Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Camping Weekend June 13, 2026 (Afternoon)

Chris Olsen Report

Bird Focus People:

On Saturday afternoon June 13, 2026 of the Medicine Lake/Crimson Lake Bird Focus Group camping weekend, we kayaked the shores, birding as we went. Seven paddlers were along to make our small fleet. The water was mirror-smooth and although the water lilies were not blooming yet, it was a beautiful paddle!

Water Lily Bay was filled with the usual feuding Red-winged Blackbirds and roving Cedar Waxwings, while Sora and Marsh wrens called from hiding. This year we did not see Osprey or Bald Eagles in the bay, but the Common Loons put on a real show, finishing in a chase sequence that ran hundreds of meters!

A highlight was sightings of two Broad-winged Hawks. One crossed the lake overhead, and a second traversed the shore, perching nicely for our photographers (Cathy and Deb).

With the high water levels we were able to paddle under the bridge and into the small lake to the east. Eastern Phoebes are nesting under the bridge while Common Loons back-packed their young in the sheltered waters. White-throated Sparrows and Western Wood-Pewees’ sang from the shore.

Altogether, a great finish to a birding day!

Enjoy!

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

Medicine Lake PRA, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, CA

Jun 13, 2026 4:04 PM - 7:20 PM

Protocol: Traveling, paddling

7 Participants

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 8

Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) 1

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) 8

Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) 1

Sora (Porzana carolina) 1

American Coot (Fulica americana) 1

Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) 1

Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 2

Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 1

Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) 1

Common Loon (Gavia immer) 8

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 2

Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) 2 Pair known to nest in the area. On kayak circuit, one seen in flight across a portion of the lake; a second perched on a snag in the forest ( photo below)

Western Wood-Pewee (Contopus sordidulus) 1

Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) 4

Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 2

Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 1

Western Warbling Vireo (Vireo swainsoni) 3 Warbling Vireos common in the aspen boreal - the Western variant confirmed by song (Merlin) and location.

Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 4

Common Raven (Corvus corax) 2

Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 2

Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) 1

Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) 2

White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 1

Northern House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 1

Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris) 4

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 4

Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 14

American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 2

Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 1

White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 1

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 4

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 51

Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 1

Northern Yellow Warbler (Setophaga aestiva) 5

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 1

View this checklist online at [https://ebird.org/checklist/S362345492](https://ebird.org/checklist/S362345492)

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Camping Weekend June 13, 2026 (Morning)

 

Chris Olsen Report

Bird Focus People:

On June 13 & 14, 2026 the Bird Focus Group camped at Medicine Lake PRA and walked and kayaked Medicine Lake on June 13, 2026. In the morning we walked along the esker (a long ridge of gravel and other sediment, typically having a winding course, deposited by meltwater from a retreating glacier or ice sheet) that parallels the east shore. Five hikers joined in and we looped from the A-loop campsites north to the trailhead, and then south to the overlook. We carried on from there to the mouth of the Medicine River, and then retraced our route to the campsite access in B-Loop.

Birding was good along our route, although the insects were really the story of the day. A major tent caterpillar outbreak is underway and while Birch and Balsam Poplar trees are being spared, the Aspen Poplar trees and Beaked Hazelnut shrubs along the esker trail were completely denuded. See photo below taken from my kayak that shows stripped Aspen all along the esker top. A short video shows beetle and caterpillar activity on the forest floor. The beetles and caterpillars seemed uninterested in each other but the sheer numbers of both were disconcerting! The real challenge however was the endless webbed haze of caterpillars suspended from above - even swinging a stick ahead of our path failed to fully clear the trail and we were constantly being rained upon by falling caterpillars and their exudate. Look closely at the photo to see the webs - what it doesn’t show however is the sticky depths that never ended! A final insect example illustrates puddling - a behaviour whereby moths and butterflies aggregate on feces, in mud puddles, or on wounds to ‘drink’ mineral-rich liquids. Will kindly showed us a one-eyed sphinx moth example on his scraped lower calf!

Only select birds can digest hairy caterpillars. A very few warbler species, and some orioles, thrushes and vireos are examples. For birding, the open canopy was helpful however and we could readily spot many flycatchers, vireos and warblers that are otherwise hard to pick out in the greenery. All-in-all some really good forest bird sightings and a most interesting day in nature!

Enjoy!

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

Medicine Lake PRA, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, CA
Jun 13, 2026 10:08 AM - 3:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
4.257 kilometer(s)
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing. Follow the walking trail from the Campground to the mouth of the Medicine River and return.
37 species
5 Participants
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 3
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) 2
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) 2
Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) 3
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 2
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) 2
Common Loon (Gavia immer) 4
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 1
Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum) 4
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) 4
Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) 1
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) 1
Western Warbling Vireo (Vireo swainsoni) 2 Western variant confirmed by song and (Merlin) and location.
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 10
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 1
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 2
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 3
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula) 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) 4
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) 2
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) 1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 4
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 10
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) 1
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 3
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 1
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 1
Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) 1
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 10
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) 1
Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina) 4
Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis) 1
Northern Yellow Warbler (Setophaga aestiva) 5
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 7
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) 3
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S358918830

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk June 6, 2026

Guest Host Ron Bjorge Report

Thank you to Ron for guest hosting this Bird Focus Group walk.

Bird Focus People:

Ten birders joined the exciting June 6, 2026 walk, which featured a clear warm morning, lively birds and enthusiastic birders and photographers at River Bend Recreation Area – upper trail. We identified 50 species including the photogenic American White Pelicans and the Western Tanager (photo below). A great morning and early afternoon of birding.

Here is the eBird report:

Red Deer--River Bend Recreation Area
Jun 6, 2026
8:04 AM
Traveling, walking
3.11 km
190 Minutes
All birds reported? Yes
Comments: All good observations we believe
Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 3.6.1 Build 3.6.5
10 Participants
25 Canada Goose
1 Northern Shoveler
2 Gadwall
26 Mallard
1 Common Goldeneye
1 Mourning Dove
7 Spotted Sandpiper
1 California Gull
2 Red-necked Grebe
2 Common Loon
21 American White Pelican
2 Osprey
1 Bald Eagle
1 Red-tailed Hawk
3 Downy Woodpecker
1 Pileated Woodpecker
1 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted x Red-shafted)
2 Western Wood-Peewee
1 Alder Flycatcher
13 Least Flycatcher
1 Eastern Phoebe
5 Red-eyed Vireo
1 Blue Jay
5 American Crow
4 Common Raven -- 3
6 Black-capped Chickadee
1 Boreal Chickadee
27 Bank Swallow
1 Tree Swallow
2 Northern Rough-winged Swallow
108 Cliff Swallow
1 White-breasted Nuthatch
2 Red-breasted Nuthatch
7 Northern House Wren
1 Gray Catbird
24 American Robin
33 Cedar Waxwing
2 Purple Finch
6 American Goldfinch
10 Chipping Sparrow
5 Clay-colored Sparrow
17 White-throated Sparrow
7 Song Sparrow
5 Red-winged Blackbird
9 Brown-headed Cowbird
2 Common Grackle
1 American Redstart
56 Northern Yellow Warbler -- This species is very abundant here and the count is probably conservative
10 Yellow-rumped Warbler -- Quite common on this outing. More so than elsewhere, but little doubt about the species.
2 Western Tanager
Photo by Wayne – Western Tanager

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk Field Trip May 30, 2026

Chris Olsen Report

Bird Focus People:

Seventeen birders were out to Kuhnen Park May 30, 2026 to enjoy a relatively cooler day and a very pleasant walk. Welcome to Lily D., Matt O. and Wayne B. newly joining our group! The birds were very active with several first-of-year sightings in really exceptional lighting conditions. There was a pair of Ring-necked ducks on the first slough and we could clearly see the neck ring on the male. Similarly, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird perched on a snag and gave us a really good look at his iridescent finery. 

Raptors were well represented with two high-flying Swainson’s Hawks and a Bald Eagle over the first slough. Over Lacombe Lake we added another Swainson’s and a Northern Harrier. Today was a good day for Baltimore Orioles, with 14 sighted and lots of great photo opportunities. On the trail to Lacombe Lake, we added a pretty pair of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and among many Least Flycatchers, we added our F-O-Y Alder Flycatcher, Western Wood Peewee and Eastern Kingbirds.

The woods were musical with Warbling Vireos, Red-eyed Vireos, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Baltimore Orioles. On the water, Red-necked Grebes brayed nest-to-nest, and the Red-winged and Yellow-headed Blackbirds feuded in the cattails. Altogether, a great day in the woods and waters!

As a reminder, next Saturday June 6, 2026 is the River Bend Golf & Recreation Area upper trails walk hosted by Ron Bjorge - expect a very diverse offering there! For those with an urge for some serious travel I’ll by leading the annual Vermilion Provincial Park count that day - the morning walk (5:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.) along the riparian shore there is really exceptional - call me 780-581-4430 if you’re interested!

Enjoy!

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

Kuhnen Park, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
May 30, 2026 9:26 AM - 1:46 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
2.497 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
55 species
17 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  37
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)  5
Gadwall (Mareca strepera)  4
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  24
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca)  2
Redhead (Aythya americana)  6
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)  4
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)  18
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)  2
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)  2
Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus)  1
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia (Feral Pigeon))  2
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)  1
American Coot (Fulica americana)  20
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)  2
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius)  1
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger)  2
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena)  20
Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)  1
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  1
Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)  3
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  2
Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus)  2
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  5
Western Wood-Pewee (Contopus sordidulus)  4
Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum)  1
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus)  25
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  2
Eastern Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus)  5     Based on Merlin all of the Warbling Vireos encountered today (5) were Eastern.
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  9
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  1
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  4
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  9
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)  4
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  1
Northern House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)  10
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  10
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  5
Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)  1
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  5
Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida)  9
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)  1
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  15
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  1
Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)  12
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)  14
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  27
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)  2
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  2
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  2
Northern Yellow Warbler (Setophaga aestiva)  25
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)  1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)  2
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S349857923

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Field Trip May 9, 2026 - Beaver Lake

Chris Olsen Report

Bird Focus People:

Three paddlers continued on May 9, 2026 from Raven Brood Trout Station to spend the afternoon on Beaver Lake. Although the sky was a little threatening to start, we enjoyed a beautiful sunny afternoon on the water. I scouted Beaver Lake earlier in the week, but have never paddled it before. It is not large, but is very complex with several islands, large floating reed beds and several small sheltered bays. A great kayaking find, and so many thanks to our group for recommending it!

Birding began on-shore with three Common Loons visible from the launch area and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Yellow-rumped Warblers and Ruby-crowned Kinglets singing and drumming in the forest edges. As we moved into the first shallow bay we could see Blue-winged Teal, Buffleheads, Lesser Scaup, Mallards, Common Mergansers and an American Wigeon on the water. Following the shore, we picked up a Spotted Sandpiper and the first of two Belted Kingfishers. Overhead, two high-flying Ospreys circled the lake. 

Each new island and bay brought new sights and we drifted close to a trusting pair of Lesser Scaup and added a less trusting pair of Hooded Mergansers. The pine woods were full of Yellow-rumped Warblers, with Song Sparrows and Wilson’s Snipes in and over the marshy areas. Red-necked Grebes patrolled the open edges and a Great Blue Heron winged by. The cattails were relatively quiet this early on in the season but I expect the warming will bring wrens, rails, gulls and more as the season progresses. Altogether, a perfect paddling afternoon!

Enjoy!

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

Beaver Lake, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, CA
May 9, 2026 12:57 PM - 4:02 PM
Protocol: Traveling, paddling
3.723 kilometer(s)
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing (kayaking).
25 species
3 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  16
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)  2
American Wigeon (Mareca americana)  1
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  14
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)  13
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)  8
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)  16
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)  2
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)  4
Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata)  4
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius)  1
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena)  3
Common Loon (Gavia immer)  8
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)  1
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)  2
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)  7
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)  1
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula)  8
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  4
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  1
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  5
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  8
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  10
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S336684219

📷A Chris Olsen Photo - Lesser Scaup male/female

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Field Trip May 9, 2026 - Raven Brood Trout Station

Chris Olsen Report

Bird Focus People:

Thirteen birders joined us for a gentle stroll along the trails of the Raven Brood Trout Station on May 9, 2026 in the morning. Welcome to Adrian J. and Aya F. joining us!

Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers seem to thrive at Raven and their calls and drumming were our constant companions as we moved upslope towards the power line. This years leaf-out seems slower and we did not hear or see Blue-headed Vireos on the slopes. A pair of slim sparrows entertained us with pursuit flight through the shrubbery, but moved too quickly for identification. We did pick up a Bald Eagle over the parking area, but no other raptors were visible over the open fields.

Returning downslope, we had a good look at a Western Tanager and as always calls and glimpses of Evening Grosbeaks. The forestry crews have removed a lot of the old conifers near the springs and this may explain why we saw few other woodpeckers. There were Ruffed Grouse drumming along the creek-side trails and near the rail fence we were treated to the beautiful, long song of a Winter Wren. Remarkably, this normally shy bird hopped up on top of a brush pile and put on a show for everyone. With thanks to Mukesh, we even have a photo - a real treat!

There were Sandhill Cranes calling overhead and echoing from the wetlands to the north of the trail. We heard fewer Ruby-crowned Kinglets than in previous years, but we did see pairs of Golden-crowned Kinglets, Purple Finches and Northern Rough-winged Swallows. There was a good sampling of woodland sparrows, but the construction of a new holding pond has resulted in brush clearing and this year we did not see or hear a Northern Waterthrush in that area. However, this year we did add Belted Kingfishers and Mourning Doves to our Raven Creek catalogue.

Most of our group lunched at the picnic area, while the paddlers moved on to Beaver Lake (separate eBird report).

Earlier this week I received a note from Alyssa Metro about the Alberta Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy (AARC). AARC will be coordinating amphibian call surveys in the Buffalo Lake area this long weekend. This is a great opportunity to participate in citizen science with some very knowledgeable naturalists. Susan has kindly posted their announcement on RDRN’s social media, and I encourage any and all to get involved.

Enjoy!

Chris 

Here is the eBird report:

Raven Brood Trout Station, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, CA
May 9, 2026 8:46 AM - 10:50 AM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
1.451 kilometer(s)
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group Outing. Note that there was a map failure near the mid-point of the Beaver Creek trail. Based on previous visits the total walking distance should be about 4.1 km.
33 species
13 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  4
Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus)  2
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  1
Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)  3
Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata)  2
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)  1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)  10
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  2
Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus)  2
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  2
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  6
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  4
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus)  3
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis)  2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula)  8
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)  2
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  1
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  5
Winter Wren (Troglodytes hiemalis)  3     Bird observed by the entire group singing on a brush pile across a rail fence. Two others heard further along the Beaver Creek trail. Photo of this bird provided by Mukesh Khugsal.
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  10
Evening Grosbeak (Hesperiphona vespertina)  15
Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)  2
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)  1
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)  1
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)  4
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  2
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  3
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  2
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)  3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  5
Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana)  1
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S336759724

Photo of this bird provided by Mukesh Khugsal.

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk May 2, 2026

Chris Olsen Report

Bird Focus People:

Sixteen birders were out to walk the trails of Heritage Ranch on a beautiful warm spring morning on May 2, 2026. Welcome to Margo S., Nina S. and Mukesh K. joining our group today!  

Birding was slow near the busy parking area and it was a relief to move down the trails and over the escarpment edge and away from the endless traffic noise. We immediately began to hear Yellow-rumped Warblers in the spruce canopy, and not long after one of our sharp-eyed observers caught a flash of yellow and red among the poplar catkins. A striking male Western Tanager crossed in front of us and then allowed us to watch him feeding in the mid-canopy. Meanwhile there were American Robins all about, singing, scolding and even pursuing their fellows through the midst of our group. Drayten says it was a near-miss! We saw two more Western Tanagers, also in pursuit flight.

Boreal and Black-capped Chickadees tracked us downslope and we added a single lonely Downy Woodpecker to our tally. In the fields below we had Franklin Gulls, two mature Bald Eagles and a Red-tailed Hawk all riding thermals and painted against the brilliant blue sky. Along the river, we saw Common Mergansers, Mallards, Common Goldeneyes and a few Canada Geese. We heard but could not spot a Killdeer. Cross-river, In the old poplar forest of lower Maskepetoon Park we picked out a Common Grackle, a Merlin, and even watched a Northern Flicker winging across the waters. 

Regrettably, we did not pick up the Peregrine Falcons and Ruby-crowned Kinglets we’ve come to expect on the inside loop. Ample whitewash on the high banks suggests someone is nesting or roosting along there and so it is a spot worth watching. Song Sparrows, Nuthatches and Dark-eyed Juncos were all audible on this section, and we even had drumming and calls from a Pileated Woodpecker. A lonely wader wandered the shore, but unless we get some photo results we did not have the calls or clarity to make an identification.

Join us next week for a combined Raven Brood Trout Station morning walk and an afternoon kayaking session on Beaver Lake. Come for either or both - see the RDRN website for maps and details.

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

Red Deer--Heritage Ranch Park, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
May 2, 2026 9:37 AM - 1:21 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
3.811 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
25 species
16 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  6
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  26
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)  6
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)  16
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)  1
Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan)  6
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  2     Two mature birds seen circling in the same thermal above the river valley.
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  1
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)  1
Merlin (Falco columbarius)  2
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  8
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  1
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  20
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus)  4
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  1
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  4
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  8
Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus)  90 Large group fly-catching from spruce snags along the river. Good clear sighting by a group of 15 observers.
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)  2
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  2
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  4
Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana)  3 All males feeding in open polar forest; one seen singly and two others in pursuit-flight.
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S331354704