Tag Archive | birds in calgary

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: Sept 15

Sep16

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, us email us at zoxox@shaw.ca  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.

This Bird Albert was recorded on Sep 15, 2011.

SEP 12

Orange-crowned Warbler – 21 banded at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary banding station

SEP 13

Orange-crowned Warbler – 17 as above
Pine Siskin – numerous flocks of 20+ seen coming into North Glenmore Park by Terry Korolyk

SEP 14

Yellow-rumped Warbler – 30 seen by TK at Hull’s Wood in a short space of time
Blackpoll Warbler – 1 as above
Tennessee Warbler – 1 as above
Wilson’s Warbler – 1 as above

SEP 15

Yellow-rumped Warbler – 30 seen by Bill Wilson and Ilya Povalyaev at Confederation Park
Tennessee Warbler – 2 as above
Orange-crowned Warbler – 8 as above
Blackpoll Warbler – 1 as above
American Redstart – 1 as above
Wilson’s Warbler – 7 as above
Palm Warbler – 1, as above
Pine Siskin – 30, as above

The next scheduled update of the bird alert is on Mon Sep 19.

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: Sept 12

Sep13

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, us email us at zoxox@shaw.ca  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.

This Bird Albert was recorded on Sep 12, 2011.

SEP 8

AMERICAN PIPIT – 4 seen by Terry Korolyk at Clear Lake east of Stavely

SEP 10

SNOW GOOSE – 2 adults seen by TK at Cattleland Feedlot Slough north of Strathmore
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE – 150 reported as above; 52 seen by John Corbin on RR 264 2 miles north of Irricana
RUDDY TURNSTONE – juvenile seen by TK at Weed Lake
WESTERN SANDPIPER – seen as above
MOURNING WARBLER – found by Tony Timmons in his yard in Evergreen Terrace

SEP 11

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE – Andrew Slater reported 200 at the Cattleland Feedlot Slough, as well as 35 in a flooded field on Hwy 564 3 kms west of the Cattleland Slough
SANDERLING – TK saw 3 juveniles in the NE corner of the large slough at the corner of the Hwy 547 – Rge Rd 255 junction 20 kms north of Herronton
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER – 2 seen as above
DOWITCHER sp – 300 at 338 Ave and Hwy 799 , TK
PECTORAL SANDPIPER – 35 as above
STILT SANDPIPER – Bill Wilson saw 30 at Weed Lake
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD – Ian Maton saw one at Confederation Park in Calgary
AMERICAN PIPIT – Bill Wilson saw 8 at Weed Lake

The next scheduled update of the bird alert is on Thu Sep 15.

Sunday Showcase: Bald Eagle

Sep11

Rob English has sent us more of his superb photos. This week it’s a juvenile bald eagle, photographed in Carburn Park in late July and early August. Click to enlarge.

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: Sept 8

Sep9

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, us email us at zoxox@shaw.ca  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.

This Bird Alert was recorded on Thursday Sept 08 at 9:55 am.

Bird Sightings:

Sept 3:
SANDERLING (8), WHITE-FACED IBIS (5), COMMON NIGHTHAWK seen at Frank Lake, Daniel Hart.

Sept 4:
TURKEY VULTURE (4) circling over Glemore Tr. at 37th St., Melanie?

Sept 5:
FOX SPARROW at IBS, Calgary Bird Banding Society
PHILADELPHIA VIREO, BLACKPOLL WARBLER, AMERICAN REDSTART, Mallard Pt, FCPP, Gus Yaki.
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, PEREGRINE FALCON at IBS, DH.

Sept 6:
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, Confederation Pk, Bill Wilson.

Sept 7:
BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS (2) at North Glenmore Pk. Terry Korolyk.
FOX SPARROW (red), Confederation Pk, BW.
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, Confederation Pk., Eddie Matuod.
CASSIN’S VIREO, COOPER’S HAWK, north Glenmore Pk., TK.

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Monday Sept 12.

My Summer Surprise

Sep6

Over the many years we’ve lived in this house, I’ve managed to accumulate 105 bird species on my yard list (including those birds seen flying over the house). We have mature trees, shrubs, birdbaths and way too many bird feeders for the ones that touch down.

At least once each summer, I see a quick flash of iridescent green whiz by, generally so fast I can’t identify the individual hummingbird species. I’ve been assuming Ruby-throated, just because the odds are better.

A couple of years ago, we decided to remove a huge chunk of lawn and put in a hummingbird and bee garden. The first flowers that we put in were Scarlet Bee Balm Monarda didyma, a very showy flower that hummers love. All the plants in this garden are perennials, and just grow more glorious each year.

Last week I was sitting on my back deck, watching for any warblers or sparrows that might be passing through, when out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement in the garden.

A HUMMER! In my hummingbird garden!

I whipped up my binos to see a juvenile Ruby-throated feeding on the bee balm. As I was watching him, I remembered I had my camera on my lap so I fired off a series of pictures. They aren’t really the best but two years ago I didn’t have the garden or a digital camera so I’m happy.

I now judge my hummingbird garden a success. As for the bee portion of my garden, I have enough pictures and video for a full length movie on bees. I may have gotten just a teeny bit carried away, and now I need to find some time to edit all of my efforts. Watch this space!

Posted by Pat Bumstead

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: Sept 5

Sep6

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, us email us at zoxox@shaw.ca  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.

This Bird Alert was recorded on Monday Sept 05 at 10:10 am.
Bird Sightings:

Aug 29:
BAY-BREASTED WARBLER at IBS, Richard Clarke.

Sept 1:
CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, PHILADELPHIA VIREO (2), at Confederation Pk, Ed Kissinger.
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, OVENBIRD, OLIVE SIDED FLYCATCHER at Mallard Pt, FCPP, Peter Roxborough.
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, TOWNSEND’S WARBLER, Bowness Pk, Malcolm MacDonald.
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK at Confederation Pk, David Pugh.
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER at Hull’s Woods, FCPP, Terry Korolyk.
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (6), WESTERN WOOD PEEWEE (10), WESTERN TANAGER (6), on the Elbow River Survey, Gus Yaki.

Sept 2:
SANDHILL CRANE (2) at Zoo Ranch, Dunbow Rd. Dwight Knapik.
CANADA WARBLER, TOWNSEND’S WARBLER, OVENBIRD at IBS, RC.
CANADA WARBLER, Bowness Pk, EK.
TOWNSEND’S WARBLER, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK at Confederation Pk, Bill Wilson.
COMON NIGHTHAWK, Confederation Pk, Michael Geldorp.

Sept 3:
RED-NECKED PHALAROPES (600), SANDERLING (1), Weed Lake, Bill Wilson & Richard Clarke.
MACGILLIVRAY’S WARBLER, Zoo Ranch, DK.
HERRING GULL, Mallard Pt, FCPP, TK.

Sept 4:
RED KNOT, north of Ensign, TK.

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

BIRD STUDY GROUP – Meets the first Wednesday of the month, September – May at 7:30 pm, Room 211, BioSciences Building, University of Calgary. The next meeting will be Wednesday September 7. The program will be “Birding in Northwest India”, presented by Ken Havard.

Movie Monday: Bathing Crows

Sep5

Here is a video of three young crows at our birdbath, taken in July.  This was shortly after they fledged, and it looks like it might have been the first time they ventured into the water.  It’s interesting to compare their behavior to that of the juvenile Black-billed Magpie in the video in this post.

Posted by Bob Lefebvre

Sunday Showcase: Rare Water Birds

Aug28

These birds are always a treat for any birdwatcher to find, and David Lily managed to photograph them as well. Thanks for sending these in David!

Sora

American Bittern

Rare Bird Alert Calgary: August 25

Aug26

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, us email us at zoxox@shaw.ca  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.

This Bird Albert was recorded on Aug 25, 2011.

AUG 19

AMERICAN REDSTART – Al and Helga Borgardt at Mallard Point

AUG 20

PHILADELPHIA VIREO – Hull’s Wood by Terry Korolyk, 2 birds
SWAINSON’S THRUSH – Hull’s Wood by TK

AUG 23

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER,  immature COOPER’S HAWK – Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, seen by Andrew Slater

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON – 2 seen at Confluence Park by Bernie Diebolt, Janet Gill and a Nature Calgary group immature WESTERN TANAGER – TK at Hull’s Wood

The next scheduled update of the bird alert is on Mon Aug 29.

 

Nature Calgary Bird Study Group Meeting

Bird Study Group meets 1st Wednesday of the month, Room 211, Bio Sciences Building, U of C. Meeting is free and open to everyone interested in birding.

September meeting is Wednesday, September 7 with Ken Havard presenting “Birding in Northwest India”. Meeting time is 7:30pm.

Must-see Birds: August

Aug2

August means migration for many birds here in Calgary while others are having a second brood of young ones or are concentrating on raising their first brood. This month’s birds are:

1. Common Loon

Best known for its lonely echoing calls that are considered by most people to be heard in unspoiled wilderness. The Common Loon has a seemingly star-studded back, a white necklace and a bright red eye that stands out in the right light. The Common Loon can stay underwater for long periods, up to a minute while feeding and longer if the bird is escaping from danger. Common Loons inhabit clear, open lakes where there are few people and plenty of fish. They can be seen in the mountains, foothills, parkland and boreal forest but are few in the grasslands.

2. Western Meadowlark

A stocky bird with a grayish brown back and a yellow breast with a black V on the bib, the male Western Meadowlark delivers a rich melodious song from posts in the grasslands. The Meadowlark breeds where there is a thick growth of weeds and grasses, laying 3-7 white eggs. The male bird is beautiful and defends his territory with various displays. Look for the Meadowlark in grasslands around Calgary.

File:Western Meadowlark.jpg

Image courtesy Wikipedia

 3. Yellow-headed Blackbird

Our third bird is the loud and noisy Yellow-headed Blackbird. The male is easily recognized by his bright yellow head and neck, black eye patch and white wing patch. the female is brown and mottled with a faint yellow head. The Yellow-headed Blackbird nests in the same marshes as Red-winged Blackbird and will displace the smaller Red-winged Blackbird from the prime nesting spots. The yellow-headed Blackbird is easy to see at Frank lake.

 

4. Black-crowned Night-Heron

A small stocky heron that at times appears to have no neck, the Black-crowned Night-Heron has a greenish black crown and long slender white head plumes. Most active at night, the Black-crowned Night-Heron was not observed in Alberta until 1958; it is now a local breeder. these herons colonize large bodies of water with dense emergent vegetation; I have seen them at Frank lake every time I have gone there during the spring and summer.

5.  Peregrine Falcon

Our final bird this month is the speedy Peregrine falcon.One of the swiftest birds in the world when diving at prey, it can attain speeds of over 300km/h when diving. The adults are blue-grey above with barred underparts and a dark head with thick sideburns. One of the most widespread birds in the world, the name peregrine means ‘wanderer’ and the Peregrine falcon has one of the longest migrations of any North American bird. Look for this fast falcon nesting on the U of C campus and at shorebird concentration spots like Weed lake, where a Peregrine will hunt the migrating shorebirds.

File:Falco peregrinus nest USFWS.jpg

Image courtesy Wikipedia

These are our 5 birds for August, see which ones you can find! We will have our final must-see birds post on September 1.

Posted by Matthew Sim