Red Deer River Naturalists

The Red Deer river Naturalists are a group dedicated to learning about and preserving natural history. They have regular programs with speakers and many field trips.

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Sunday, December 10, 2023

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

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

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


Saturday, November 25, 2023

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

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk November 18, 2023

Seven birders were out with Chris Olsen this past November 18th, 2023 for our most-urban bird walk through Barrett, Coronation, Stephanson, Galbraith and lower Gaetz parks. As the warm weather continues, the birding on the trails has been generally quiet (14 species again today). We did see a flock of Bohemian Waxwings and there were large numbers of Canada Geese and Ring-billed Gulls enjoying the open waters on the river. In Barrett Park, The Merlin app caused a bit of a ‘stir’ when it thought it detected a Long-eared Owl, but none in our group saw or heard anything to confirm that. Likely a siren or background noise.

My (Chris) weekly email from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology described a new birding tool that is a fun way to learn or review feather groupings and descriptive bird anatomy. You can choose flashcard-style quizzes or a click-to-highlight illustration mode for a generic bird. Search ‘Cornell Lab of Ornithology All About Bird Anatomy’ to find the link if you’re interested.

Chris

Waskasoo Creek, Red Deer CA-AB (52.2693,-113.8017), Red Deer, Alberta, CA
18-Nov-2023 9:56 AM - 12:27 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
4.604 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing
14 species
7 Participants
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 250
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 42
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 4
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 1
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 9
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) 16
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 2
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 30
Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) 3
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 2
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) 4
Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) 12
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 19
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 6
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S154705527

Monday, November 13, 2023

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk November 11, 2023

Eleven birders joined Chris Olsen for a gentle walk through the Bower Woods November 11, 2023. The weather warmed nicely but there was a brisk wind out in the open, and few birds were active. Our group worked diligently to pick up 14 species, and perhaps excepting the Pine Grosbeaks, most were unremarkable. We could expect to see Black-backed, Three-toed and Pileated Woodpeckers in these woods, but that was not our fortune today.

Chris

Red Deer--Bower Woods, Red Deer, Alberta, CA
11-Nov-2023 9:58 AM - 12:10 PM
Protocol: Traveling, walking
4.678 kilometres
Checklist Comments: Red Deer River Naturalists, Bird Focus Group outing

11 Participants
14 species
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)  26     Overflight
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia (Feral Pigeon))  6     Overflight
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  14     Overflight
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)  3
Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus)  2
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  2
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)  2
Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia)  21
Common Raven (Corvus corax)  9
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  20
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  2
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  2
Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator)  2
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  4
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S154235292

Sunday, February 26, 2017

150 SPECIES - cANADA'S 150th YEAR



Date       |   Species                       |        reporter                |                  location 

Feb. 22     Pine siskin                          Chris Olsen                               Red Deer
    “          Common redpoll   " "
   "           House finch                               "                                             "
   "           Black-capped chickadee              "                                             "
   "           White breasted nuthatch              "                                             "
   "           House sparrow                           "                                             "
   "           Pileated woodpecker                   "                                             "
   "           Northern flicker                          "                                             "
   "           Downy woodpecker                    "                                             "
   "           Black-billed magpie                     "                                             "
   "           Bohemian waxwing                     "                                             "
   "           Rock pidgeon                                "                                             "
   "           Blue jay                                Dennis Mckernan        12 mi NW of Olds
   "           American Kestrel                          "                                         "
   "           Bald eagle                                    "                                         "
   "           Raven                                          "                                         "
   "           Snow bunting                               "                                          "
 Feb.24    Mallard                                 Judy Boyd                    Dickson dam
 Jan.2      Canada goose                                "                                      "
 Jan.14    Merlin                                           "                           Clearview Meadows
 Jan.15    Rough-legged hawk                        "                           Erskine
    "         Great horned owl                           "                           Hwy 835 S of Twp 380
    "         Hairy Woodpecker                         "                           Hwy 601 east of RR  212
    "         European starling                           "                            Hwy 601 east of rr 213
 Jan.17    Northern shrike                             "                            RR 272 north of twp 360
    "         Gray partridge                               "                            twp 344 west of rr 220
    "         Ring necked pheasant                    "                            RR 231 north of Twp 310
Jan. 25    Common goldeneye                      "                            Dickson dam
Jan. 30    American crow                             "                            Taylor Dr and Horn St. Red Deer
Feb. 1     Boreal chickadee                          "                             Medicine River Wildlife Center
Feb. 1     Snowy owl                                    "                           RR 230 south of Twp 324
Feb. 15   Horned lark                                   "                           Twp 344 east of RR 250
    "         Eurasian collared dove                   "                            Rr 272 at Twp 372
Jan. 2     Spotted towhee                        Roger Marcil
Jan. 14   Barred owl                               Jurgen Wiechert           Mackenzie Trails
Feb. 28   Red-breasted nuthatch              Bertha Ford                 Anders
Mar. 4     Gray jay                                 Valerie Helm                NE of Sundre
   "         Spruce grouse                                  "                                  "
   "         Great gray owl                                 "                                  "
   "         Pine grosbeak                                  "                                  "
Jan. 18   Says phoebe                            Darcy Gabert                 Ellis Bird Farm
Mar.1    Northern saw whet owl             Jim Potter                      Near Delburne
Mar. 4   Brown creeper                         Brian Biggs                     Near Lousana  
Mar. 8   Cedar waxwing                         Judy Boyd                     Red Deer
Mar. 7   Dark-eyed junco                       Aly Seymour
Mar. 19 American robin                         Aly Seymour                  West of Benalto
Mar. 21 Ruffed grouse                           Judy Boyd                      Twp 364 and RR 11
Mar. 19  Mountain bluebird                    Valerie Helm                   N E Sundre
Feb. 15  Northern Goshawk                    Carol Kelly                    Medicine River wildlife center
Feb 25   Common merganser                  Judy Boyd                     Dickson dam
Mar. 22 American tree sparrow               Jim Robertson                Joffre
Mar. 22 Ring billed gull                           Judy Boyd                     Red Deer
Mar. 23 Northern harrier                         Brian Biggs                    Lousana
Mar. 11 American goldfinch                    Brian Biggs                     Lousana
Mar. 24 Northern pintail                          Judy Boyd                     Bigelow Reservoir
Mar. 24 American widgeon                     Judy Boyd                      Bigelow Reservoir
Mar. 25 Red-tailed hawk                         Judy Boyd                     West of Penhold
Mar. 30 Trumpeter swan                         Aly Seymour                  West of Benalto
Mar 28   Snow goose                               Stuart Ford                    Penhold
Mar 29   California gull                            Judy Boyd                      Erskine
Mar. 22  Mourning dove                          Aly Seymour                  West of Benalto
Mar 29   Long-eared owl                          Jim Potter                      Delburne
Mar. 28  Red-winged blackbird                 Jurgen Wiechert           Twp road 412 west of Lacombe
Apr 1     Killdeer                                      Carol Kelly                    Medicine River wildlife Center
Apr 3    Sandhill crane                              Carol Kelly                                      "
Apr 3    Hooded merganser                       Myrna Pearman             Bentley ski hill
Mar. 28 Peregine falcon                           Ken, Lewis,and Finnely Lehman  Sheraton Hotel Red                                                                                                                      deer
Apr 4 Tundra swan                                 Judy Boyd                     Near Penhold
Apr 4 CanvasBack                                 Judy Boyd                      Cootie pond
Apr 4 Lesser scaup                                 Judy Boyd                      Penhold
Apr 4 Bufflehead                                    Judy Boyd                      West of Penhold
Apr 4 Ring-necked duck                          Judy Boyd                      West of Delburne
Apr 5 Great blue heron                            Brian Harris                     Radar Hill
Mar. 28 Brewer's blackbird                      Leo Degrood                    Rainy Creek near Sylvan
Mar,11 Sharp shinned hawk                     Leo Degrood                    Sunbreaker Cove
Apr 8 Short-eared owl                              Judy and Larry Boyd        Kievers Lake
Apr 9 Northern shoveller                         John Caddy                       Cooty pond
  "      American coot                               John Caddy                       Cooty pond
Apr 13 Double-crested cormorant             John Caddy          1 mile west of Bentley Blindman river
Apr 14 Green-winged teal                        John and Colleen Caddy        Slack slough
   "       Cinnamon teal                                              "                                 "
   "       Redhead                                                      "                                 "
Apr 15 Western Tanager                          Jurgen Wiechert            Kerry Wood Nature Center
   "      Common loon                         Estelle Froese, Chris Olson, Jurgen Wiechert Gaetz Lake
Apr 16 American avocet                          John and Colleen Caddy             Slack slough
Apr 17 Eastern Phoebe                            Anna Robertson                Rge Rd 25-2 South hwy11
   "       Tree swallow                          Barb& Laurence Rooney      Northwest end of Gull Lake
   "       Golden eagle                      Kaitlyn Rumohr  Jurgen Wiechert   Gaetz Lake
   "       Greater yellowlegs                       Judy Boyd                              Cootie Pond
   "       Blue-winged teal                          Judy Boyd                           RR11 & Twp rd 364
Apr 19 Franklin's gull                                   "                                     Hwy 2A Springbrook
    "      Ruddy duck                         Phil and Bev French                    Lousana
    "      Purple finch                         Sheba Jack                                 NE 6-35-4-w5
Apr 14 Turkey vulture                     Jim Potter                      
Apr 19 Cooper's hawk                      Jim Potter
   "       Lesser yellowlegs                  John Caddy                               RR 15 north of twp 294
   "       Common grackle                   Anna and Jim Robertson          
   " 20   Chipping sparrow                  John Caddy                               Red Deer
   " 19    Horned grebe                      Judy Boyd                                 Erskine Lake
   " 20    Wilson's  snipe                    Anna and Jim Robertson              RR 25-2 SE Joffre
   " 21   Swainson's hawk                  Judy Boyd
   " 22   Osprey                                      "                                      Hwy 816 north of twp rd 372
   " 22   Townsend's solitaire             Gary and Pat Anderson             Red Deer city
   " 24    Song sparrow                      Brian Harris                             RR 271 and Hwy 42
   " 24    Gadwalls                             John Caddy                             Slack Slough
   " 25    White pelicans                     Judy Boyd                               Dickson Dam
     23     Red-necked grebe                Judy Boyd                              Mackenzie Trails
   "26     White-crowned sparrow        Pat and Gary Anderson           Oriole Park
   " 26    Herring gull                          Colleen and John Caddy            Sylvan Lake
   " 28    Evening grosbeak                 Leo Degroot                             Sunbreaker Cove
   " 30    Lincoln's sparrow                 Leo Degroot                                         "
   " 30    Yellow-headed blackbird       Jerry and John Caddy               Cygnet Lake
   " 30    Eared grebe                          Jerry and John Caddy                West of Sylvan Lake
   " 30    Clay-colored sparrow            jerry and John Caddy                 West of Sylvan Lake
May 1   Western meadowlark             Judy boyd and John Caddy         West of Big Valley
   "   1    Yellow-bellied sapsucker       Leo Degroot                              Sunbreaker Cove
   "   1   Wood duck                           Jim Potter                                 Near Delburne
Apr 30   American bittern                   Jim Potter                                 Near Delburne
   "  30   Broad-winged hawk              Stewart Ford                             Penhold
May 1   Yellow-rumped warbler         Judy Boyd                                 MRWC
   "   1    Ruby-crowned kinglet           Judy Boyd                                 MRWC
   "   3    Black tern                            Carol Kelly                                 MRWC
   "   4    Brown-headed cowbird         Leo DeGroot                             Sunbreaker Cove
   "   3    Pied-billed grebe                   Judy Boyd                                 MRWC
   "   4    Savannah Sparrow                   "      "                                     Cootie Pond
   "   4    Marsh wren                             "      "                                     Penhold
   "   6    Rose-breasted grosbeak          Rick and Cheri Kay                    Sylvan Lake
   "   7    Barn swallow                        Judy Boyd                                 Cootie Pond
   "   7    Wilson's phalarope                   "       "                                    Gasoline Alley
   "   7    White-throated sparrow           Leo Degroot                              Sunbreaker Cove
   "   6    Western grebe                        Bird focus group                        Hazlett Lake
   "   10  Least flycatcher                      Leo Degroot                              Sunbreaker Cove
   "  2     Black-necked stilt                   Eileen Ford                                Penhold
   "  10   Solitary sandpiper                   Jim Potter                                  Near Delburne
   "  8     Least sandpiper                      Gwen Marshall & Judy Boyd       Bigelow Resevoir
   "  9     Eastern kingbird                     Jerry Caddy                                West of Sylvan Lake
   "  1     Red -breasted merganser         Leo Degroot                               Sunbreaker cove
   "  9     Spotted sandpiper                   Jurgen Weichert                          Innisfail
   "  9     Vesper sparrow                       John Caddy                                In his yard
   "  11   Bonaparte's gull                       John Caddy                                Red Deer
   "  13   Northern water thrush              Leo Degroot                               Sunbreaker Cove
   "  13   Purple martin                          Barry Simpson and Judy Boyd       Pine Lake
   "  13   Sora                                 Judy Boyd                                   Penhold
   "  13   Common nighthawk                Jim Potter                                   Near Delburne
   "  13   Cliff swallow                           Judy Boyd                                   West of Penhold
   "  17   Yellow warbler                        Leo Degroot                              Sunbreaker Cove
   "  17   Bank swallow                          John Caddy                               Slack Slough
   "  17   Willet                                      John Caddy                               Slack Slough
   "  17   Swainson's thrush                     Leo Degroot                              Sunbreaker Cove
   "  19   Ruby-throated hummingbird      Brian Harris                              Hwy 42and RR 271
   "  20   Baltimore oriole                        Caroline Harris                          Hwy 42 and RR 271
   "  21   Belted kingfisher                       Colleen Caddy/Sandy Lampard  Norglenwold
   "  23   Gray catbird                             Judy Boyd                                West  of Delburn
   "  27   Red-eyed vireo                         Judy Boyd                                MRWC
   "  27   Western wood-peewee              Judy Boyd                                MRWC
   "  27    Common yellowthroat               Judy Boyd                                MRWC
   "  27   Philadelphia vireo                     Keith Kline                                 Bower Woods
   "  27   Prairie falcon                           Doug Pedersen                            Dry Is. Buffalo Jump
   "  27   Lark sparrow                           Doug Pedersen                            Dry Is. Buffalo Jump
   "  28   Western kingbird                      Doug Pedersen                            Three Hills
   "  28   Loggerhead shrike                    Doug Pedersen                            Three Hills
   "  28   Common tern                          John, Colleen , Jerry Caddy           Gull Lake
   "  28   Forster's tern                           John, Colleen, Jerry Caddy            Gull Lake
   "  28   Cackling goose                        John, Colleen, Jerry Caddy             Gull Lake
   "  28   Northern rough-wing swallow     Eileen Ford                                 West of Penhold
   "  28   Great crested flycatcher            Jim and Bonnie Potter                   West of Delburne
   "  28   Warbling vireo                         Jim and Bonnie Potter                   West of Delburne
June 6    Alder flycatcher                       Judy Boyd                                    Kevisville
   "   15  Hermit thrush                          Judy Boyd                                    MRWC
   "   17  Orange-crowned warbler          RDRN Field trip                            Ferry  Point
   "   17  Sprague's pipit                         RDRN Field Trip                           Ferry Point
   "   17  Olive-sided flycatcher               Claudia Lipski, Jane Ens                Ferry point
July 6     LeConte's sparrow                   Judy Boyd                                   MRWC
  "   7     Great egret                             Roberta Palaniuk                                      Sandbar , Red Deer river off Taylor bridge.
  "   17   Black crowned night heron        Larry and Judy Boyd                   Haunted Lake
Aug. 3   Red-necked phalarope               Judy Boyd                              Fleming Slough , Penhold
Aug.20  Canada warbler                        Myrna Pearman                       Ellis Bird Farm
Sept. 8  American pipit                          Judy Boyd                        RR 1-1 at Twp rd 36-4
Sept.12  Wilson's warbler                      Keith Kline                         Sunnybrook, Red Deer

Saturday, February 25, 2017

BIGHORN SHEEP

    The Red Deer River Naturalists had an interesting speaker tell us about bighorn sheep.

    Kathleen Ruckstuhl, an expert on bighorns presented a wide variety of information on the sheep. Kathleen has studied bighorns for 23 years.

    The bighorn population is worrisome. Populations have gone down and not come back up. Sheep are transplanted in different groups to add to the population. The social aspects are quite interesting. Males stay with males and only  few dominant males  get to breed as other males are fought off.

     Kathleen had many great photos.

    Many questions were asked during the talk and a long question and answer period happened after the talk.

    People are very curious about bighorns. I always stop when I see a bighorn herd. I usually see some sheep around whirlpool point on the David Thompson highway.

    Huw Jenkins has a nice shot of a typical little bighorn sheep herd.

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