Author Archives: Pat

Wordless Wednesday Waxwings

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Pat
Posted in Bird Behaviour, Bird Identification, Songbirds | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Good News For Birds of Prey

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Pat

A new report by the Raptor Population Index (RPI) Project shows that the majority of the 26 species of migratory raptors across North America are either recovering or in stable condition. RPI is a cooperative partnership among four leading raptor and conservation … Continue reading →

Posted in Bird Conservation Canada, Citizen Science, Conservation, Raptors | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Canadians Can Stop Massive Wolf Kill

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Pat

The deadline for Canadians to comment on the federal government’s massive wolf-kill caribou recovery strategy is February 22, 2012. For most Alberta boreal woodland caribou herds, the wolf-kill strategy would allow 95% of their habitat to be destroyed. Tar sands … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Conservation | 2 Comments

A Golden Guest

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Pat

Local nature photographer Duane Starr has taken a series of outstanding pictures of a magnificent Golden Eagle. He says he came across a bird sitting on a rock on a small hill next to the road. Just as he stopped, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bird Identification, Raptors | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Morons Flush Snowy Owl To Get A Photograph

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Pat

There is a great post on Birdchick’s blog today – Documenting Bad Behavior of Birders and Photographers. She’s making a point about birders and photographers who disturb the birds to get ‘that perfect shot.’ Should we be documenting their actions … Continue reading →

Posted in Weird & Wonky | 6 Comments

Wednesday Owlings

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Pat

When you look up the word ‘disdain’ in the dictionary, there should be an owl picture beside it. It means “the feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one’s consideration or respect; contempt,” which is exactly the feeling I … Continue reading →

Posted in Bird Behaviour, Bird Identification, Owls | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

The Backyard Bird Count Is Coming!

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Pat

From February 17-20, take part in a free, family-friendly, educational activity that is loads of fun and supports bird conservation! Each year, tens of thousands of Canadians and Americans take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), counting birds … Continue reading →

Posted in Bird Conservation Canada, Birdwatching Events, Citizen Science | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Advanced Birding Techniques – Finding the Northern Pygmy-Owl

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Pat

Guest post by Bob Lefebvre The Northern Pygmy-Owl is an elusive creature that can be very difficult for a birder to find.  For starters, it is very small, about the size of a pop can.  But there is no deposit … Continue reading →

Posted in Bird Identification, Boreal forest birds | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Here A Redpoll, There a Redpoll…

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Pat

Everywhere a common redpoll. My yard has been full of these appealing little finches for the past couple of months. These small seed eaters aren’t choosy – they like niger seed, black oil sunflowers and sunflower chips. They eat at … Continue reading →

Posted in Bird Identification | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Wednesday Wings: Boreal Chickadees

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Pat

Guest Photos by Daniel Arndt, Calgary birder and nature photographer Dan has also written a terrific post for the Birds Calgary blog on these sweethearts of the boreal forest and many other birds that share their habitat. You can check … Continue reading →

Posted in Bird Identification, Boreal forest birds, Songbirds | Tagged , , | 9 Comments