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

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Field Trip September 28, 2024

Our Bird Focus group had a chilly start September 28, 2024 but it turned into a fine, warm outing for 5 birders at Springbrook Community Park. Springbrook is developing land to the east and south, and so the endless parade of monster trucks was a real distraction, as was a busy flight schedule from the airport. I’m sad to say that with trucks hauling on all sides, the Park is becoming an Island in the midst of a development boom, and likely will not be a birding destination in future.

Whether due to drought, changes in drainage, or both, the central wetland is holding only a puddle of water this fall. We were fortunate to see some Green-winged Teal, Long-billed Dowitchers, Mallards and a lonely juvenile Red-winged Blackbird there. One Red-tailed Hawk flew through but did not tarry. We managed 14 species for the outing.

Chris Olsen

Here is the eBird report:

Springbrook Community Park, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Sep 28, 2024 9:49 AM - 12:06 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
3.057 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing
14 species
5 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 32
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 10
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) 6
Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) 7 Feeding in shallows of a remnant wetland
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 2
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) 5
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 3
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 2
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 14
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 2
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 4
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 1 Juvenile male alone in the wetland
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S196811057

Long-billed Dowitcher - Chris Olsen

 

Red-winged Blackbird - Chris Olsen

Red Deer River Naturalist Bird Focus Group Field Trip September 14, 2024

The weather held and drying continued on the Dry Island Buffalo Jump Park Bird Focus Group Field Trip on September 14, 2024 so Chris hosted the walk. Four birders managed the trip, but were able to navigate around a few slippery patches and made the entire loop through the fossil beds, and around and over the ‘dry island’. Walking was great, but bird numbers were somewhat unusual. At one point we saw 12 Turkey Vultures rising from near the river and circling south - something dead and tasty over there! Later, 4 more vultures drifted north over us. We saw few song birds, but there was a murmuration of European Starlings circling a large flock of crows above the northern escarpment. Last but not least, an American Goshawk gave us a great flight display along the edge of the riparian forest.

Chris Olsen

Here is the eBird report:

Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park, Kneehill County CA-AB 51.94581, -112.96564, Drumheller, Alberta, CA 14-Sep-2024 1

0:31 AM - 3:27 PM 

Protocol: Traveling, walking 

7.719 kilometres 

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

13 species 

4 Participants 

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 1 

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 12 Rising from near the Red Deer river and circling to the south. Additional 4 birds seen overhead shortly after, but given the proximity assumed to be part of the original group of 12.

American Goshawk (Accipiter atricapillus) 1 

Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus) 3 

Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 1 

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 1 

Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) 3 

American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 70 

Common Raven (Corvus corax) 5 

Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 8 

Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) 3 

European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 250 

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 1 

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S195147755

Photo by Chris Olsen

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Field Trip September 7, 2024

The first outing of the Bird Focus group was September 7, 2024 at Alix Lake Nature Trail. Chris had 9 birders along, reporting 30 species, on a very warm first day back after the summer break. Notables included a pair of White-faced Ibis, a wondering Turkey Vulture, and some migrant sparrows and warblers. All together, a good start to the fall schedule! 

Chris Olsen

Here is the eBird Report:

Alix Lake Nature Trails, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
7-Sep-2024 9:32 AM - 1:10 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
7.523 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
30 species
9 Participants
Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)  225
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  60
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)  7
Gadwall (Mareca strepera)  3
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)  1
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)  3
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)  1
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena)  3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia (Feral Pigeon))  3
American Coot (Fulica americana)  5
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)  2
Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca)  9
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  3
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum)  1
White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)  2
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  5
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)  3
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  14
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  5
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  22
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  1
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  3
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  4
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  2
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  1
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S195012685

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Field Trip June 15, 2024

Despite a cool and wet start,15 people joined Chris Olsen to walk the trails of Radar Hill June 15, 2024. The weather threatened initially, but then cleared and warmed nicely! Welcome to Yvaine S., Mitch D., and Dana R., joining us for the first time.

Things started quietly as we moved along the grazed cattle corridor with only the irrepressible Red-eyed Vireos and distant Ovenbirds for company. Once we started down the lowland trail however, things picked up quickly and we added American Redstarts, Black and White Warblers and Yellow Warblers to our list. A very pretty Rose-breasted Grosbeak gave us a song and a show from his high perch. We pished (A pish is an imitated bird call (usually a scold or alarm call) used by birders and ornithologists to attract birds (generally passerines). The action of making the sound is known as pishing or spishing. This technique is used by scientists to increase the effectiveness of bird diversity surveys, and by birders to attract species that they might not otherwise see.) out a female Redstart for people to see. Like last year, we soon heard the distinct calls of Great Crested Flycatchers, and notably this time we spotted a pair in the tall snags around the first meadow. That pair seemed to follow along with us and we had numerous observations and even some photo opportunities.

Despite Brian’s best efforts we didn’t find a deer fawn this time, but the wetlands and meadows were rich with the sight of marsh calla and the songs of White-throated Sparrows, Common Yellowthroats and Sora. We managed 35 bird species and a most enjoyable woodland walk!

Remember that we’re finishing our spring schedule with the Ferry Point weekend and Ron logged 70+ species there last year! See the RDRN website for details and join us camping or day-tripping if you can. The following weekend will be Medicine Lake, with woodland hiking in the morning and kayaking/canoeing in the afternoon.

See you out there!

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

Radar Hill, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Jun 15, 2024 9:36 AM - 1:16 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
4.229 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing
35 species
15 Participants
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  3
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)  2
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)  4
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)  3
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)  2
Sora (Porzana carolina)  2
Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata)  1
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger)  1
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)  1
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)  2
Western Wood-Pewee (Contopus sordidulus)  1
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus)  5
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)  2     At least two birds calling along the trail. Seen and heard repeatedly by many in our group. Calls/ songs confirmed by Merlin.
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  1
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  7
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  3
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  2
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  3
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)  4
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)  1
Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides)  2
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  3
Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida)  2
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  5
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  1
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  12
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)  2
Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus)  2
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla)  5
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  2     At least two birds heard clearly along the trail. Not seen but recognized by experienced birders. Confirmed by Merlin.
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  5
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  4     Several birds singing along the wooded trail. Pished out both a male and female and they were seen by numerous observers. Vocalizations also confirmed by Merlin.
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  6
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)  3
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S181700954

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Field Trip June 8, 2024

Six hardy birders put on their rain gear June 8, 2024 and followed the trails of Kuhnen Park, with Chris Olsen, around the largest slough and over the ridge to the south tip of Lacombe Lake. Despite the rain and chill there were a lot of birds active although, we saw few raptors and missed some expected woodland species. With that we recorded 42 species.

Don’t forget that we have the Ferry Point and Medicine Lake weekends to finish our spring schedule. Ferry Point will have outings Sat and Sun, June 22 & 23, 2024 and is sure to offer an interesting mix of riparian, wetland and bad-land species. At Medicine Lake June 29, 2024, we’ll walk a boreal woodland trail in the morning and then kayak in the afternoon to see what the shores offer (always Loons, Grebes, Kingfishers, Ospreys, Eagles and waterfowl). While Medicine Lake camping appears ‘booked out’, there are two non-reservable sites in each loop, and those are usually available to access on-site.

Enjoy!

Chris

Kuhnen Park, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Jun 8, 2024 9:48 AM - 1:33 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
4.801 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing
42 species
6 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 22
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) 8
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 10
Redhead (Aythya americana) 3
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) 6
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) 14
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) 4
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 2
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) 6
Sora (Porzana carolina) 3
American Coot (Fulica americana) 4
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 2
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) 36
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 1
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) 1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 1
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) 22
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 5
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) 9
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 7
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) 1
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 4
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 8
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 1
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 3
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 16
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 1
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 3
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 11
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 16
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 7
Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) 7
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 11
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 13
Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) 4
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) 4
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 43
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 8
Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) 1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 24
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S180218075