Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Field Trip October 31, 2026

Chris Olsen Report

Bird Focus People:

Eleven birders were out October 31, 2026 to explore the trails at the J. J. Collett Natural Area. Thanks once again to Dale Olsen for reviewing the history of ‘JJ’ and for guiding our walk. The morning started cool with a breeze, but the air was calm in the woodlands, and quickly brightened into a beautiful fall day. The trails were partially snow-covered but contrasting bare patches were still rich green with forbs and fall clover for the hares and grouse. Fresh tracks, hair and bent sign posts were reminders that the moose are still rutting and tussling in the moonlight!

Birding was relatively quiet. We saw Downy Woodpeckers, Chickadees and White-breasted Nuthatches near the entrance but little else stirred in the forest. Common Ravens and Blue Jays were our main walking companions. A small flock of Evening Grosbeaks were seen overhead and heard once more in the canopy. A Northern Flicker complained in the distance. At the feeders near the gazebo, we added Red-breasted Nuthatches, a Hairy Woodpecker more Downies.

Talk along the trail included the recent removal of Protective Notations on threatened habitat for critically endangered Greater Sage Grouse in southern Alberta. Per my comments at the last RDRN meeting, there is an excellent interview with Dr. Mark Boyce on CBC radioactive. Listen to the piece (link below) and check the RDRN website for additional background - please let your MLA know if you agree that more development on these lands, and the direct threat to critically endangered wildlife is utterly unacceptable.

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-52-radio-active/clip/16244519-well-learn-greater-sage-grouse-its-future-risk

Enjoy!

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

J.J. Collett Natural Area, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Oct 31, 2026 9:41 AM - 12:39 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
3.539 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
10 species
11 Participants
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  4
Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  7
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  8
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  25
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus)  3
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  6
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  1
Evening Grosbeak (Hesperiphona vespertina)  4

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S407015193 

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk September 24, 2026

Chris Olsen Report

Bird Focus People:

Eight hardy birders were out September 24, 2026 morning to walk the upper and perimeter trails at Riverbend. The morning started frostily, but winds were light and the day warmed to be pleasant under bright skies. Chickadees, Nuthatches and Cedar Waxwings welcomed us across Discovery Canyon. We had Ravens and American Goldfinch overhead. As we followed the ‘road-to-nowhere’ past the underpass, a flight of Trumpeter Swans vee’ed southward overhead. Shortly after, two mature Bald Eagles looped and played overhead like oversized Ravens on a spring thermal.

On the ski trails (upper), we added Ring-billed Gulls doing flyovers, and a flock of American Robins worked the ground along the trail and the Mountain Ash overhead. A female Pileated Woodpecker fed on the slope, and we had Pine Grosbeaks and Golden-crowned Kinglets in the spruce canopy. Merlin picked up Brown Creepers and Dark-eyed Juncos but we did not see them and so passed on the listing. We did add another Bald Eagle and another small flock of Cedar Waxwings. We looked carefully, but there were no Bohemians among them.

On the waters along the river, there were Mallards everywhere. Surprisingly, we saw relatively few Common Goldeneye and Canada Geese, although we did not go to the outflow. As we walked along the shoals of loafing Mallards, Lynette spotted a lone Green-winged Teal drifting by. We saw and heard Downy woodpeckers and Northern Flickers along the trails, and were endlessly harassed by begging Chickadees and Nuthatches, and now even by fat Red Squirrels scurrying underfoot.

Enjoy!

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

River Bend Golf, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Oct 24, 2026 9:45 AM - 1:42 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
6.157 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
22 species
8 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  73
Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)  24
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  325
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca)  1
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)  30
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  3
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  3
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  5
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  4
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  2
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)  5
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  8
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  48
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus)  3
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)  4
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  7
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  4
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  7
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  8 Two small groups seen a couple of km apart. Clear views of the yellow belly and white under-tail region by several experienced birders.
Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator)  5
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  2

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S405184001 

RDRN Donation to the Kerry Wood Nature Centre in Red Deer, Alberta

Red Deer River Naturalists are pleased to support the installation of new solar panels on Kerry Wood Nature Centre in Red Deer, AB by donating $10,000 to the Waskasoo Environmental Education Society.

📷(left to right) Todd Nivens - KWNC Executive Director, Rhian Engel - RDRN Director

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk Field Trip October 3, 2026

Chris Olsen Report

Bird Focus People:

Nine birders joined us at Crimson Lake on October 3, 2026 to walk and bird a beautiful fall day on the Amerada Trail. Welcome to Julia B. and Dani L., newly joining us from RDP! We began a little tentatively as people navigated by, or diverted around an accident just across the North Saskatchewan River. An oilfield semi had skidded across the road and blocked all but a narrow ditch edge. There were debris and bystanders on the road when I went by, but people following also saw a car on fire in the ditch, and emergency responders were on scene. 

After a late start we found the trail surprisingly quiet. Brown Creepers and Golden-crowned Kinglets could be heard amongst roving flocks of Boreal and Black-capped Chickadee’s. The cattail slough offered Mallards but was otherwise deserted. We added Downy Woodpeckers and the first of two pairs or Canada Jays on the first half. Blue jays, Crows and Ravens completed the Corvid count. Overhead, the sky was busy with numerous low-flying aircraft, a noisy intrusion on an otherwise peaceful fall day.

At lunch we added more Mallards and some Ring-necked Ducks. Further along the open lake shore we saw large groups of Common Mergansers and Buffleheads, perhaps staging for migration. Dark-eyed Juncos and a lone White-breasted Nuthatch were the last species added to our very modest species count.

Enjoy!

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

Crimson Lake Provincial Park, Clearwater County CA-AB 52.45105, -115.03274, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, CA
Oct 3, 2026 9:53 AM - 2:33 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
9.647 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
15 species
9 Participants
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  9
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)  4
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)  30
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)  40
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  3
Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis)  4
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  3
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  2
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  6
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  16
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus)  6
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)  8
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  1
Brown Creeper (Certhia americana)  2
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)  6
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S399625918

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk September 26, 2026

 

Chris Olsen Report

Bird Focus People:

Many thanks to Ron Bjorge for hosting the Maskepetoon Park walk on Sep 26, 2026! Thanks also to Wayne Bos for some great Rusty Blackbird photos that were posted on the RDRN social media. Following is Ron’s summary and his eBird report:

Enjoy!

Chris Olsen

Ten birders had a successful morning of birding at Maskepetoon Park, being entertained by high numbers of Black-capped Chickadees and Blue Jays, in spite of a 6 C temperature, a cool wind and occasional drizzle. We had several outstanding views of Pileated Woodpeckers, and observations included three moose; a bull, a cow and a calf. The moose prevented our completion of the trails on the south of the main waterbody. The last half hour of birding was eventful including extensive observations of what we identified as lone Rusty Blackbird picking its way along the bare edges of a beaver run (Wayne got several photos), and a fleeting but clear view of a Belted Kingfisher. We were surprised to see a lone Barn Swallow, and a late immature or possibly female Northern Yellow Warbler. A lone Greater Yellowlegs was the only bird observed on or near the Red Deer River. Overall 22 species were identified. 

Ron Bjorge

Here is the eBird report:

Red Deer--Maskepetoon Park, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Sep 26, 2026 9:54 AM - 12:56 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
1.754 kilometres
Checklist Comments: A cool day starting at about 6 C with occasional drizzle. But there were birds and it was a successful outing.
22 species
10 Paricipants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 21
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 3
Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) 1
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 2
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) 1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 1
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) 4
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 4
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 13
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) 11
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 36
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 1
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) 2
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 14
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 29
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 2
Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) 1
Northern Yellow Warbler (Setophaga aestiva) 1 Northern yellow warblers are common here. This appeared to be a late season likely young of the year. The agreement of the group was that it was a yellow warbler and very light streaks occurred on the breast. Merlin agreed.
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 1
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S399331966

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk September 19, 2026

Bird Focus People:

Sincere thanks to Danielle B. and daughter Drayten, for hosting the Heritage Ranch RDRN outing on Sep 19, 2026.

Chris Olsen

Here is the eBird report:

Red Deer--Heritage Ranch Park, Red Deer, Alberta, CA

Sep 19, 2026 10:03 AM - 1:02 PM

Protocol: Traveling, walking

3.252 kilometres

Checklist Comments: It was a very quiet morning for birding. We spotted a Warbler we could not identify (Drayten checked in her bird book and it looked like a Palm or Orange-crowned). We also possibly saw a Bald

Eagle but he was too far away to positively identify. We watched two adorable muskrats in the river (a highlight of our walk!) Merlin also caught the following, but we did not have any sightings to confirm: Trumpeter Swan, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Pine Siskin, Boreal Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker.

20 species

Canada Goose 3

Mallard 5

Redhead 2

Common Merganser 14

Ring-billed Gull 23

Great Blue Heron 1

Osprey 2

Hairy Woodpecker 1

Northern Flicker 3

Blue Jay 2 Parking lot

American Crow 4

Common Raven 1

Black-capped Chickadee 46

Red-breasted Nuthatch 2

American Robin 11 High overhead

Cedar Waxwing 20

Dark-eyed Junco 1

White-crowned Sparrow 1

White-throated Sparrow 1

Yellow-rumped Warbler 20

View this checklist online at [https://ebird.org/checklist/S394335286](https://ebird.org/checklist/S394335286) 

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Field Trip September 12, 2026

Bird Focus People:

Well, a chilly morning September 12, 2026 turned into a very pleasant walk along the Lakes of Lacombe. Warming, but not warm with more than a hint of frost in the air! Fifteen birders joined us along the wooded trails. Special welcome to young James newly joining our group today. Many thanks to Cathy Steele for guiding us around Elizabeth and Barnett lakes again!

The brushy shores were alive with small songbirds that moved along with us - their rapid movements presented a real challenge, but well along the trail the flock paused on some snags near an opening giving us a clear view - White-throated sparrows all. On the water small divers challenged us too. We could see Ruddy Ducks and numerous small Grebes. The grebes were diving steadily and at some distance. Small, with short bills and red eyes - good photos from Tannis and Deb subsequently confirmed they were Horned Grebes.

We had flocks of Greater White-fronted Geese and Sandhill Cranes overhead, while some frantic ‘dee’ calls suggested the Black-capped Chickadees were seeing a predator that we could not. On Barnett lake we added a flock of Ring-billed Gulls. Pine Siskins twittered in the White Spruce canopy. Mallards and American Wigeons dabbled in a lakeside pond. Merlin ‘detected’ Purple Finches and Red Crossbills but we were not able to confirm them. For sure the brushy slopes above were busy with American Robins feeding on the bounty of American Elder berries.

Beyond birds, the recent rains have spawned a bounty of fungi on the forest floor. Altogether a most pleasant walk.

Thanks to Drayten and Danielle for stepping forward to host next week’s September 19, 2026 outing to Heritage Ranch. As previously noted, Ron Bjorge will be hosting at Maskepetoon the following week September 26, 2026. 

Enjoy!

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

Barnett Lake, Lacombe, Alberta, CA
Sep 12, 2026 9:39 AM - 12:57 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
4.068 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
24 species
15 Participants
Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)  55 Flock overhead.
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  9
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)  4
American Wigeon (Mareca americana)  15
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  9
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)  1
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)  5
American Coot (Fulica americana)  6
Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)  16
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  27
Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus)  10
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  4
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  3
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)  1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  6
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  4
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  9
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  2
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  14
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)  12
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  2
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  14

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S392352463