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

Folks:

Twelve birders joined Chris Olsen at the River Bend Golf and Recreation Area March 30^th, 2024 for a season-opening stroll along the river and the perimeter trail. Welcome to new members James M., Trish P. and Kimberley R.!

The morning started a little cool, but conditions warmed nicely as we moved into the forest and along the river edge. There were huge numbers of Mallards near the outflow and our sharp-eyed waterfowlers also picked out first-of-the season American Wigeons, Northern Shovelers, Green-wing Teal, and even a lonely American Coot from among the Mallard masses.

Further down-river we were treated to a lone Killdeer happily foraging along the snowy shore, and of course the Bald Eagles were at the nest and in the air. A nearby Black-billed Magpie nest reminds us of the improbable anti-predator strategies that are possible… cheeky Magpies practicing proximal nesting!

Thanks to Cathy for reminding us that the 3-month window for campground bookings is already open for our Medicine Lake outing planned for Jun 27, 28, 29^th, 2024. She and Will have a campsite booked and I’ve snagged mine, but they are already more than half taken. Book your own site soonest if you want to join the camping. Of course, people can also join us for either/both paddling and birding walks during the day if that is a better fit for their long weekend.

Enjoy!

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

River Bend Golf, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
30-Mar-2024 9:46 AM - 1:56 PM
Protocol: Traveling
6.036 kilometer(s)
Checklist Comments:     Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing
21 species
12 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  200
Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)  4
American Wigeon (Mareca americana)  6
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  1500
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca)  2
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)  350
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)  2
American Coot (Fulica americana)  1
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)  1
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  2
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  2
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)  1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  4
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  4
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  32
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus)  6
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  4
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  5
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)  4
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S166580516