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 Merlin 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