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 

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Field Trip September 5, 2026

Chris Olsen Report

Bird Focus People:

Nine birders joined us on the Alix Lake Nature Trails for our first outing of the fall on September 5th, 2026. It rained and misted steadily as I drove in from Vermilion, but despite gray and threatening skies it stayed dry for the entirety of our walk around Alix Lake. Perhaps because of the threatening skies, we saw few songbirds with just a single Robin, Northern House Wren and White-breasted Nuthatch, and a few Black-capped Chickadees and Cedar Waxwings seen on the first third of our walk. Things were much busier on the water with juvenile Bonaparte Gulls, Forster’s Terns, and Red-necked and Pied-billed Grebes feeding over and under the water. We saw large aggregations of American Coots as well as a range of dabbling and diving ducks. We had flocks of Canada Geese, Greater White-fronted Geese and Sandhill Cranes overhead. We walked out to ‘William’s Pond’ (on the west of the lake) and it was teeming with waterfowl and migratory shorebirds. There were many Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs and large groups of Pectoral Sandpipers feeding in the shallows. Wilson’s Phalaropes, Long-billed Dowitchers and dabbling ducks fed along the far shore. Strangely, a lone Rock Pigeon circled above.

The woods on the south and east of the lake were unusually quiet, with few of the regular songbirds about. American Goldfinch fed on the thistle patches along the shore and a few Black-capped Chickadees and Cedar Waxwings fed in the berry patches - there is a huge crop of chokecherries, high bush cranberries and hawthorns along the shores. Surprisingly, as we walked back through the village, we finished with a very large group of Common Grackles, a flock of European Starlings and a lawn of House Sparrows.

As we walked, we discussed some of the rarities seen across the province lately and in consideration, 5 of our group drove the short extra distance over to Erskine. The gravel road along the west part of the lake was busy with birders. They kindly welcomed us and pointed the way to a stubble field paralleling the west arm of Erskine Lake. Two mature Whooping Cranes moved placidly along the edge less than 100 m from the roadside. We watched them in silence for about 15 minutes until they spread huge wings and flew over to the main waterbody to wade the shallows there. A great finish to a first fall outing!

A nearly last note - Ron Bjorge has generously offered to host the Sep 26, 2026 outing (Maskepetoon Park) while I’m on the Bowron Canoe Circuit. We’re still hopeful someone can step in for the Heritage Ranch outing on Sep 19, 2026.

Finally, next weekend (Sep 12, 2026) is set for Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park - always breathtakingly beautiful in the fall colours. However, it is dangerous and the roads are impassible when it is wet. Right now, the forecast looks sketchy - watch your email and the RDRN social media and website as we get close - we’ll choose another destination if necessary.

Enjoy!

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

Alix Lake Nature Trails, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Sep 5, 2026 10:03 AM - 2:51 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
6.121 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
41 species
9 Participants
Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)  70
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  25
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)  15
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  20
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca)  5
Canvasback (Aythya valisineria)  6
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)  3
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)  8
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia (Feral Pigeon))  1
American Coot (Fulica americana)  44
Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis)  60
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)  2
Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus)  1
Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor)  10
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)  60
Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca)  21
Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos)  75
Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia)  12
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  1
Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri)  12
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)  3
Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus)  2
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena)  9
Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)  1
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  2
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  7
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)  1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  8
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  1
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  28
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  2
Northern House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)  1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  25
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  12
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  10
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  9
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)  1
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  70

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S390580482 

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Field Trip June 14, 2026

Chris Olsen Report

Bird Focus People:

On the Sunday of our Medicine Lake camping weekend, June 14, 2026 we drove to Crimson Lake and birded the Amerada Trail which circumnavigates the lake. It’s a great walk in terms of forest diversity, plant life and birds of the boreal mixed wood. Welcome to Rose B. newly joining our group. We had 6 birders along for the day.

The Parks and/or Forestry people have been busy ‘Fire Smarting’ along much of the trail. Perhaps it is coincidental, but certainly a lot of standing dead and over-mature trees are gone and we saw very few woodpeckers for the day. My sense is that this kind of selective removal will do little to hinder a climate-driven firestorm - it begs the question if this is in lieu of real climate commitment.

Still, this is a beautiful walk. This year we saw only one orchid (small round-leaved orchid), but at the small muskeg pond we saw a female Hooded Merganser with a train of eight young behind. On the same pond were Mallards, Ring-necked Ducks, a Canvasback, and even a Gadwall. A Sora questioned us from the cattails. 

The upland trails were busy with flycatchers and we were fortunate to see two Olive-sided Flycatchers ‘ordering their beer’ from the tops of snags. Among many Least Flycatchers we also heard from Alder Flycatchers, Western Wood Pewee’s and Eastern Kingbirds. There were vireos aplenty including two Blue-headed. We also had a selection of warblers - Tennessee Warblers were very common. Purple Finches, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and a Western Tanager gave us colour for the day!

Enjoy!

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

Crimson Lake Provincial Park, Clearwater County CA-AB 52.45105, -115.03274, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, CA
Jun 14, 2026 10:16 AM - 3:51 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
9.318 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing to the Amerada Trail that circles Crimson Lake.
39 species
6 Participants
Gadwall (Mareca strepera)  1 On a shallow pond near the Crimson Lake shore.
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  1
Canvasback (Aythya valisineria)  1
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)  6
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)  9 Female with 8 young swimming behind.
Sora (Porzana carolina)  1
Common Loon (Gavia immer)  6
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum)  1
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)  3
Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus)  1
Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi)  3
Western Wood-Pewee (Contopus sordidulus)  5
Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum)  2
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus)  13
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  1
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius)  2
Western Warbling Vireo (Vireo swainsoni)  3 Warbling Vireos common in the aspen forest - western variant confirmed by Merlin.
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  8
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  2
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  5
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula)  6
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)  2
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  3
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  11
Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus)  2
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)  19
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)  1
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  7
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  10
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla)  3
Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina)  13 Observed dispersed in suitable habitat segments along the Amerada Trail which circles Crimson Lake (10 km).
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  1
Northern Yellow Warbler (Setophaga aestiva)  4
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  13
Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana)  1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)  3

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S362349591 

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 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

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk April 18, 2026

 

Chris Olsen Report

Bird Focus People:

With apologies for the delay (while my vision stabilizes), here is the summary for April 18, 2026 outing to the trails of Maskepetoon Park. Fourteen people joined us for the walk on a beautifully warm spring day! Welcome to new participants Lori S., Gail M. and Wendy C.

Birding started along the river where Buffleheads, Common Mergansers and Common Goldeneyes preened and paraded, resplendent black-and-white, on ice-free waters below. There were pairs of Mallards everywhere, and even a male Northern Shoveler among them on the natural wetland on the outside loop. Thanks to Tony for some interpretive insight the botanical distinction between this ‘natural wetland’ and the reclaimed gravel pits that dominate our river-bottom parks. Don’t forget to hold our Provincial politicians responsible for their plan to push the QE II highway through these rare wetlands!

A flock of Bohemian Waxwings moved back and forth among the old poplars in the bottom, fly-catching in the upper canopy. We added a Killdeer on the muddy shore, and the Northern Flickers and Pileated Woodpecker territorial calls competed with the inevitable traffic noise. A whole ‘kettle’ of ravens played in the thermals high above the far escarpment. On the wooded trails, we had lots of chickadees, nuthatches and American Robins, and we added our first-of-the-year pair of Dark-eyed Juncos.

As we returned to the parking lot, some of our group waited for us, peering high overhead. At the very limits of visibility, 5 Ravens soared on high and harassed a pair of small raptors that would appear and disappear as they dodged the Ravens - we would see short glimpses of very light underbodies and what looked like long tails and short, rounded wings. Tantalizingly Accipiter-like. By comparative size, likely Sharp-shinned Hawks, but simply too high and intermittently visible to hold sharp focus. A pretty study in the warm spring sky!

As many will know by now we cancelled our Sharp-tailed Grouse Watch trip. Shortly after, even the Snow Goose Festival weekend was cancelled in the near-blizzard conditions. Sheldon said he still had weekend openings May 16-17, and for those with more flexibility, there are often weekday spots. It is truly an amazing experience and I encourage any who have not experienced it to book directly by going to the Wainwright Wildlife Society Facebook page for the grouse registration info and/or to find available dates.

A last note, as I walked Bella, my dog, in the storm last night April 24, 2026, there was a flock of 50 or more Tree Swallows swooping through the canopy of the open forest just north of the Kerry Wood Nature Centre. It was 8:50 p.m. and fully dark during a short lull in the driving snow. Surprisingly, there were also gulls flying high above. I’m hopeful there was some kind of hatch in progress and that the late-flying Tree Swallows found enough food to survive the spring blizzard. There is always something to see in the natural world!

Enjoy!

Chris

Here is the eBird Report:

Red Deer-Maskepetoon Park, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Apr 18, 2026 9:22 AM - 1:14 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
2.537 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
24 species
14 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 5
Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) 1
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 34
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) 7
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) 16
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) 8
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 1
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 1
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 3
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) 2
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 4
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) 4
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 18
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 22 Two separate groups (12 + 6) riding thermals above the Red Deer river escarpments.
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 22
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) 3
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) 1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 8
Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) 70
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 4
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 6
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) 2
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S327230779