Eight birders joined Chris Olsen on the McKenzie Trails Recreation Area November 25, 2023. The weather was warm with some light wind and so we had a fine walk up to Garden Heights, around the uplands, and back. Welcome to Ellen K. joining our group today!
Despite a beautiful walk, the birding was largely unremarkable (a new record low of 6 species). There were several large flocks of Canada Geese overhead, likely local birds moving to stubble fields to feed. We did get a close-up look at a mature Bald Eagle that was carrying a large branch. While branch and twig presentations are part of courtship and pair-bond rituals for some raptors, this seemed extra-seasonal. However, a little research confirms that Bald Eagles will carry sticks and work on nest additions throughout the year.
Join us next week December 2, 2023 for a walk in River Bend Golf & Recreation Area and failing that our annual wrap-up is scheduled for December 9, 2023. We’ll walk the Wishart Trail at Gaetz Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary and then meet in the Kerry Wood Nature Centre for coffee, donuts and treats while we discuss the Bird Focus year that was, and plan for the seasons to come. Please join us for that (about 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.) even if you can’t make the walk.
Chris
Red
Deer--McKenzie Trails Park, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
25-Nov-2023 10:09 AM - 12:09 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
5.052 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing
6 species
8 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 293
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 1
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) 9
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 4
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 10
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 1
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S155191375
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