Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Field Trip October 18, 2025

Chris Olsen Report 

Bird Focus People:

Two birders made it to Crimson Lake October 18, 2025 to walk the Amerada Trail on a spectacular fall day. The leaves were off the poplars, but the Larches were in full gold and the fall colors were stunning against the bright blue sky!

Woodpeckers and creepers were the story of the day. A walk to the shoreline first thing gave us repeated drum calls from an American Three-toed Woodpecker and drumming and calling from both Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers. On the lake itself, a log of sleepy Ring-billed Gulls basked in their own reflections, and a single Common Loon called in the distance. Later in the day we added Mallards and a Common Merganser, but otherwise the waters were still and empty.

A kilometre or so down the trail, we flushed a Ruffed Grouse and then followed more drumming to another American Three-toed Woodpecker. In the same stand, we heard and saw our first Brown Creeper of the day, and a mixed feeding flock of Black-capped Chickadees, Boreal Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and Golden-crowned Kinglets fed by us.

Surprisingly, there were no birds on the wetland pond, but a kilometre or so past, we encountered Canada Jays on the trail, and gentle tapping nearby led us to another American Three-toed Woodpecker. At lunch near the island, we were joined by a second Brown Creeper. Remarkably, we encountered a third Brown Creeper and a third American Three-toed Woodpecker before the boardwalk fen trail!

Enjoy!

Chris 

Here is the eBird report:

Crimson Lake Provincial Park, Clearwater County CA-AB 52.45105, -115.03274, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, CA
Oct 18, 2025 9:49 AM - 2:10 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
9.913 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
17 species
2 Participants
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  2
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)  1
Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus)  2
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  7
Common Loon (Gavia immer)  1
American Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis)  3
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  1
Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus)  1
Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis)  4
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  3
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)  2
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  4
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  12
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus)  12
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)  6
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  2
Brown Creeper (Certhia americana)  3
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S280218978

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk October 11, 2025

Chris Olsen Report

Bird Focus People:

Fourteen birders joined us for a stunning fall walk through Maskepetoon Park October 11, 2025. Welcome to Gillian and Makda newly joining our group and thanks to Christie, Peter and Mack joining us all the way from Sherwood Park!

Birds were few, but the morning and early afternoon was unexpectedly warm and literally bathed in gold, red and orange. The larches in particular are at their very best!

There were Double-crested Cormorants and Mallards on the large slough, but surprisingly no waterfowl or waders on the river or other ponds. The waters are low everywhere and you can look into dry passages to the beaver lodges - it’s going to be a grim winter for aquatic mammals.

Woodpeckers were our best group today and we tallied Downy, Hairy and Pileated, as well as Northern Flickers. Nuthatches and Chickadees were busy along the trails, and we did manage a small group of Dark-eyed Juncos. 

Ron B. sent along a great photo of our group riverside today (see below). Next week is Crimson Lake, and weather permitting we should enjoy another golden walk there. Do remember it is about 12 km and so come prepared with good footwear, water and a trail lunch.

Enjoy

Chris

Here is the eBird Report:

Red Deer--Maskepetoon Park, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Oct 11, 2025 10:04 AM - 12:40 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
2.505 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
16 species
14 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  10
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  5
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum)  2
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  4
Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus)  1
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  2
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  5
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)  6
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  5
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  1
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  29
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  6
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  4
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  2
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)  6

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S278788967 

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Field Trip October 4, 2025

Chris Olsen Report

Bird Focus People:

Eight hardy birders were out under threatening skies October 4, 2025 for a damp and chilly stroll of the Nova Nature trails. Birding started slow with the creek mostly dry and little moving in the grasslands and forest. Flocks of Canada Geese and a few Greater White-fronted Geese were our only activity to start. Towards the north, beaver dams were holding some water and we began to see dabbling ducks, coots and waders. 

Best sighting of the day was on a muddy bar where a lone Killdeer and three Wilson’s Snipes were foraging in the mud and shallows. The snipes seemed quite unconcerned by us and put on a nice display of probing the mud and shallows for insects.

We saw flocks of American Robins, American Pipits, European Starlings and Common Grackles overhead. The rising wind and cooling temperature seemed to be unsettling these birds and they moved through without pause. Even the crows, ravens and magpies seemed to be drifting. We saw flock after flock of Canada Geese, mostly overhead, but no Snow, Ross’s, or Cackling Geese joined them this morning.

Enjoy!

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

NOVA Chemicals Community Nature Trail, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Oct 4, 2025 9:38 AM - 12:45 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
4.093 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
22 species
8 Participants
Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)  9
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  556
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)  2
Gadwall (Mareca strepera)  6
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  16
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca)  12
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)  6
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)  1
American Coot (Fulica americana)  4
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)  1
Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata)  3
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  1
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)  4
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  9
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  2
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  9
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  20
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  15
American Pipit (Anthus rubescens)  20
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  2
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  6
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S277262686

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Field Trip September 27, 2025

Chris Olsen Report

Bird Focus People:

Eleven birders were out September 27, 2025 to enjoy the fall colors around the ‘Lakes of Lacombe’. We followed Cathy’s route from last year, and walked portions of Barnett and Elizabeth Lakes. 

Birding was brisk, and we had only reached the shore of Barnett Lake when a Crow chased a Sharp-shinned Hawk through the tall spruces. On the lake we saw Canada Geese, Mallards, a late American Coot, and both Red-necked and Horned Grebes. Greater Yellowlegs called along the shore, the shrubbery along the shore was busy with noisy flocks of American Robins and Common Grackles. We had Pine Siskens, Black-capped Chickadees and a White-breasted Nuthatch overhead. Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers worked the deadwood, and a small slough along the trail was filled with American Wigeons and Mallards - the dabbling ducks were moulting, and we saw a range of plumage from late eclipse to full breeding.

Along Elizabeth Lake, White-throated Sparrows and Yellow-rumped Warblers worked the shrubbery, while Cedar Waxwings, Robins and Woodpeckers moved overhead. Divers were the story on the water, with Common Goldeneye, Buffleheads and even a lonely Ruddy visible. Our last ‘sighting’ of the day was a miniature Red-sided Garter Snake hastening across the trail to the water.

Thanks to Danielle B. for sharing this fall photo below of ‘Birders along Barnett’. 

Enjoy!

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

Barnett Lake, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Sep 27, 2025 9:43 AM - 1:13 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
3.704 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
28 species (+1 other taxa)
11 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  16
American Wigeon (Mareca americana)  58
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  21
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)  12
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)  5
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)  1
American Coot (Fulica americana)  3
Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca)  2
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  2
gull sp. (Larinae sp.)  6
Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus)  6
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena)  3
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus)  1     Pursued by a crow along the lake shore - seen twice
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  3
Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  2
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  3
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)  8
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  11
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  4
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  28
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  2
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  27
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  6
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)  6
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  4
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  30
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  14

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S275926221 

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk September 20, 2025

Bird Study People:

Thirteen birders joined together on September 20, 2025 for a warm walk of the perimeter trails at Heritage Ranch. Welcome to Mary S. and Patricia C. joining the group today!

Birding started slowly with the usual traffic noise near the start, but picked up nicely as we moved downslope into the mixed-wood cover. We had small flocks of chickadees throughout, but the mid-canopy was also busy with foraging migrants. Yellow-rumped Warblers at first, and then along the river we had White-throated Sparrows both singing and calling. Celia spied a nice specimen grooming in the shrubbery and he gave us a real display. The Merlin app ‘heard’ Hermit Thrushes, but we were not able to catch a sight or confirm. Equally, there were numerous unidentifiable sparrows moving in the shrubbery. A pair of sparrows feeding and bathing in the water under a beaver log pile really challenged us but we were unable to get a clear look!

A very large and noisy flock of Common Grackles complained from the tops of the conifers as they drifted by, and although the river itself was quiet, we had Ring-billed Gulls, Double-Crested Cormorants, and Canada Geese overhead. Ron saw and heard a Cooper’s Hawk, and we heard and saw both Pileated and Hairy Woodpeckers.

We finished the morning with small groups of Mallards and Greater Yellowlegs on the shores, and a Bald Eagle soared overhead.

A technical note in that you may be noticing that eBird has ‘shortened’ our walks relative to previous years. The eBird mapping function now eliminates duplicate distances, and so for example our walk in Dry Island was 5.098 km this year vs. 7.719 km last year on the same route. People were quick to reassure me that it is definitely still an ‘intermediate hike’, whatever the return distance!

Enjoy!

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

Red Deer--Heritage Ranch Park, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Sep 20, 2025 9:47 AM - 1:14 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
4.022 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
23 species
13 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 86
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 6
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia (Feral Pigeon)) 1
Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) 4
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 4
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) 4
Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii) 1
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 1
Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus) 1
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) 2
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 3
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 5
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) 9
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 15
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 1
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 16
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) 2
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 7
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) 9
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) 2
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 8
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) 115
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 4

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S274547974 

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk June 7, 2025

Bird Focus People:

I’m just back in Red Deer and getting ready for Medicine/Crimson Lake this coming weekend June 14 & 15, 2025. Hope to see some of you there for either hiking (Saturday Medicine Lake and Sunday Crimson Lake mornings) or for kayaking (Medicine Lake Saturday afternoon). Many thanks to Ron Bjorge for hosting the Riverbend Golf & Recreation Area - Upper trails walk June 7, 2025. His group ticked a remarkable 46 species! Here is Ron’s note and his eBird summary:

Nine keen birders joined us on the Riverbend Upper trails. Welcome to Bill and Diana joining us for the first time!  We recorded 46 species seen and or heard, in spite of the heavy gusts and some smoke. We were regaled by at least 7 Osprey, including at least one chick in a nest box. The wild blue clematis were finished, but the wild roses were coming on strong! All the best. Ron

Enjoy!

Chris Olsen 

Here is the eBird report:

Red Deer--River Bend Recreation Area, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Jun 7, 2025 9:56 AM - 1:13 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
4.385 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Windy day, but quite a bit of activity. Many yellow warblers. 9 keen birders
46 species
9 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  25
Gadwall (Mareca strepera)  6
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  9
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)  2
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)  20
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)  1
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  1
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius)  6
Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan)  24
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  1
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum)  1
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)  1
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)  3
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)  7
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  2
Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  1
Western Wood-Pewee (Contopus sordidulus)  1
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus)  6
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  5
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  4
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  5
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  1
Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia)  25
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)  1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis)  1
Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)  75
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula)  1
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  3
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  6
Northern House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)  3
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  13
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  15
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  3
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)  1
Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida)  3
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  2
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)  1
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  2
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  8
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)  10
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  49
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  2
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)  1
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S249597893

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Field Trip May 31, 2025

Bird Focus People:

Twelve birders were out to stroll Kuhnen Park May 31, 2025. For most of our walk, the winds were light and an overcast sky kept the heat from being oppressive. Birds were very active in the forest, along the trails, and on the water, and we managed 51 species for the outing. Yellow Warblers and Least Flycatchers vied for the most common and visible species of the day. Eastern Kingbirds and even Gray Catbirds put on a show in the shrubbery. Surprisingly we heard few Baltimore Orioles, and this time out we did not see Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Common Grackle, Ruby-throated Hummingbird or even Nuthatches. Birding - always a surprise!

Join our Guest Host Ron Bjorge June 7, 2025 on the Riverbend Golf & Recreation Area upper trails - that is always a rich and diverse offering! Or, if you’re feeling adventurous join me for the Vermilion River Naturalists annual spring count in Vermilion Provincial Park. I hope to see many of you at Medicine Lake June 14, 2025 for the birding trails or kayaking. And Crimson Lake for birding on June 15, 2025. See www.rdrn.ca for details.

Enjoy!

Chris Olsen

Here is the eBird report:

Kuhnen Park, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
May 31, 2025 9:43 AM - 1:21 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
4.201 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
51 species
12 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 41
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) 5
Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) 1
Gadwall (Mareca strepera) 5
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 13
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) 1
Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) 3
Redhead (Aythya americana) 5
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) 6
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) 16
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) 1
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) 1
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) 4
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia (Feral Pigeon)) 1
American Coot (Fulica americana) 5
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 1
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 1
Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan) 4
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) 6
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) 11
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 2
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 1
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) 1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 1
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) 28
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 3
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) 9
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 6
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 1
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) 2
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 1
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 3
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 4
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) 8
Northern House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 6
Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris) 1
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 5
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 14
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 6
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 10
Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) 3
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 10
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 3
Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) 7
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) 3
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 26
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 5
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 2
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 31
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 3
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S245224068