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