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8 Feb RBA: Calgary AB, February 8, 2010 ["lenora & dick flynn" ] 8 Feb RE: Mountains and Southern Alberta Trip [Jason Rogers ] 08 Feb Saturday Red-tailed Hawk at Zoo Ranch [Dwight Knapik ] 08 Feb Mountains and Southern Alberta Trip ["Paula" ] 7 Feb Nature Calgary Bird Walk: Weaselhead Area [Magpie Count] 31-Jan-2010 ["Wayne Hewitt" ] 08 Feb Good Day at Grain Terminal ["westkmav" ] 08 Feb Evening Grosbeaks near Tomahawk, Alberta ["avi8fauna" ] 08 Feb sunday south of Calgary ["Tim" ] 07 Feb Nature Calgary Calgary Field Trip-18th Annual Duck Waddle ["tonytimmons99" ] 07 Feb Goshawk and Hawk Owl ["Ray" ] 07 Feb Nature Calgary field trip, Mallard Point ["walkingbird7" ] 6 Feb Nature Calgary trip to Reader Rock Garden & Elbow River ["Ken Havard" ] 6 Feb Re: Stirling report [Ryan Heavy Head ] 6 Feb FFCPPSoc Birding, Deep South Calgary, 9:15-10:35am, Sat, 06Feb10. ["Gus Yaki" ] 06 Feb Pine Grosbeak plumage ["kimurarandy" ] 06 Feb Northern Flicker ["birds4me2show" ] 06 Feb Panama bird blog ["avispec2000" ] 5 Feb Overwintering Migrants - NE of Edmonton ["tedh AT albertacom.com" ] 05 Feb Northern Hawk Owl ["stiltca" ] 05 Feb Stirling report ["dlhuget" ] 05 Feb Good Start - Good Finish ["westkmav" ] 05 Feb Northern Goshawk ["birds4me2show" ] 4 Feb RBA: Calgary, AB, Feb.4, 2010 [Arina/Hank ] 05 Feb New Bird Photographs ["davidlilly57" ] 03 Feb Tuesday Birding South of Calgary [Dwight Knapik ] 03 Feb Re: Hummingbird ID from Costa Rica ["Rick" ] 2 Feb FFCPPSoc Birding, Deep South Calgary. 9:15am,Tue, 02Feb10. ["Gus Yaki" ] 02 Feb Re: Hummingbird ID from Costa Rica ["mcbirder" ] 02 Feb Griffiths woods ["hairstyleca" ] 1 Feb RBA: Calgary, AB, FEB.1, 2010 [Arina/Hank ] 02 Feb Hummingbird ID from Costa Rica ["Rick" ] 1 Feb Elbow River Monthly Survey, 0815-1145, 01 Feb. 2010. Sunny, Calm, -6 to -2C. ["Gus Yaki" ] 01 Feb Bird Monitoring and Banding & Bird Identification Workshops ["derekjmatthews" ] 31 Jan Nature Calgary (CFNS) Bird Walk - Fish Creek Provincial Park -- Bankside and South -- Sat 30-Jan-2010 ["Wayne Hewitt" ] 31 Jan NMT Birding: Griffith Woods ["William J. F. Wilson" ] 31 Jan Snowy owl east of city [Eddy Matuod ] 30 Jan NMT Birding: Tree Sparrows and Trumpeter Swans ["William J. F. Wilson" ] 30 Jan Carburn Park 30 Jan 2010 [Andrew Hart ] 30 Jan FFCPPSoc Birding, Griffith Woods Pk, 9-12:noon, Sat30Jan10 ["Gus Yaki" ] 30 Jan Friday and Saturday Field Trips [Milton Spitzer ] 30 Jan Sibbald Creek Road and Bebo Grove ["Andrew Slater" ] 29 Jan Re: Strange Find Of The Week [Ryan Heavy Head ] 29 Jan Re: Strange Find Of The Week ["Gus Yaki" ] 28 Jan Strange Find Of The Week [Ryan Heavy Head ] 28 Jan RBA: CALGARY, AB, JANUARY 28, 2010 [Arina/Hank ] 29 Jan Gold Bar Park,Edmonton ["birds4me2show" ] 28 Jan Northern Hawk Owl in Banff again ["johnnyp19692003" ] 28 Jan Medicine Hat Area ["djmckenn" ] 28 Jan Northern Goshawk [] 28 Jan Gladstone Valley/Beaver Mines ["dlhuget" ] 28 Jan Great Backyard Bird Count 2010 ["vaxvll" ] 28 Jan Great Backyard Bird Count 2010 ["vaxvll" ] 27 Jan Common House Sparrows in Flight. ["davidlilly57" ] 27 Jan Prairie Falcon and Northern Goshawk ["Howard" ] 26 Jan camera and binoculars - Calgary [savagebirder ] 26 Jan Gold Bar and Hawrelak Park - Edmonton ["avi8fauna" ] 25 Jan Gyrfalcon [Arina/Hank ] 25 Jan RBA: Calgary AB, January 25, 2010 [Arina/Hank ] 24 Jan NMT Griffith Woods + driving SE Calgary ["William J. F. Wilson" ] 24 Jan Evening Grosbeak, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch at Exshaw ["Malcolm McDonald" ] 24 Jan Nature Calgary at Weaslehead [Andrew Hart ] 24 Jan Meeting of Nature Calgary Bird Study Group, Wednesday February 03 2010. [Andrew Hart ] 24 Jan Hi from Doha from Brooke & Eric ["clibbob" ] 24 Jan Re: My latest Bird Photographs [Allan Cole ] 23 Jan Opal Count area birding Northern Hawk Owl and Evening Grosbeaks ["tedh AT albertacom.com" ] 23 Jan FFCPPSoc Birding, 9-12:noon, Sat 23Jan2010, Carburn Park ["Gus Yaki" ] 23 Jan Gray-crowned Rosy Finches at Exshaw ["stiltca" ] 22 Jan RBA: Calgary AB, January 21, 2010 [Arina/Hank ] 22 Jan My latest Bird Photographs ["davidlilly57" ] 21 Jan No Subject ["Gus Yaki" ] 21 Jan Three-toed Woodpecker ["jamaicantody" ] 20 Jan RBA: Calgary AB, January 18, 2010 ["Mike Mulligan" ] 20 Jan Long-tailed Duck in Fish Creek Park ["Andrew Slater" ] 20 Jan Re: Answer to NMT Quiz Bird ["Jill B." ] 19 Jan Answer to NMT Quiz Bird ["William J. F. Wilson" ] 20 Jan Finally – did not dip on the Dipper ["Howard" ] Subject: RBA: Calgary AB, February 8, 2010 From: "lenora & dick flynn" <lendic AT shaw.ca> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 21:03:02 -0700 -RBA * Alberta (Canada) * Calgary, AB * Feb 8, 2010 * ABCA1002.08 -Birds mentioned Greater Scaup Harlequin Duck Bald Eagle Northern Goshawk Sharp-shinned Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Prairie Falcon Northern Hawk Owl American Robin Transcript Hotline: City of Calgary and Nature Calgary's (CFNS) Bird Alert Number: 403 221-4519 To Report: 403 221-4519 Coverage: Southern Alberta Compiler: Terry Korolyk (Nature Calgary & IBS) Transcriber: Lenora Flynn (lendic AT shaw.ca) Welcome to the City of Calgary and Nature Calgary's (CFNS) Bird Alert. This Bird Alert was recorded on Monday, Feb 8, at 11:00 am. To report a bird sighting, leave a message after the beep at the end of the recording. To bypass the recorded message press the pound key on your touch tone phone. To speak to a naturalist during office hours dial 0 after reaching the Bird Alert. For inquiries after office hours please call 311 to speak with a Customer Service Agent. To report injured wildlife please call Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society at 403 239-2488, or the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation at 403 946-2361 Sightings for February 7 --NORTHERN HAWK OWL (1) - reported by Ray Woods N/W of Calgary in the Winchell Lake area. The owl was on the north side of Winchell Lake Rd about 100 m E of the steep downhill part of the road where rock slide management has taken place recently. --NORTHERN GOSHAWK (1) - atop a spruce tree looking out over the Bow River at Exshaw by RW. --HARLEQUIN DUCK (1 female) - was still at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary in SE Calgary as reported by Bob Lefebvre. --PRAIRIE FALCON (2) - 1st bird was seen 1 mile S of 51 Ave SE & just E of 57 St by BL and the 2nd by TT & Nature Calgary group outing as below. --HARLAN'S RED-TAILED HAWK (1) - by Tony Timmons and Nature Calgary field trip group on Annual Duck Waddle between Beaverdam Flats and Carburn Park. --BALD EAGLE (21) - NW of High River just N of the Tongue Creek feeders reported by Tim McNeill. Sightings for February 6 --RED-TAILED HAWK (1) - Dwight Knapik reported a 1st year bird was at Calgary Zoo's private breeding centre just SE of Calgary along Dunbow Rd. --GREATER SCAUP (1) - continues to overwinter below the Weir at Wyndham-Carseland PP south of Carseland observed by Terry Korolyk. --SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (2) - one reported by Nimali Seneviratne at Glenmore Reservoir and another bird seen by Ken & Chris Havard on Council Way in Mt Royal about 2 blocks E of 14 St SW in Calgary. --PRAIRIE FALCON (2) - one observed at the Oats R Us centre on 114 Ave SE near Shepard by Tony Timmons and a 2nd report from Gus Yaki and FFCPS field trip outing S of the 22X bridge in Fish Creek PP in SE Calgary. Sightings for February 4 --AMERICAN ROBIN (1) - reported by Corinne Griffin in the town of Linden, NE of Calgary. The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is Thursday, February 11. BIRD STUDY GROUP - Meet September - May, 7:30 PM on the 1st Wednesday of the month, Room 211, BioSciences Bldg, University of Calgary. Doors open at 7:00 pm for the next meeting on Wednesday, March 3. Cyndi Smith, Conservation Biologist and master bander at Waterton Lakes National Park, will speak on Monitoring Breeding Songbirds through the MAPS program. ***2010 CALGARY BIG-YEAR BIRDING COMPETITION*** Join us in 2010 in our Calgary wide birding competition! It's free and open to all. There will be prizes, fun events, field trips and get-togethers throughout the year. Sign up now to be kept up-to-date with news about the competition and to be informed of events in which you can participate. For more information and to register see http://birdcomp.fanweb.ca/2010/ and watch the web and Nature News for updates. NATURE CALGARY (CFNS) BIRDING FIELD TRIPS Sat Feb 13, 9am: Bird Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9 Av SE. Leader Penny Smith, 403-283-9260. Sun Feb 14, 9am: Bird Marshall Springs, FCPP. Access is from the S side of the Park, off Fish Creek Blvd, formerly 146 Av SW. From N side of the park, take Anderson Rd W to 37 St SW. Leader, Grant Brydle, 403-720-4957. Mon Feb 15, Family Day, 8:30am: Bird Bowness Park, 48 Av, W of 85 St NW. Meet first parking lot. Leader, Howard Heffler, 403-284-2961. Sat Feb 20, 9:30 am: Snowy Owl Prowl. The annual February trek east of Calgary to find snowy owls and other birds. Meet at west end of Deerfoot Mall parking lot (Deerfoot Trail & 64th Ave. NE at Deerfoot Trail end). Leader: Terry Korolyk 403-254-1878. Sat Feb 20, 2pm: Animal tracks, birds, trees and shrubs, S. Glenmore Park. Meet parking W end of 90 Av SW. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Sun Feb 21, 9am: 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. Leaders, Russ/Sue Costello, 403-271-6858. Mon Feb 22, 10am: Family Day of Birding. Meet Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9 Av SE. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Sat Feb 27, 9am: Bird Sikome Lake area of FCPP, accessed from the S end of Bow Bottom Tr SE. Leader Wayne Hewitt, 403-256-7609. Sun Feb 28, 8:30am: Bird Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9 Av SE. Leader, Chris Lefebvre, 403-239-9847. Mon Mar 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 leader Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248, to ensure vehicle space for return. Sat Mar 6, 9am: Bird Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9 Av SE. Leader Penny Smith, 403-283-9260. Sun Mar 7, 8:30am: Birding Bow River, Burnsmead to Hwy 22X. Meet parking lot FCPP HQ, off Bow Bottom Tr SE. Leader, Tony Timmons, 403-256-0754. Sun Mar 14, 1:30pm: Woody plants of Reader Rock Garden. Meet parking lot S off 25 Av SE, just E of Macleod Tr, S of Stampede Grounds. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. ** Note Daylight Saving Time begins Mar 14 ** Fri Mar 19, 8:30pm: Watch for Northern Flying Squirrels and other nocturnal life. Bring flashlight. Meet Weaselhead parking lot, 37 St & 66 Av SW. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Sun Mar 21, 9:30am: Peak of Golden Eagle Migration, Mt. Lorette, Kananaskis Country. Bring lunch, warm clothing. Meet Assumption School, 34th Av NW (NW corner of Sarcee Tr, at Hwy 1). Leader, Andrew Hart, 403-279-5209. Fri Mar 26, 9pm: Listen for Northern Saw-whet Owls, Sandy Beach Park. For the past two years, these owls have been heard calling here. Meet at parking lot at W end of Riverdale Av SW, W off Elbow Dr. Bring flashlight. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Sat Mar 27, 9am: Bird Glennfield area, FCPP, E of Macleod Tr, just S of Fish Creek. From N, go S on Macleod Tr, turn right onto Bannister Rd, go under Macleod Tr, then 1st left into FCPP. Meet at N end of 1st parking lot. Leader, Wayne Hewitt, 403-256-7609. Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a City of Calgary natural area. Staff offer information, courses and field trips relating to natural history. Nature Calgary (Calgary Field Naturalists' Society) promotes the observation, study, and conservation of the native habitat through lectures, field trips and collection of scientific data. Nature Calgary publishes a monthly newsletter. For membership or event information email naturecalgary AT cfns.fanweb.ca or visit the website at www.naturecalgary.com. The Birding section of the website http://birdcomp.fanweb.ca/index.html includes descriptions of Birding Locales in the Calgary area. -End transcript [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Mountains and Southern Alberta Trip From: Jason Rogers <hawkowl AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 17:39:30 +0000 Is someone going to post a summary of what was seen? Jason Rogers Banff, AB hawkowl AT hotmail.com ________________________________ > To: Albertabird AT yahoogroups.com > From: little.blackbird AT yahoo.ca > Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 14:30:12 +0000 > Subject: [Albertabird] Mountains and Southern Alberta Trip > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hello! > > > > This past weekend (Feb 6-7) Guy and I went on the Mountains and Southern Alberta trip and had an AWESOME time! We would like to thank everyone for making this a fantastic trip; especially the organizers Jim and Brian. > > > > We ended up adding nine birds to our year list including a lifer, the White-tailed Ptarmigan. > > > > Thanks so much! > > > > Paula Tolton > > Edmonton AB > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------------ _____________________________________________________________ * List owner: Albertabird-owner AT yahoogroups.com * Guidelines: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Albertabird/files/Guidelines.txtYahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Albertabird/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Albertabird/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: Albertabird-digest AT yahoogroups.com Albertabird-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: Albertabird-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Saturday Red-tailed Hawk at Zoo Ranch From: Dwight Knapik <dwightthebirdaholic AT shaw.ca> Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 07:49:44 -0700 Hello: In the early afternoon of Saturday, February 6, 2010, a juvenile-plumaged Red-tailed Hawk was observed at the Calgary Zoo's private breeding centre, just SE of Calgary, along Dunbow Road. Good Birding Everyone! Dwight P. Knapik Calgary, Alberta [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Mountains and Southern Alberta Trip From: "Paula" <little.blackbird AT yahoo.ca> Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:30:12 -0000 Hello! This past weekend (Feb 6-7) Guy and I went on the Mountains and Southern Alberta trip and had an AWESOME time! We would like to thank everyone for making this a fantastic trip; especially the organizers Jim and Brian. We ended up adding nine birds to our year list including a lifer, the White-tailed Ptarmigan. Thanks so much! Paula Tolton Edmonton AB Subject: Nature Calgary Bird Walk: Weaselhead Area [Magpie Count] 31-Jan-2010 From: "Wayne Hewitt" <wayne.hewitt AT shaw.ca> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 21:06:15 -0700 Weaselhead [Magpie count] 31-Jan-2010 07:30 - 09:30 -10C Cloudy - Ice crystals - Light breeze - Light flurries Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Ruffed Grouse (Heard) 1 Northern Flicker 1 Hairy Woodpecker 2 Downy Woodpecker 1 Black-billed Magpie 60 Common Raven 10 Black-capped Chickadee 10 Common Redpoll 30 Bohemian Waxwing 1500+ Coyote 2 Bernie Diebolt [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Good Day at Grain Terminal From: "westkmav" <fwhiley AT telusplanet.net> Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:31:11 -0000 Hi All! Today I made my third attempt at seeing the Gyrfalcon at the grain terminal in Edmonton. I arrived there at 12:10 PM and was told by Ed Mah Lim that the bird had been there at 12:00. At ~12:40 it returned and made one pass at the pigeons and headed north. It was there long enough however to leave us satisfied. Meanwhile at 12:37 an adult Bald Eagle had made a fly-by. It went by at an altitude of about half the hight of the building and headed west. At 12:40 it returned and appeared to have landed on the east side of the terminal where both pigeons and Mallards are known to feed. About a minute later it came up over the building immediately east of where we were parked and headed south with a Mallard clutched in its talons. A second eagle that appeared to be an immature followed the first one. Although eagles passing through have been noted before,as far as Ed Mah Lim and I are aware this is a first time they have been seen to hunt there. Fred Whiley Edmonton Subject: Evening Grosbeaks near Tomahawk, Alberta From: "avi8fauna" <data9boy AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:49:20 -0000 Greetings Yesterday I drove out to a friend's acreage near Tomahawk, Alberta. There was a flock of about twenty Evening Grosbeaks and about ten Pine Grosbeaks including two adult males. There was also a flock of about forty Common Redpolls at the feeders there. Don Delaney - Edmonton Subject: sunday south of Calgary From: "Tim" <mcneilltc AT shaw.ca> Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 01:46:57 -0000 21 bald eagles north of tongue crk feeders, 1 female snowy owl and 1 grt horned owl north of Frank lake on R.R 280. Also about 100 snow buntings and 20 horned larks. Tim McNeill Calgary Subject: Nature Calgary Calgary Field Trip-18th Annual Duck Waddle From: "tonytimmons99" <tonytimmons99 AT yahoo.ca> Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:22:13 -0000 Ten participants joined the Nature Calgary 18th Annual Field trip from Carburn Park to Beaverdam Flats today. The heavy fog along the river made for difficult viewing of waterfowl.We recorded 20 species. Canada Goose 3000 Mallard 1500 Bufflehead 75 Common Goldeneye 600 Barrow's Goldeneye 2 Common Merganser 25 Bald Eagle 7 Harlan's Hawk 1 Merlin 1 Prairie Falcon 1 Great Horned Owl 1 Rock Pigeon 3 Downy Woodpecker 4 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 3 Magpie 15 Common Raven 30 B.C. Chickadee 10 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Common Redpoll 15 Tony Timmons Calgary Subject: Goshawk and Hawk Owl From: "Ray" <riwoods AT telusplanet.net> Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 05:30:40 -0000 I drove northwest of Calgary today and encountered a Northern Hawk Owl in the Winchell Lake area. It was perched in tall aspen on the north side of the Winchell Lake Road about 100 metres east of the steep down hill part of the road where the rock slide management construction work has taken place recently. Later, in Exshaw, I came across a Northern Goshawk perched atop a spruce tree looking out over the Bow River. Ray Woods Calgary Subject: Nature Calgary field trip, Mallard Point From: "walkingbird7" <zoxox AT shaw.ca> Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:14:50 -0000 Nature Calgary field trip, Mallard Point, Fish Creek Provincial Park, 9:00 - 10:45 Sat. 06 Feb. 2010 Foggy, calm, -13 C. 1 Canada Goose - 140+ 2 Mallard - 65+ 3 Bufflehead - 7 4 Common Goldeneye - 25+ 5 Common Merganser - 2 6 Ring-necked Pheasant - 1 7 Downy Woodpecker - 1 8 Northern Flicker - 1 9 Blue Jay? - 1 10 Black-billed Magpie - 5 11 Common Raven - 8 12 Black-capped Chickadee - 8 13 White-breasted Nuthatch - 2 14 House Finch - 1 singing male 15 House Sparrow - 8 Eastern Gray Squirrel - 6 Bob L Subject: Nature Calgary trip to Reader Rock Garden & Elbow River From: "Ken Havard" <kenhavard AT shaw.ca> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 16:19:09 -0700 Feb 6,2010 Reader Rock Garden & Elbow River -16 Sunny 1. Canada Goose 20 2. Mallard 25 3. Wood Duck 4 males 1 female 4. Rock Pigeon 25 5. Northern Flicker (red shafted) 1 6. Bohemian Waxwing 40 7. Red-breasted Nuthatch 5 8. Black-capped Chickadee 8 9. Brown Creeper 1 10. Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 11. Black-billed Magpie 12 12. Common Raven 8 13. White-winged Crossbill 6 14. Pine Siskin 3 15. House Sparrow 8 After the trip we had a SHARPSHINNED HAWK on Council Way in Mount Royal about two blocks east of 14th Street. Ken and Chris Havard [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Stirling report From: Ryan Heavy Head <akayokaki AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 14:33:45 -0800 (PST) Del, there has also been a male sighted on occasion by one of my students the past couple months, near her home in the Old Agency area of the Blood Reserve, near the confluence of the Belly and Oldman rivers ________________________________ From: dlhuget To: Albertabird AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Fri, February 5, 2010 1:36:02 PM Subject: [Albertabird] Stirling report An 8:30 am trip out to Stirling Lake this morning found everything fosty white including a male Snowy Owl sitting on a fencepost along Hwy. 4 about 1 km. west of Stirling Lake. On the same quarter a Prairie Falcon was observed flying at a low level over the rolling cropland. About 15-20 Horned Larks were also flying around the area and landing on the gravel road, Twsp. 7.2 It was a very scenic morning with the coating of frost, bright sunlight and no wind. This is the first male Snowy that I am aware of in the area this winter. Two others seen on a regular basis near Stirling appear to be a juvenile and a female. Del Huget Lethbridge __________________________________________________________________ Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr! http://www.flickr..com/gift/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: FFCPPSoc Birding, Deep South Calgary, 9:15-10:35am, Sat, 06Feb10. From: "Gus Yaki" <gyaki AT calcna.ab.ca> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 15:27:58 -0700 FFCPPSoc Birding, Deep South Calgary, 9:15-10:35am, Sat, 06Feb10. Very foggy, calm, -16C. 1.. Canada Goose-300 2.. TRUMPETER SWAN-2 ad, 3 juv. 3.. Mallard-300 4.. Common Goldeneye-50 5.. Bald Eagle-1 ad/1 juv. 6.. Prairie Falcon-1 7.. Black-billed Magpie-10 8.. Common Raven-15 9.. Black-capped Chickadee-1, observed by Kristin. 10.. SNOW BUNTINGS-100. Gus Yaki. 403-243-2248. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Pine Grosbeak plumage From: "kimurarandy" <rkimura AT telus.net> Date: Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:42:03 -0000 I posted two photos of pine grosbeaks in the album randyk. The photo of the male pine grosbeak shows some orange coloring on the breast. Can anyone explain the orange coloring? I suspect it is a young male that hasn't fully turned red. I've previously seen female grosbeaks with orange and olive coloring on the head. The second photo shows a pine grosbeak with rosy coloring. The orange coloring is visible towards the tail. Is this a young female that will eventually be all orange? Thanks, Randy Kimura Calgary Subject: Northern Flicker From: "birds4me2show" <vanesb AT ymail.com> Date: Sat, 06 Feb 2010 05:24:31 -0000 Greetings, On Thursday morning a Northern Flicker landed in my spruce tree in the front yard.Looked to be an adult male. Robert van Essen Subject: Panama bird blog From: "avispec2000" <avispec AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:58:45 -0000 Hi Everybody, As a former Alberta birder (now residing in British Columbia, but still returning 'home' regularly) I thought I would share with you my new blog on an upcoming 'birding' trip to Panama in March. The 'Introduction" was posted on Feb 4 and outlines the intention of the blog. Regular postings will be made every few days up until departure, and then daily summaries will be posted each day while I'm there. Yes, there will be a daily tally of species seen, but as you will soon find out, the goal is not to see as many species as is humanly possible! It is simply to see and appreciate the great diversity of birds in a relatively small region of Panama, and perhaps help others plan their own trip. If you or anyone you now might be interested, feel free to forward the address or add as a link in other websites. The link is: http://panamabirdingmarch2010.blogspot.com/ Happy birding, Mike Preston Subject: Overwintering Migrants - NE of Edmonton From: "tedh AT albertacom.com" <tedh@albertacom.com> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 17:11:14 -0700 I observed a Northern Flicker Sun 31 Jan at the yard at 213 Woodridge Cres, Woodridge Estates 57303 Rge Rd 233 North of Gibbons, AB. Note that on that date there were also 18 Evening Grosbeaks at this location along with 7 Pine Grosbeaks, and an estimated 175 Common Redpoll plus 1 Hoary Redpoll. Resident advises he had seen the Flicker coming to feed on sunflowers through the later part of the previous week. Richard Klauke reports observing a Common Grackle in Vilna on 3 and 4 Feb. Ted Hindmarch Hillsborough Estates North of Gibbons [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Northern Hawk Owl From: "stiltca" <nihalladay AT shaw.ca> Date: Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:14:23 -0000 A visit to Exshaw this morning produced Common Redpolls, Gray-crowned Rosy Finches, Clark's Nutcrackers and Ravens but not the Evening Grosbeaks that I had hoped to see. Later in the morning I found a Northern Hawk Owl on the Forestry Trunk Road. The owl was ten kilometres north of the junction of the FTR and Highway 1A, very close to the road west to the Ghost River Crossing Conference Centre. The owl flew from the southeast and stopped on one of a small stand of spruce trees just north of the road. After a few minutes it flew off towards the north. It appeared to be on the move rather than hunting but these owls do tend to set up winter territories. Ian Halladay Calgary Subject: Stirling report From: "dlhuget" <hawkathome AT shaw.ca> Date: Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:36:02 -0000 An 8:30 am trip out to Stirling Lake this morning found everything fosty white including a male Snowy Owl sitting on a fencepost along Hwy. 4 about 1 km. west of Stirling Lake. On the same quarter a Prairie Falcon was observed flying at a low level over the rolling cropland. About 15-20 Horned Larks were also flying around the area and landing on the gravel road, Twsp. 7.2 It was a very scenic morning with the coating of frost, bright sunlight and no wind. This is the first male Snowy that I am aware of in the area this winter. Two others seen on a regular basis near Stirling appear to be a juvenile and a female. Del Huget Lethbridge Subject: Good Start - Good Finish From: "westkmav" <fwhiley AT telusplanet.net> Date: Fri, 05 Feb 2010 06:06:39 -0000 Hi All! The day got off to a good start when I heard a Crow sounding frantic in my Back yard. I was clearing a light skiff of snow from the front sidewalk at the time. By the time I got to the backyard there were 3 Crows and ~5 Magpies mobbing a Great Horned Owl in my spruce trees. This was a new bird for my yard list though I had suspeced them in the past but never was able to get a sighting. I then went over to Hawrylak Park and spent some time at the feeders. All I found there were the usuals. A walk in the White Mud Ravine produced the same result. I then tried Hermitage Park. where I ended the day with 5 Robins. Fred Whiley Edmonton Subject: Northern Goshawk From: "birds4me2show" <vanesb AT ymail.com> Date: Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:25:17 -0000 Greeting,after many tries to photograph the Goshawk at Gold Bar Park,Edmonton I was rewarded today at around 10am.He was in a flock of ducks and landed in a tree near me.The weather was about minus 10 with light snow.I posted the picture. Robert van Essen Edmonton. Subject: RBA: Calgary, AB, Feb.4, 2010 From: Arina/Hank <rhvander AT shaw.ca> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 19:51:39 -0700 - RBA * Alberta (Canada) * Calgary, AB * February 4, 2010 * ABCA1002.04 - Birds mentioned Redhead Sharp-shinned/Cooper's Hawk Northern Goshawk Rough-legged Hawk Golden Eagle Prairie Falcon Gyrfalcon Northern Shrike Brown Creeper - Transcript Hotline: City of Calgary and Calgary Field Naturalists' Society Bird Alert Number: 403-221-4519 To Report: 403-221-4519 Coverage: Southern Alberta Compiler: Terry Korolyk Transcriber: Hank Vanderpol (rhvander AT shaw.ca) Welcome to the City of Calgary and CFNS Bird Alert. This report was recorded on Thursday February 4. To report a bird sighting, call 403-221-4519 and leave a message after the recording. To speak to a naturalist, phone 311 during office hours and ask for the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. January 31: --ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK,Rge.Rd.30, 2km.S. of the Millarville racetrack, by Terry Korolyk. --NORTHERN SHRIKE, Hwy.773,6.5km N.of Hwy.549, by TK February 2: --ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK(8), along Hwy.22, between Longview and Chain Lakes PP.by Dwight Knapik. --GYRFALCON,just S. of Longview, by DK. --GOLDEN EAGLE(2),along Hwy.22, S. of Longview, by DK --PRAIRIE FALCON, along Hwy.22, S. of Longview, by DK. --COOPER'S OR SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, Rundle area, NE Calgary,in yard of Thomas Glen. --BROWN CREEPER(2), Griffith Woods, by Tanya Barkauskas. February 3: --PRAIRIE FALCON, Fish Creek PP, S. of Hwy.22X bridge, by Gus Yaki et.al. --NORTHERN GOSHAWK, same as above. The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Monday February 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 is Wednesday March 3. Doors open at 7:00 PM. Program: Monitoring Breeding Songbirds(MAPS), with Cyndi Smith. BIRDING FIELD TRIPS CFNS field trips are free and open to all. ...February 2010 Sat Feb 6, 9am: Bird Mallard Point area of FCPP, accessed from the E end of Canyon Meadows Dr SE. Leader, Chris Lefebvre, 403-239-9847. Sat Feb 6, 9:30am: Bird Reader Rock Garden and environs, looking for White-winged Crossbills, Wood Ducks, etc. Meet in parking lot, S off 25 Av SE, just E of Macleod Tr, S of Stampede Grounds. Leader, Ken Havard, 403-242-0664. Sun Feb 7, 8:15am: 18th Annual Duck Waddle, (4-5 hours). Meet Beaverdam Flats Park S parking lot (Lynnview Rd & Lynnview Way, S of 62 Av SE). N from Glenmore Tr at 18 St SE, then left. Carpool to Carburn Park; walk back. See varied waterfowl on Bow River. Bring lunch, hot drink. Leader, Tony Timmons, 256-0754. Sat Feb 13, 9am: Bird Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9 Av SE. Leader Penny Smith, 403-283-9260. Sun Feb 14, 9am: Bird Marshall Springs, FCPP. Access is from the S side of the Park, off Fish Creek Blvd, formerly 146 Av SW. From N side of the park, take Anderson Rd W to 37 St SW. Leader, Grant Brydle, 403-720-4957. Mon Feb 15, Family Day, 8:30am: Bird Bowness Park, 48 Av, W of 85 St NW. Meet first parking lot. Leader, Howard Heffler, 284-2961. Sat Feb 20, 9:30 am: Snowy Owl Prowl. The annual February trek east of Calgary to find snowy owls and other birds. Meet at west end of Deerfoot Mall parking lot (Deerfoot Trail & 64th Ave. NE at Deerfoot Trail end). Leader: Terry Korolyk 403-254-1878. Sat Feb 20, 2pm: Animal tracks, birds, trees and shrubs, S. Glenmore Park. Meet parking W end of 90 Av SW. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Sun Feb 21, 9am: 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. Leaders, Russ/Sue Costello, 403-271-6858. Mon Feb 22, 10 am: Family Day of Birding: Meet Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9 Av SE. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Sat Feb 27, 9am: Bird Sikome Lake area of FCPP, accessed from the S end of Bow Bottom Tr SE. Leader Wayne Hewitt, 403-256-7609. Sun Feb 28, 8:30am: Bird Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9 Av SE. Leader, Chris Lefebvre, 403-239-9847. Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a City of Calgary Natural Area. Staff offer information, courses and field trips relating to natural history. For information call 311 during office hours and ask for the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Nature Calgary (Calgary Field Naturalists' Society) promotes the observation, study and conservation of the native habitat through lectures,field trips and collection of scientific data. For membership or event information, email naturecalgary AT cfns.fanweb.ca or visit the website at www.naturecalgary.com. The Birding section of the website http://birdcomp.fanweb.ca/index.html includes descriptions of birding locales in the Calgary area. Nature Calgary also publishes a newsletter, Nature News, available to members by email and on the website. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: New Bird Photographs From: "davidlilly57" <davidlilly57 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:22:23 -0000 Hi Everyone, I have posted more new bird photographs. Cut and paste the links below to view the Galleries. http://www.davidlillyphotography.ca/_/Home.html http://www.davidlillyphotography.ca/_/Latest_Bird_gallery.html If you have comments, please email me. David Lilly Calgary Subject: Tuesday Birding South of Calgary From: Dwight Knapik <dwightthebirdaholic AT shaw.ca> Date: Wed, 03 Feb 2010 07:33:45 -0800 Hello: On Tuesday, February 2, 2010, I took a drive south of Calgary, driving through Bragg Creek to Elbow Falls, then south to Millarville, through Turner Valley, to Longview, and south along Highway 22 to Chain Lakes PP, and then south to Highway 520, east to Claresholm, and then north on Highway 2 back to Calgary. The weather was mainly clear and sunny, with a light breeze, and temperatures approaching freezing. Highlights included a Gyrfalcon perched on a power pole just up from the river valley south of Longview, along with a Golden Eagle in the same area, and a total of 8 Rough-legged Hawks along Highway 22 between Longview and Chain Lakes PP. Canada Goose 25 Ruffed Grouse 1 Rough-legged Hawk 10 Golden Eagle 2 Prairie Falcon 1 Gyrfalcon 1 Rock Pigeon 5 Gray Jay 6 Blue Jay 1 Black-billed Magpie 6 Common Raven 8 Boreal Chickadee 2 Black-capped Chickadee 4 American Dipper 1 Moose 2 White-tailed Deer 16 Good Birding Everyone! Dwight P. Knapik Calgary, Alberta [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Hummingbird ID from Costa Rica From: "Rick" <rt_pal55 AT telus.net> Date: Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:14:02 -0000 Thanks Jeremy for your input. I wish I could have stayed there longer but had to move on. Rick --- In Albertabird AT yahoogroups.com, "mcbirder" wrote: > > Hi Rick, > > It looks like a Stripe-tailed Hummingbird, which I believe only shows white when the flash is spread. I have been to the Monteverde hummingbird gallery and these were fairly common there. Here is a photo I found with a Google image search for reference that shows all the features you mentioned and seen in your photo: > > http://www.galleryofbirds.com/costarica/images/Hummingbird%20Monte%20Verde%204936.jpg > > Jeremy Gatten > Brentwood Bay, B.C. > > --- In Albertabird AT yahoogroups.com, "Rick" wrote: > > > > Just returned from a week holiday in Costa Rica. I'm hoping someone viewing can help with identifing a hummingbird seen in the monteverde cloud forests. The pictures are under Rick Palindat. There were a lot of hummingbirds around the feeders. This was the only one that had a rufous patch on the wings and a blue tail with no white on the outer tail feathers. > > > > Rick Palindat > > Edmonton, AB > > > Subject: FFCPPSoc Birding, Deep South Calgary. 9:15am,Tue, 02Feb10. From: "Gus Yaki" <gyaki AT calcna.ab.ca> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 14:29:04 -0700 FFCPPSoc Birding, Deep South Calgary, 9:15am,Tue, 02Feb10. Sunny, calm, -6C. 1.. Canada Goose-400 2.. TRUMPETER SWAN-2 ad, 3 juv. 3.. Mallard-200 4.. Common Goldeneye-500 5.. Bald Eagle-2 ad. 6.. NORTHERN GOSHAWK-1 7.. PRAIRIE FALCON-1 8.. Northern Flicker-1 9.. Black-capped Chickadee-3 Coyote-4 Gus Yaki. 403-243-2248. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Hummingbird ID from Costa Rica From: "mcbirder" <jarofme AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:34:34 -0000 Hi Rick, It looks like a Stripe-tailed Hummingbird, which I believe only shows white when the flash is spread. I have been to the Monteverde hummingbird gallery and these were fairly common there. Here is a photo I found with a Google image search for reference that shows all the features you mentioned and seen in your photo: http://www.galleryofbirds.com/costarica/images/Hummingbird%20Monte%20Verde%204936.jpg Jeremy Gatten Brentwood Bay, B.C. --- In Albertabird AT yahoogroups.com, "Rick" wrote: > > Just returned from a week holiday in Costa Rica. I'm hoping someone viewing can help with identifing a hummingbird seen in the monteverde cloud forests. The pictures are under Rick Palindat. There were a lot of hummingbirds around the feeders. This was the only one that had a rufous patch on the wings and a blue tail with no white on the outer tail feathers. > > Rick Palindat > Edmonton, AB > Subject: Griffiths woods From: "hairstyleca" <tbarkauskas AT shaw.ca> Date: Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:46:25 -0000 Finally I found the Dipper. I followed the river from the east parking area. And found it just before the park boundry fence. I also heard a pileated wood pecker in the distance. I also saw a pair of brown creepers.. Other sightings were the usual black capped chickadee, boreal chickadee, canada goose, blue jay, boheimian waxwings, and a raven Tanya Barkauskas Calgary Subject: RBA: Calgary, AB, FEB.1, 2010 From: Arina/Hank <rhvander AT shaw.ca> Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 21:28:56 -0700 - RBA * Alberta (Canada) * Calgary, AB * February 1, 2010 * ABCA1002.01 - Birds mentioned: Trumpeter Swan Sharp-shinned Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Prairie Falcon Gyrfalcon Snowy Owl American Dipper - Transcript Hotline: City of Calgary and Calgary Field Naturalists' Society Bird Alert Number: 403-221-4519 To Report: 403-221-4519 Coverage: Southern Alberta Compiler: Terry Korolyk Transcriber: Hank Vanderpol (rhvander AT shaw.ca) Welcome to the City of Calgary and CFNS Bird Alert. This report was recorded on Monday Feb.1, 2010. To report a bird sighting, call 403-221-4519 and leave a message after the recording. To speak to a naturalist, phone 311 during office hours and ask for the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. January 28: -- SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, Fish Creek PP, Bebo Grove area, by Andrew Slater. January 29: --RED-TAILED HAWK(HARLAN'S), Bow River,N.of Lafarge plant, at Glenmore Tr., by Terry Korolyk January 30: --TRUMPETER SWAN(family of 5),Bow River S.of Hwy.22x and N.of Hwy.2 bridge, by Bill Wilson. --GYRFALCON(grey morph), along Hwy.8, 2km. east of Hwy.22, by AS. --SNOWY OWL(1),on Twp.Rd.250 near Rge.Rd.282, by Eddy Matuod. --AMERICAN DIPPER, Griffith Woods, by Gus Yaki et.al. January 31: --PRAIRIE FALCON, near 84St.SE and 114 Ave.,at the "Oats'R'Us" operation, by TK. The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Thursday, Feb.4, 2010. 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 is Wednesday February 3. Doors open at 7:00 PM. Program: Alberta's Piping Plovers: their Conservation and Management -- with Dave Prescott. BIRDING FIELD TRIPS CFNS field trips are free and open to all. ...February 2010 Mon Feb 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, 243-2248, to ensure vehicle space for return. Sat Feb 6, 9am: Bird Mallard Point area of FCPP, accessed from the E end of Canyon Meadows Dr SE. Leader, Chris Lefebvre, 403-239-9847. Sat Feb 6, 9:30am: Bird Reader Rock Garden and environs, looking for White-winged Crossbills, Wood Ducks, etc. Meet in parking lot, S off 25 Av SE, just E of Macleod Tr, S of Stampede Grounds. Leader, Ken Havard, 403-242-0664. Sun Feb 7, 8:15am: 18th Annual Duck Waddle, (4-5 hours). Meet Beaverdam Flats Park S parking lot (Lynnview Rd & Lynnview Way, S of 62 Av SE). N from Glenmore Tr at 18 St SE, then left. Carpool to Carburn Park; walk back. See varied waterfowl on Bow River. Bring lunch, hot drink. Leader, Tony Timmons, 256-0754. Sat Feb 13, 9am: Bird Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9 Av SE. Leader Penny Smith, 403-283-9260. Sun Feb 14, 9am: Bird Marshall Springs, FCPP. Access is from the S side of the Park, off Fish Creek Blvd, formerly 146 Av SW. From N side of the park, take Anderson Rd W to 37 St SW. Leader, Grant Brydle, 403-720-4957. Mon Feb 15, Family Day, 8:30am: Bird Bowness Park, 48 Av, W of 85 St NW. Meet first parking lot. Leader, Howard Heffler, 284-2961. Sat Feb 20, 9:30 am: Snowy Owl Prowl. The annual February trek east of Calgary to find snowy owls and other birds. Meet at west end of Deerfoot Mall parking lot (Deerfoot Trail & 64th Ave. NE at Deerfoot Trail end). Leader: Terry Korolyk 403-254-1878. Sat Feb 20, 2pm: Animal tracks, birds, trees and shrubs, S. Glenmore Park. Meet parking W end of 90 Av SW. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Sun Feb 21, 9am: 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. Leaders, Russ/Sue Costello, 403-271-6858. Mon Feb 22, 10 am: Family Day of Birding: Meet Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9 Av SE. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Sat Feb 27, 9am: Bird Sikome Lake area of FCPP, accessed from the S end of Bow Bottom Tr SE. Leader Wayne Hewitt, 403-256-7609. Sun Feb 28, 8:30am: Bird Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9 Av SE. Leader, Chris Lefebvre, 403-239-9847. Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a City of Calgary Natural Area. Staff offer information, courses and field trips relating to natural history. For information call 311 during office hours and ask for the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Nature Calgary (Calgary Field Naturalists' Society) promotes the observation, study and conservation of the native habitat through lectures,field trips and collection of scientific data. For membership or event information, email naturecalgary AT cfns.fanweb.ca or visit the website at www.naturecalgary.com. The Birding section of the website http://birdcomp.fanweb.ca/index.html includes descriptions of birding locales in the Calgary area. Nature Calgary also publishes a newsletter, Nature News, available to members by email and on the website. - End transcript [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Hummingbird ID from Costa Rica From: "Rick" <rt_pal55 AT telus.net> Date: Tue, 02 Feb 2010 03:27:49 -0000 Just returned from a week holiday in Costa Rica. I'm hoping someone viewing can help with identifing a hummingbird seen in the monteverde cloud forests. The pictures are under Rick Palindat. There were a lot of hummingbirds around the feeders. This was the only one that had a rufous patch on the wings and a blue tail with no white on the outer tail feathers. Rick Palindat Edmonton, AB Subject: Elbow River Monthly Survey, 0815-1145, 01 Feb. 2010. Sunny, Calm, -6 to -2C. From: "Gus Yaki" <gyaki AT calcna.ab.ca> Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 14:11:38 -0700 Elbow River Monthly Survey, 0815-1145, 01 Feb. 2010. Sunny, Calm, -6 to -2C. 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 Gus Yaki,403-243-2248 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Bird Monitoring and Banding & Bird Identification Workshops From: "derekjmatthews" <Derek AT birdvancouver.com> Date: Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:18:17 -0000 Hi Birders and Banders! The spring schedule dates for Bird Identification and Bird Monitoring and Banding Workshops has just been posted on the VARC website - Full details of the course schedules and content can be found online at: http://www.birdvancouver.com/workshops.html * Our Bird Identification Workshop – developed for birders who wish to participate in the BC Breeding Bird Atlas or similar programs or who just want to take their bird knowledge and identification skills to the next level. This course covers groups, topography, field marks, song, habitat, molt, ageing and more and includes a guided field session to a local birding area. Although developed for beginner and intermediate birders the ornithological aspects of the course benefit even the most experienced birders and the workshop is invaluable for birders traveling overseas. * Our Bird Monitoring and Banding Workshop – developed for people with little or no bird banding or bird in the hand experience provides a fantastic opportunity to see birds up close and personal, to learn about their plumage, molt sequences and life habits. Most of all, these workshops are designed to be a fun and interesting experience and a way to take your interest in birds and the environment to the next level. See what people who have attended our workshops have to say: http://www.birdvancouver.com/testimonials.html and why our average rating from course participants is 9.5 out of 10!! Thanks for your interest and if you would like to attend any of our spring courses please click on the workshop link and complete the registration form at the bottom of the page. Happy spring banding and birding! Derek Matthews Master Bander / Bander-in-Charge Vancouver Avian Research Centre Vancouver, BC www.birdvancouver.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Nature Calgary (CFNS) Bird Walk - Fish Creek Provincial Park -- Bankside and South -- Sat 30-Jan-2010 From: "Wayne Hewitt" <wayne.hewitt AT shaw.ca> Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:25:22 -0700 09:00 AM, -5C, overcast, light wind (In order observed) Great Horned Owl Black-billed Magpie Northern Flicker Merlin Bald Eagle Mallard Canada Goose Common Merganser Common Goldeneye Black-capped Chickadee Downy Woodpecker Bufflehead Barrow's Goldeneye [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NMT Birding: Griffith Woods From: "William J. F. Wilson" <wjfwilso AT ucalgary.ca> Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 13:50:00 -0700 Griffith Woods was very quiet this morning. Maybe the light snow had something to do with it; also a bit of a breeze. Birds sighted were, Canada Goose – 2 Bald Eagle – 1 Hairy Woodpecker - 2 American Dipper - 1 Black-capped Chickadee – 8 Black-billed Magpie – 2 Common Raven - 9 Pine Grosbeak - 2 heard Finally found the dipper!! Yay!!! NMT #45 Good birding, Bill Wilson Calgary ------------------------------------ _____________________________________________________________ * List owner: Albertabird-owner AT yahoogroups.com * Guidelines: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Albertabird/files/Guidelines.txtYahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Albertabird/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Albertabird/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: Albertabird-digest AT yahoogroups.com Albertabird-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: Albertabird-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Snowy owl east of city From: Eddy Matuod <gnude2000 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 10:14:23 -0800 (PST) Hi, Seen and photographed one female in Twp Rd 250 near corner of RR282 (approx. 2km after Conrich) on January 30, 2010 with my wife. Here's the link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4317596185_0042808778_o.jpg Cheers, Eduardo [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NMT Birding: Tree Sparrows and Trumpeter Swans From: "William J. F. Wilson" <wjfwilso AT ucalgary.ca> Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:36:37 -0700 I took a walk from home (4:35 am) to Inglewood, Carburn (shortly before sunrise) and Fish Creek, continuing south from Lafarge Park, then back to Sikome Lake and up into Sundance to catch the bus home. 37 km walking in 10 hours. There was one Great-horned Owl in Carburn Park, but no sign of the Long-tailed Duck at Sikome. Two new NMT birds were five or more American Tree Sparrows in Lafarge Park, in the trees by the paved path near the north end of the park (near the little dark green building with the light on a little pylon), and five Trumpeter Swans (two adults & three immatures) between Lafarge Park and the Hwy 2 bridge. NMT total now 44. Good birding, Bill Wilson Calgary Subject: Carburn Park 30 Jan 2010 From: Andrew Hart <harta AT telusplanet.net> Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:42:24 -0700 A walk in the morning (one of the specials offered to novice birders in the 2010 competition) turned up the following Bald Eagle 2 Black Billed Magpie 10 Black-capped Chickadee 20 Bufflehead 40 Canada Goose 1500 Common Goldeneye 100 Common Merganser 1 Common Raven 2 Downy Woodpecker 3 Mallard 500 Northern Flicker 6 Northern Shrike 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Rock Pigeon 2 We also saw several gray squirrels and four white tailed deer running across the large lake. The shrike was in a tree about 75 m north of the pedestrian bridge over the river on the east side. A flicker chased it away and we did not see it again. Andrew Hart [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: FFCPPSoc Birding, Griffith Woods Pk, 9-12:noon, Sat30Jan10 From: "Gus Yaki" <gyaki AT calcna.ab.ca> Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 15:01:16 -0700 FFCPPSoc Birding, Griffith Woods Pk, 9-12:noon, Sat30Jan10. Heavy overcast, light wind, -5C. We were successful in finding one of the target species, the American Dipper. 1.. Canada Goose-400 2.. Downy Woodpecker-5+ 3.. Hairy Woodpecker-6+ 4.. Blue Jay-6+ 5.. Black-billed Magpie-7 6.. Common Raven-4 7.. Black-capped Chickadee-25 8.. Boreal Chickadee-5 9.. Red-breasted Nuthatch-2 10.. White-breasted Nuthatch-1 11.. AMERICAN DIPPER-1, found by Tony. 12.. Bohemian Waxwing-2000 13.. House Finch-9 14.. Common Redpoll-29 Red Squirrel-5 Snowshoe Hare tracks. Gus Yaki [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Friday and Saturday Field Trips From: Milton Spitzer <milton.spitzer AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:44:25 -0700 On Friday Bob Frew, Ben Velner and I travelled west of Medicine Hat towards Rattlesnake Coulee and then south and east to Seven Persons from where we went further south to the south end of Murray Lake and then wound our way back to the Hat. As did Darren McKenna, we found a number of flocks of Horned Larks on the gravel roads and in the fields. A conservative estimate would be a total of 300. At the south end of Murray Lake we found a large mixed flock of Horned Larks and Snow Buntings (100+) which also had a smattering of Lapland Longspurs (5) within the grouping. Other birds of interest included a Prairie Falcon, a Bald Eagle and two Snowy Owls along with a small troop of American Tree Sparrows. This morning Ben Velner led a Grasslands Naturalists Birding Trip (8 participants) to the Sewage Lagoons. Among the 1000 Mallards and 100 C. Geese a Redhead, Two Ring-necked Ducks, five Lesser Scaup, 10 Bufflehead and 20 Common Goldeneyes were observed. Back in Medicine Hat after the trip a quick stop in Strathcona Park failed to turn up the Eastern Screech-owl (has only been seen once in January) but a stop at the bird feeders at the Police Point Interpretive Centre turned up 3 American Tree Sparrows, the resident White-throated Sparrow, one of the two over-wintering Common Grackles, two Pine Siskins and 10 or so Common Redpolls. None of the trips turned up any Rough-legged Hawks which have been in very short supply in the Hat area this winter. Milt Spitzer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Sibbald Creek Road and Bebo Grove From: "Andrew Slater" <andrewslater AT shaw.ca> Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 13:32:06 -0700 There was a rather dark grey-phase Gyrfalcon sitting on a power pole along Hwy 8 this morning, about 2 kms east of the junction with Hwy 22. I was on the way to Sibbald Creek Road at the time, where I saw no noteworthy birds, but did see three Moose. On Thursday morning, an adult Sharp-shinned Hawk was having a squabble with the magpies at Bebo Grove in Fish Creek Park. I also saw there two Pine Grosbeaks and a dozen White-winged Crossbills. Andrew Slater, Calgary [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Strange Find Of The Week From: Ryan Heavy Head <akayokaki AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:49:04 -0800 (PST) Thanks Gus, will check out Russo for sure ________________________________ From: Gus Yaki To: Albertabird AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Fri, January 29, 2010 9:52:22 AM Subject: Re: [Albertabird] Strange Find Of The Week Hi Ryan: The current issue of Natural History, 12/09-1/10, published by the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), has a good article on insect galls - Gall of the Wild, entitled "Confessions of a Gall Hunter" by Ron Russo. The Lethbridge Library system or the University should have a copy. If not, I can photocopy it for you. It is illustrated with a number of beautiful coloured photos, however, which will only come out in black and white if I copy them. The author has published the "Field Guide to the Plant Galls of California and Other Western States". He also mentions at least one other gall publication - "Cyniped Galls of the Pacific Slope". Visit his site www.californiaoaks. org. AMNH also has a website related to this article at www.naturalhistorym ag.com. Cheers, Gus ----- Original Message ----- From: Ryan Heavy Head To: Albertabird AT yahoogroups. com Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 12:36 AM Subject: [Albertabird] Strange Find Of The Week Oki all... I was out this week playing with a new macro lens, taking photographs of the different galls in my coulee that host over-wintering insect larva, when I spotted one of last summer's robin's nests deep in a patch of saskatoon brush. The nest was snow-filled, and I was sure it was robin-built because of it's symmetrical cup-like appearance, but couldn't help climbing into the brush anyway to scoop the snow out and confirm that it had mud-lined walls. Pretty basic stuff. Anyway, inside of this nest I found what at first I thought to be a puffball mushroom, but on closer inspection found to be the casing of a golf ball that had been ripped open on one side and all contents (i.e. rubber-band ball) removed from inside. This nest was nowhere near any golf course, and it was in a fairly secluded draw that not too many people ever visit. Moreover, it was deep inside of some thick brush. The nest was from this past summer, which means its contents were relatively new. So, my thinking was that one of the corvids brought it here from a golf course about 2km downriver. For what purpose, I haven't a clue. I just wondered if anyone has run into anything similar. Also curious as to whether anyone knows of a good online database of galls that I could reference.. Thanks, Ryan ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _ Make your browsing faster, safer, and easier with the new Internet Explorer® 8. Optimized for Yahoo! Get it Now for Free! at http://downloads. yahoo.com/ ca/internetexplo rer/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] __________________________________________________________________ The new Internet Explorer® 8 - Faster, safer, easier. Optimized for Yahoo! Get it Now for Free! at http://downloads.yahoo.com/ca/internetexplorer/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Strange Find Of The Week From: "Gus Yaki" <gyaki AT calcna.ab.ca> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:52:22 -0700 Hi Ryan: The current issue of Natural History, 12/09-1/10, published by the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), has a good article on insect galls - Gall of the Wild, entitled "Confessions of a Gall Hunter" by Ron Russo. The Lethbridge Library system or the University should have a copy. If not, I can photocopy it for you. It is illustrated with a number of beautiful coloured photos, however, which will only come out in black and white if I copy them. The author has published the "Field Guide to the Plant Galls of California and Other Western States". He also mentions at least one other gall publication - "Cyniped Galls of the Pacific Slope". Visit his site www.californiaoaks.org. AMNH also has a website related to this article at www.naturalhistorymag.com. Cheers, Gus ----- Original Message ----- From: Ryan Heavy Head To: Albertabird AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 12:36 AM Subject: [Albertabird] Strange Find Of The Week Oki all... I was out this week playing with a new macro lens, taking photographs of the different galls in my coulee that host over-wintering insect larva, when I spotted one of last summer's robin's nests deep in a patch of saskatoon brush. The nest was snow-filled, and I was sure it was robin-built because of it's symmetrical cup-like appearance, but couldn't help climbing into the brush anyway to scoop the snow out and confirm that it had mud-lined walls. Pretty basic stuff. Anyway, inside of this nest I found what at first I thought to be a puffball mushroom, but on closer inspection found to be the casing of a golf ball that had been ripped open on one side and all contents (i.e. rubber-band ball) removed from inside. This nest was nowhere near any golf course, and it was in a fairly secluded draw that not too many people ever visit. Moreover, it was deep inside of some thick brush. The nest was from this past summer, which means its contents were relatively new. So, my thinking was that one of the corvids brought it here from a golf course about 2km downriver. For what purpose, I haven't a clue. I just wondered if anyone has run into anything similar. Also curious as to whether anyone knows of a good online database of galls that I could reference. Thanks, Ryan __________________________________________________________ Make your browsing faster, safer, and easier with the new Internet Explorer® 8. Optimized for Yahoo! Get it Now for Free! at http://downloads.yahoo.com/ca/internetexplorer/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Strange Find Of The Week From: Ryan Heavy Head <akayokaki AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:36:45 -0800 (PST) Oki all... I was out this week playing with a new macro lens, taking photographs of the different galls in my coulee that host over-wintering insect larva, when I spotted one of last summer's robin's nests deep in a patch of saskatoon brush. The nest was snow-filled, and I was sure it was robin-built because of it's symmetrical cup-like appearance, but couldn't help climbing into the brush anyway to scoop the snow out and confirm that it had mud-lined walls. Pretty basic stuff. Anyway, inside of this nest I found what at first I thought to be a puffball mushroom, but on closer inspection found to be the casing of a golf ball that had been ripped open on one side and all contents (i.e. rubber-band ball) removed from inside. This nest was nowhere near any golf course, and it was in a fairly secluded draw that not too many people ever visit. Moreover, it was deep inside of some thick brush. The nest was from this past summer, which means its contents were relatively new. So, my thinking was that one of the corvids brought it here from a golf course about 2km downriver. For what purpose, I haven't a clue. I just wondered if anyone has run into anything similar. Also curious as to whether anyone knows of a good online database of galls that I could reference. Thanks, Ryan __________________________________________________________________ Make your browsing faster, safer, and easier with the new Internet Explorer® 8. Optimized for Yahoo! Get it Now for Free! at http://downloads.yahoo.com/ca/internetexplorer/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RBA: CALGARY, AB, JANUARY 28, 2010 From: Arina/Hank <rhvander AT shaw.ca> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:06:18 -0700 - RBA * Alberta (Canada) * Calgary, AB * January 28, 2010 * ABCA1001.28 - Birds mentioned Northern Goshawk Gyrfalcon Prairie Falcon American Robin American Tree Sparrow White-throated Sparrow - Transcript Hotline: City of Calgary and Calgary Field Naturalists' Society Bird Alert Number: 403-221-4519 To Report: 403-221-4519 Coverage: Southern Alberta Compiler: Terry Korolyk Transcriber: Hank Vanderpol (rhvander AT shaw.ca) Welcome to the City of Calgary and CFNS Bird Alert. This report was recorded on Thursday January 28. To report a bird sighting, call 403-221-4519 and leave a message after the recording. To speak to a naturalist, phone 311 during office hours and ask for the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. January 24: --AMERICAN ROBIN, Edworthy park, unknown observer January 25: --GYRFALCON, 50 Ave.SE, just east of 68Str. by Hank Vanderpol --AMERICAN TREE SPARROW (3), same as above, by HV --WHITE-THROATED SPARROW(1), Mayfair yard of Joyce Moore.To see the bird, call Joyce at 403-255-2890. January 27: --NORTHERN GOSHAWK, 14 Str.NW, 1 mile S.of 176 Ave.in wooded farm yard, by Howard Heffler. --PRAIRIE FALCON, Rge.Rd.284, 1 mile S. of Hwy.#1, by HH. The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Monday February 1. 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 is Wednesday February 3. Doors open at 7:00 PM. Program: Alberta's Piping Plovers: their Conservation and Management -- with Dave Prescott. BIRDING FIELD TRIPS CFNS field trips are free and open to all. ...January 2010 Sun Jan 24, 9:30am: Bird Weaselhead Natural Area. Meet parking lot, 37 St & 66 Av SW. Leader, Andrew Hart, 403-279-5209. Sun Jan 24, 10am: Visit the tropics. Meet in the new ENMAX Conservatory, Calgary Zoo. Regular admission applies. Obtain map at entrance. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Fri Jan 29, 7pm: See the overnight concentration of up to 5000 Common Goldeneyes S of Eric Harvie Bridge. Meet at Southland Park parking lot, off Southland Dr SE, just E of Deerfoot Tr. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Sat Jan 30, 9am: Bird the Bow River in FCPP. Meet at Bankside Parking Lot, off Bow Bottom Tr SE, turning left just before entering the park. Leader, Wayne Hewitt, 403-256-7609. Sun Jan 31, 7:30am: Several hundred Black-billed Magpies roost in the Weaselhead Area each night. Watch their dawn dispersal and then see other winter birds. Meet parking lot, 66 Av & 37 St SW. Leader, Bernie Diebolt, 403-210-2446. ...February 2010 Mon Feb 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, 243-2248, to ensure vehicle space for return. Sat Feb 6, 9am: Bird Mallard Point area of FCPP, accessed from the E end of Canyon Meadows Dr SE. Leader, Chris Lefebvre, 403-239-9847. Sat Feb 6, 9:30am: Bird Reader Rock Garden and environs, looking for White-winged Crossbills, Wood Ducks, etc. Meet in parking lot, S off 25 Av SE, just E of Macleod Tr, S of Stampede Grounds. Leader, Ken Havard, 403-242-0664. Sun Feb 7, 8:15am: 18th Annual Duck Waddle, (4-5 hours). Meet Beaverdam Flats Park S parking lot (Lynnview Rd & Lynnview Way, S of 62 Av SE). N from Glenmore Tr at 18 St SE, then left. Carpool to Carburn Park; walk back. See varied waterfowl on Bow River. Bring lunch, hot drink. Leader, Tony Timmons, 256-0754. Sat Feb 13, 9am: Bird Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9 Av SE. Leader Penny Smith, 403-283-9260. Sun Feb 14, 9am: Bird Marshall Springs, FCPP. Access is from the S side of the Park, off Fish Creek Blvd, formerly 146 Av SW. From N side of the park, take Anderson Rd W to 37 St SW. Leader, Grant Brydle, 403-720-4957. Mon Feb 15, Family Day, 8:30am: Bird Bowness Park, 48 Av, W of 85 St NW. Meet first parking lot. Leader, Howard Heffler, 284-2961. Sat Feb 20, 9:30 am: Snowy Owl Prowl. The annual February trek east of Calgary to find snowy owls and other birds. Meet at west end of Deerfoot Mall parking lot (Deerfoot Trail & 64th Ave. NE at Deerfoot Trail end). Leader: Terry Korolyk 403-254-1878. Sat Feb 20, 2pm: Animal tracks, birds, trees and shrubs, S. Glenmore Park. Meet parking W end of 90 Av SW. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Sun Feb 21, 9am: 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. Leaders, Russ/Sue Costello, 403-271-6858. Mon Feb 22, 10 am: Family Day of Birding: Meet Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9 Av SE. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Sat Feb 27, 9am: Bird Sikome Lake area of FCPP, accessed from the S end of Bow Bottom Tr SE. Leader Wayne Hewitt, 403-256-7609. Sun Feb 28, 8:30am: Bird Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9 Av SE. Leader, Chris Lefebvre, 403-239-9847. Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a City of Calgary Natural Area. Staff offer information, courses and field trips relating to natural history. For information call 311 during office hours and ask for the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Nature Calgary (Calgary Field Naturalists' Society) promotes the observation, study and conservation of the native habitat through lectures,field trips and collection of scientific data. For membership or event information, email naturecalgary AT cfns.fanweb.ca or visit the website at www.naturecalgary.com. The Birding section of the website http://birdcomp.fanweb.ca/index.html includes descriptions of birding locales in the Calgary area. Nature Calgary also publishes a newsletter, Nature News, available to members by email and on the website. - End transcript [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Gold Bar Park,Edmonton From: "birds4me2show" <vanesb AT ymail.com> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 02:16:22 -0000 Greetings, I was unable to locate the Northern Goshawk at Gold Bar today.Took two trips morning and afternoon.Saw 3 Cedar Waxwings,6 Downy's male and female,1000+ ducks,mallards and golden eye and 2 Pine Siskin.Also 4 white and 8 red Nuthatches. Robert van Essen Subject: Northern Hawk Owl in Banff again From: "johnnyp19692003" <jem_1969 AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:09:31 -0000 Saw a northern hawk owl in the same spot as last month, in the slough 500m west of Third Vermilion Lakes along the TCH. Also saw a bald eagle at Third Vermilion. Both sightings at 9:30 am this morning. John Marriott Canmore Subject: Medicine Hat Area From: "djmckenn" <djmckenn AT yahoo.ca> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:31:34 -0000 Yesterday I drove west of town between the Hat and Seven Persons where a large Golden Eagle was on the hunt. I heard reports that there were several in the area. Temperatures were near -25C and keeping the viewfinder on my camera clear was a challenge and unfortunately I didn't get any acceptable photos. As I approached the Seven Persons Cemetery I spotted the resident Merlin with a Vole who flew off with her prey before I could stop my car. I have photographed her previously http://www.darrenmckenna.com/IMG_6069.htm In the same vicinity near Seven Persons Creek I seen a small flock of 10-12 Common Redpoll's who were more then accommodating for my camera. http://www.darrenmckenna.com/DJM_12686.htm A few flocks between 35-50 Horned Lark's remain in the area over winter. This area is known for its plethora of Ring-Necked Pheasant's and yesterday I spotted between 12-15. For more of my photos please visit http://www.darrenmckenna.com/ Subject: Northern Goshawk From: hansenk AT shaw.ca Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:47:32 -0000 Greetings All. Today at Gold Bar Park in the woods north of the parking lot near the ski trails was a juvenile Northern Goshawk. Still 1000+ Mallards on the river and at least 2 common goldeneyes. I did also see what I suspect was a Bald Eagle flying east above the open water of the river. There are still about 20 common redpolls hanging out in the feeder at Hawrelak Park. Ken Hansen Edmonton Subject: Gladstone Valley/Beaver Mines From: "dlhuget" <hawkathome AT shaw.ca> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:46:45 -0000 This morning turned out to be a fabulous day in the mountains with a cloudless sky & 0 wind. A trip to the Gladstone Valley & Beaver Mines area and back up Hwy. 6 found a lot of raptors about and a total of 21 species as follow: Canada Goose (29) Common Goldeneye (7) Bald Eagle (3) Golden Eagle (2) Rough Legged Hawk (11) Prairie Falcon Raven (21) Crow Magpie (21) Steller's Jay (6) Gray Jay (2) Pileated Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker White Breasted Nuthatch Red Breasted (2) Black Capped Chickadee (7) Mountain Chickadee Common Redpole (3) Horned Lark (34) Starling (6) Del Huget Lethbridge Subject: Great Backyard Bird Count 2010 From: "vaxvll" <vaxvll AT yahoo.ca> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 02:21:09 -0000 From http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/ "Bird watchers coast to coast are invited to take part in the 13th annual Great Backyard Bird Count, Friday, February 12, through Monday, February 15, 2010. Participants in the free event will join tens of thousands of volunteers counting birds in their own backyards, local parks or wildlife refuges. Each checklist submitted by these "citizen scientists" helps researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology , the National Audubon Society, and Bird Studies Canada learn more about how the birds are doing—and how to protect them. Last year, participants turned in more than 93,600 checklists online, creating the continent's largest instantaneous snapshot of bird populations ever recorded. " Subject: Great Backyard Bird Count 2010 From: "vaxvll" <vaxvll AT yahoo.ca> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 02:17:18 -0000 From http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/ -- "Bird watchers coast to coast are invited to take part in the 13th annual Great Backyard Bird Count, Friday, February 12, through Monday, February 15, 2010. Participants in the free event will join tens of thousands of volunteers counting birds in their own backyards, local parks or wildlife refuges. Each checklist submitted by these "citizen scientists" helps researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology , the National Audubon Society, and Bird Studies Canada learn more about how the birds are doing—and how to protect them. Last year, participants turned in more than 93,600 checklists online, creating the continent's largest instantaneous snapshot of bird populations ever recorded. " Subject: Common House Sparrows in Flight. From: "davidlilly57" <davidlilly57 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:17:08 -0000 Hi All, I have updated my website and added some photographs of some House Sparrows in flight. Cut and paste this link www.davidlillyphotography.ca David Lilly Calgary Subject: Prairie Falcon and Northern Goshawk From: "Howard" <howard.heffler AT yahoo.ca> Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:02:07 -0000 I spent a couple of hours driving the northern and eastern City limit today. At 11:15 I found a Northern Goshawk perched in a big aspen on the west side of 14 St NW (aka Rg Rd 14 at this location) and ½ mi south of 176 Ave (aka Twp Rd 262 and Route 566). It was in a heavily treed farmstead on the west side of the road. At 2:15 I saw a Prairie Falcon on a power pole on Rg Rd 284, 0.7 km south of Hart Estates Blvd or 1.0 mi south of Hwy 16. Howard Heffler Subject: camera and binoculars - Calgary From: savagebirder <savagebirder AT shaw.ca> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:08:14 -0700 Hi - I hope this is an acceptable post. I have a camera and a pair of binoculars that I am looking to sell. The camera is a film-based camera - Minolta Elite with panorama - it was originally about $300 - I now have a digital camera - price is $20 (the camera doesn't have a battery at the moment) The binoculars are Bausch and Lomb Discoverer 10 x 42 - they were really good binoculars but I upgraded to the Elite series. The center focus between the two eyes is a little lose and so I duct tape it into position once it's set for my sight. Original price about $800 - asking price $100. Please email me directly (include phone number if you want) if you are interested. Sandra Savage Calgary Subject: Gold Bar and Hawrelak Park - Edmonton From: "avi8fauna" <data9boy AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 04:33:00 -0000 Greetings I encountered a flock of thirty or so White-winged Crossbills near the parking lot at Gold bar park today. At Hawrelak Park the Redpolls and Siskins were enjoying the feeders. Don Delaney - Edmonton. Subject: Gyrfalcon From: Arina/Hank <rhvander AT shaw.ca> Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:06:43 -0700 I took a quick trip out this morning to find the American Tree Sparrows reported yesterday on 50Ave. SE and east of 68 Str. I was lucky to see three of them, and also the Gray Partridges reported yesterday. But the big surprise was the Gyrfalcon sitting on a pole almost above my head, probably eyeing the partridges. I think there was one less partridge today then was reported yesterday. Hank Vanderpol Calgary Subject: RBA: Calgary AB, January 25, 2010 From: Arina/Hank <rhvander AT shaw.ca> Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:54:37 -0700 - RBA * Alberta (Canada) * Calgary, AB * January 25, 2010 * ABCA1001.25 - Birds mentioned --Red-tailed Hawk (Harlan's) --Rough-legged Hawk --Eurasian Collared Dove --Northern Shrike --Clark's Nutcracker --American Dipper --American Tree Sparrow --Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch --Evening Grosbeak - Transcript Hotline: City of Calgary and Calgary Field Naturalists' Society Bird Alert Number: 403-221-4519 To Report: 403-221-4519 Coverage: Southern Alberta Compiler: Terry Korolyk Transcriber: Hank Vanderpol (rhvander AT shaw.ca) Welcome to the City of Calgary and CFNS Bird Alert. This report was recorded on Monday January 25. To report a bird sighting, call 403-221-4519 and leave a message after the recording. To speak to a naturalist, phone 311 during office hours and ask for the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. January 19: --ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, off Hwy.22 north of Cremona, by Corinne Griffin --ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK(2), 288 Str. SE of Millarville, by Terry Korolyk. January 23: --RED-TAILED HAWK(HARLAN'S), along Bow River at Carburn park, by Gus Yaki et.al. --EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE(4), Longview town, by Wayne McConigle. First report from this area. --GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCH(14) Exshaw, slope north side of town, by Ian Halladay. --CLARK'S NUTCRACKER(4), Exshaw, along river in day-use area, by IH. --AMERICAN DIPPER(1), Exshaw, same area as above, by IH. January 24: --GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCH(100),Exshaw,several small flocks, by Joan and Malcolm Macdonald. --EVENING GROSBEAK(27),Exshaw, near end of Loder Mtn.Drive, at a feeder, by J+MM. --NORTHERN SHRIKE, Vermillion lakes, Banff NP, by J+MM. --AMERICAN TREE SPARROW(6), 50 Ave.SE, east of 68Str.by Bill Wilson et.al. --ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, Calgary, 88Str.just S. of Hwy.22, BW, and Terry Korolyk. --PILEATED WOODPECKER,Griffith Woods, by BW. The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Thursday Jan.28. 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 is Wednesday February 3. Doors open at 7:00 PM. Program: Alberta's Piping Plovers: their Conservation and Management -- with Dave Prescott. BIRDING FIELD TRIPS CFNS field trips are free and open to all. ...January 2010 (Also see BSG page for Christmas Bird Count schedule) Sun Jan 24, 9:30am: Bird Weaselhead Natural Area. Meet parking lot, 37 St & 66 Av SW. Leader, Andrew Hart, 403-279-5209. Sun Jan 24, 10am: Visit the tropics. Meet in the new ENMAX Conservatory, Calgary Zoo. Regular admission applies. Obtain map at entrance. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Fri Jan 29, 7pm: See the overnight concentration of up to 5000 Common Goldeneyes S of Eric Harvie Bridge. Meet at Southland Park parking lot, off Southland Dr SE, just E of Deerfoot Tr. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Sat Jan 30, 9am: Bird the Bow River in FCPP. Meet at Bankside Parking Lot, off Bow Bottom Tr SE, turning left just before entering the park. Leader, Wayne Hewitt, 403-256-7609. Sun Jan 31, 7:30am: Several hundred Black-billed Magpies roost in the Weaselhead Area each night. Watch their dawn dispersal and then see other winter birds. Meet parking lot, 66 Av & 37 St SW. Leader, Bernie Diebolt, 403-210-2446. ...February 2010 Mon Feb 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, 243-2248, to ensure vehicle space for return. Sat Feb 6, 9am: Bird Mallard Point area of FCPP, accessed from the E end of Canyon Meadows Dr SE. Leader, Chris Lefebvre, 403-239-9847. Sat Feb 6, 9:30am: Bird Reader Rock Garden and environs, looking for White-winged Crossbills, Wood Ducks, etc. Meet in parking lot, S off 25 Av SE, just E of Macleod Tr, S of Stampede Grounds. Leader, Ken Havard, 403-242-0664. Sun Feb 7, 8:15am: 18th Annual Duck Waddle, (4-5 hours). Meet Beaverdam Flats Park S parking lot (Lynnview Rd & Lynnview Way, S of 62 Av SE). N from Glenmore Tr at 18 St SE, then left. Carpool to Carburn Park; walk back. See varied waterfowl on Bow River. Bring lunch, hot drink. Leader, Tony Timmons, 256-0754. Sat Feb 13, 9am: Bird Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9 Av SE. Leader Penny Smith, 403-283-9260. Sun Feb 14, 9am: Bird Marshall Springs, FCPP. Access is from the S side of the Park, off Fish Creek Blvd, formerly 146 Av SW. From N side of the park, take Anderson Rd W to 37 St SW. Leader, Grant Brydle, 403-720-4957. Mon Feb 15, Family Day, 8:30am: Bird Bowness Park, 48 Av, W of 85 St NW. Meet first parking lot. Leader, Howard Heffler, 284-2961. Sat Feb 20, 9:30 am: Snowy Owl Prowl. The annual February trek east of Calgary to find snowy owls and other birds. Meet at west end of Deerfoot Mall parking lot (Deerfoot Trail & 64th Ave. NE at Deerfoot Trail end). Leader: Terry Korolyk 403-254-1878. Sat Feb 20, 2pm: Animal tracks, birds, trees and shrubs, S. Glenmore Park. Meet parking W end of 90 Av SW. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Sun Feb 21, 9am: 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. Leaders, Russ/Sue Costello, 403-271-6858. Mon Feb 22, 10 am: Family Day of Birding: Meet Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9 Av SE. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Sat Feb 27, 9am: Bird Sikome Lake area of FCPP, accessed from the S end of Bow Bottom Tr SE. Leader Wayne Hewitt, 403-256-7609. Sun Feb 28, 8:30am: Bird Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9 Av SE. Leader, Chris Lefebvre, 403-239-9847. ...March 2010 (note Daylight Saving Time begins March 14) Mon Mar 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 leader Gus Yaki, 243-2248, to ensure vehicle space for return. Sat Mar 6, 9am: Bird Ingleword Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9Av SE. Leader Penny Smith, 403-283-9260. Sun Mar 7, 8:30am: Birding Bow River, Burnsmead to Hwy 22X. Meet parking lot FCPP HQ, off Bow Bottom Tr SE. Leader, Tony Timmons, 403-256-0754. Sun Mar 14, 1:30pm: Woody plants of Reader Rock Garden. Meet parking lot S off 25 Av SE, just E of Macleod Tr, S of Stampede Grounds. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. ** NOTE: Daylight Saving Time begins Mar 14 ** Fri Mar 19, 8:30pm: Watch for Northern Flying Squirrels and other nocturnal life. Bring flashlight. Meet Weaselhead parking lot, 37 St & 66 Av SW. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Sun Mar 21, 9:30am: Peak of Golden Eagle Migration, Mt. Lorette, Kananaskis Country. Bring Lunch, Warm Clothing. Meet Assumption School, 34th Av NW (NW corner of Sarcee Tr, at Hwy 1). Leader, Andrew Hart, 279-5209. Fri Mar 26, 9pm: Listen for Northern Saw-whet Owls, Sandy Beach Park. For the past two years, these owls have been heard calling here. Meet at parking lot at W end of Riverdale Av SW, W off Elbow Dr. Bring flashlight. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Sat Mar 27, 9am: Bird Glennfield area, FCPP, E of Macleod Tr, just S of Fish Creek. From N, go S on Macleod Tr, turn right onto Bannister Rd, go under Macleod Tr, then 1st left into FCPP. Meet at N end of 1st parking lot. Leader, Wayne Hewitt, 403-256-7609. ...April 2010 Thu Apr 1, 8:30am: 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. Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a City of Calgary Natural Area. Staff offer information, courses and field trips relating to natural history. For information call 311 during office hours and ask for the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Nature Calgary (Calgary Field Naturalists' Society) promotes the observation, study and conservation of the native habitat through lectures,field trips and collection of scientific data. For membership or event information, email naturecalgary AT cfns.fanweb.ca or visit the website at www.naturecalgary.com. The Birding section of the website http://birdcomp.fanweb.ca/index.html includes descriptions of birding locales in the Calgary area. Nature Calgary also publishes a newsletter, Nature News, available to members by email and on the website. - End transcript [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: NMT Griffith Woods + driving SE Calgary From: "William J. F. Wilson" <wjfwilso AT ucalgary.ca> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:43:36 -0700 I took a walk to Griffith Woods this morning, leaving the house at 5:15 am and arriving three hours later for sunrise. Objectives were the dipper seen a few days ago by Howard Heffler and the three-toed woodpecker seen a few days ago by Kristen O'Connell. Amazingly, although the dipper wasn't there, Howard was, hoping to show the dipper to Lyn and also to Tony Timmons. The three-toed didn't put in an appearance either, but a careful search of the park turned up the following species: Canada Goose - 11 flying over Mallard - 4 Common Goldeneye - 2 Bald Eagle - 1 adult Downy Woodpecker - 1 Hairy Woodpecker - 1 Pileated Woodpecker - 1 (new NMT year bird for me and new Calgary year bird for the others) Black-capped Chickadee - 12 Boreal Chickadee - 1 (new NMT for me) Red-breasted Nuthatch - 2 Bohemian Waxwing - 30 (new NMT for me) Blue Jay - 3 (new NMT for me) Black-billed Magpie - 2 Common Raven - 6 White-winged Crossbill - 10 At 11:45 am I ended the NMT trip and joined Howard and company for a drive around SE Calgary. Species added for the day were Common Merganser - Bow River Rough-legged Hawk - 1 along 88 St just south of Hwy 22X (new Calgary year bird for all of us) Gray Partridge - 12 along 50 Av SE just E of 68 St (new Calgary year bird for me) Ring-necked Pheasant - 7 together (4 m 3 f) 84 St S of Glenmore Trail Rock Pigeon House Sparrow Common Redpoll - flock of 20 American Tree Sparrow - 6 or more in shrubs along 50 Av SE just E of 68 St (new Calgary year bird for all of us) An excellent day, and very pleasant company for an NMT walk! NMT currently standing at 42 for the year, Calgary year list 45. Good birding, Bill Wilson Calgary Subject: Evening Grosbeak, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch at Exshaw From: "Malcolm McDonald" <luscinia AT telus.net> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:40:34 -0700 This morning we tried to escape the dull, gray weather in Calgary be going to the mountains, hoping to find something better. It was not much different (-8 C, snow flurries) but at Exshaw we had our best day in a long while. The highlight was a flock of 27+ EVENING GROSBEAK at a mobile home near the end of Loder Mtn Drive (across the railway tracks). They were coming to a feeder on the ground (and out of sight) on the west side of the house. There were also PINE GROSBEAK and COMMON REDPOLL around. Flying around the hamlet we saw several flocks of GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCH totaling about 100. One bird was almost totally creamy white, with a bright yellow bill . There was a rosy-orange crown patch on the head where the black should have been. There were a few faint grayish patches on the wings and the tail appeared mostly dark. Not albino but reduced pigment? We also visited Harvie Heights (saw the usual 3 Chickadees, Gray and Blue Jays, and Clark's Nutcrackers) and Hwy 1A from Banff to Castle Junction and finally the Vermilion Lakes drive, where there was a NORTHERN SHRIKE. We ended the day with 22 species. Malcolm & Joan McDonald Calgary [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Nature Calgary at Weaslehead From: Andrew Hart <harta AT telusplanet.net> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 16:03:52 -0700 We had five participants on the walk this morning with a temperature of -6C. Sightings and soundings were sparse. We saw some Canada Geese, Bohemian Waxwings and a Common Raven fly overhead. On or near the ground we saw Black Capped Chickadees (10) Common Redpolls (10) Downey Woddpecker (3) White Breasted Nuthatch (1) Black Billed Magpie (6) The main concentration was, as usual, along the path down the hill. The winner for "cute moment" was what at first appeared to be an empty feeder with no birds around it. On closer inspection we saw a Common Redpoll sitting inside it facing outwards and seeming determined not to leave a single seed behind. We did see recent evidence of a Pileated Woodpecker in the form of large fresh openings in a tree just beyond the wooden bridge, but no actual sighting. Andrew Hart Subject: Meeting of Nature Calgary Bird Study Group, Wednesday February 03 2010. From: Andrew Hart <harta AT telusplanet.net> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 12:26:06 -0700 Apologies to those of you receiving this notice more than once. The next meeting of the Nature Calgary Bird Study Group will be held on Wednesday February 3 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 presenter for the evening will be Dave Prescott of Alberta Fish and Wildlife. His topic is "Alberta's Piping Plovers: their conservation and management". There is a large map of the University of Calgary campus at http://www.ucalgary.ca/map/campus_main_Large.html The Biosciences building is in the right of the map and is marked BI. Parking is available in lots L21 and L25. Evening parking is available for $4. I hope to see you there on Wednesday February 3. 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. Good birding! Andrew Hart Subject: Hi from Doha from Brooke & Eric From: "clibbob" <brooke AT webfoundations.com> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 17:56:04 -0000 Eric has just posted his report of our first field trip in Qatar on my blog. If anyone is interested in seeing it, or in subscribing to the blog, go to http://clibbob.wordpress.com/. Note: if you subscribe, you need to watch your Junk Mail folder for an email from Wordpress -- just do what it says and you will be sent an email every time the blog is updated. Brooke Clibbon Doha, Qatar Subject: Re: My latest Bird Photographs From: Allan Cole <allan.cole AT shaw.ca> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 08:30:37 -0700 Very nice pictures David. Thanks for sharing. I also have a nature picture website. Allan Cole - Calgary Nature photos: http://naturenut.dynalias.com At 05:32 PM 21/01/2010, davidlilly57 wrote: >Hi Everyone, > >I know there are some people in this group who enjoy looking at >photographs of recent bird photographed. If you want to know more >about location and technical details, please email me. > >To view my latest bird photographs, copy and paste this link, >www.davidlillyphotography.ca > >David Lilly >Calgary [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Opal Count area birding Northern Hawk Owl and Evening Grosbeaks From: "tedh AT albertacom.com" <tedh@albertacom.com> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 19:36:02 -0700 A Northern Hawk Owl was perched this afternoon on powerpole along RR224 (Opal Road) 300m south of TR572 (south of Hwy28). Did not see any large numbers of Evening Grosbeaks, but did get 2 at the feeders in Woodridge Estates (213 Woodridge Cresent, 57301 RR233), and 1 at feeder at 21 Hillsborough Drive 57126 RR 233. At least 100 Redpolls at Woodridge as well. Pine Grosbeaks at both locations. Had Downey, Hairy and Pileated woodpecker as well. Missed getting both the Northern Hawk Owl or Evening Grosbeaks on Tues 19 Jan when I spent afternoon in Opal area with Del Huget, up from Lethbridge, checking same areas. Ted Hindmarch Hillsborough Estates Gibbons, AB [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: FFCPPSoc Birding, 9-12:noon, Sat 23Jan2010, Carburn Park From: "Gus Yaki" <gyaki AT calcna.ab.ca> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:27:12 -0700 FFCPPSoc Birding, 9-12:noon, Sat 23Jan2010, Carburn Park. Overcast, light snow, N Wind 20 kph, -07C. 1.. Canada Goose-2500 2.. Mallard -1000 3.. Bufflehead-40 4.. Common Goldeneye-300 5.. Barrow's Goldeneye-1 m sighted by Kristin 6.. Common Merganser-3 7.. Bald Eagle-11, including one group of 4. 8.. HARLAN'S HAWK-1 9.. Rock Pigeon-4 10.. Great Horned Owl-1 11.. Downy Woodpecker-2 12.. Northern Flicker-7 13.. Black-billed Magpie-20 14.. Common Raven-12 15.. Black-capped Chickadee-15 16.. Red-breasted Nuthatch-1 17.. White-breasted Nuthatch-1 18.. House Sparrow-40 a.. Muskrat-1 b.. Eastern Gray Squirrel-black morph-3 Gus Yaki [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Gray-crowned Rosy Finches at Exshaw From: "stiltca" <nihalladay AT shaw.ca> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:41:18 -0000 Yesterday, January 22, I visited Exshaw for an hour at noon. I saw none of the traditional feeders east of the creek in action so there were few small birds about. There was, however, a small flock of Gray-crowned Rosy Finches (14) moving slowly westward, with the wind, along the south-facing slope above the north side of the hamlet. At the day-use area along the river there were four Clark's Nutcrackers in the evergreens along the bank and an American Dipper beside some open water slightly downstream. When I was there Exshaw was at the contact btween the foggy conditions to the east and clear skies to the west. As a consequence there were the occasional brilliant "rainbows" over the mountains on the north side of the valley. Spectacular. Ian Halladay Calgary Subject: RBA: Calgary AB, January 21, 2010 From: Arina/Hank <rhvander AT shaw.ca> Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:38:19 -0700 - RBA * Alberta (Canada) * Calgary, AB * January 21, 2010 * ABCA1001.21 - Birds mentioned Redhead Greater Scaup Sharp-shinned Hawk Northern Harrier Three-toed Woodpecker Brown Creeper American Dipper Snow Bunting - Transcript Hotline: City of Calgary and Calgary Field Naturalists' Society Bird Alert Number: 403-221-4519 To Report: 403-221-4519 Coverage: Southern Alberta Compiler: Terry Korolyk Transcriber: Hank Vanderpol (rhvander AT shaw.ca) Welcome to the City of Calgary and CFNS Bird Alert. This report was recorded on Thursday January 21. To report a bird sighting, call 403-221-4519 and leave a message after the recording. To speak to a naturalist, phone 311 during office hours and ask for the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. January 19: --REDHEAD(1F),Bow River, south of Eric Harvey foot bridge, by Gus Yaki et.al. --SNOW BUNTING(100), west of Elkton, Rge.Rd.530+Twp.Rd.312, by Corinne Griffin. January 20: --GREATER SCAUP(1),below Carseland weir. Independently seen by Terry Korolyk and Bob Worona. --SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, Willow park shopping centre, east side, by TK. --NORTHERN HARRIER, Frank lake, by BW. --THREE-TOED WOODPECKER, Griffith Woods,just past where the paved path turns sharply to the right, by Kristin O'Connell. --BROWN CREEPER, in Coach Hill yard of Myrna Belyea. --AMERICAN DIPPER, Elbow River in Griffith Woods.Walk east from east parking lot to where path is close to river, then 50m west along river, by Howard Heffler. The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Monday Jan.25. 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 is Wednesday February 3. Doors open at 7:00 PM. Program: Alberta's Piping Plovers: their Conservation and Management -- with Dave Prescott. BIRDING FIELD TRIPS CFNS field trips are free and open to all. ...January 2010 (Also see BSG page for Christmas Bird Count schedule) Sun Jan 24, 9:30am: Bird Weaselhead Natural Area. Meet parking lot, 37 St & 66 Av SW. Leader, Andrew Hart, 403-279-5209. Sun Jan 24, 10am: Visit the tropics. Meet in the new ENMAX Conservatory, Calgary Zoo. Regular admission applies. Obtain map at entrance. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Fri Jan 29, 7pm: See the overnight concentration of up to 5000 Common Goldeneyes S of Eric Harvie Bridge. Meet at Southland Park parking lot, off Southland Dr SE, just E of Deerfoot Tr. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Sat Jan 30, 9am: Bird the Bow River in FCPP. Meet at Bankside Parking Lot, off Bow Bottom Tr SE, turning left just before entering the park. Leader, Wayne Hewitt, 403-256-7609. Sun Jan 31, 7:30am: Several hundred Black-billed Magpies roost in the Weaselhead Area each night. Watch their dawn dispersal and then see other winter birds. Meet parking lot, 66 Av & 37 St SW. Leader, Bernie Diebolt, 403-210-2446. ...February 2010 Mon Feb 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, 243-2248, to ensure vehicle space for return. Sat Feb 6, 9am: Bird Mallard Point area of FCPP, accessed from the E end of Canyon Meadows Dr SE. Leader, Chris Lefebvre, 403-239-9847. Sat Feb 6, 9:30am: Bird Reader Rock Garden and environs, looking for White-winged Crossbills, Wood Ducks, etc. Meet in parking lot, S off 25 Av SE, just E of Macleod Tr, S of Stampede Grounds. Leader, Ken Havard, 403-242-0664. Sun Feb 7, 8:15am: 18th Annual Duck Waddle, (4-5 hours). Meet Beaverdam Flats Park S parking lot (Lynnview Rd & Lynnview Way, S of 62 Av SE). N from Glenmore Tr at 18 St SE, then left. Carpool to Carburn Park; walk back. See varied waterfowl on Bow River. Bring lunch, hot drink. Leader, Tony Timmons, 256-0754. Sat Feb 13, 9am: Bird Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9 Av SE. Leader Penny Smith, 403-283-9260. Sun Feb 14, 9am: Bird Marshall Springs, FCPP. Access is from the S side of the Park, off Fish Creek Blvd, formerly 146 Av SW. From N side of the park, take Anderson Rd W to 37 St SW. Leader, Grant Brydle, 403-720-4957. Mon Feb 15, Family Day, 8:30am: Bird Bowness Park, 48 Av, W of 85 St NW. Meet first parking lot. Leader, Howard Heffler, 284-2961. Sat Feb 20, 9:30 am: Snowy Owl Prowl. The annual February trek east of Calgary to find snowy owls and other birds. Meet at west end of Deerfoot Mall parking lot (Deerfoot Trail & 64th Ave. NE at Deerfoot Trail end). Leader: Terry Korolyk 403-254-1878. Sat Feb 20, 2pm: Animal tracks, birds, trees and shrubs, S. Glenmore Park. Meet parking W end of 90 Av SW. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Sun Feb 21, 9am: 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. Leaders, Russ/Sue Costello, 403-271-6858. Mon Feb 22, 10 am: Family Day of Birding: Meet Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9 Av SE. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Sat Feb 27, 9am: Bird Sikome Lake area of FCPP, accessed from the S end of Bow Bottom Tr SE. Leader Wayne Hewitt, 403-256-7609. Sun Feb 28, 8:30am: Bird Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9 Av SE. Leader, Chris Lefebvre, 403-239-9847. ...March 2010 (note Daylight Saving Time begins March 14) Mon Mar 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 leader Gus Yaki, 243-2248, to ensure vehicle space for return. Sat Mar 6, 9am: Bird Ingleword Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9Av SE. Leader Penny Smith, 403-283-9260. Sun Mar 7, 8:30am: Birding Bow River, Burnsmead to Hwy 22X. Meet parking lot FCPP HQ, off Bow Bottom Tr SE. Leader, Tony Timmons, 403-256-0754. Sun Mar 14, 1:30pm: Woody plants of Reader Rock Garden. Meet parking lot S off 25 Av SE, just E of Macleod Tr, S of Stampede Grounds. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. ** NOTE: Daylight Saving Time begins Mar 14 ** Fri Mar 19, 8:30pm: Watch for Northern Flying Squirrels and other nocturnal life. Bring flashlight. Meet Weaselhead parking lot, 37 St & 66 Av SW. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Sun Mar 21, 9:30am: Peak of Golden Eagle Migration, Mt. Lorette, Kananaskis Country. Bring Lunch, Warm Clothing. Meet Assumption School, 34th Av NW (NW corner of Sarcee Tr, at Hwy 1). Leader, Andrew Hart, 279-5209. Fri Mar 26, 9pm: Listen for Northern Saw-whet Owls, Sandy Beach Park. For the past two years, these owls have been heard calling here. Meet at parking lot at W end of Riverdale Av SW, W off Elbow Dr. Bring flashlight. Leader, Gus Yaki, 403-243-2248. Sat Mar 27, 9am: Bird Glennfield area, FCPP, E of Macleod Tr, just S of Fish Creek. From N, go S on Macleod Tr, turn right onto Bannister Rd, go under Macleod Tr, then 1st left into FCPP. Meet at N end of 1st parking lot. Leader, Wayne Hewitt, 403-256-7609. ...April 2010 Thu Apr 1, 8:30am: 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. Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a City of Calgary Natural Area. Staff offer information, courses and field trips relating to natural history. For information call 311 during office hours and ask for the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Nature Calgary (Calgary Field Naturalists' Society) promotes the observation, study and conservation of the native habitat through lectures, field trips and collection of scientific data. For membership or event information, email naturecalgary AT cfns.fanweb.ca or visit the website at www.naturecalgary.com. The Birding section of the website http://birdcomp.fanweb.ca/index.html includes descriptions of birding locales in the Calgary area. Nature Calgary also publishes a newsletter, Nature News, available to members by email and on the website. - End transcript [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: My latest Bird Photographs From: "davidlilly57" <davidlilly57 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:32:22 -0000 Hi Everyone, I know there are some people in this group who enjoy looking at photographs of recent bird photographed. If you want to know more about location and technical details, please email me. To view my latest bird photographs, copy and paste this link, www.davidlillyphotography.ca David Lilly Calgary Subject: No Subject From: "Gus Yaki" <gyaki AT calcna.ab.ca> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:11:58 -0700 FFCPPSoc Birding, 9:15am-12:30pm, Thu, 21Jan2010, Carburn Park. Cloudy, calm, -05C. 1.. Canada Goose-2000 2.. Mallard -600 3.. Redhead-1 f or imm. 4.. Bufflehead-40 5.. Common Goldeneye-400 6.. Barrow's Goldeneye-1 m 7.. Common Merganser-1 f 8.. Bald Eagle-2 ad. 9.. Rock Pigeon-6 10.. Downy Woodpecker-6 11.. Northern Flicker-6 12.. Black-billed Magpie-20 13.. American Crow-1 14.. Common Raven-6 15.. Black-capped Chickadee-20 16.. White-breasted Nuthatch-2 17.. House Finch-2 18.. Common Redpoll-10 19.. House Sparrow-40 Eastern Gray Squirrel, black morph-6+ Gus Yaki [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Three-toed Woodpecker From: "jamaicantody" <jamaicantody AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:25:14 -0000 Yesterday afternoon at Griffith Woods I saw a Three-toed Woodpecker, perhaps the same individual that was reported not long ago. It was a male, and was flaking off bark, finding something and eating it every now and then. It was located where the main Regional Paved Pathway takes a sharp turn to the right, where the first bridge is located when travelling in a westward direction from the east parking lot,just northeast of where those trails intersect, in the trees there. It allowed me quite a close approach, unperturbed by my presence. It worked on the same tree for awhile, gradually working its way in an upward direction, before it zigzaggedly hopped up abit then went around to the other side of the trunk, at which point it flew off elsewhere. Kristin O'Connell Calgary Subject: RBA: Calgary AB, January 18, 2010 From: "Mike Mulligan" <potoo AT shaw.ca> Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:28:56 -0700 - RBA * Alberta (Canada) * Calgary, AB * January 18, 2010 * ABCA1001.18 - Birds mentioned Redhead Lesser Scaup Harlequin Duck Long-tailed Duck Hooded Merganser Northern Goshawk Killdeer Snowy Owl Brown Creeper Wren sp - Transcript Hotline: City of Calgary and Calgary Field Naturalists' Society Bird Alert Number: 403-221-4519 To Report: 403-221-4519 Coverage: Southern Alberta Compiler: Terry Korolyk Transcriber: Mike Mulligan (potoo AT shaw.ca) Welcome to the City of Calgary and CFNS Bird Alert. This report was recorded on Monday January 18. To report a bird sighting, call 403-221-4519 and leave a message after the recording. To speak to a naturalist, phone 311 during office hours and ask for the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. January 16 REDHEAD female, Carburn Park area of Bow River, Rob Worona LESSER SCAUP (probable Lesser), Bow River Hwy 22X, Bill Wilson NORTHERN GOSHAWK adult, Inglewood BS near RR tracks, Phil Cram & Mike Mulligan KILLDEER, Carburn Park, several observers SNOWY OWL (6), east of Calgary, Terry Korolyk WREN sp, Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, volunteers January 17 BROWN CREEPER, Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, Greg Scott HARLEQUIN DUCK pair, still at at Inglewood BS, lower end, many obs LONG-TAILED DUCK female, persists on Bow River above Hwy 22x bridge HOODED MERGANSER female, continues on lagoon at Inglewood BS The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is on Thursday January 20. 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 is Wednesday February 3. Doors open at 7:00 PM. Program: Alberta's Piping Plovers: their Conservation and Management -- with Dave Prescott. BIRDING FIELD TRIPS CFNS field trips are free and open to all. Sun Jan 24, 9:30am: Bird Weaselhead Natural Area. Meet parking lot, 37 St & 66 Av SW. Leader, Andrew Hart, 403-279-5209. Sat Jan 30, 9 am: Bird the Bow River in FCPP. Meet at Bankside Parking Lot, off Bow Bottom Tr SE, turning left just before entering the park. Leader, Wayne Hewitt, 403-256-7609. Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a City of Calgary Natural Area. Staff offer information, courses and field trips relating to natural history. For information call 311 during office hours and ask for the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Nature Calgary (Calgary Field Naturalists' Society) promotes the observation, study and conservation of the native habitat through lectures, field trips and collection of scientific data. For membership or event information, email naturecalgary AT cfns.fanweb.ca or visit the website at www.naturecalgary.com. The Birding section of the website http://birdcomp.fanweb.ca/index.html includes descriptions of birding locales in the Calgary area. Nature Calgary also publishes a newsletter, Nature News, available to members by email and on the website. - End transcript Subject: Long-tailed Duck in Fish Creek Park From: "Andrew Slater" <andrewslater AT shaw.ca> Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:49:34 -0700 A Long-tailed Duck was right by the west bank of the Bow River about fifty yards above the boat launch when I arrived around 9.30 this morning. Twenty minutes later it had drifted down almost to the 22X bridge, then flew away upstream. Andrew Slater, Calgary [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Answer to NMT Quiz Bird From: "Jill B." <jill.bhar AT shaw.ca> Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 07:23:27 -0700 That's very interesting, Bill. A few weeks ago, I heard a strange song coming from a small tree in my back yard and all I could see was a black capped chickadee. I checked the internet for other songs/calls but was still left unsure. Jill Bhar High River ----- Original Message ----- From: William J. F. Wilson To: Albertabird AT yahoogroups.com ; BirdsCalgary2010 AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 8:27 PM Subject: [Albertabird] Answer to NMT Quiz Bird Five people responded to my quiz about the "towhee" singing along the river at Douglasdale last Sunday. Answers and number of people with that answer were: Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1 Black-capped Chickadee - 1 European Starling - 1 Dark-eyed Junco - 2 All answers were good! Nuthatches have a range of sounds when they are in the mood for it, and starlings are excellent imitators. There are lots of "meadowlarks" and "killdeer" in the trees at Inglewood, all of them looking amazingly like starlings!. One person who guessed junco commented on hearing them give two- and three-part trills in winter and spring, and I spent a few minutes a couple of years back at Harvie Heights checking out a towhee-like song that turned out to come from a junco. And the answer is (may I have the envelope, please!) ... Black-capped Chickadee! The winner, Gus Yaki, mentioned hearing this song from Black-capped Chickadees some years back. It would be interesting to hear how many others have heard it. It was certainly a first for me in thirty years of birding in Black-capped-Chickadee-land. (There's always something new!) Thank you to all who responded, and I hope everyone enjoyed thinking about it. Good birding, Bill Wilson Calgary [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Answer to NMT Quiz Bird From: "William J. F. Wilson" <wjfwilso AT ucalgary.ca> Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:27:50 -0700 Five people responded to my quiz about the "towhee" singing along the river at Douglasdale last Sunday. Answers and number of people with that answer were: Red-breasted Nuthatch - 1 Black-capped Chickadee - 1 European Starling - 1 Dark-eyed Junco - 2 All answers were good! Nuthatches have a range of sounds when they are in the mood for it, and starlings are excellent imitators. There are lots of "meadowlarks" and "killdeer" in the trees at Inglewood, all of them looking amazingly like starlings!. One person who guessed junco commented on hearing them give two- and three-part trills in winter and spring, and I spent a few minutes a couple of years back at Harvie Heights checking out a towhee-like song that turned out to come from a junco. And the answer is (may I have the envelope, please!) ... Black-capped Chickadee! The winner, Gus Yaki, mentioned hearing this song from Black-capped Chickadees some years back. It would be interesting to hear how many others have heard it. It was certainly a first for me in thirty years of birding in Black-capped-Chickadee-land. (There's always something new!) Thank you to all who responded, and I hope everyone enjoyed thinking about it. Good birding, Bill Wilson Calgary Subject: Finally – did not dip on the Dipper From: "Howard" <howard.heffler AT yahoo.ca> Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 02:15:57 -0000 I got to the east parking lot of Griffith Woods at 3:00 PM this afternoon, walked to the east end of the parking lot and then to the Elbow River where I walked upstream (west) along the bank for approx 50 metres. An American Dipper was easy to find working a riffle. From this spot I also saw (at least) two Boreal Chickadees. This is where Lyn, Tony Timmons and I flushed a Ruffed Grouse last weekend but I did not see it today. After a one-hour walk around, I came back to the same spot and quickly located the Dipper again. Howard Heffler