hoping to increase their membership and they have many volunteer opportunities available.  They currently need volunteers for information tables at local events.  See the “Volunteering” and “Support AIWC” pages on their website.

Please help to support this worthy cause, so that AIWC can continue its valuable rehabilitative work and educational programs.

Gus Yaki with sick or injured Ring-billed Gull.

Father’s Day at Frank Lake

Jun21

Posted by Matthew Sim

Last Sunday, my family decided to spend some time at Frank Lake for Father’s Day.  This birding hotspot has featured in many of our posts before but even so, one can never tire of visiting the lake. During every season, something of interest can be seen there and Father’s Day was no exception. As we parked the car and headed down to the blind, we were astonished by the multitude of winged creatures around us; Common Terns, American Coots, Red-winged and Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Ruddy Ducks and Wilson’s Phalaropes were among the birds we saw.

Forster’s Terns appeared to be nesting in the reeds near the blind and many were fishing in the waters all around us.

Forster’s Tern

While walking along the boardwalk, we stopped to admire this Muskrat munching on a reed just feet away from us.

We thought we were seeing some great things, which we were, but when we got to the blind, we saw something that was truly amazing.

Nature’s taxi

There were several families of Eared Grebes hanging out around the blind; the mothers playing taxi to their young chicks while the fathers dove and swam about, gathering food for the young.

Occasionally, the mothers would shake the chicks off their backs; either tired of carrying their young charges or attempting to get them practicing swimming.

While we were watching the grebes, activity went on as always with the other birds and there were many White-faced Ibises flying by us.

Eventually, we had to leave, though it was quite hard to tear ourselves away from the blind. Good birds were still to be seen on the way out though as we spotted a singing LeConte’s Sparrow by the parking area near the blind, the Trumpeter Swan near the sewage outfall who has been there for some time, at least 3 pairs of American Avocets by the sewage outfall and a singing Western Meadowlark perched on a fencepost.

Western Meadowlark

If you can, I would really recommend getting out to Frank Lake soon as the birds are simply amazing right now.

Canadian Lakes Loon Survey

Jun20

Common Loons have returned to Canadian lakes for another nesting season. Hundreds of volunteers for Bird Studies Canada’s Canadian Lakes Loon Survey are also returning to their lakes – to monitor Common Loons, and to educate lake users on loon and lake conservation.

With more than 80% of the world’s Common Loon population breeding in our country, Canadians have a critical role to play in conserving and monitoring loons. Each summer, volunteers participate in the Canadian Lakes Loon Survey (www.birdscanada.org/volunteer/clls). Surveyors monitor loons’ breeding success, and undertake conservation activities to help protect wildlife, waterbirds, and especially loons (which build their nests very close to the water’s edge) on Canadian lakes.

Photo by Bob Lefebvre

Bird Studies Canada is extremely grateful to all loon surveyors for their outstanding work. BSC staff are currently analyzing the 30+ years of loon survey data for an upcoming report. The results are impressive: more than 4500 lakes have been surveyed for at least one year, with an average of over 500 lakes surveyed each year, between 1981 and 2011. This translates into information for nearly 19,000 breeding attempts by pairs, enabling scientists to detect trends in the numbers of chicks produced over time. This large and extremely useful dataset would not exist without the valued help of Canadian Lakes Loon Survey participants. Bird Studies Canada is eager to share the report later this year, and to say a big “Thank You!” to all the volunteers who have helped support loon conservation over the last three decades.

Survey Participants Needed

Even with more than 600 participants nationwide annually, there are still many undersurveyed lakes. The Canadian Lakes Loon Survey is a great opportunity for volunteers to help lake conservation and loon research while enjoying their favourite lakes. To participate, first visit the lake map at http://goo.gl/NGtI2.  Note that there is only one lake in the Calgary area currently being surveyed.  There are many other lakes near the city that have breeding loons on them (if you know of one, please comment on this post to share that information).  Choose a lake that you regularly spend time on, or are able to visit three times each summer (June, July, and August).  Then register as a participating member online at http://www.birdscanada.org/shopping/membership.jsp. For more information, contact Kathy Jones at volunteer@birdscanada.org or 1-888-448-2473 ext. 124, or visit www.birdscanada.org/volunteer/clls.  It’s not too late to start this year, but if you can’t begin yet, please keep this survey in mind for next summer.

Help Protect Lakes and Loons

At the lakeside, you can help breeding loons and other waterbirds by following these tips: avoid adult loons, chicks, and nests; when boating, steer clear of shoreline areas that show evidence of loon activity; keep pets leashed; and dispose of garbage properly (to prevent ingestion by loons, and to avoid feeding nest predators such as gulls and raccoons).

The Canadian Lakes Loon Survey is a self-supporting program, so participants need to purchase a Bird Studies Canada membership. Membership fees cover the costs of materials, data processing and management, and program administration. Additional costs, such as special reports, educational materials, and program outreach are covered by other funding sources. Special thanks to TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and the Kenneth M. Molson Foundation for supporting 2012 outreach and educational activities and the 2012 report.

Bird Studies Canada (www.birdscanada.org) administers regional, national, and international research and monitoring programs that advance the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of wild birds and their habitats. We are Canada’s national body for bird conservation and science, and we are a non-governmental charitable organization.

For further information contact:

Kathy Jones, Canadian Lakes Loon Survey Volunteer Coordinator

Bird Studies Canada

519-586-3531 ext. 124

volunteer@birdscanada.org

www.birdscanada.org/volunteer/clls

Birds Calgary blogger Bob Lefebvre is a participant in the Canadian Lakes Loon Survey. You can read his posts from last year at Loon Survey #1, Loon Survey #2 and Loon Survey #3. 

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: June 17

Jun19

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.

Compiler: Terry Korolyk

June 15:
WHITE-FACED IBIS (64), E of High River, E of Hwy 23 & 232 St junction, Gus Yaki.

June 16:
Possible SUMMER TANAGER heard only, SW corner of 192 St &292 Ave SW junction, Terry Korolyk.
SPOTTED TOWHEE, as above, TK.
Possible PACIFIC SLOPE FLYCATCHERS, (2) seen and heard, 160 St SW, TK.
TURKEY VULTURE, as above.
PURPLE FINCH, Willow Pk Shopping Centre, SE, TK.
UPLAND SANDPIPER (2), Rge Rd 265, Twn Rd 230, Bill Wilson.
BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE (leucistic), near Sundre, Corrine Griffin.

June 17:
BLACK-HEADED X ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, male, S Glenmore Pk, Gus Yaki, FFCPP. This is the 2nd sighting this week, birds over 1 km apart, so possibly 2.
TRUMPETER SWAN, E side of Hwy 22, S of 22X, seen twice this season.

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Thursday June 21.

Alberta Birds Are Now On Facebook

Jun19

Posted by Pat Bumstead

Much is being written lately about the lack of contact young people have with nature. It’s a global problem, as the electronic wave keeps kids busy with their computers,  games and phones.

There is an upside to all this, however. All this electronic activity also allows young birders to share, learn and connect. A case in point is our own Matthew Sim, who is a regular writer for this blog, and managed to keep right on blogging even when he was in Texas for a year.

Another excellent example is a young girl in northeastern Alberta. An avid birder living on a farm, she didn’t have the chance to talk birds with anyone, so she started a blog called Prairie Birder. She then joined Twitter, and set up her own Facebook page. This in itself is inspiring enough, but now she has put many adults to shame and started a Facebook Group for Alberta Birds.

A recent entry on her blog states:

I might have the chance to do some podcasts or radio broadcast features on young birders and also social networking and birding in the near future, so I thought that in addition to blogging I should join Facebook, where you can find me as Prairie Birder.

As a new member, I started looking around for birding groups, pages, and friends to like and “friend”. I found three Canadian Facebook birding groups, for British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and Yukon. But searching for an Alberta group, I couldn’t find one so I decided to start one, the Alberta Birds Facebook group. The focus of the group is to share birding photos, sightings, questions and answers about birds, and birding events. And you don’t have to be an Albertan to join!

She started the group on June 12, and as of this writing, it already had 70 members, sharing some terrific photos from around the province.

I am in awe, and feeling much better about the future of birds and birdwatching.

Bowmont Park – An old favourite made new again

Jun18

Posted by Dan Arndt

The Friends of Fish Creek Spring Birding Course spent the last two weeks visiting Bowmont Park, and then revisiting the Weaselhead the following week. Bowmont Park was rather quiet, and seemed to be a little less productive than most of our other locations, or so it seemed to me after the weeks prior to that adding so many new birds to my year list. The Weaselhead, which I’ll highlight later this week, seemed rather unproductive as well, but both of these locations provided some really great views of birds that tend to be rather discreet. Enjoy the photos and stories this week.

Bowmont Park

Bowmont Park

As a cyclist in Calgary, I’ve been through Bowmont Park a number of times, up on the hillside, down by the river, and all through many of the winding back trails in between. It’s almost definitive of the sort of environment that Calgary resides in. From the sheer cliff faces cut into the glacial till housing Bank Swallow nests on the north face, to the various small ponds home to Spotted Sandpipers, Blue-winged Teal, Mallards, and various other waterfowl, to the open prairie grasses on the hilltops home to White-crowned, Savannah, and Clay-colored Sparrows, it features everything from the foothills to west, to the plains to the east, and the range of birds that one would and could expect throughout.

It seemed a quiet day overall though, but we did get some good looks at a House Wren early on.

House Wren

House Wren

Northern Rough-winged Swallows, though not incredibly numerous, were just hanging around on some wires…

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

and in the air above the ponds.

 

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

This Osprey was busy flying back and forth from the river, providing for its mate sitting on the nest, and while there weren’t any chicks visible, chances are pretty good that she was at least incubating some eggs.

Osprey

Osprey

One spring bird that was in huge numbers were the Cedar Waxwings, many of which were posing nicely in the sunlight for us, while exhibiting their usual behaviour of resting on the edge of a branch before flying out briefly to snatch a fly, moth, or other flying insect right from the air before returning to the branch and swallowing it down.

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing

On top of the cliffs were a pair of Gray Catbirds which we could hear from half a kilometer away, calling back and forth among the caragana bushes continuously as we passed by.

Gray Catbird

Gray Catbird

As we returned along the main pathway by the Bow River, we noticed a number of knotholes in the poplar trees lining the river valley, many of which housed Tree Swallows protecting their eggs from predators.

Tree Swallow in nest

Tree Swallow in nest

Also in protective mode were the American Crows, which were spotted harassing three separate Red-tailed Hawks in the distance as we reached the end of the pathway, and the end of our walk.

Crows harassing Red-tailed Hawk

Crows harassing Red-tailed Hawk

 

Good birding!

 

 

 

Bird Profile: Tree Swallow

Jun16

Posted by Matthew Sim

During the summer, Calgary is home to 5 species of swallow; Barn, Cliff, Bank, Northern Rough-winged and Tree Swallows can all be reliably found in the city during the warmer months. The Tree Swallow, perhaps the most common species of swallow here is a favorite bird of mine because of their personality. They always seem to be communicating with one another and I find it humorous to sit back from time to time and watch as a pair on a branch lean back and forth, chattering away to each other.

The Tree Swallow is, of course, a member of the swallow family, (the family is known by the latin name Hirundinidae) small, slender songbirds with small bills and long, pointed wings. A swallow’s sleek form allows it to be an “adept aerialist”, as described in the National Geographic field guides, and they use this form well as they are always darting and swooping about catching flying insects.

The Tree Swallow is separated from other swallows by its blue-green feathers on its upper parts and white plumage below.

Identified by its blue-green upperparts and white underparts,  the tree swallow can be seen flying around meadows and open fields and in wooded habitat near water, such as down along the river in Fish Creek. In fact, just last week as I was exploring some trails in Fish Creek Provincial Park by the river, I came across a Tree Swallow nesting in a cavity right at eye-level in a poplar tree.

Down in that hole, just out of eyesight, is the Tree Swallow’s nest, which is an open cup of grass lined with plenty of feathers- most will likely be from waterfowl on the river. As the Cornell Lab of Ornithology says about these guy’s nests; “the Tree Swallow uses many feathers from other birds in its nest. The feathers help keep the nestlings warm so they can grow faster. They help keep levels of ectoparasites, like mites, low too.”

Now, perhaps, you know a little bit more about these beautiful and graceful birds. I know that I learned quite a lot as I did research for this post. And though you probably see plenty of Tree Swallows during the summer here in Calgary, next time you see one, I want you to stop and just observe it for a while; I’m sure you will see that they have lots of character!

Birds and Beers – June 28!

Jun16

After we had a wonderful turnout at our last Birds and Beers event at the Joyce on Fourth Irish Pub, a few suggestions for the next venue were put forward, and ultimately we decided on the back yard of one of our own bloggers here.

Pat’s yard list is incredibly extensive, and she’s written about it for Birding is Fun! over here. She’s also opened up her yard for us to host the next event, scheduled for June 28th. You can find the event on Facebook to RSVP, or just leave a comment here so Pat can email you the address and directions to her place!

Let’s hope the weather cooperates, and I am definitely looking forward to this being another great evening!