This beauty was visiting the Farmer’s Market in SE Calgary today. Anyone want to take a shot at identification? Leave us a comment below with your best guess!
Posted by Pat Bumstead
Tag Archive | calgary birds
Bird Study Group Meetings
The next meeting of the Nature Calgary Bird Study Group will be held on Wednesday September 2 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.
The presenters for the evening will be Brooke Clibbon and Eric Tull, who are showing Brooke’s new video “Birding the Galapagos”.
Please bring your coffee mug, as coffee, tea and cookies will be available for a nominal fee.
Everyone Welcome
The Bird Study Group meets indoors on the first Wednesday of each month from September through May. Our goal is to encourage birding in the Calgary area and beyond by helping local birders develop their knowledge and skills. Our members are active local birders of all skill levels who are keen to share their knowledge and experiences. Please see the Bird Study Group website http://birdcomp.fanweb.ca/ for information on the group, its field trips and its other activities.
Would You Like To Give A Presentation?
We are always looking for speakers. It might be a full presentation, or a short presentation given in conjunction with another shorter presentation. If you would like to be a speaker, or if you would like to suggest as a speaker, please email tull@ucalgary.ab or leave a comment below.
Eric Tull
Black-crowned Night-herons
Black-crowned night heron
Most birders in Calgary have seen Great Blue Herons along the city waterways or flying overhead as the birds come and go from their communal roosts. But many people are not aware that you can also see their smaller relative, the Black-crowned Night-heron, within the city limits.
These birds are not very common in this area. During the past five May Species Counts, between 6 and 21 Night-herons were counted, and that is within an 80 kilometre radius of the city centre. In the 2009 count, only 13 birds were seen, all of them in the prairie area and none within the city limits.
There may well be many more birds around than these numbers indicate, since Night-herons, as their name suggests, are mostly active at night. During the day they roost in trees, bushes, or reeds and can be difficult to see, despite standing about 64 cm (two feet) high.
These birds have an almost worldwide distribution and in this part of their range they are migratory. They arrive in the Calgary area during the second week of April.
The best place I know to see Black-crowned Night-herons within the city of Calgary is at a pond near Country Hills Boulevard and Deerfoot Trail in the Northeast. The pond lies in the southwest corner of that intersection. There is a gravel road (15 Street NE) that runs just west of the pond. You can park there and see the herons from the road, or walk down. I don’t recommend going near the pond until at least mid-July since American Avocets nest there and get quite agitated if you approach. We don’t want to scare them off.
I don’t know if the Night-herons breed near this pond. The earliest I have seen them there is the last week of June, so I suspect that they breed elsewhere and come to feed after the breeding season is over.
In 2008 I saw as many as seven birds there at once, including two juveniles. This year I have only seen adults.
Juvenile Black-crowned Night-heron
Black-crowned Night-Herons have also been reported at the ponds near Airport Trail (96 Avenue) on the west side of Deerfoot Trail, which is about one kilometre south of the Country Hills Boulevard location. But it is very difficult to access that area safely. The best you can do is pull on to the shoulder of Deerfoot Trail to have a look.
If you know of any other reliable locations for these birds within the city limits, please post a comment.
Nature Calgary September Field Trips
The following nature walks are free, and open to all. Join us as we get to know Calgary & the birds better!
Tue, Sep 1, 7:30am: Monthly Elbow River Birding Survey. Meet Stanley Park, 42 Av SW, just W of Macleod Tr. Walk to Glenmore Reservoir, ride back (3.5 hours). Call leaders, Aileen Pelzer/Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248, to ensure vehicle space for return.
Sat Sep 5, 8am: Bird Carburn Park, S from Glenmore Tr E at 18 St SE to second stoplight, then right & follow signs. Leaders, Dick/Lenora Flynn, 403-271-1269.
Sun Sep 6, 8:30am: Bird Pearce Estates, 1440 17A St SE, N of Blackfoot Trail. Leader, Al Borgardt, 403-281-4306.
Sun Sep 6, 9:30am: The Wild Berries of Weaselhead Natural Area. Meet parking lot, 37 St & 66 Av SW. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248.
Sat Sep 12, 9am: Birding Bowmont Park. Meet Maranatha Church, 2111 52 St NW (N end of Home Rd). Leader, Horst Grothman, 403-286-3048.
Sun Sep 13, 8:30am: Bird Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E. end of 9 Av SW. Leader, Al Borgardt, 403-281-4306.
Sat Sep 19, 8:30am: Bird Windham/Carseland Prov. Park. Bring lunch. Meet at Anderson LRT (Macleod Tr) S. of pedestrian walkway. Leader, Andrew Hart, 403-279-5209.
Sun Sep 20, 8:30am: Bird Griffith Woods Park, 2.5km W on Hwy 8 from Sarcee Tr SW, then left at 69 St SW into Discovery Ridge. Continue straight at traffic circle, then left on Discovery Link into parking lot. Leader, Grant Brydle, 720-4957.
Sat Sep 26, 9am: Bird Mallard Point, E end of Canyon Meadows Dr SE. Leader, Howard Heffler, 403-284-2961.
Sun Sep 27, 8:30am: Bird Windham/Carseland Prov. Park. Bring lunch. Meet at Anderson LRT (Macleod Tr) S. of pedestrian walkway. Leader, Howard Heffler, 403-284-2961.
Sun Sep 27, 9am: See the huge and unusual trees of Bowness Park; trees over 1 m in diameter, over 100+ ft tall; also the scarlet-hued leaves of Red Maple, etc. Meet in first parking
It’s Warbler Season
Twice a year Calgarians are treated to an influx of active, colourful little birds called warblers, as they pass through on migration.
Wilson's Warbler
These small birds can be an enormous challenge for any birdwatcher. They prefer thick shrubs, and never seem to sit still long enough for you to get a good look at them. Along with the shorebirds, warblers are one of the ultimate challenges for a birdwatcher.
Warblers are 4-5″ songbirds with plumage of predominantly yellow with black, grey, white, red, blue or chestnut markings. There have been over 25 warbler species recorded in Calgary.
Tennessee Warbler
They consume large quantities of insects, as well as spiders and berries. If you’re walking in a very buggy area this time of year, be sure and look up!
One of the best ways to learn about warblers is to go birding with an experienced naturalist. There are three Nature Calgary trips left in August, and many more coming in September. Give the trip leaders below a call and join them on their walk, or watch this blog for September outings.
m: Bird Beaverdam Flats Park. Meet S parking lot (Lynnview Rd & Lynnview Way, S of 62 Av SE). N from Glenmore Tr at 18 St SE, then left. Leader, Andrew Hart, 403-279-5209.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Sun Aug 16, 8:30a
Tue Aug 18, 6:30pm: Bird Carburn Park, S from Glenmore Tr E at 18 St SE to second stoplight, then right & follow signs. Leader, Gus Yaki,
403-243-2248.
Tue Aug 25, 6:30pm: Bird Edworthy Park, Meet S side of Boothman Pedestrian Bridge accessed from Shaganappi Tr & Bowness Rd if N of
river, or from W end of Spruce Dr if S of river. Leader, TBA, 403-243-2248.
Nature Calgary August Field Trips
Sat Aug 8, 8am: Bird Carburn Park. Meet in parking lot. S from Glenmore Tr E at 18 St SE to second stoplight, then right & follow signs. Leader Al Borgardt, 403-281-4306.
Sat Aug 8, 9am: Bird E of Calgary for autumn migrant shorebirds, etc.
Meet at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary at E end of 9 Av SE. Bring lunch.
Leader, Eric Tull, 403-295-0830.
Sun Aug 9, 8am: Birding Griffith Woods Park, 2.5km W on Hwy 8 from
Sarcee Tr SW, then left at 69 St SW into Discovery Ridge. Continue
straight at traffic circle, then left on Discovery Link into parking
lot. Leader, Grant Brydle, 720-4957.
Tue Aug 11, 6:30pm: Bird Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9 Av SE.
Leader, Aileen Pelzer, 403-243-2248.
Sat Aug 15, 8am: Bird Hull’s Woods, FCPP, for autumn migrating warblers, etc. Meet in first parking lot, E of Bow Bottom Tr after entering Park. Leader, Al Borgardt, 403-281-4306.
Sun Aug 16, 7:15am: Birding Frank Lake for autumn migrants. Meet
Anderson LRT (Macleod Tr), S of pedestrian overpass. Bring Lunch. Leader, Ian Halladay, 403-243-1420.
Sun Aug 16, 8:30am: Bird Beaverdam Flats Park. Meet S parking lot (Lynnview Rd & Lynnview Way, S of 62 Av SE). N from Glenmore Tr at 18 St SE, then left. Leader, Andrew Hart, 403-279-5209.
Tue Aug 18, 6:30pm: Bird Carburn Park, S from Glenmore Tr E at 18 St SE to second stoplight, then right & follow signs. Leader, Gus Yaki,
403-243-2248.
Tue Aug 25, 6:30pm: Bird Edworthy Park, Meet S side of Boothman
Pedestrian Bridge accessed from Shaganappi Tr & Bowness Rd if N of
river, or from W end of Spruce Dr if S of river. Leader, TBA, 403-243-2248.
Elbow River Monthly Survey
Elbow River Survey, Sat Aug 1, 2009 0700-10:45am. Sunny, calm, 14-20C.
1.. Canada Goose-26
2.. Mallard-16
3.. Common Merganser-8;
4.. Double-crested Cormorant-2
5.. Osprey-2
6.. Red-tailed Hawk-3
7.. Merlin-1
8.. Ring-billed Gull-8
9.. California Gull-30
10.. Rock Pigeon-6
11.. Sapsucker sp.-2 juv.
12.. Downy Woodpecker-3
13.. Northern Flicker-12
14.. Red-eyed Vireo-2
15.. Blue Jay-1
16.. Black-billed Magpie-30
17.. American Crow-20
18. Tree Swallow-4
19.. Black-capped Chickadee-28
20.. Red-breasted Nuthatch-3
21.. House Wren-10
22.. Am. Robin-100+
23.. Cedar Waxwing-20
24.. Yellow Warbler-8
25.. Chipping Sparrow-6
26.. Clay-colored Sparrow-8
27.. Song Sparrow-1
28.. Brown-headed Cowbird-1 juv.
29.. House Finch-12
30.. House Sparrow-25
Eastern Gray Squirrel-12
White-tailed Jackrabbit-1
Nature Calgary Summer Field Trips
Activities are FREE, open to anyone interested. Come join us!
Sat Jun 20, 3:30am: Dawn Chorus, Weaselhead. Hear 40+ bird species. Meet
parking lot, 66 Av & 37 St SW. Dress warmly. Leaders, Gus Yaki/Aileen
Pelzer, 403-243-2248.
Sun Jun 21, 7am: Sheep River Valley for Lazuli Buntings. Meet Anderson
LRT (Macleod Tr) S of pedestrian overpass. Bring lunch, Leader, Mike
Harrison, 403-236-4700.
Sun Jun 21, 8am: Birding Griffith Woods Park, 2.5 km W from Sarcee Tr.
on Hwy 8, then left on 69 St SW into Discovery Ridge. Continue straight
at traffic circle, then left on Discovery link to parking lot. Leader,
Grant Brydle, 403-720-4957.
Sun Jun 21, 9am: See 30 of the largest or most unusual trees species
within a 3 km radius in Calgary. Meet at Stanley Park, 42 Av SW, two
blocks W of Macleod Tr. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Email
gyaki@calcna.ab.ca to register and receive advance information.
Tue Jun 23, 6:30pm: Birding Bowmont Park. Meet Maranatha Church, 2111 52
St NW (N end of Home Rd), Leader, Jan Reseneder, 403-286-5920.
Wed Jun 24, 6:30pm: Visit private garden for 70 species of Cactus and
succulents. Meet at 4915-15 St SW. Host, Hugo Render. For more info,
403-243-2248.
Sat Jun 27, 7:30am: Birding the Water Valley area. Meet Assumption
School, 34th Av NW (NW corner of Sarcee Tr, at Hwy #1). Bring Lunch.
Leader, Eric Tull, 403-295-0830.
Sun Jun 28, 9:30am: Tour of the private Canadian Rocky Mountain Ranch in
the foothills southwest of Calgary to see Bison and Elk, including
young, up close. Bring Lunch! Optional unguided hillside nature walk
after lunch. Meet at Anderson LRT Stn (Macleod Tr), S of pedestrian
overpass, to carpool. Hosts, Pat & Dr. Terry Church. Limit: 20
participants. To register, call 403-249-2641.
Tue Jun 30, 6:30pm: Bird Griffith Woods Park, 2.5km W on Hwy 8 from
Sarcee Tr SW, then left at 69 St SW into Discovery Ridge. Continue
straight at traffic circle, then left on Discovery Link into parking
lot. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248.
Wed Jul 1, 6:30am: Monthly Elbow River Birding Survey. Meet Stanley
Park, 42 Av SW, just W of Macleod Tr. Walk to Glenmore Reservoir, ride
back (3.5 hours). Call leaders, Aileen Pelzer/Gus Yaki, 243-2248, to
ensure vehicle space for return.
Sat Jul 4, 8am: Birding Bebo Grove, FCPP, S end of 24 St SW. Leader, Al
Borgardt, 403-281-4306.
Tue Jul 7, 6:30pm: Bird Beaverdam Flats Park. Meet S parking lot
(Lynnview Rd & Lynnview Way, S of 62 Av SE). N from Glenmore Tr at 18 St
SE, then left. Leader, Andrew Hart, 403-279-5209.
Tue Jul 14, 6:30pm: Bird FCPP, S. of Hwy 22. Meet at Boat Launch, S. end
of Bow Bottom Tr SE. Leader, Nimali Seneviratne, 403-836-5146.
Sat Jul 18, 8am: Bird Weed Lake & Wyndham/Carseland Prov. Park. Meet at
Carburn Park, S from Glenmore Tr E at 18 St SE to second stoplight, then
right & follow signs. Bring lunch. Leader, Andrew Hart, 403-279-5209.
Sat Jul 18, 8am: Bird Votier’s Flats, FCPP, S end of Elbow Dr SW.
Leader, Al Borgardt, 403-281-4306.
Sun Jul 19, 7:30am. Bird Bow Valley Provincial Park. Meet Assumption
School, 34th Av NW (NW corner of Sarcee Tr, at Hwy #1). Bring Lunch.
Leader, Eric Tull, 403-295-0830.
Tue Jul 21, 6:30pm: Bird Weaselhead Natural Area. Meet parking lot, 37
St/66 Av SW. Leader, Aileen Pelzer, 403-243-2248.
Tue Jul 28, 6:30pm: Bird Bowness Park, 48 Av, W of 85 St NW. Meet first
parking lot. Leader, TBA, 403-243-2248.
Sat Aug 1, 7am: Monthly Elbow River Birding Survey. Meet Stanley Park,
42 Av SW, just W of Macleod Tr. Walk to Glenmore Reservoir, ride back
(3.5 hours). Call leaders, Aileen Pelzer/Gus Yaki, 243-2248, to ensure
vehicle space for return.
Tue Aug 4, 6:30pm: Bird Mallard Point, E end of Canyon Meadows Dr SE.
Leader, Andrew Hart, 403-279-5209.
Sat Aug 8, 8am: Bird Carburn Park. Meet in parking lot. S from Glenmore
Tr E at 18 St SE to second stoplight, then right & follow signs. Leader,
Al Borgardt, 403-281-4306.
Sat Aug 8, 9am: Bird E of Calgary for autumn migrant shorebirds, etc.
Meet at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary at E end of 9 Av SE. Bring lunch.
Leader, Eric Tull, 403-295-0830.
Sun Aug 9, 8am: Birding Griffith Woods Park, 2.5km W on Hwy 8 from
Sarcee Tr SW, then left at 69 St SW into Discovery Ridge. Continue
straight at traffic circle, then left on Discovery Link into parking
lot. Leader, Grant Brydle, 720-4957.
Tue Aug 11, 6:30pm: Bird Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9 Av SE.
Leader, Aileen Pelzer, 403-243-2248.
Sat Aug 15, 8am: Bird Hull’s Woods, FCPP, for autumn migrating warblers,
etc. Meet in first parking lot, E of Bow Bottom Tr after entering Park.
Leader, Al Borgardt, 403-281-4306.
Sun Aug 16, 8:30am: Bird Beaverdam Flats Park. Meet S parking lot
(Lynnview Rd & Lynnview Way, S of 62 Av SE). N from Glenmore Tr at 18 St
SE, then left. Leader, Andrew Hart, 403-279-5209.
Tue Aug 18, 6:30pm: Bird Carburn Park, S from Glenmore Tr E at 18 St SE
to second stoplight, then right & follow signs. Leader, Gus Yaki,
403-243-2248.
Tue Aug 25, 6:30pm: Bird Edworthy Park, Meet S side of Boothman
Pedestrian Bridge accessed from Shaganappi Tr & Bowness Rd if N of
river, or from W end of Spruce Dr if S of river. Leader, TBA, 403-243-2248.
Tue, Sep 1, 7:30am: Monthly Elbow River Birding Survey. Meet Stanley
Park, 42 Av SW, just W of Macleod Tr. Walk to Glenmore Reservoir, ride
back (3.5 hours). Call leaders, Aileen Pelzer/Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248, to
ensure vehicle space for return.
Calgary Area May Species Count
The 2009 Calgary Area May Species Count was conducted on May 30 & 31 with 57 participants. The following is a summary of the results. Complete results will be posted on the Nature Calgary website once the data has been verified by participants.
In total, 210 species were recorded with an additional 7 species recorded in the count week (3 days before/after the count). In comparison, 205 species were recorded for 2008 and 207 for 2006; average number of species for the prior 10 years is 200; the high count was 216 species in 2002. There were no new species on this year’s count. 288 species have been recorded on the count since 1979.
Weather was not a major factor in this year’s count – at least concerning the comfort of the observers! We had generally clear skies with day-time temperatures in the low 20’s both days; however, it was just above freezing in the early morning and the wind did pick up considerably late Sunday afternoon.
Coverage was similar to recent counts with 143 hours human powered (walking, cycling) covering 200km and 204 hrs driving (including birding stops) covering 4000 km. Most of the areas have been done by the same participants for the last few years
This count is notable for its numbers – nearly 100,000 birds were counted – a new record. Ian Halladay and his trusty Frank Lake crew counted for over ¼ of the birds thanks to their diligent counting of Franklin’s Gulls. New highs were recorded for 51 species including Franklin’s Gulls.
· Canada Goose: 4687 (Prev: 3945, 10 yr avg: 2771)
· Lesser Scaup: 1166 (Prev: 1133, 10 yr avg: 825)
· Bufflehead: 777 (Prev: 395, 10 yr avg: 226)
· Pied-billed Grebe: 54 (Prev: 44, 10 yr avg: 20)
· Great Blue Heron: 76 (Prev: 68, 10 yr avg: 45)
· Osprey: 21 (Prev: 20, 10 yr avg: 12)
· American Coot: 6132 (Prev: 4081, 10 yr avg: 1782)
· Black-necked Stilt: 116 (Prev: 85, 10 yr avg: 17)
· Solitary Sandpiper: 16 (Prev: 15, 10 yr avg: 6)
· Ruddy Turnstone: 3 (Prev: 2, 10 yr avg: 0)
· Franklin’s Gull: 30621 (Prev: 13189, 10 yr avg: 9371)
· Mourning Dove: 76 (Prev: 70, 10 yr avg: 48)
· Eurasian Collared-Dove: 10 (Prev: 2, 10 yr avg: 0)
· Red-naped Sapsucker: 28 (Prev: 27, 10 yr avg: 12)
· American Three-toed Woodpecker: 8 (Prev: 7, 10 yr avg: 2)
· Pileated Woodpecker: 8 (Prev: 7, 10 yr avg: 5)
· Alder Flycatcher: 18 (Prev: 16, 10 yr avg: 3)
· Western Flycatcher: 5 (Prev: 3, 10 yr avg: 1)
· Western Kingbird: 80 (Prev: 60, 10 yr avg: 31)
· Eastern Kingbird: 201 (Prev: 158, 10 yr avg: 97)
· Blue-headed Vireo: 7 (Prev: 6, 10 yr avg: 2)
· Gray Jay: 70 (Prev: 39, 10 yr avg: 24)
· Blue Jay: 44 (Prev: 26, 10 yr avg: 21)
· Common Raven: 340 (Prev: 279, 10 yr avg: 175)
· Purple Martin: 20 (Prev: 12, 10 yr avg: 5)
· Mountain Chickadee: 36 (Prev: 35, 10 yr avg: 21)
· Brown Creeper: 4 (Prev: 2, 10 yr avg: 1)
· House Wren: 432 (Prev: 417, 10 yr avg: 262)
· American Dipper: 10 (Prev: 9, 10 yr avg: 5)
· Golden-crowned Kinglet: 39 (Prev: 27, 10 yr avg: 14)
· Ruby-crowned Kinglet: 397 (Prev: 314, 10 yr avg: 184)
· Hermit Thrush: 26 (Prev: 21, 10 yr avg: 9)
· Gray Catbird: 93 (Prev: 57, 10 yr avg: 35)
· Tennessee Warbler: 230 (Prev: 191, 10 yr avg: 61)
· Yellow Warbler: 746 (Prev: 721, 10 yr avg: 513)
· Cape May Warbler: 11 (Prev: 7, 10 yr avg: 1)
· Townsend’s Warbler: 30 (Prev: 22, 10 yr avg: 12)
· Common Yellowthroat: 101 (Prev: 97, 10 yr avg: 60)
· Vesper Sparrow: 236 (Prev: 233, 10 yr avg: 154)
· Savannah Sparrow: 756 (Prev: 670, 10 yr avg: 534)
· Le Conte’s Sparrow: 49 (Prev: 44, 10 yr avg: 17)
· Nelson’s Sharp-tailed Sparrow: 9 (Prev: 4, 10 yr avg: 1)
· Lincoln’s Sparrow: 136 (Prev: 123, 10 yr avg: 64)
· Swamp Sparrow: 5 (Prev: 4, 10 yr avg: 1)
· Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 41 (Prev: 32, 10 yr avg: 20)
· Red-winged Blackbird: 5033 (Prev: 4898, 10 yr avg: 2816)
· Yellow-headed Blackbird: 2373 (Prev: 2272, 10 yr avg: 1451)
· Brown-headed Cowbird: 1651 (Prev: 1056, 10 yr avg: 767)
· House Finch: 51 (Prev: 45, 10 yr avg: 11)
· Pine Siskin: 927 (Prev: 769, 10 yr avg: 226)
· Evening Grosbeak: 36 (Prev: 23, 10 yr avg: 4)
Thanks to all of the participants.
Good birding.
Brian Elder
Calgary
Western Tanagers Everywhere
There seems to be a lot of Western Tanager sightings reported lately. This wonderful shot was taken in the yard of Phil Smith. If you see one of these beautiful birds, drop us a line!
Male Western Tanager