Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk December 6, 2025

Chris Olsen Report

Bird Focus People:

Seven determined Birders joined together on December 6th, 2025 at Riverbend Golf & Recreation Area. A Northern Flicker browsed crab-apples in the playground and a brisk wind and -20 temperatures got us moving smartly. Welcome to Terry M. and Cheryl R. newly joining our Bird Focus group today!

Birding was mixed, with even the irrepressible Riverbend chickadees slow to appear in the chill. Notwithstanding the wind, mist hung over the icy water below the outflow and literally hundreds of Mallards and Canada Geese lined the ghostly shores. We saw one Killdeer on the shoals, and some small waterfowl, teal-sized, among the Mallards. Kingfishers have been heard and sighted there of late, but it was not our fortune this day.

We followed the river to the first bench, adding two adult Bald Eagles and two juveniles, sighted two-by-two. There were Common Goldeneyes and a single Common Merganser among many more Mallards and Canada Geese as we went.

Things were mostly quiet thereafter, with only Downy Woodpeckers and Chickadees for company on the trail. Near the last bit of conifer forest, a large buteo (genus comprising species commonly known as buzzards and hawks) looped over, circling us twice between the river and the fairways. We had a good look and our consensus is that it was a dark-phase Rough-legged Hawk. A great finish to a wintery outing!

Next Saturday December 13th, 2025 is our wrap-up at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre. Join us for the walk on the Wishart Trail at the usual time if you can, and for sure for hot drinks and snacks afterwards (about 12:30-1:30 p.m.). We’ll have a summary of the season that was and talk about what we want to do in the season to come.

See you there!

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

River Bend Golf, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Dec 6, 2025 9:32 AM - 12:55 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
4.322 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
13 species
7 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 775
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 450
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) 37
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) 1
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 1 Observed on the Red Deer River ice below the water treatment plant outflow - open water here year-round.
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 4
Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) 1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 1
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 7
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 60
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) 4
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 2
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S287760028

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk November 22, 2025

Chris Olsen Report

Bird Focus People:

Nine birders were out November 22, 2025 to walk the trails of Bower Woods. It was cool to start, but still and beautiful in the snowy old growth along Piper Creek. Mountain ash and elderberry shrubs, dried leaves and berries, coloured the understory. Piper Creek was open and running gently. The morning brightened and warmed nicely as we walked. Sharp eyes picked out a lone Bald Eagle drifting overhead. Downy Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, Black-capped Chickadees and Northern Flickers were our story initially. Near the pedestrian bridge, Tannis spotted a flock of White-winged Crossbills working the cones high in the white spruce. 

Along the main trail we began to hear and see a lot of activity from gathering Black-billed Magpies and Blue Jays. That intensified, and soon two Ravens circled in to join the Corvid show, mid-canopy in the large white spruces. We were clearly in the midst of a major mobbing! Deb caught a glimpse of something stick-like, perhaps suggesting a Long-eared Owl doing the ‘dead-limb disguise thing’ with compressed feathers. Regrettably, there was no clear sighting in the heavy cover, and we were left to speculate as the mob drifted off.

We finished the morning with numerous Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches, both Boreal and Black-capped Chickadees, and one more White-winged Crossbill. Remarkably, small flocks of ring-billed Gulls winged overhead. In the open woodlands nearing 22 Street, Jared spotted a large Mule Deer stag with a harem. See below the photo as a graphic demonstration of why not to festoon your low shrubbery with Christmas lights. The stag was in good condition, and in my professional opinion likely to survive - but still a distressing sight to see him antler-trussed and dragging that mess.

 Enjoy,

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

Red Deer--Bower Woods, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Nov 22, 2025 9:51 AM - 1:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
2.326 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
13 species
9 Participants
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  29
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  6
Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  4
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  10
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)  19
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  2
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  30
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus)  6
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  5
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  7
White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera)  11

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S285668468 

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk November 15, 2025

Chris Olsen Report

Bird Focus People:

Eight birders joined together November 15, 2025 for a frosty morning walk through the parks along Waskasoo Creek. We started by taking the trail up to the top of the escarpment along Spruce Drive, picking up a young female Pileated Woodpecker along the way. The long stair down to Waskasoo Creek was mostly quiet, but as we moved through Barrett Park on the right bank, we saw several groups of Black-billed Magpies. Every such ‘mischief’ suggested perhaps a mobbing, but alas we saw no owls or diurnal raptors for the day. Our count was at least 34 magpies - they and the red squirrels seemed to be everywhere as the sun brightened and warmed the trails. We were lucky to get close to a second Pileated Woodpecker in Barrett, among small bands of Black-capped Chickadees, Blue Jays, and Red-breasted Nuthatches. 

The Coronation and Stephenson Park trails were relatively quiet, but very pretty as the morning warmed. Birding picked up in Galbraith, and we added White-winged Crossbills and a Boreal Chickadee to our tally, while House Finches entertained us with song. As we approached Gaetz Park we saw several flocks of Canada Geese overhead. There were flocks of Canada Geese, Ring-billed Gulls and scattered Mallards on the river. Among the Canada’s, two Cackling Geese stood out by virtue of sound and diminutive size.

We finished the morning with a look at the right bank of the river along 45th Avenue, and a brief discussion of the East Lincoln proposal to build one or more apartment buildings on the former school fields. As illustrated by our walk this morning, Red Deer has an amazing park system - riparian, treed land and meadow connect the Piper Creek headwaters to the SE, right along the downtown core, and northward to Gaetz lakes, McKenzie Trails, Riverbend and out to the Blindman River watershed. The only ‘broken link’ in this system is the 250 m or so along 45th Avenue - it numbs the mind to think we would risk this amazing linkage to allow apartments; built far from transit and amenities, but crowding the last bit of open space adjacent to the road and trail to the Kerry Wood Nature Centre. How ironic.

On a more positive note, the Waskasoo Community Association reports that more than 60 letters were sent to MPC by the Friday deadline. Thanks to the birders that were on that list! Development apparently needs more time to get everything on the agenda and so the MPC meeting has been moved back a week to 9:00 a.m. Wednesday November 26^th, 2025. That meeting is in City Council Chambers and open to the public. We’re hoping to get as many supporters out as possible - wear blue to show your support!! For more info and complete background check out the Waskasoo Community website (Planning and Development tab) at www.waskasoo.com.

Enjoy!

Chris 

Here is the eBird report:

Waskasoo Creek, Red Deer CA-AB (52.2693,-113.8017), Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Nov 15, 2025 10:01 AM - 12:19 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
3.456 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing. Walk Waskasoo Creek from Rotary Park through Barrett Park, Coronation Park, Stephenson Park, Galbraith Park to Gaetz Park on the Red Deer River.
16 species
8 Participants
Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii)  2
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  144
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  11
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  20
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  2
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)  2
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  2
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  10
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)  34
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  24
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus)  1
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  2
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  3
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  6
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  4
White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera)  2

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S284639432 

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Field Trip November 8th, 2025

Chris Olsen Report

Bird Focus People:

Ten birders joined us November 8th, 2025 to walk the trails of the J.J. Collett Natural Area near Morningside. There had been about 10 cm of snow overnight and the scenery was breathtaking - dark conifers and golden grasses, all newly snow-covered in the bright sunshine. Welcome to new participants Colleen S., Margaret F. and Kelly D. Special thanks to Dale Olsen for setting our route and sharing his local knowledge!

Notwithstanding the scenery, birding was slow. We saw several flocks of Canada Geese overhead, arrowing their way southward. At a feeder station, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Blue Jays and a flock of Black-capped Chickadees were busy competing for the bounty. Along the trails, we tracked Ruffed Grouse, and added White-breasted Nuthatches, Common Ravens and some Boreal Chickadees. A lone Northern Flicker decorated the top of a spruce snag - all fluffed up but identifiable in the distance by bill and bib. We had numerous groups of Pine Grosbeaks in nearby canopies and moving overhead, readily identifiable by their calls, but sadly not perching nearby to show us their red and russet finery.

As noted to the group this morning, East Lincoln is back to propose yet another apartment development on the former school property along 45 Avenue/59 Street. This will of course profoundly impact the Waskasoo Park system by effectively cutting the linkage between the southern portions and the Kerry Wood/Gaetz Lakes/ Mackenzie/Riverbend portions to the north - to say nothing of the added traffic, parking and congestion we all see enroute to the Kerry Wood Nature Centre.

If, like me you believe the best of Red Deer is the park system, please consider making your views known to the Municipal Planning Commission (deadline is 4:30 pm, Friday Nov 14th), and/or attending their hearing in City Council chambers on Nov 19th. Please add your input, and make it clear that our Public Service lands and parks are not a place for high-density development.

Enjoy!

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

J.J. Collett Natural Area, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Nov 8, 2025 9:53 AM - 12:57 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
4.472 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
13 species
10 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 260
Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) 2
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 3
Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) 3
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 6
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) 1
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 4
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 14
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) 2
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) 2
Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) 6
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S283580421

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk October 25, 2025

Chris Olsen Report

Bird Focus People:

Seven birders were out to the Riverbend Upper Trails October 25, 2025. The day started cool and a little blustery, but quickly warmed into another breathtaking fall day!  

There was a running race in the park and maybe that explains why there were few birds on the river and ponds. We saw lots of Canada Geese overhead, but little else was flying. We did see a young Double-crested Cormorant on the pond near the ‘Road-to-Nowhere’, but only Mallards otherwise in that area.

Best of the morning was a mixed feeding flock in and under the spruces near the parking area. Among them were late American Goldfinch, numerous American Tree Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, and of course a selection of the resident chickadees and nuthatches.

We added a selection of Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers on the upper trails. Merlin ‘heard’ a Yellow-rumped Warbler and a Townsend’s Solitaire, but in the absence of a visual sighting we did not record either.

Our group split up near the picnic area and Bella (the dog), Susan and I finished the perimeter trail to add a late Belted Kingfisher, and of course more of the habituated chickadees, woodpeckers and nuthatches.

Enjoy!

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

River Bend Golf, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Oct 25, 2025 9:52 AM - 2:52 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
7.09 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
20 species
Seven participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  159
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  92
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)  20
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum)  1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  6
Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  3
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)  4
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  1
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  4
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  45
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus)  7
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  6
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  4
Brown Creeper (Certhia americana)  1
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  5
American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea)  14
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)  4
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S281334477

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