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