Red Deer River Naturalist Bird Focus Group Walk December 7, 2024

Seven birders were out December 7, 2024 with Chris Olsen to join the walk in Riverbend Golf and Recreation Area. Chris reports that the morning started well with a mature Bald Eagle flyby over the entry gate. We could see a few ducks from the footbridge, but the real news there was a mink that popped out of the water and onto the ice to survey his domain for a moment. We also saw a juvenile Bald Eagle from the bridge.

Back on the start of the forest trail, we were swarmed by the usual horde of habituated Chickadees. Notably, we actually had a mixed feeding flock there, with two late-staying White-throated Sparrows foraging on the ground below. Shortly thereafter, we were treated to the sight of a Sharp-shinned Hawk winging through the canopy.

There were nearly a hundred mallards at the outflow, but the best news there was a wary woodpecker - we followed quiet tapping and chipping sounds for a while before he showed himself - a handsome male Black-backed Woodpecker. Lynette got some good photos and so watch for those on Facebook! While we watched the woodpecker, a small flock of birds flew into the crown of a dead conifer above us. They were difficult to identify from directly below, but as they moved into the open, we had a good look - remarkably, a late-staying group of Cedar Waxwings.

Back on the perimeter, we added many more Downy Woodpeckers, chickadees and nuthatches - the habituation is really out of control! We finished the morning with another mature Bald Eagle, many more Mallards and Common Goldeneyes, two Common Mergansers, and a lonely male Bufflehead. Not a species richness record, but quite a remarkable sample!

Join us next weekend for a walk in the Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary if you can. Else, come for coffee and cake at our annual ‘wrap-up’ in the Kerry Wood Nature Centre at about 1:00 p.m.

Chris Olsen

Here is the eBird Report:

River Bend Golf, Red Deer, Alberta, CA Dec 7, 2024 9:53 AM - 1:20 PM Protocol: Traveling, walking 4.988 kilometres Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing. 19 species 7 Participants Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 4 Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 185 Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) 1 One male feeding on the Red Deer River with a group of Common Goldeneye. Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) 58 Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) 1 Observed by several in our group as it flew at canopy height near the woodland road we were walking. Classic Accipiter flight and shape, and too small for a Cooper’s Hawk. Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 3 Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) 1 Male bird clearly observed scaling bark near us. Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 9 Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 3 Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) 4 Common Raven (Corvus corax) 4 Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 75 Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) 5 Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) 2 White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 12 Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) 6 Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 8 Small flock landed in a tree above us. Clearly seen and identified by several in our group - no Bohemian Waxwings among the group. White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 3 Feeding on the forest floor and along down-log material below a flock of Black- capped Chickadees. Observed by several birders in two separate groups. View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S204751824

Male Black-backed Woodpecker - Photo by Lynette Eileen

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk November 30, 2024

It was a cool and very quiet morning in McKenzie Trails Park November 30, 2024. RDRN birders must have been focussed on Black Friday sales, and so no one turned up! In lieu, Susan, Bella (our dog) and I (Chris) walked the trails.

The woods were very quiet with only Magpies, Chickadees and a lonely Downy Woodpecker sighted along the trail up the escarpment. On top, a flock of White-winged Crossbills were traversing the tree tops - much like we saw in Bower Woods last week.

On the trail down, several Magpies were fussing below, and then a small flock of Ravens circled down. Together with a Common Flicker, the collective croaking, squawking and calling made quite a racket in the forest at the bottom. When we arrived, the ravens were harassing something in the shrubbery. Turned out to be a small Great Horned Owl caught in the relative open, and having a very bad day! A coyote must have arrived to help the mob scavenge, and when he scented us he began barking and yowling nearby to add to the cacophony. Fortunately, Bella (our very large dog) was not alarmed by the drama as it moved upslope. An otherwise slow morning was very busy for about 10 minutes!

Chris Olsen

Red Deer--McKenzie Trails Park, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Nov 30, 2024 10:56 AM - 1:10 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
4.617 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
10 species
2 Participants
Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)  1     Small bird, probably young-of-the-year, being mobbed by Common Ravens and Black-billed Magpies.
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  2
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)  8
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  7
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  13
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus)  1
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  2
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  1
White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera)  20
View this checklist online at [https://ebird.org/checklist/S204104331](https://ebird.org/checklist/S204104331)
📷Photo of Raven and Great Horned Owl by Chris Olsen

Great Horned Owl

Common Raven

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk November 23, 2024

It was a quiet morning in a beautiful, snowy woodland as our group of three strolled Bower Woods November 23, 2024. Welcome to James C., joining our group today.

In light snow, there were few birds moving about. We saw and heard the hardiest boreal species including Black-capped Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Ravens and of course Black-billed Magpies. The challenge of the day was a high twittering from above the canopy. Finally, we found a flock foraging on cones in a distant conifer. You could see the chaff falling, and identify both red and orange-yellow individuals among the flock, but details were difficult at the distance. However, the flock moved widely as we walked, and flight calls overhead allowed us to conclude we were seeing White-winged Crossbills.

We finished the morning with some House Finches singing from the Selkirk neighbourhood. Regrettably, Keith’s crows were not to be found today!

Chris Olsen

Here is the eBird report:

Bower Woods, Red Deer CA-AB 52.25039, -113.80132, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Nov 23, 2024 10:10 AM - 12:11 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
4.374 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing
6 species
3 Participants
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)  5
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  4
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  9
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  2
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  4
White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera)  25

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S203384990 

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk November 16, 2024

A frosty morning warmed nicely along Waskasoo Creek November 16, 2024. Fifteen birders joined Chris Olsen under sparkling blue skies, walking from Rotary Park, through Barrett, Coronation, Galbraith and Stephenson Parks, to a finish in lower Gaetz. Crews have been busy in Barrett Park, and a number of old white spruce have been felled along the trail - the trunks appear sound and the loss of woodpecker habitat is a real concern. Perhaps due to the recent disturbance, we did not see any Black-backed or Pileated Woodpeckers through this section.

Of note, Yvaine S. caught a glimpse of a Mustelid on the creek, and over the next hundred meters or so others glimpsed the animal travelling on the ice and in the water - almost certainly an American Mink.

Along the trails, we had House Finches overhead, and the usual assortment of small woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees. Black-billed Magpies and Blue Jays were sighted all along; there were large numbers of Canada Geese and Mallards on the river. We finished the morning with a mature Bald eagle circling high overhead. 

Chris Olsen

Here is the eBird report:

Waskasoo Creek, Red Deer CA-AB (52.2693,-113.8017), Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Nov 16, 2024 9:45 AM - 12:48 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
4.45 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
18 species
15 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  255
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  23
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia (Feral Pigeon))  3
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  9
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  4
Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus)  3
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  6
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)  19
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  1
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  26
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus)  1
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)  4
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  4
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  3
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  5
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  28
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S202703628

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk Field Trip November 9, 2024

The lakes of central Lacombe - Barnett, Elizabeth and Cranna proved to be a popular destination and 16 birders joined together on November 9, 2024 for the Bird Focus Group Walk. Thanks to Jane for the suggestion, and especially to Cathy for guiding our walk around Barnett and Elizabeth lakes. The trails are well-maintained and traverse diverse rich habitats - you seldom see slopes of mature birch and white spruce and there are some beautiful examples here. Throughout, the understory was super rich with mountain ash, red elderberry, snowberry, and beaked hazelnut. Less welcome were occasional patches of invasive common buckthorn. Nonetheless, this will be a great place for winter birds this year, and also a destination for spring birding!

Waters on the lakes were partially frozen, but we did see some waterfowl, beaver and numerous Muskrats. Two Bald Eagles, several Common Ravens and small flocks of Canada Geese were observed overhead. We saw two groups of Common Flickers and a large flock of House Finches. Notable observations otherwise were a Golden-crowned Kinglet and at the last a small flock of Pine Grosbeaks feeding on a lone green ash tree.

Chris Olsen

Here is the eBird report:

Barnett Lake, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Nov 9, 2024 9:57 AM - 12:58 PM
Protocol: Traveling
6.259 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
17 species
16 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  55
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  4
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)  2
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)  4
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  2
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  5
Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  5
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)  1
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  6
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  48
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)  1
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  2
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  2
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  2
Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator)  5
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  25
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S201933161

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk Field Trip - November 2, 2024

Eight hardy birders joined together November 2, 2024 at the Dickson Point Trout Pond and campground. The morning started foggy, cool and damp, and the soft grey light persisted to make the identification of waterfowl a real challenge. Nonetheless, we were treated to some really good birds. We saw a number of Hooded Mergansers and a single Common Merganser on the Trout Pond.

As we walked along the dike, two Double-crested Cormorants were visible on shore, then foraging, and finally wing-drying in the classic heraldic pose. We walked to the end of the dike and at the edge of the forested slope found a large flock of American Goldfinch foraging on birch catkins in the upper canopy. At the same time a raptor was seen on a snag down shore. The long-banded tail and head shape suggested Sharp-shinned Hawk, and the bird flew directly over us in pursuit of the goldfinches. The flight characteristics confirmed our ID. Up-slope, we found a female Pileated Woodpecker patiently excavating a poplar snag.

Birding through the campground was unremarkable until a large sparrow caught our eye. It moved to cover too quickly to confirm the sighting, but Lynette stayed behind and captured an image that confirmed a juvenile Harris’s Sparrow. Altogether, a great finish to a very dim and chill morning!

On the way out a few kilometres from the trout pond Celia captured a magnificent photo of a Ring-necked Pheasant, male in full breeding plumage. This is probably a release bird, but possibly there is a local population established in the Dickson area by some earlier year of release. Regardless, a good sighting and photo for Celia!

Enjoy!

Chris Olsen

Here is the eBird report:

Dickson Trout Pond, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Nov 2, 2024 10:11 AM - 1:04 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
5.276 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group
outing.
17 species
8 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 820
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 5
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) 40
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) 34
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) 4
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) 8
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) 1
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 1
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) 2 Two birds clearly observed on the island in the trout pond, resting and drying wings in heraldic pose, and then foraging on open water.
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) 1 First seen perched neat the water’s edge, rear and profile view, and then in flight overhead following a flock of American Goldfinch. Characteristic head shape, long banded tail, and accipiter flight.
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 1
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) 1
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) 2
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 11
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 8
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 25 Flock (20-30 very active birds) observed for about 5 minutes, while they foraged on birch catkins in a birch canopy at the riparian forest edge.
Harris's Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula) 1 Bird seen by several as it moved through the riparian shrubbery. It appeared to be alone. One of our group stayed behind and obtained a photo that confirmed ID as a juvenile Harris’s Sparrow.
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S201200016

Photo by Celia

Red-necked Pheasant

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk October 26, 2024

A rainy and cold morning cleared and warmed to be another glorious fall afternoon on October 26, 2024 at River Bend Golf & Recreation Area - all blue skies, red berries and golden leaves! Four birders walked the trails starting with a stroll to the underpass (the road to nowhere), and then following the upper trail perimeter back to the river. The day was so pleasant we just kept going and walked the northern perimeter trail as well.

Geese, Gulls, Mallards and Goldeneye’s were the story on the river. Pairs of Pileated, Downy and Northern Flicker Woodpeckers were the story in the woodland, with the usual habituated Chickadees and Nuthatches swarming us at every stop. There is a great crop of Mountain Ash and Elderberry’s this year, and the Robins were loving that. 

Chris Olsen

Here is the eBird report:

River Bend Golf, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Oct 26, 2024 10:03 AM - 1:24 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
7.59 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
16 species
4 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  290
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  32
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)  22
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  10
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  2
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)  2
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  3
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  3
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)  4
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  7
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  45
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus)  2
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)  2
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  4
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  10
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  6
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S200366577