Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk April 13, 2024

Sixteen birders were out April 13, 2024 for a beautiful spring stroll along the Wishart trail in the Gaetz Lakes Migratory Bird Sanctuary. There is still some ice in shaded portions, but the trails are generally good. Welcome to Dee joining the group for the first time! There were lots of other people on the trails this morning, and so we saw little on the ground, but the birding was pretty good in the canopy and above. 

Notables for this morning were first-of-the-year Red-winged Blackbirds, all males for now, loudly proclaiming their place in the cattails. We saw Dark-eyed Juncos near the start, and a boldly streaked under and rufous above ‘Sparrow’ (Fox sparrow?) that I’m hopeful can be confirmed from one of Deb’s photos. There were three Bald Eagles and numerous Gulls soaring above.

News from the group and my own travels is that there are larger numbers of Swans, Snow Geese and Greater White-fronted Geese in the area. Mountain Bluebirds are on the nest box lines, and I’m pretty sure I saw a Northern Harrier on the road yesterday. 

Chris

Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary, Red Deer CA-AB 52.28494, -113.79417, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
13-Apr-2024 9:54 AM - 12:55 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
4.897 kilometer(s)
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing
21 species
16 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  11
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  13
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)  6
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  10
California Gull (Larus californicus)  2
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  3
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  5
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)  3
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  4
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)  5
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  3
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  2
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  16
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus)  2
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  6
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  3
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  2
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  6
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)  16
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis)  7
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  4
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S168471057

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk April 6th, 2024

A group of nine birders joined Chris Olsen, April 6th, 2024 to walk McKenzie Trails Recreation Area from the parking area, to the work compound, up to the field and along the loop trail back; a modest 4.77 km under leaden skies, but a surprisingly pleasant walk without more snow, rain or significant wind.

The ponds were noisy with Canada Geese and the river very active with waterfowl. Surprisingly, we saw at least 5 Pileated Woodpeckers in flight, in widely separated areas. The Merlin app picked up Golden-crowned Kinglet calls in a couple of places along the escarpment, but we were hard-pressed to hear the high-pitched notes among the Chickadees, Pine Siskins, White-breasted Nuthatches and Brown Creepers. If you’re at the McKenzie Trails Recreation Area keep a lookout to see if we can confirm with a sighting of these little beauties.

The last sighting of the day (17 species) was a Bald Eagle carrying a large stick southward. Perhaps a second nest along the river?

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

Red Deer--McKenzie Trails Park, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
6-Apr-2024 9:53 AM - 12:17 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
4.771 kilometer(s)
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing
17 species
Nine Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 55
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 9
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) 10
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) 1
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 1
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) 5
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 1
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) 2
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 7
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 3
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 10
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 3
Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) 2
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 1
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 6
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) 4
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S167420116

Red Deer River Naturalists March 28th, 2024 Monthly Meeting Speaker Series Thank You

Thanks so much to Red Deer Polytechnic for a successful March 28th, 2024 Monthly Meeting Speaker Series evening!  RDRN is pleased to be able to support RDP's research projects and we are pleased to be able to support the students. A big thanks to Sally for handling the logistics (including the date changes) and thanks to the students for delivering such engaging and interesting presentations.

It was very heartening to see so many family members as well as other students and RDP staff in attendance - supporting these budding biologists/academics.  We had a crowd of about 95 people - one of the largest ever!

What a mutually beneficial partnership we have established. 👏

RDRN Board of Directors

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk March 30, 2024

Folks:

Twelve birders joined Chris Olsen at the River Bend Golf and Recreation Area March 30^th, 2024 for a season-opening stroll along the river and the perimeter trail. Welcome to new members James M., Trish P. and Kimberley R.!

The morning started a little cool, but conditions warmed nicely as we moved into the forest and along the river edge. There were huge numbers of Mallards near the outflow and our sharp-eyed waterfowlers also picked out first-of-the season American Wigeons, Northern Shovelers, Green-wing Teal, and even a lonely American Coot from among the Mallard masses.

Further down-river we were treated to a lone Killdeer happily foraging along the snowy shore, and of course the Bald Eagles were at the nest and in the air. A nearby Black-billed Magpie nest reminds us of the improbable anti-predator strategies that are possible… cheeky Magpies practicing proximal nesting!

Thanks to Cathy for reminding us that the 3-month window for campground bookings is already open for our Medicine Lake outing planned for Jun 27, 28, 29^th, 2024. She and Will have a campsite booked and I’ve snagged mine, but they are already more than half taken. Book your own site soonest if you want to join the camping. Of course, people can also join us for either/both paddling and birding walks during the day if that is a better fit for their long weekend.

Enjoy!

Chris

Here is the eBird report:

River Bend Golf, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
30-Mar-2024 9:46 AM - 1:56 PM
Protocol: Traveling
6.036 kilometer(s)
Checklist Comments:     Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing
21 species
12 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  200
Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)  4
American Wigeon (Mareca americana)  6
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  1500
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca)  2
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)  350
Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)  2
American Coot (Fulica americana)  1
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)  1
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  2
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  1
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  2
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)  1
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  4
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  4
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  32
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus)  6
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  4
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  5
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus)  4
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S166580516

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

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk December 2, 2023

 Seven birders joined Chris Olsen for a frosty morning stroll on the River Bend Golf & Recreation Area – Perimeter Trail December 2, 2023. Notwithstanding the recent drop in temperature there is still lots of open water below the footbridge and treatment outflow. Literally hundreds of Mallards and Canada Geese were observed variously feeding and resting at the outflow and all along the river. As we watched at the outflow a Bald Eagle made a couple of lazy low passes, but did not otherwise threaten the waterfowl. Among the geese and ducks we could even hear a late Killdeer, and saw it briefly in flight along the shoals. Chris thought he also heard a Greater Yellowlegs, but that needs confirmation.

On the island we found a lonely juvenile Snow Goose among a large flock of Canada Geese. Also remarkable for the season, a single Gadwall was feeding on the shoals below the island. Altogether, an interesting morning as the day warmed nicely!

A reminder that next Saturday (Dec 9th, 2023) is our last outing for the year (just ahead of the annual Christmas Bird Count). Join us to walk the Wishart trail in Gaetz Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary if you can, and especially join us at 1:00 p.m. or thereabouts in the Kerry Wood Nature Centre theatre room. We’ll have coffee and treats to celebrate the season that was, and plan forward for the winter and spring to come. For those with other commitments, please record your feedback and suggestions! See you then!!

Chris

River Bend Golf, Red Deer, Alberta, CA 2-Dec-2023 9:55 AM - 1:14 PM 

Protocol: Traveling, walking

4.887 kilometres 

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

17 species 

8 Participants 

Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) 1 juvenile bird loafing and preening among a large flock of Canada Geese, on an island in the Red Deer River. Observed from above, and then in flight. 

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 325 large group at the water treatment outflow and then scattered groups along the open Red Deer River below. 

Gadwall (Mareca strepera) 1 dabbling on the shoals of the open Red Deer River. 

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 400 very large flock on the shoreline below the treatment outflow, and the scattered groups foraging on the open Red Deer River below. 

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) 45 

Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 1 calls heard on shoals of open river, observed in flight and confirmed with Merlin App. 

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) 1 

Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 5 

Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus) 1 

Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) 1 

Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 1 

Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) 5 

Common Raven (Corvus corax) 1 

Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 42 

Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) 3 

White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 5 

Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) 1 

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S155642095

Juvenile Snow Goose

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk November 25, 2023

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