Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk and Year Windup December 9, 2023

Folks:

Eleven hardy birders were out in the still and cool of the morning to walk the Wishart Trail at the Gaetz Lakes Migratory Bird Sanctuary on December 9, 2023 with Chris Olsen. Things were very quiet until we got up on the escarpment, and suddenly the treetops were full of Bohemian Waxwings. Birds of a feather that are always so happy together!! We also saw Pileated, Downy, Hairy and Northern Flickers, but not the more elusive Black-backed and Three-toed Woodpeckers. With winter well underway but little snow to soften the season, the woods are uncharacteristically bare and open. Trails seem wider and the view surprising through the windfalls. Altogether a refreshing walk in a season that seems neither fall or winter, with our count finishing at a modest 13 species. 

Twenty plus people joined us for coffee, treats and a wrap-up of our season in the Kerry Wood Nature Centre. Thanks to Daryl, Rod and Rick for arranging all of that while we were on the trail! We talked of the season past (32 outings, 152 km, 339 birders, and 138 species) and collected ideas for outings and destinations in the seasons ahead. Lots of enthusiasm for some kayak trips and continued explorations of conservation areas in our region. 

If you are among those that couldn’t join us, please send a note with your feedback and suggestions for next year. Watch for a new schedule in March of 2024.

Check the RDRN website www.rdrn.ca for details of the annual Christmas Bird Count next weekend December 17, 2023, and count where you can.

Best of the holiday season to all!

Chris

Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary, Red Deer CA-AB 52.28494, -113.79417, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
9-Dec-2023 10:02 AM - 12:48 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
4.927 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group
13 species
12 Participants
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  2
Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus)  1
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  3
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)  10
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  1
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  12
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus)  1
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  2
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  1
Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus)  60
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  4
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S156041088