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

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Field Trip October 19, 2024

Wow, what an incredible day on the Amerada Trail at Crimson Lake, Alberta October 19, 2024! The winds held off and the weather was warm enough for shirt sleeves. Our group of five walked the Amerada trail clockwise around the lake and there was only a remnant of water on the formerly flooded area. The leaves and needles were a golden carpet among diverse stands of white spruce and poplar uplands and black spruce and tamarack lowlands. The gently rolling trail was perfect for what is likely to be a last walk before the snow.

Birding was slow in the forest and we managed only ten species. There was a very large raft of waterfowl on the lake, but without a scope we could only determine that there were large gulls and diving ducks. A young Common Loon drifted by closer to shore. In the forest, the story of the day was a male Spruce Grouse that we found on the trail. True to his kind he was trusting and entertained us by feeding along with us for a while. We heard Golden-crowned Kinglets on several occasions, and finally in response to a call both Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets came down to the lower canopy and gave everyone a show. They are so tiny, quick and brilliant!

Chris Olsen

Here is the e-Bird report:

Crimson Lake Provincial Park, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, CA
Oct 19, 2024 10:10 AM - 3:02 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
11.7 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
10 species
5 Participants
Spruce Grouse (Canachites canadensis)  1
Common Loon (Gavia immer)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  2
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  8
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  20
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus)  2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula)  2
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)  10
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  1
Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra)  1
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S199545348

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk October 12, 2024

 A small but sharp-eyed group of three joined Chris Olsen October 12, 2024 to stroll the Maskepetoon Park trails. The day started cool but warmed nicely into early afternoon. Leaf fall is well underway in the wet forest and the fall colour's were breathtaking. The trails were literally a leafy carpet through the forest. We recorded 18 species, but American Robins were the story of the day. There were Robins everywhere, scolding migrators that were feasting on mountain ash and high bush cranberry. Thirty-five was where we left the count, but since the forest was so busy with them there may have been many times that number!

The waters of the old pits were relatively quiet but a curious American Mink entertained us from near his hide in an old beaver lodge, and a lone Double-crested Cormorant swam and dove steadily pursuing something underwater.

As a last note, there were new ATV trails leading into the park from beneath the highway and rail bridges. People are bringing in garbage, starting fires and building shelters. Please let Parks and city staff know that signage, fencing and clean-up will be necessary to preserve the habitat here!

Join us next weekend at Crimson Lake October 19, 2024.

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

Red Deer--Maskepetoon Park, Red Deer, Alberta, CA 

Oct 12, 2024 9:35 AM - 1:05 PM 

Protocol: Traveling, walking 

6.589 kilometres 

Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing. 

18 species 

3 Participants 

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 23 

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 3 

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia (Feral Pigeon)) 8 

Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) 1 

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 5 

Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) 1 

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 2 

Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 4 

Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) 2 

Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 2 

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 4 

Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) 6 

Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 19 

Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) 1 

White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 2 

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 35 

Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 2 

House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 8 

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S198817658

📷Chris Olsen

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Field Trip October 5, 2024

Six birders were out to walk the Nova Chemicals Community Nature Trail October 5, 2024 with Chris Olsen. The day started cool and blustery, but the skies were clear and it warmed nicely into the afternoon. Surprisingly, there were some large water-bodies and the beaver had dammed waters on significant portions of the creek. We saw numerous flocks of both Canada and Greater White-fronted Geese in the air, and there were large numbers of Canada Geese in the water. Among these, looking conspicuous were 3 lonely Snow Geese and some Cackling Geese. Numerous Mallards, a few Gadwalls, Blue-winged Teal, Ruddy Ducks, American Coots, and a single Red-necked Grebe finished the story for us on the water.

There were few songbirds and the small flocks we saw were wary and distant in the bluster. Credit to Jane for one last scan as she drove out, and we added a pretty Northern Harrier that was kiting over the wetlands to the southwest.

Join us next weekend October 12, 2024 in Maskepetoon Park if you can!

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

NOVA Chemicals Community Nature Trail, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Oct 5, 2024 10:05 AM - 12:43 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
5.127 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing
15 species
6 Participants
Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) 3
Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) 230
Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) 4
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 617
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) 4
Gadwall (Mareca strepera) 3
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 57
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) 6
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) 1
American Coot (Fulica americana) 11
Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) 1
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) 10
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 1
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 1
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 4
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S197689508