Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Field Trip September 28, 2024

Our Bird Focus group had a chilly start September 28, 2024 but it turned into a fine, warm outing for 5 birders at Springbrook Community Park. Springbrook is developing land to the east and south, and so the endless parade of monster trucks was a real distraction, as was a busy flight schedule from the airport. I’m sad to say that with trucks hauling on all sides, the Park is becoming an Island in the midst of a development boom, and likely will not be a birding destination in future.

Whether due to drought, changes in drainage, or both, the central wetland is holding only a puddle of water this fall. We were fortunate to see some Green-winged Teal, Long-billed Dowitchers, Mallards and a lonely juvenile Red-winged Blackbird there. One Red-tailed Hawk flew through but did not tarry. We managed 14 species for the outing.

Chris Olsen

Here is the eBird report:

Springbrook Community Park, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Sep 28, 2024 9:49 AM - 12:06 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
3.057 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing
14 species
5 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 32
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 10
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) 6
Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) 7 Feeding in shallows of a remnant wetland
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 2
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) 5
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 3
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 2
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 14
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 2
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 4
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 1 Juvenile male alone in the wetland
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S196811057

Long-billed Dowitcher - Chris Olsen

 

Red-winged Blackbird - Chris Olsen

Red Deer River Naturalist Bird Focus Group Field Trip September 14, 2024

The weather held and drying continued on the Dry Island Buffalo Jump Park Bird Focus Group Field Trip on September 14, 2024 so Chris hosted the walk. Four birders managed the trip, but were able to navigate around a few slippery patches and made the entire loop through the fossil beds, and around and over the ‘dry island’. Walking was great, but bird numbers were somewhat unusual. At one point we saw 12 Turkey Vultures rising from near the river and circling south - something dead and tasty over there! Later, 4 more vultures drifted north over us. We saw few song birds, but there was a murmuration of European Starlings circling a large flock of crows above the northern escarpment. Last but not least, an American Goshawk gave us a great flight display along the edge of the riparian forest.

Chris Olsen

Here is the eBird report:

Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park, Kneehill County CA-AB 51.94581, -112.96564, Drumheller, Alberta, CA 14-Sep-2024 1

0:31 AM - 3:27 PM 

Protocol: Traveling, walking 

7.719 kilometres 

Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing. 

13 species 

4 Participants 

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 1 

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 12 Rising from near the Red Deer river and circling to the south. Additional 4 birds seen overhead shortly after, but given the proximity assumed to be part of the original group of 12.

American Goshawk (Accipiter atricapillus) 1 

Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus) 3 

Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 1 

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 1 

Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) 3 

American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 70 

Common Raven (Corvus corax) 5 

Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 8 

Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) 3 

European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 250 

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 1 

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S195147755

Photo by Chris Olsen

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Field Trip September 7, 2024

The first outing of the Bird Focus group was September 7, 2024 at Alix Lake Nature Trail. Chris had 9 birders along, reporting 30 species, on a very warm first day back after the summer break. Notables included a pair of White-faced Ibis, a wondering Turkey Vulture, and some migrant sparrows and warblers. All together, a good start to the fall schedule! 

Chris Olsen

Here is the eBird Report:

Alix Lake Nature Trails, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
7-Sep-2024 9:32 AM - 1:10 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
7.523 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing.
30 species
9 Participants
Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)  225
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  60
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)  7
Gadwall (Mareca strepera)  3
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)  1
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)  3
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)  1
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena)  3
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia (Feral Pigeon))  3
American Coot (Fulica americana)  5
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)  2
Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca)  9
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  3
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum)  1
White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)  2
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)  1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  5
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)  3
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  14
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  5
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  22
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  1
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  1
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  3
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)  4
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  2
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  1
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S195012685

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Field Trip June 15, 2024

Despite a cool and wet start,15 people joined Chris Olsen to walk the trails of Radar Hill June 15, 2024. The weather threatened initially, but then cleared and warmed nicely! Welcome to Yvaine S., Mitch D., and Dana R., joining us for the first time.

Things started quietly as we moved along the grazed cattle corridor with only the irrepressible Red-eyed Vireos and distant Ovenbirds for company. Once we started down the lowland trail however, things picked up quickly and we added American Redstarts, Black and White Warblers and Yellow Warblers to our list. A very pretty Rose-breasted Grosbeak gave us a song and a show from his high perch. We pished (A pish is an imitated bird call (usually a scold or alarm call) used by birders and ornithologists to attract birds (generally passerines). The action of making the sound is known as pishing or spishing. This technique is used by scientists to increase the effectiveness of bird diversity surveys, and by birders to attract species that they might not otherwise see.) out a female Redstart for people to see. Like last year, we soon heard the distinct calls of Great Crested Flycatchers, and notably this time we spotted a pair in the tall snags around the first meadow. That pair seemed to follow along with us and we had numerous observations and even some photo opportunities.

Despite Brian’s best efforts we didn’t find a deer fawn this time, but the wetlands and meadows were rich with the sight of marsh calla and the songs of White-throated Sparrows, Common Yellowthroats and Sora. We managed 35 bird species and a most enjoyable woodland walk!

Remember that we’re finishing our spring schedule with the Ferry Point weekend and Ron logged 70+ species there last year! See the RDRN website for details and join us camping or day-tripping if you can. The following weekend will be Medicine Lake, with woodland hiking in the morning and kayaking/canoeing in the afternoon.

See you out there!

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

Radar Hill, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Jun 15, 2024 9:36 AM - 1:16 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
4.229 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing
35 species
15 Participants
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  3
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)  2
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)  4
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)  3
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)  2
Sora (Porzana carolina)  2
Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata)  1
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger)  1
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)  1
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)  2
Western Wood-Pewee (Contopus sordidulus)  1
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus)  5
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)  2     At least two birds calling along the trail. Seen and heard repeatedly by many in our group. Calls/ songs confirmed by Merlin.
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)  1
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  7
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  3
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  2
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  3
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)  4
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)  1
Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides)  2
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  1
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)  3
Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida)  2
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  5
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  1
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  12
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)  2
Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus)  2
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla)  5
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)  2     At least two birds heard clearly along the trail. Not seen but recognized by experienced birders. Confirmed by Merlin.
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)  5
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  4     Several birds singing along the wooded trail. Pished out both a male and female and they were seen by numerous observers. Vocalizations also confirmed by Merlin.
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  6
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)  3
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S181700954

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Field Trip June 8, 2024

Six hardy birders put on their rain gear June 8, 2024 and followed the trails of Kuhnen Park, with Chris Olsen, around the largest slough and over the ridge to the south tip of Lacombe Lake. Despite the rain and chill there were a lot of birds active although, we saw few raptors and missed some expected woodland species. With that we recorded 42 species.

Don’t forget that we have the Ferry Point and Medicine Lake weekends to finish our spring schedule. Ferry Point will have outings Sat and Sun, June 22 & 23, 2024 and is sure to offer an interesting mix of riparian, wetland and bad-land species. At Medicine Lake June 29, 2024, we’ll walk a boreal woodland trail in the morning and then kayak in the afternoon to see what the shores offer (always Loons, Grebes, Kingfishers, Ospreys, Eagles and waterfowl). While Medicine Lake camping appears ‘booked out’, there are two non-reservable sites in each loop, and those are usually available to access on-site.

Enjoy!

Chris

Kuhnen Park, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
Jun 8, 2024 9:48 AM - 1:33 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
4.801 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing
42 species
6 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 22
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) 8
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 10
Redhead (Aythya americana) 3
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) 6
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) 14
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) 4
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 2
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) 6
Sora (Porzana carolina) 3
American Coot (Fulica americana) 4
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 2
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) 36
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 1
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) 1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 1
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) 22
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) 5
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) 9
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) 7
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) 1
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 4
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 8
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 1
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 3
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 16
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 1
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) 3
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 11
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) 16
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 7
Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) 7
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) 11
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 13
Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) 4
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) 4
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 43
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 8
Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) 1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) 24
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S180218075

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk June 1, 2024

Many thanks to Ron Bjorge for leading the Riverbend Upper Trails outing June 1, 2024! I’ve included his summary and checklist below. Notwithstanding the ones that got away, they tallied an impressive 38 species.

Chris Olsen

Eight hardy birders joined for a good walk in the upper trails of Riverbend June 1, 2024. We were treated to the first sighting being a Bald eagle and in the last seconds an Osprey. Some key species like Western Tanager, Belted Kingfisher and Purple finch remained quiet and unseen. We did see a larger, almost robin-sized yellow-bellied bird that was acting like a flycatcher, but it was too jumpy to get an id. A good morning!

Happy birding!

Ron Bjorge

Here is the eBird report:

Red Deer--River Bend Recreation Area

Jun 1, 2024

9:57 AM

Traveling, walking

4.60 km

170 Minutes

All birds reported? Yes

Comments: Submitted from eBird for iOS, version 2.20.4 Build 2.20.28

8 Participants

12 Canada Goose

7 Mallard

1 Common Goldeneye

1 Mourning Dove

5 Spotted Sandpiper

6 Larus sp.

3 Double-crested Cormorant

2 Turkey Vulture

1 Osprey

3 Bald Eagle

1 Downy Woodpecker

1 Hairy Woodpecker

4 Western Wood-Pewee

31 Least Flycatcher

8 Red-eyed Vireo

2 Blue Jay

6 American Crow

3 Common Raven

13 Black-capped Chickadee

55 Bank Swallow

1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet

1 White-breasted Nuthatch

1 Red-breasted Nuthatch

2 House Wren

3 Gray Catbird

13 American Robin

3 Cedar Waxwing

1 House Finch

5 Pine Siskin

10 Chipping Sparrow

4 Clay-colored Sparrow

8 White-throated Sparrow

1 Song Sparrow

4 Red-winged Blackbird

4 Brown-headed Cowbird

2 Brewer's Blackbird

75 Yellow Warbler -- Yellow warblers everywhere. This last is a conservative number of individuals

1 Yellow-rumped Warbler

Number of Taxa: 38

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Field Trip May 18, 2024

Ten birders joined Chirs Olsen May 18^th, 2024 for a stroll along the Alix Lake Nature Trail. The skies were clear and it was cool and blustery. Wind on the water and motion and sound in the forest made for challenging conditions, but we managed a respectable 44 species. A lot of these were first-of-the-year sightings, and notables included Long-billed Dowitchers, Lesser Yellowlegs, Franklin’s Gulls, Forster’s Terns, Double-crested Cormorants and American White Pelicans. We’re starting to see more insectivores returning, and today we added Least Flycatchers, Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows, Purple Martins, House Wrens and Yellow Warblers.

Next weekend is the annual RDRN May Species Count, May 25-26, 2024. See the newsletter or website www.rdrn.ca for details and participate where and when you can! The following weekend (Jun 1, 2024) is Riverbend Upper Trails hosted by Ron Bjorge. That outing typically tallies a lot of species, so join Ron if you can. Or, if you feel like a serious drive that weekend, I’m doing the annual Vermilion Provincial Park spring count and you’re also welcome to join us there (starts 5:00 a.m. - email olsencdel@gmail.com for details if interested). 

We’ll pick up our regular schedule again on Jun 8^th, 2024 (Kuhnen Park). Don’t forget that we have two birding weekends Jun 22-23, 2024 (Ferry Point) and Medicine Lake (Jun 27-29, 2024) to finish our spring schedule.

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

Alix Lake Nature Trails, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
May 18, 2024 9:45 AM - 1:32 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
7.127 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing
44 species
10 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  8
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)  8
American Wigeon (Mareca americana)  6
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  10
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)  5
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)  5
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)  2
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)  18
Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena)  16
American Coot (Fulica americana)  3
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)  1
Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus)  4 (2 photos)
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes)  1
Franklin's Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan)  20
Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri)  3
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum)  22
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)  2
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)  1
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)  1
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)  2
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  2
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus)  2
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)  3
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  10
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  8
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  9
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)  14
Purple Martin (Progne subis)  4
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)  2
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  1
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)  6
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  14
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  8
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)  10
Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida)  9
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)  1
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)  1
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  9
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  85
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater)  2
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  4
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  10
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  1
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S175488699

📷Long-billed Dowitcher