Here are some winter birds photographed by Gavin McKinnon. You can find the first two in the city, but you have to go up in the mountains to find the third.
Black-capped Chickadee.
Downy Woodpecker.
White-tailed Ptarmigan.
Read Gavin’s blog Canadian Birder here.
Here are some White-tailed Jackrabbits photographed in Queen’s Park Cemetery by Tony LePrieur in November and December, 2017.
And here is a shot of one in its summer coat in August:
To see more of Tony’s photos see his Flickr page.
Yesterday, December 2, 2017, Tony LePrieur photographed some birds at Bebo Grove in Fish Creek Provincial Park, SW Calgary.
Northern Pygmy-Owl with Meadow Vole, Bebo Grove, December 2, 2017. Photo by Tony LePrieur.
Northern Pygmy-Owl, Bebo Grove, December 2, 2017. Photo by Tony LePrieur.
Pileated Woodpecker (male), Bebo Grove, December 2, 2017. Photo by Tony LePrieur.
American Three-toed Woodpecker, Bebo Grove, December 2, 2017. Photo by Tony LePrieur.
There is still time to register to take part in the Winter 2018 session of the Friends of Fish Creek birding course. Go out on field trips with experienced leaders once or twice a week for twelve weeks, and learn about the winter birds of Calgary. You will also see the early-arriving spring migrants.
White-winged Crossbill, Weaselhead Nature Area, February 7, 2016. Photo by Tony LePrieur.
Field trips are held in several parts of Fish Creek Park, in Carburn Park, the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, the Weaselhead Nature Area, Bowmont Park, Griffith Wood Park, and other locations.
It is still only $5 for children (accompanied by a registered adult) for the whole twelve-week course! See this page for details on how to register.
Follow the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society on Facebook.
Tony LePrieur photographed this American Dipper at Elbow Falls, west of Bragg Creek, in November 2017. This is a reliable place to see dippers.
Posted by Ethan Denton
Though it is not birded by many people, the Bow Valley – Banff, Canmore and area – can be an amazing place to bird. Whether it’s just for a few hours, or if you have a day or more, visiting the valley is an unforgettable experience. Recently, hotspots in Banff and especially Canmore have been heaving with birds, from late a Red-tailed Hawk and American Coots to a plethora of Rusty Blackbirds and Common Redpolls. Here are some of my photos – all taken within the last week. If you have time, visiting the area would be a great idea. Main hotspots are Policeman’s Creek (Canmore) and the Cave and Basin (Banff), but birds turn up anywhere, so check out some other locations on eBird or the local Facebook group, Bow Valley Birding.
Common Goldeneye, Policeman’s Creek, Canmore, November 5, 2017. Photo by Ethan Denton
Clark’s Nutcracker, South Canmore, November 8, 2017. Photo by Ethan Denton
Injured American Coot, Policeman’s Creek, Canmore, November 5, 2017. Photo by Ethan Denton
And they’re not all birds, either. This Long-tailed Weasel was seen on Policeman’s Creek, in addition to Muskrat, Voles, Mule Deer and Red Squirrels.
Long-tailed Weasel (winter coat), Policeman’s Creek, Canmore, November 5, 2017. Photo by Ethan Denton
Finally, if you are looking for a way to spend a Saturday helping birds and bird research, the Banff/Canmore Christmas Bird Count is coming up, on Saturday December 16th. It’s always a great time, and usually you see some interesting birds. Afterwards, there’s a big potluck in the senior’s centre in Banff, where we talk about the day, tally up the results and enjoy fabulous food! Anybody interested can contact me at birdboy.ca@gmail.com, or head over to birdboy.ca for more information.
Black-capped Chickadee, South Canmore, November 10, 2017. Photo by Ethan Denton
Here are some of Tony LePrieur’s photos taken in some local parks this month.
Great Horned Owl, Carburn Park, November 2017. Photo by Tony LePrieur.
American Robin, Carburn Park, November 2017. Photo by Tony LePrieur.
American Coot, Carburn Park, November 2017. Photo by Tony LePrieur.
A close-up showing what the coot was feeding on, Carburn Park, November 2017. Photo by Tony LePrieur.
Trumpeter Swans, Fish Creek Provincial Park, November 2017. Photo by Tony LePrieur.
Great Horned Owl, Fish Creek Provincial Park, November 2017. Photo by Tony LePrieur.
Black-backed Woodpecker, Fish Creek Provincial Park, November 2017. Photo by Tony LePrieur.
To see more of Tony’s photos, go to his Flickr page.
The Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society’s birding course groups went to the 68 Street wetlands (east of Elliston Lake, just off 17 Avenue SE) during the week of October 23-29. Max Ortiz Aguilar took a few photos on the outing with the Sunday morning group.
Trumpeter Swan, 68 Street SE Wetlands, October 29, 2017. Photo by Max Ortiz Aguilar.
Trumpeter Swans, 68 Street SE Wetlands, October 29, 2017. Photo by Max Ortiz Aguilar.
Canada Geese, 68 Street SE Wetlands, October 29, 2017. Photo by Max Ortiz Aguilar.
The following week the groups went to Carburn Park, on the Bow River in the community of Riverbend.
Likely Cackling Goose (left rear) with Canada Geese, Carburn Park, November 5, 2017. Note its small size, short neck, dark breast where it joins the black of the neck, and very small bill. Photo by Max Ortiz Aguilar.
Bufflehead group, Carburn Park, November 5, 2017. Photo by Max Ortiz Aguilar.
Common Goldeneye group, Carburn Park, November 5, 2017. Photo by Max Ortiz Aguilar.
Coyote, Carburn Park, November 5, 2017. Photo by Max Ortiz Aguilar.
Killdeer, Carburn Park, November 5, 2017. Photo by Max Ortiz Aguilar.
Mallard drake, Carburn Park, November 5, 2017. Photo by Max Ortiz Aguilar.
Red-breasted Mergansers, Carburn Park, November 5, 2017. Note the much thinner bill on this species compared to that of a Common Merganser. Photo by Max Ortiz Aguilar.
Tundra Swan, Carburn Park, November 5, 2017. Photo by Max Ortiz Aguilar.
White-breasted Nuthatch, Carburn Park, November 5, 2017. Photo by Max Ortiz Aguilar.
White-tailed Deer, Carburn Park, November 5, 2017. Photo by Max Ortiz Aguilar.
To see more of Max’s photos, see his Flickr page.
The friends of Fish Creek are now taking registrations for the winter birding course, which runs from January 8, 2018 to the end of March. Register here.
Update: Gus Yaki will give a presentation on Part Two of his Prairie Walk at the Birds & Beers meeting this Thursday. He spoke about Part One at our August meeting.
This spring, to celebrate Canada 150, Gus led a group of about 40 people on a walk along the southern Alberta border from Saskatchewan to British Columbia. Come out to hear about the birds and other wildlife they saw, and see photos of the trip.
The event will start at 6 pm and there will be lots of time for a meal or drink and a visit with your fellow birders before Gus speaks after 7 pm. We will be in the big Ballroom this time, so there’s plenty of room for everyone!
In addition, Dan Arndt will have 2018 Calendars featuring his best bird photos from the past year available for sale. Bring some extra cash and get one for yourself or for a gift.
The November Birds & Beers will be held next Thursday evening, November 23. This will be the last one until the new year. Anyone who wants to come for an informal chat with your fellow birders is welcome. Food and drinks are available, and children are welcome too if accompanied by an adult.
Royal Canadian Legion, Centennial Calgary Branch #285
9202 Horton Road SW
Thursday November 23, 2017, 6:00-9:00 pm
Boreal Chickadee by Dan Arndt.
If you’d like to see Gus’s presentation but can’t make it to Birds & Beers, he will also be speaking at The Wild Bird Store twice on Saturday, and at the Cochrane Public Library next Tuesday.
Part 2: From Writing-on-Stone Prov. Park to BC Border: 12 – 22 June 2017.
There are also three presentations about Part One of the talk coming up:
Part 1: From SK border to Writing-on-Stone Prov. Park: 19 to 29 May 2017.
Update: Gus Yaki will give a presentation on Part Two of his Prairie Walk at the Birds & Beers meeting this Thursday. He spoke about Part One at our August meeting.
This spring, to celebrate Canada 150, Gus led a group of about 40 people on a walk along the southern Alberta border from Saskatchewan to British Columbia. Come out to hear about the birds and other wildlife they saw, and see photos of the trip.
The event will start at 6 pm and there will be lots of time for a meal or drink and a visit with your fellow birders before Gus speaks after 7 pm. We will be in the big Ballroom this time, so there’s plenty of room for everyone!
In addition, Dan Arndt will have 2018 Calendars featuring his best bird photos from the past year available for sale. Bring some extra cash and get one for yourself or for a gift.
The November Birds & Beers will be held next Thursday evening, November 23. This will be the last one until the new year. Anyone who wants to come for an informal chat with your fellow birders is welcome. Food and drinks are available, and children are welcome too if accompanied by an adult.
Royal Canadian Legion, Centennial Calgary Branch #285
9202 Horton Road SW
Thursday November 23, 2017, 6:00-9:00 pm
Boreal Chickadee by Dan Arndt.
If you’d like to see Gus’s presentation but can’t make it to Birds & Beers, he will also be speaking at The Wild Bird Store twice on Saturday, and at the Cochrane Public Library next Tuesday.
Part 2: From Writing-on-Stone Prov. Park to BC Border: 12 – 22 June 2017.
There are also three presentations about Part One of the talk coming up:
Part 1: From SK border to Writing-on-Stone Prov. Park: 19 to 29 May 2017.