Tag Archive | birds calgary

Bird Profile: Ring-necked Pheasant

 

The male Ring-necked Pheasant is a very colourful bird with a loud, harsh and raucous “koork-KOK”, call; one that often emerges from grasslands, deep brush and agricultural land. The pheasant is native to Caucasus and Russia and has been introduced all over the world as a popular game bird.

Ring-necked Pheasant

 There is usually one male who guards his harem of plain, mottled females from other males, chasing them away during the breeding season. Pheasants are known to hunker down in a roost in very bad weather, going for days without eating. They nest and forage on the ground, eating seeds, wild fruits, nuts and insects.

 I had my own special encounter with a pheasant the other day. I rode my bike to Fish Creek and as I turned a corner, I came to within a couple meters of a pheasant. He was startled (so was I!) and in his haste to get away, slipped on ice! Definitely funny for me to see!

Elegance… This male Pheasant is trying to be as regal as possible. 

He hits the ice as he runs away and is unprepared…

Whoa!!! He definitely wasn’t ready for this!

Dignity regained… Or so he thinks. 

Posted by Matthew Sim

Here’s Looking at You-Whoo!

As 2011 began, the Northern Saw-whet Owl was right at the top of my list of Birds I Must See.  I had heard them singing in the spring before in both the Weaselhead area and in Bowness, but I had never seen one.  They are very small, about eight inches (20 cm) high, and active at night.  They spend the daytime roosting in tree cavities or dense conifers.  So although they are quite common, they are rarely seen.

…….

On Saturday, March 19, the Friends of Fish Creek Park Society outing was at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, where we were looking for returning gulls and waterfowl.  Before starting, the leader, Gus Yaki, mentioned that a Northern Saw-whet Owl had been reported a few days previously at the sanctuary.  We would look for this little bird near the end of our walk, in the row of spruce trees that run north from Walker House. 

…….

However, as we turned north by the lagoon, I noticed a pair of Black-capped Chickadees that seemed quite agitated.  Two of us hung back to investigate as the rest of the group went ahead.  After a couple of minutes a pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches arrived, and then a pair of White-breasted Nuthatches and another pair of chickadees.  All the birds were noisy, flicking their tails, and making short sweeping flights into the tree.  I have seen birds behave like this before – they are trying to drive away a predator.  Still, despite circling the tree a couple of times, I could see nothing.  Finally, from a spot right under the tree branches, I found the owl:

Then he found me back:

……

…….

These owls sit still when confronted, and this one barely moved, except for batting his eyes, as you can see in the video.

…….

Good Birding!

Bob Lefebvre

Crows By The Thousands

Originally posted August 27, 2009

Note: It appears that the crows are not roosting in the usual spot on Nose Hill this year.  If anyone knows of a large night-time crow roost in the city, please leave a comment.

A sure sign that autumn is here is the sight of thousands of American Crows gathering together in huge communal roosts every night.  On August 20/09 at 6:00 pm there were several hundred gathered along the south side of Nose Hill Park west of 14th Street in NW Calgary.  The crows accumulate throughout the evening, arriving from all over the city and from the surrounding countryside, and then move farther into the park to roost in trees overnight.  Yesterday, August 25, I walked into the pre-roost area at 8:45 pm, as it was getting dark. I can only guess at the number of crows gathered there but it surely must have been many thousands.  At 9:00 pm they were still arriving from the south at the rate of about one hundred a minute.

American Crow

This same area was used as a roost last fall.  One observer reported on Albertabird that there were almost 8,000 crows there on August 25, 2008.   The largest night-roost reported, from Oklahoma, had over a million birds!

The reason that crows gather in large roosts like this is for protection from predators, which large numbers in a small area offers.  In the daytime the crows are scattered over hundreds of square miles.  If they were to stay there overnight, they potentially would be prey to the dozens of Great Horned Owls which occupy that large area.  By concentrating in a small area, the crows reduce their losses to a minimum – one or two that might be taken by the owls that occupy this small territory.

Unless you are the kind of person who is freaked out by being surrounded by a huge mob of chattering birds in near-darkness, it is well worthwhile to take a walk to this roost before the crows migrate.  The area is easily accessible.  Park in the lot near Brisebois Drive NW, on the north side of John Laurie Boulevard, about halfway between 14 Street and Shaganappi Trail.  A short walk up the paved path in Many Owls Valley will take you into the midst of the crows.

If you know of another nighttime crow roost in the city, please leave a comment.

Posted by Bob Lefebvre

Previously posted comments:

  • c lannan Says:
    September 22, 2009 at 1:21 am editfor the last two weeks, hundreds (maybe a thousand)crows arrive on the rooftops and fences of Edgebrook Point (which backs on to Shaganappi Trail) across from the NW corner of Nose Hill around 7 p.m and stay for about an hour. Do you have any idea how much longer this will last and if it is likely to reoccur in future years.
    Reply
    • Bob L Says:
      September 24, 2009 at 1:15 am editThe crows will probably depart in mid- to late October. They roosted in the same area last year and sometimes crows will use the same roost for years, so they may be back again next fall. But they do sometimes change roost locations, so maybe not.
      Reply
  • Marlo Says:
    October 2, 2009 at 5:06 pm editLast night (October 1st, 2009) I left my office building about 7:40 pm (around dusk) at 7th Street and 5th Avenue SW. Across the street at MacDougall Centre, there were anywhere from 200-400 crows, maybe more, perched on the building and the park that surrounds it. They were flying back and forth, and you could see massive spots on the sidewalk and street where they collectively relieved themselves. I had never seen any birds on the building as there are gargoyles on the roof to keep the pigeons away, so it came as quite a surprise. My colleage mentioned to me that she’s seen them cluster in that spot around dusk and dawn at this time of year for the last few years now.
    Reply
  • Kevin Says:
    October 5, 2009 at 1:31 am editI have been working the graveyard shift @ my work downtown on 3rd Ave and 6th for the past week. I have noticed that every evening hundreds of these crows fly in from the north between 7:00pm – 7:15pm, and perch themselves on the nearby apartment buildings. It’s almost eerie to watch, with their precise timing and all, and if you’re ever up to see, they all flee back to where they came around sunrise. A word of warning though, make sure you carry an umbrella if you’re in the area then.
    Reply
  • Darlene Says:
    October 12, 2009 at 11:59 pm editThank you to all who took the time to put these comments in. I just watched a program about crows, and they are quite smart. I used to feed them in my backyard and am fascinated with them. I will for sure be out with umbrella to watch them next year at McDougal and Nose hill.
    Reply
  • Sara Says:
    October 29, 2009 at 5:17 am editwe just got freaked out but the hundred or so crows roosting in the trees surrounding our house tonight. about a mile from the park but still in a populated residential area. i was worried it was some sort of bad omen.
    Reply
  • Rob Jobst Says:
    February 25, 2010 at 8:54 am editThe Mount Royal Escarpment, which separates eastern Mount Royal from the community of Cliff Bungalow, sees hundreds of crows gathering every evening from mid- to late-summer through some point in the fall. If you want to take in a good show, go to the little park at 5th Street and 24th Avenue SW and watched the “squadrons” of crows fly in from the east and settle on the wooded hilllside. Every once in a while they will get spooked and all explode into the sky at once and the sky almost goes black with the hundreds of swirling crows. I very much enjoy the spectacle from my apartment a block away, but I wouldn’t want to be those people that live in the condos right across the street from the roost… 800 crows make a lot of noise!
  • Elbow River Bird Survey

    (Note:  The Elbow River Bird Survey is a Nature Calgary field trip.  Like all of Nature Calgary’s field trips, it is free, and anyone can participate – you don’t have to be a member.  Meet in the parking lot at Stanley Park on 42 Avenue SW,  just west of Macleod Trail, at 8:30 am.  If you would like to join us, call Gus or Aileen at 403-243-2248.)
     
    When I began to bird seriously, I found that the fastest way to learn was to go on field trips offered by Nature Calgary (also known as the Calgary Field Naturalists’ Society).  The best way to see a lot of bird species and learn to identify them is to go out in the company of experienced birders.
    One of my favourite field trips is the Elbow River Bird Survey.  This is a walk along the Elbow from Stanley Park to the Glenmore Dam.  It has been led on the first day of each month for over fifteen years by Gus Yaki and his wife, Aileen Pelzer.  The walk starts shortly after dawn and takes about three and a half hours.
    IMG_1826 adj
    Wood Ducks perched beside the river, March 1, 2008.
    IMG_0962
    A Common Merganser on the River near Stanley Park, November 1, 2009.

    Gus is a lifelong naturalist and is very informative about birds, plants, and other natural history.  He keeps track of all the bird and mammal species seen, and the numbers of each.  He is gathering valuable data on the changes in bird populations along the river.

    IMG_0970 trimmed
    Gus Yaki (pointing) leading a walk on the Elbow River pathway, November 1, 2009.
    The walk is mostly flat and easy, with one small hill between Sandy Beach and the Glenmore dam.  There are a variety of habitats on the walk.  You can see waterfowl on the river and the reservoir, songbirds in the parks and along the tree-lined urban streets and backyards, woodpeckers in the stand of old poplars in Riverdale Park, and the occasional raptor almost anywhere.  In recent years Gus has been posting the list of species seen each month on the Albertabird Listserv.  You always see something interesting.
    Goshawk - Elbow River trimmed
    This Northern Goshawk had just knocked a Common Goldeneye down onto the ice on the river. It flew off without pursuing the attack. February 1, 2009.
    Like all of Nature Calgary’s field trips, this walk is free and open to everyone.  You do not have to be a member of Nature Calgary to participate.  If you plan to attend, since this is a one-way walk, call Gus and Aileen ahead of time, so they can arrange to carpool us back to the starting point.  The starting time changes throughout the year so check the field trip list on the Nature Calgary website or on the Calgary Rare Bird Alert (RBA) on Albertabird.
    To participate, meet in the parking lot at Stanley Park on 42 Avenue SW,  just west of Macleod Trail at 8:30 am.  If you would like to join us, call Gus or Aileen at 403-243-2248.
    IMG_0977
    The Elbow River with the Glenmore Dam in the Backgound.
    IMG_0976 adj
    The Elbow River between Glenmore Dam and Sandy Beach.
    IMG_0972 Adj
    Downstream from Sandy Beach.

    Some Recent Results of the Elbow River Bird Survey:  

      Wednesday, December 1, 2010. Sunny, calm, -02 to 02C.

    1. Canada Goose-262
    2. Mallard-60
    3. Common Goldeneye-1f
    4. Rock Pigeon-2
    5. Downy Woodpecker-2
    6. Hairy Woodpecker-1
    7. Northern Flicker-1
    8. Black-billed Magpie-31
    9. Common Raven-5
    10. Black-capped Chickadee-22
    11. Red-breasted Nuthatch-1
    12. White-breasted Nuthatch-3
    13. Townsend’s Solitaire-2
    14. American Robin-2
    15. Eur. Starling-4
    16. Bohemian Waxwing-60
    17. Dark-eyed Junco-1
    18. House Finch-1
    19. House Sparrow-12

    (Eastern Gray Squirrel – 6 )

    November 1, 2010, 9:20-11:50am. Partly cloudy, calm –1 to 6 C.

     

     

    1. Canada Goose-5
    2. Wood Duck-2
    3. Mallard-50
    4. Hooded Merganser-3
    5. Bald Eagle-1
    6. Rough-legged Hawk-1
    7. Ring-billed Gull-20
    8. Rock Dove-3
    9. Downy Woodpecker-4
    10. Northern Flicker-3
    11. Blue Jay-2
    12. Black-billed Magpie-52
    13. American Crow-1
    14. Common Raven-3
    15. Black-capped Chickadee-22
    16. Red-breasted Nuthatch-3
    17. White-breasted Nuthatch-1
    18. American Robin-4
    19. European Starling-13
    20. House Finch-7
    21. House Sparrow-15

     

     October 1, 2010. Mostly sunny, becoming windy, 20kph, 02-10C.
    1. Canada Goose-60
    2. Wood Duck-3
    3. Mallard-2
    4. Osprey-1
    5. Bald Eagle-1 ad/1 imm.
    6. Harlan’s Hawk, light morph-1, chased by 20 starlings, then harassed by 25 B.b. Magpies.
    7. Merlin-1
    8. Ring-billled Gull-4
    9. Rock Pigeon-4
    10. Northern Flicker-10
    11. Blue Jay-1+
    12. Black-billed Magpie-60
    13. American Crow-24
    14. Common Raven-1
    15. Black-capped Chickadee-16
    16. Red-breasted Nuthatch-6
    17. White-breasted Nuthatch-2
    18. American Robin-70
    19. European Starling-30
    20. Yellow-rumped Warbler-1
    21. House Sparrow-7
    • Eastern Gray Squirrel-9
    • Red Squirrel-1

     

    September 1, 2010. Mostly cloudy, NW wind 20kph, 7-12C.  

    1. Canada Goose-2
    2. Wood Duck-4
    3. Mallard-17
    4. Common Merganser-3
    5. Red-necked Grebe-1
    6. Osprey-2
    7. Bald Eagle-1 imm.
    8. Sharp-shinned Hawk-1
    9. Cooper’s Hawk-1
    10. Merlin-1, repeatedly diving at Northern Flickers.
    11. Ring-billed Gull-1+
    12. California Gull-60
    13. Rock Pigeon-1
    14. Northern Flicker-12
    15. Western Wood-Pewee-1
    16. Red-eyed Vireo-1
    17. Blue Jay-3
    18. Black-billed Magpie-25
    19. Am. Crow-44
    20. Common Raven-4
    21. Black-capped Chickadee-1, unusually low number.
    22. Red-breasted Nuthatch-3
    23. American Robin-40
    24. Gray Catbird-1
    25. European Starling-5
    26. Cedar Waxwing-40
    27. Yellow-rumped Warbler-2 imm.
    28. Wilson’s Warbler-11
    29. Clay-colored Sparrow-1+
    30. House Finch-3
    31. Pine Siskin-20
    32. Am. Goldfinch-1 m.
     (Amazingly, first time without a House Sparrow).
    Eastern Gray Squirrel-1
    Mule Deer-1
      
     August 1, 2010, 0700-1045. Heavy overcast, light drizzle, 14-15C. 7 observers.

    1.. Mallard-25
    2.. Common Merganser-11
    3.. Common Loon-2
    4.. Osprey-1
    5.. Merlin-1
    6.. California Gull-41
    7.. Rock Pigeon-25
    8.. Downy Woodpecker-3
    9.. Northern Flicker-18
    10.. Western Wood-Pewee-3
    11.. Least Flycatcher-1
    12.. Black-billed Magpie-46
    13.. American Crow-23
    14.. Common Raven-5
    15.. Tree Swallow-8
    16.. Cliff Swallow-500
    17.. Black-capped Chickadee-3
    18.. Red-breasted Nuthatch-4
    19.. House Wren-6
    20.. American Robin-48
    21.. Gray Catbird-5
    22.. Cedar Waxwing-30
    23.. Yellow Warbler-3
    24.. Western Tanager-3, all 3 at different sites.
    25.. Chipping Sparrow-6
    26.. Clay-colored Sparrow-1
    27.. Song Sparrow-1
    28.. Brown-headed Cowbird-1
    29.. Baltimore Oriole-1 juv. m.
    30.. House Finch-15
    31.. American Goldfinch-1 m.
    32.. House Sparrow-60.
    Also seen, amidst dense leaves at the Glenmore Dam, was a warbler head with a
    gray face, eye-ring, light throat and with a yellow wash, apparently on the
    upper chest. The first impression was that of a female American Redstart, but
    the yellow was definitely on the chest, not on the flanks. At no time was any of
    the rest of the body seen. The only other choice was a Virginia’s Warbler. Both
    species of course are unlikely at this time. A birding mystery.

    Eastern Gray Squirrel-1
    Least Chipmunk.

    July 1, 2010, 0630-11am, Stanley Park-Glenmore Dam.

    1.. Canada Goose-51
    2.. American Wigeon-1 m.
    3.. Mallard-7 + young.
    4.. Common Goldeneye-2 f.
    5.. Common Merganser-3 f.
    6.. Osprey-1 on nest
    7.. Swainson’s Hawk-1
    8.. Red-tailed Hawk-1+
    9.. Rock Pigeon-5
    10.. Downy Woodpecker-2
    11.. Northern Flicker-9
    12.. Least Flycatcher-3
    13.. Red-eyed Vireo-1
    14.. Black-billed Magpier-46
    15.. American Crow-11
    16.. Tree Swallow-10+
    17.. Bank Swallow-3
    18.. Cliff Swallow-20+
    19.. Black-capped Chickadee-5
    20.. Red-breasted Nuthatch-1
    21.. House Wren-6
    22.. American Robin-32
    23.. Gray Catbird-4
    24.. European Starling-14
    25.. Cedar Waxwing-15
    26.. Yellow Warbler-12
    27.. Clay-colored Sparrow-4
    28.. Song Sparrow-1
    29.. Lincoln’s Sparrow-1
    30.. White-throated Sparrow-1
    31.. Brown-headed Cowbird-3
    32.. House Finch-10
    33.. House Sparrow-10
    Eastern Gray Squirrel-12
     
    June 1, 2010, 0640-1100.  Mostly cloudy, S wind 10kph, 5-12C.

    a.. Canada Goose-34 + 15 yg/
    b.. Mallard-15 m
    c.. Common Goldeneye-2 f
    d.. Common Merganser-1 f
    e.. Osprey-1
    f.. Red-tailed Hawk-1+
    g.. Spotted Sandpiper-2
    h.. Franklin’s Gull-10
    i.. Rock Pigeon-14
    j.. Downy Woodpecker-2
    k.. Northern Flicker-10
    l.. ?Western Wood-Pewee-1
    m.. Black-billed Magpie-23
    n.. Am. Crow-4
    o.. Tree Swallow-36+
    p.. Bank Swallow-1
    q.. Cliff Swallow-20+
    r.. Black-capped Chickadee-16
    s.. Red-breasted Nuthatch-4
    t.. House Wren-5+
    u.. Swainson’s Thrush-1
    v.. Am. Robin-36
    w.. Gray Catbird-4+
    x.. European Starling-20
    y.. Yellow Warbler-16+
    z.. Chipping Sparrow-5
    aa.. Clay-colored Sparrow-8+
    ab.. Song Sparrow-1 heard
    ac.. Common Grackle-2
    ad.. Brown-headed Cowbird-6+
    ae.. House Finch-3
    af.. House Sparrow-14
    a.. Eastern Gray Squirrel-7
    b.. Red Squirrel-1

    Saturday May 1, 2010 0700-1200. Mostly sunny, calm, 0-10C.
    1. Canada Goose-15, with three clutches of 5, 5, and 3 young.
    2. Wood Duck-3 m.
    3. Mallard-20
    4. Bufflehead-10
    5. Common Merganser-6
    6. Ring-necked Pheasant-4 m
    7. Common Loon-1
    8. Horned Grebe-4
    9. Red-necked Grebe-1
    10. Cooper’s Hawk-1
    11. Red-tailed Hawk-1
    12. Merlin-2
    13. Rock Pigeon-8
    14. Franklin’s Gull-60+
    15. white-headed gulls, high in flight-10+
    16. Yellow-bellied? Sapsucker-3
    17. Downy Woodpecker-8
    18. Hairy Woodpecker-1
    19. Northern Flicker-10
    20. Blue Jay-1
    21. Black-billed Magpie-26
    22. American Crow-10+
    23. Tree Swallow-3
    24. Northern Rough-winged Swallow-6, over river, seen by Aileen.
    25. Black-capped Chickadee-35
    26. Red-breasted Nuthatch-10
    27. White-breasted Nuthatch-1 hear
    28. American Robin-60
    29. European Starling-12
    30. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER-2
    31. Song Sparrow-1
    32. BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD-1
    33. House Finch-12+
    34. Pine Siskin-3
    35. House Sparrow-10

    Eastern Gray Squirrel-6

    Wednesday March 31, 2010 (for April), Partly cloudy, calm,
    0-8C. Ice at Reservoir Dam still frozen.

    1.. Canada Goose-16
    2.. Mallard-20
    3.. Common Merganser-2
    4.. Ring-billed Gull-12
    5.. Rock Pigeon-6
    6.. Downy Woodpecker-8
    7.. Northern Flicker-6
    8.. Blue Jay-1
    9.. Black-billed Magpie-16
    10.. American Crow-4
    11.. Common Raven-8
    12.. Black-capped Chickadee-12
    13.. Red-breasted Nuthatch-5
    14.. American Robin-36
    15.. European Starling-6
    16.. House Finch-10
    17.. Pine Siskin-1
    18.. House Sparrow-6
    Eastern Gray Squirrel-2

    Monday March 1, 2010, 8:00-12:30. Sunny, calm, -4 to 9C.

    1. Canada Goose-140
    2. Wood Duck-1 pr.
    3. Mallard-60
    4. Common Goldeneye-1 m.
    5. Common Merganser-4
    6. Merlin-1 carrying prey.
    7. Rock Pigeon-5
    8. Great Horned Owl-2
    9. Downy Woodpecker-8
    10. Hairy Woodpecker-5
    11. Northern Flicker-6+
    12. Blue Jay-1+ heard.
    13. Black-billed Magpier-30
    14. Common Raven-3
    15. Black-capped Chickadee-22
    16. Red-breasted Nuthatch-5
    17. White-breasted Nuthatch-3
    18. Brown Creeper-2
    19. European Starling-5
    20. House Finch-6+
    21. Pine Siskin-2+
    22. House Sparrow-16

    Eastern Gray Squirrel-6

    Monday, February 1, 2010, 0815-1145. Sunny, Calm, -6 to -2C.
     
    1.. Canada Goose-190
    2.. Mallard-160
    3.. Common Goldeneye-2
    4.. Common Merganser-2
    5.. Bald Eagle-1 ad.
    6.. Rock Pigeon-4
    7.. Downy Woodpecker-4
    8.. Hairy Woodpecker-1
    9.. Northern Flicker-2
    10.. Black-billed Magpie-45
    11.. Common Raven-9
    12.. Black-capped Chickadee-62, counted by Tony T.
    13.. Red-breasted Nuthatch-1
    14.. White-breasted Nuthatch-1
    15.. European Starling-8
    16.. Bohemian Waxwing-350
    17.. House Finch-6
    18.. House Sparrow-24
    Eastern Gray Squirrel-4
      

    Saturday January 3, 2010: 8:30-12noon, Sunny, calm, -12C. 7 participants

    1.. Canada Goose-450
    2.. Mallard 500
    3.. Common Goldeneye-8
    4.. Common Merganser-2
    5.. Downy Woodpecker-7
    6.. Hairy Woodpecker-2
    7.. Black-billed Magpie-60
    8.. Common Raven-14
    9.. Black-capped Chickadee-32
    10.. Red-breasted Nuthatch-7
    11.. White-breasted Nuthatch-1
    12.. Bohemian Waxwing-200
    13.. House Finch-1
    14.. Common Redpoll?-5
    15.. House Sparrow-35
    a.. Eastern Gray Squirrel-7
    b.. White-tailed Jackrabbit-tracks.
    c.. Coyote tracks

    Posted by Bob Lefebvre

    .

    1. Canada Goose-262
    2. Mallard-60
    3. Common Goldeneye-1f
    4. Rock Pigeon-2
    5. Downy Woodpecker-2
    6. Hairy Woodpecker-1
    7. Northern Flicker-1
    8. Black-billed Magpie-31
    9. Common Raven-5
    10. Black-capped Chickadee-22
    11. Red-breasted Nuthatch-1
    12. White-breasted Nuthatch-3
    13. Townsend’s Solitaire-2
    14. American Robin-2
    15. Eur. Starling-4
    16. Bohemian Waxwing-60
    17. Dark-eyed Junco-1
    18. House Finch-1
    19. House Sparrow-12

    Eastern Gray Squirrel – 5

    Chairman’s Corner #3

    Welcome to the Birds Calgary 2010 “big year” competition Blog. If you have not joined the competition please feel welcome to do so. It is for everyone, not just experts.

    We are three weeks into the competition and the total list of species seen to date stands at 66. But still no Snowy Owl! I arbitrarily selected it as the target bird for January. Maybe it is harder to find than I thought. There must be a Snowy Owl out there somewhere. With only a few days left in the month, let’s get on it!

    Hairy Woodpecker male by Anne Elliott

    I enjoy exploring the outlying areas. Remember that either you or the bird or both have to be within the City limits. It will be interesting to compare the results from this year with 2000. A lot of good habitat has been lost to development, but a lot of new land has been added. Anyone want to make a prediction? My guess is that we will not surpass the 2000 list. That year the combined total was 248 species. Ten competitors saw over 200. The winner had 224.

    A couple of weeks ago I went public with my total-to-date on the Listserv and invited others to do the same. I thought it would bolster the competitive spirit, but no one else seems willing to admit to their total. Maybe that is the best strategy; just keep it secret until the end of the quarter. So this time I will try the opposite approach; if several of you advertize your total-to-date, I will let you see mine.

    I want to thank the rest of the organizing committee; Gus Yaki, Pat Bumstead, Bob Lefebvre, Bill Wilson, Ryan Baxter, and Andrew Hart. We met again last Monday evening and are still looking for way to reach a wider audience. If you would like to help, don’t be shy.

    I love to see bird photographs. You can follow the directions on the website and send them to Andrew. They do not have to be for the photography competition until you decide which ones to enter.

    Please be safe out there. Especially when driving. And, respect private property.

    Good luck and enjoy!

    Howard Heffler

    Chair, Birds Calgary 2010

    Notes on Winter Birding

    This, of course, is the coldest season of the year. Birding demands that you often stop and wait for the birds to show themselves. When standing still, you are not burning calories, therefore not generating heat. On stepping outside in the morning, some folks, thinking that it is relatively mild, decide to wear only a light jacket. After an hour they are chilled to the bone.

    To fully enjoy this activity, you must wear enough clothing to keep comfortably warm. It is best to put on lots of layers. Wear a warm cap/hat/toque, for without a head covering you will lose a lot of heat. Be sure to wear warm footwear. If your hands and feet are still cold, it’s because you are losing vital body warmth. If you are cold, you just won’t be able to concentrate — and won’t enjoy the activity. Remember, the birds don’t care what you look like.

    Some folks will want to bring a bird book, although the leader usually always has one with him/her.

    If you are a note-taker, you may want to bring a notebook and pen(cil). Upon returning home, it is always a good idea to review the bird seen. After each field trip, we’ll also send you (by email), a listing of the species and the approximate numbers of individuals sighted.

     

    Rough-legged Hawk by Anne Elliott

    A few rules for these or other birding outings

    The purpose of these outing is to see birds. Birds are often best located by hearing them first. Try to limit your socializing to the parking lot. If you are busy chatting, the birds may not be heard. When they are found, some folks cannot even be made aware of their presence because of an ongoing conversation, so will miss out on seeing them altogether.

    Unless you are the leader, do not walk ahead of the group. The leader often knows of the presence of a certain bird, but if you go ahead, you may flush it so that no one gets to see it.

    Keep together! If the group is strung out, by the time the stragglers catch up, the bird may have flown. Also, if the leader wants to inform you of certain details he/she may tell those at hand and then repeat it when the stragglers arrive, or by then, other observations may distract, so the stragglers miss out entirely. Of course, the leader can wait until everyone is present, but that is wasted time for those who do politely stay together.

    Shorter people out front! If you are tall, back off. Don’t block the view it’s hard to see through you unless someone blasts an opening.

    About binoculars

    Binoculars are a great aid in seeing the beauty of a bird. Once you are used to them, you’ll never leave home without them! I usually have a spare pair in case you forget yours.

    Today, there are many kinds of binoculars, ranging in price from $29.00 to $2900.00.

    Generally, beginning birders can get by with inexpensive ones. Once you’ve had some experience, you’ll have a better idea of your needs if you want to upgrade.

    Binoculars come in many types. Basically they will be marked as 7 X 35, 7 X 42, 8 X 40 or 10 X 50. The first number is the magnification; in other words, they make the object appear to be 7, 8 or 10 times larger or nearer than that registered by your eyes.

    The second number is the diameter in millimetres of the large or objective lens of the binoculars. The larger the number, the more light it admits. This may not be significant on a sunny day, but it will be very important on a dull overcast day, or at dawn and dusk.

    Generally 7 or 8 power binoculars are ideal for most people. You will get stronger magnification from a 10 power but they usually are heavier. If you cannot hold them steady for long, you have to contend with a greater distortion due to hand vibration.

    There are many small opera-type glasses available, such as 7 X 26. Some of these are extremely lightweight and can easily be held by children with small hands. However, as pointed out above, they are not very suitable in low-light conditions. A lens that is only 26mm across lets in only about 25% of the light admitted by a 50mm lens.

    Binoculars are made so that one size fits all. However, since we are not all the same, they usually require three settings to match your personal measurements. You need to make these adjustments before using them. Normally you will never have to do so again (unless altered, as when you lend them to others, etc.).

    1. Most binoculars have rubber or retractable eyecups. If you wear eyeglasses, fold down the rubber cups or retract the hoods. This will allow your eyes to get nearer to the lens, thus giving you a greater field of view.

    2. The distance between people’s eyes vary. The two binocular barrels are hinged so that they can be pushed or pulled apart, to compensate for this difference. When using the binoculars, the barrels should be spaced so that the pupils of your eyes look precisely through the centre of the small lenses. When properly adjusted, your view should be through that of a perfect circle, rather than two overlapping ones. [Note that the top of the hinge has a calibrated dial showing the angle of adjustment. If you recall that setting, you can quickly reset them if someone else uses your binoculars].

    3. On most binoculars the right eyepiece (in some models, it is the left one), is adjustable, slightly rotating, to accommodate any differences in your eyes. To adjust for your vision, close or block your right eye while looking through the left eyepiece. It is best to look at a sign, license plate or other flat image about 30 meters away. Between the two barrels there is a centre focusing-wheel or rocker arm. Slowly adjust the centre focusing until you have as sharp an image as possible. Once satisfied that it is perfectly clear, bring your binoculars down for about 30 seconds, to let your eyes rest. Next, looking at the same scene, using only your right eye, rotate the adjustable eyepiece until that image is sharp, too. Again, bring the glasses down. After 30 seconds, now looking through both eyes at the same time, you should have a perfectly sharp image. If not, repeat the above steps until satisfied. [Note that the right eye-piece has a + and – symbol, usually with a few dots between them. On the barrel below, there is usually a white dot. Remember these settings]. [Note, if the adjustable eyepiece is on the left, reverse the order of eye use above].

    Once the above steps have been completed, merely rotating the centre wheel will quickly bring any object, near of far, into sharp focus.

    After birding for some time, some observers find they are unable to obtain a sharp image. The adjustable eyepiece may have been altered accidentally, perhaps by rubbing against your clothing, etc. An elastic band over the eyepiece and the upper part of the barrel will prevent it from moving.

    It could also be that your eye(s) are getting tired. By again following the above steps, you can readjust to sharpen the image.

    Your next challenge will be to learn how to aim the binoculars at the correct angle so that you can quickly find the bird in the tree, etc. This takes some practice — but will come naturally with repeated use. Try locating different objects while at home.

    While raising your binoculars, keep your eyes on the object. Don’t look down at the glasses while lifting them. Try to memorize the location of the bird by noting how the branches cross, etc. Once you are looking through the binoculars, in the approximate location, quickly focus them (by rotating the centre-wheel) and then search the area where you last saw the bird.

    Most binoculars are supplied only with a narrow neck strap. The weight of the binoculars may give some folks a headache. There are a number of harnesses or wider straps that aid in relieving that condition.

    If you have further questions, do not hesitate to contact me. In the meantime, I look forward to showing and sharing the birds with you on this upcoming activity.

    Gustave J. Yaki, Phone 403-243-2248 or email gyaki@calcna.ab.ca.

    Bird Alert Update Nov 15

    If you’re interested in birds in Calgary and the surrounding region, you should know about the Bird Alert phone message.

    City of Calgary and Nature Calgary’s Bird Alert Number (403) 221-4519

    Compiled twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays, the message gives a rundown of all the unusual bird sightings that have been reported by birders. It lists the bird species and the location where it was seen, so you can take your chance of seeing it as well.

    You can listen to the message for bird locations, or if you have a bird to report, you can bypass them, or do so at the end of the recorded message.

    A bird that should be reported can be either a rare bird not usually found in the area, or one here in the wrong season.  While beginning birders will not know what to report, checking this message on a regular basis will give you a good idea, and help to increase your birding skills.

    The report for the second week of November for unusual birds in Calgary:

    • North bank of the Bow River between the 10th & 14 Street bridges in NW Calgary – Orange-crowned Warbler
    • Carburn Park in SE Calgary – Yellow-rumped Warbler (2), Red-winged Blackbird, Sharp-shinned hawk, Northern Goshawk
    • East of the cement plant on 194 Avenue SE – Glaucous Gull, Thayer’s Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull

    The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is Thursday, November 19.

    Pat Bumstead

     

    BIRD STUDY GROUP – Meet September – May, 7:30 PM on the 1st Wednesday of the month, Room 211, BioSciences Bldg, University of Calgary. The next meeting is Wednesday, December 2, with a talk by Sandy Ayer on Birding Adventures in the Congo. Doors open at 7:00 PM. Talks are free and open to the public.

    Northern Pygmy-Owl in Fish Creek Park

    Northern Pygmy-Owl by Anne Elliott

    On the morning of Wednesday, November 11, 2009, I took a walk in the west end of Fish Creek Provincial Park, in the Shannon Terrace-Bebo Grove area.

    The weather was relatively cool, clear, and calm.

    Highlights included a Northern Pygmy-Owl at Bridge #2 around 9:30 AM, as well as 2 singing Pine Grosbeaks in the same general area.

    Bald Eagle H
    Northern Pygmy-Owl
    Downy Woodpecker
    Hairy Woodpecker
    Blue Jay
    Black-billed Magpie
    Common Raven
    Black-capped Chickadee
    Boreal Chickadee
    Red-breasted Nuthatch
    White-breasted Nuthatch
    Golden-crowned Kinglet
    Bohemian Waxwing
    Pine Grosbeak
    White-winged Crossbill

    Red Squirrel

    Good Birding Everyone!

    D. Knapik
    Calgary, Alberta

    Posted by Pat Bumstead

    Bird Alert Update

    If you’re interested in birds in Calgary and the surrounding region, you should know about the Bird Alert phone message.

    City of Calgary and Nature Calgary’s Bird Alert Number (403) 221-4519

     

    Compiled twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays, the message gives a rundown of all the unusual bird sightings that have been reported by birders. It lists the bird species and the location where it was seen, so you can take your chance of seeing it as well.

    You can listen to the message for bird locations, or if you have a bird to report, you can bypass them, or do so at the end of the recorded message.

    A bird that should be reported can be either a  rare bird not usually found in the area, or one here in the wrong season.  While beginning birders will not know what to report, checking this message on a regular basis will give you a good idea, and help to increase your birding skills.

    The report for the first week in November included the following unusual birds in Calgary:

    • In Mt. Royal – Mountain Chickadee, Pine Grosbeaks
    • In Valley Ridge – Common Redpolls
    • On the Elbow River – Wood Duck
    • On the Glenmore Reservoir – Common Loon
    • In Elliston Park – Pied-billed Grebe
    • At Inglewood Bird Sanctuary – Harlequin Ducks

    Although it isn’t in Calgary, a birder has reported the first Snowy Owl of the winter season near Irricana. This tundra-breeding species likes open prairie spaces. It will be a challenge to find them in the city during the 2010 competition. If you see one, please let us know!

    Pat Bumstead