Tag Archive | calgary’s birds

Here’s Looking at You-Whoo!

Mar28

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

In Search of the Three-toed Woodpecker

Mar21
There are two species of three-toed woodpeckers that can be seen in Calgary.  They are the American Three-toed Woodpecker and the Black-backed Woodpecker.  Both of these woodpeckers are residents of the boreal forest.  They can occasionally be seen here during the winter months in the west end of the city, where the forest creeps in.  I, however, have never seen a Black-backed Woodpecker anywhere, and I’ve only seen American Three-toed Woodpeckers outside of Calgary.  But last week, with the expert guidance of Gus Yaki during an outing with the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society (FFCPPS), I was finally rewarded with close-up views of the American Three-toed Woodpecker. 

Last Saturday’s FFCPPS outing was to Bebo Grove in Fish Creek Park, where we searched a stand of spruce south of bridge #5.  An American Three-toed Woodpecker has been seen occasionally in this area all winter.

Bebo Grove, Fish Creek Park.  Access the parking lot from 24 Street SW in Woodbine.

There are many dying spruce trees in this area because of the high water levels.  When a spruce dies, wood-boring beetles move in, which in turn provide a food source for the woodpecker.  The birds chip off chunks of the bark to get at the larvae.  Listen for the soft tapping of the woodpecker, and look for trees which have the reddish-coloured wood under the bark exposed.  The bark chips will be scattered at the foot of the tree.

The tree on the right has had the bark chipped off by a woodpecker,
exposing the reddish wood below.

Bark chips on the snow under this tree show that a woodpecker has been feeding here recently.

We quickly found the bird, a male, working on a dying spruce.  (Males have a yellow patch on the top of their head).  These birds are not timid around people, so we were able to get quite close to watch it worry the bark.

 Hammering at the bark – wood bits flying!

 Prying up a bark chip.

“Maybe if I go at it from this angle…”

This bird will probably move out of the city to breed before too long, so if you want to see it this season, you’ll have to get out there soon.  Meanwhile, I’ll be in Griffith Woods Park looking for the elusive Black-backed Woodpecker. 

Good birding!

Bob Lefebvre

.

Crows By The Thousands

Sep5

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

    Apr24
    (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

    Bird Identification: The Six ‘S’ Rule

    Mar17

    Least Flycatcher by Anne Elliott

    Let me tell you about the Six “S” rule.

    Once other folks know that you have some knowledge of birds, they will call upon you to tell them the name of a species that they recently observed. They’ll often start out by saying something like, “Last week, while visiting my cousin Philip at Lethbridge, I saw a black and white bird with yellow on it. What was it?”

    Well, unless they can give you more information, you can only guess as to its possible identity. If you know them well, you might reply something to the effect, “When I drink too much I see those birds too”.

    To readily identify any mystery bird, you need more detail — information encompassed in six wonderful words that begin with the letter “S”.

    If you (or they) pay attention to them, it will enable you to quickly identify the quarry of their query. Those six “S” words are:

    S for Size How large is it? Is it Sparrow-sized, Robin-sized, Crow-sized, Goose-sized?

    S for Shape, silhouette or structure Is it a chunky bird like a European Starling or a partridge … or long and slim like a magpie?

    S for Sound What vocalization did it make? It helps to write it out in phonetics, complete with accents, as you soon forget what you heard.

    S for Season What time of the year was it seen? Locally, you don’t expect to see a hummingbird in January — or a Snowy Owl in July.

    S for Site [S I T E] What habitat was it in? Ducks usually swim; hummingbirds visit flowers, not vice versa.

    –And finally

    S for Sight [S I G H T] What markings or behaviour did you note? Eye-rings, wingbars, spotted breasts. Was it alone or in a flock? If flying in a flock, was it in tight or loose formation, etc.?

    Initially, you may be overwhelmed by the great number of species of birds. However, by starting now, at this time of the year, when there are relatively few species present, you will get to know their names and identification features. Having learned them, when you see a new species, you can quickly eliminate those you already know. Identification is largely a process of elimination.

    Gus Yaki

    Northern Pygmy-Owl in Fish Creek Park

    Nov12

    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

    Nov5

    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

    Grackles Galore!

    Sep21

    This message was received on the Albertabird message board, and worthy of a blog mention!  (To visit Albertabird, go here:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Albertabird/ )

    On September 19 at about 07:30 I saw a flock of slightly over 600 Common Grackles in an urban park – Crescent Heights park. I had never seen such a large flock before. They were feeding on the ground, eating acorns from oak trees, and feeding on the seeds left in pine cones, in other words, they ate almost anything they could find. The colours on them were brilliant – dark blues and purples. Quite a sight. Several early strollers also stopped to watch them.

    H Vanderpol

    Nature Calgary Fall Field Trips

    Sep21

    The following nature walks are free, and open to all. Join us as we get to know Calgary & the birds better!

    SEPTEMBER

    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 Wyndham-Carseland Prov. Park. Bring lunch. Meet at Anderson LRT (Macleod Tr) S. of pedestrian walkway. Leader, Howard Heffler, 403-284-2961.

    OCTOBER

    Thu Oct 1, 8am: 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 Oct 3, 9am: Bird Votier’s Flats, FCPP at South end of Elbow Drive SW. Leader, Howard Heffler, 403-284-2961.

    Sun Oct 4, 8:30am: Bird Eagle Lake and vicinity. Meet Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9 Av SE. Leader, Rob Worona, 403-984-7655.

    Sat Oct 10, 9:30am: Peak of Golden Eagle Migration, Mt. Lorette. Bring lunch. Meet Assumption School, 34th Av NW (NW corner of Sarcee Tr at Hwy #1).  Leader, Andrew Hart, 403-279-5209.

    Sun Oct 11, 9am: Bird North Glenmore Park. Meet Weaselhead Parking lot, 37 St & 66 Av SW.  Leader, Rob Worona, 403-984-7655.

    Sat Oct 17, 8am: Full day Raptor and Eagle Watching, Windy Point, Sheep River. Meet Anderson LRT (Macleod Tr), S of Pedestrian Overpass. Bring lunch, thermos of hot drink, warm, windproof clothing. 350 m climb to lookout site. Leader, Peter Roxburgh, 403-271-7033.

    Sat Oct 17, 9:30am: Late fall birding for rare gulls, loons, other waterfowl, late passerines and others (approximately 6 hrs). Meet N. Glenmore Park, in large lot overlooking the reservoir, west of the rowing club. Leader Terry Korolyk, 403-254-1878.

    Sun Oct 18, 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, 403-720-4957

    NOVEMBER (Note daylight savings time ends Sun Nov 1/09)

    Sun Nov 1, 8:15am: 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.

    Sun Nov 8, 9am: Bird the Bow River. Meet FCPP HQ parking lot, off Bow Bottom Trail SE. Leader, Tony Timmons, 403-256-0754.

    Sun Nov 15, 9am: Bird Bebo Grove-Shannon Terrace, FCPP. Meet parking lot S end of 24 St SW. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248.

    Sun Nov 22, 9am: Bird Votier’s Flats, FCPP, S end of Elbow Dr SW. Leader, Grant Brydle, 403-720-4957.

    Sun Nov 29, 8:30am; Bird Sibbald/Exshaw/Harvie Heights. Meet Assumption School, 34th Av NW (NW corner of Sarcee Tr at Hwy #1). Bring lunch. Leader, Andrew Hart, 403-279-5209.

    Obliging Owl

    Sep12

    Thank you to Dale Palmer for your email. He and his father were at Nose Hill Park last week, and snapped these photos of a Great Horned Owl. These big birds are not usually so obliging – they’re usually tucked away inside the branches, and require more than one look to see them. Great timing!

    Great horned owl, Nose Hill Park

    GHO nose hill park

    If you have pictures of birds in Calgary you would like to share, please email them to us at birdscount@shaw.ca and we’ll be happy to post them on the blog. Feel free to brag about your photos!

    Pat Bumstead