Bird Canada

This was a non-camping weekend.

The World Cup moved into the second stage, and as a soccer fanatic, not even the birds could pry me away from all those wonderful games on TV. When I expressed an interest in staying home this weekend, my husband gave me the big frown, but wisely didn’t comment.

In spite of the fact we are camping at a lake known for its fish, neither of us are particularly interested in the sport. If anything, I prefer fly-fishing, and my husband has just never gotten into it. He does, however, like boats, and the odd spot of fishing.

One Sunday morning a friend invited him out on his boat. As a strict non-photographer, he had to be talked into taking my little Sony Cybershot camera with him on the trip. Here’s what he came back with.

Gobsmacked didn’t begin to cover my reaction…

The huge Crawling Valley Reservoir is not currently listed as an Important Bird Area (IBA) in Alberta. I’m going to be making some calls to see how sites are chosen, and passing on our information about this prairie bird mecca.

The lake was a different place this weekend.

After five days of record-setting torential rain and wind, we were among a handful of the fool-…brave campers in residence. The first thing I did on our arrival was check on the baby Brewer’s, and was saddened to see three lifeless bodies in the bottom of the nest. As tempted as I was to give them a decent burial, reason prevailed and I left them for nature to look after.

At least their nest was still in the tree. This was the Eastern Kingbird nest, and look at all the plastic in it. I don’t know if the babies had left the nest or not, as it was too high for me to see anything more than parents coming and going last week.

The little pond at the end of the lake has flowed over its banks after this wet spring, and the sedges have exploded into existence. I also couldn’t see any sign of the Marbled Godwit nest that was there last week. Hopefully they’ve fledged already.

We are camping in what is supposed to be arid southern Alberta. Walking through the grass, I noticed a lovely collection of fungi springing up everywhere, which is a pretty good indication of the lack of sunshine around there lately.

As I walked along the lake shore, I heard a terrific thrashing in the cattails. I was looking for the coot, or muskrat or whatever large critter was making the noise, when up popped this little guy. We were both surprised, but only one of us burst out laughing.

We have a screened add-a-room on the front of the trailer, and I’ve discovered it acts as a blind. While sitting in there on Saturday, I was astonished to see a House Wren bounce across the campsight right in front of me. He was followed by a Grasshopper sparrow, who landed in a nearby shrub and sat there buzzing away. My fingers were just itching to grab my camera, which was sitting right beside me. For all the good that did.

I silently watched a Richardson’s Ground Squirrel eating his way towards me. He would grab a dandelion stem, bite it off about half way down and with one end in his mouth, proceed to chew it in like a piece of spaghetti. He worked his way up until he was about a foot away. Nope, no picture of him either.

Just prior to dusk, I walked into the screen room from the trailer, and noticed movement out of the corner of my eye. There were two Little Brown Bats walking around on the inside of the screen! I love bats, but my first thought was geez, it’s a good thing my sister isn’t here or we’d be deaf right now. As I watched them walk around on the netting, I wondered how they managed to get in there. The door panels were fastened back leaving a big opening, but what happened to echo-location?

I nudged one of them towards the door, and just as he flew away, I remembered I had a night setting on my camera. I did manage one blurry shot before the other one found the opening, and flew away into the dusk.

While I had been editing photos inside the trailer, my husband was sitting at the fire with his back to the add-a-room. He was as astonished as I was about the bats. You can bet I’m going to be waiting for the same thing to happen again, but next time I’ll be a little quicker with camera, instead of standing there with my mouth hanging open.

And then I went back into the trailer and had to rescue and release two big moths. The work never ends around this place.

Oh, and can anyone tell me how far the call of a Willett in flight carries? I can still hear it after I’ve been home a day or two…

Birds Added This Trip:

• Redhead
• Grey Catbird
• Western Meadowlark
• Grasshopper Sparrow
• House Wren

Little Brown Bats

Total Bird Species Seen To Date: 62

What a difference a week makes.

Where last week we had eight eggs, this week we had three baby Brewer’s. I just took one quick peek, so I’ve no idea if there are any remaining eggs in there or not. I did notice both mum and dad doing the feeding routine on a regular basis.

Last week if we got within five feet of the tree, Mama Brewer’s would gently ‘chip chip‘ at us. This week the boundary line is more like 15 feet, and I didn’t hear any gentle reminders either. If you crossed that line, you were liable to get two furious parents flying right at you and squawking like mad.

Any bird that happened to fly too close got the same treatment. I watched one mid-air fight between the proud papa and a Brown-headed cowbird that happened to fly into the forbidden airspace. Feet and beaks were engaged and feathers were flying, but papa prevailed.

One innocent little Richardson’s Ground Squirrel, happily munching his way through a field of dandelion seeds, also strayed too close. Both birds took after the hapless little guy, flying at him, pecking him on the back and head, and screaming at top volume. He left rather quickly.

About 20 feet from the Brewer’s tree is an American Goldfinch nest. Just down the way a bit, there is a nest of Eastern Kingbirds. Right around the corner is a Swainson’s hawk nest. We spent the weekend making very wide berths around every tree in the campground, just in case. And saying “sorry, sorry” to the birds if we forgot and crossed the magic line.

In contrast to the cool, wet weather so far this year, this weekend was pure prairie summer. Temperatures hovered between 24-30C (80-90F) and there was a slight breeze. Both the birds and the humans were much less active this weekend, unless they had little ones to feed.

Yellow warblers appeared to be everywhere, American Goldfinch were flitting around, and possibly some yet-to-be-identified little yellow warbler-ish bird. The Baltimore Orioles were still around, so with the flashes of bright orange and  fluorescent yellow, it was like Christmas lights going on and off as they flew by.

This was a rather lazy weekend for us, coming off a week of company at home, and our bird walks turned into bird drives this trip. We met some neighbors…

We saw some countryside…

And returned to the campground to watch the sun set on Dandelion-ville. I have a new appreciation for these annoying plants, having watched the number of birds and animals around here dining on their abundant seeds.

Our lullaby this weekend was the continual sound of Wilson’s (Common) Snipe winnowing their way back and forth along the lake. It was very soothing, at least until the coyote chorus started, sounding like they were right next door. I fell asleep anyway.

Birds Added This Trip:

• Caspian Tern
• Great Blue Heron
• Long-billed Dowitcher
• American Kestrel
• American Goldfinch
• One as yet unidentified species – I’m working on it…

Total Bird Count To Date: 57 species

I thought camping weekends were supposed to be relaxing – I even brought a nice, thick book.

When we arrived on Saturday morning, the wind was howling in from the west. There were several family groups tucked up against the west shore, out of the force of the gale.The wind died down in the afternoon, and it turned into a warm, sunny day, perfect for a relaxing camping trip.

In the afternoon I laid down to take a short nap. I was just about 80% asleep when I heard a new, loud, bird noise. I was up and out the door with camera in hand before I was fully awake. A Baltimore Oriole in the spruce tree for heaven’s sake. Who would have expected this out here in the prairies?

Apparently, I remain on high alert in this place from pre-dawn until dusk – this place is lousy with birds. They’re in the trees, in the shrubs, on the ground, in the water, in the cattails, in the air…

Now it seems they are also in our camp spot. Last weekend, one of our neighbors noticed a bird flying into a little 5 ft spruce tree on the edge of our site. He watched for awhile, and when she flew out he came over to investigate. This weekend, he pointed the spot out to us, and this is what we found.

Yes there really are eight eggs in that tiny little nest – it’s about 5″ across, and barely 3 feet off the ground. Two of the eggs are just slightly bigger than the rest. We are apparenty sharing our campsite with a Brewer’s blackbird – give or take a couple of Brown-headed cowbirds. Eight eggs??

I haven’t seen any Brewer’s since we started coming out here, which makes me think I’m guilty of birders assumption – maybe those weren’t Common Grackles I just glanced at because I knew what they were. Hmmm. And yes, both the nest and the bird picture above are heavily cropped.

There is a row of thick shrubs – Empidonax Woods – along the lake, just below our camp. Said shrubs are positively briming with flitting little birds jumping around after insects. I had a quick glimpse of a Yellow-warbler, heard several unknown bird calls, and managed to take a picture of what I think is an Eastern Phoebe. Never having seen one before (!) though, I would welcome another opinion.

Our walk around the lake Saturday evening had me creeping up on this bird, that looked like either a hawk or an owl from a distance. We kept sneaking closer until we had an ID, but I’ll leave you to work this one out. Comments, anyone?

It took me a long time to fall asleep on Saturday night. The coyotes were in full force, and their yip yip yip or youooouooo carries a long way at night. The next morning my bleary eyes noticed the lake was like glass – not a breath of wind or a cloud in sight.

I was changing the batteries in my camera when I head a loud splash behind me. Whipping around, I discovered a White Pelican had just made a noisy landing. As I hadn’t even had any coffee at this point, I couldn’t really remember all my swear words. Fortunately the big guy hung around long enough for some pictures. Now I know why people carry more than one camera at the ready at all times.

There are so many birds here it’s doing my head in. Sunday morning I thought I had a handle on the bird life around me, when I happened to notice something rather large flying over the lake. Up went the camera, and to my surprise, I ended up with an American Bittern in flight. While over my other shoulder, there were three Red-tailed Hawks floating overhead. Not only do I need two cameras, but also another set of hands and/or eyes. Anybody want to come and help?

There is just too much going on out here for one blog post –  I may have WAY TOO MANY pictures… Be sure and check back for Wednesday Wings, when I’m going to post a surprise to test your birding mettle!

Next weekend I think I’ll just leave the book at home.

Bird List:

• Double-crested Cormorant
• American Bittern
• American Wigeon
• Franklin’s Gull
• Red-tailed Hawk
• Rock Dove
• Baltimore Oriole
• Barn Swallow
• Eastern Phoebe
• Brewer’s Blackbird

Total Count so far: 52 species

Ahh, springtime in Alberta. Rain, snow, wind and temperatures  just above the freezing point.

I learned a few things this weekend.

I learned Canada Geese don’t shut up when it gets dark. They keep honking, gabbling and futzing around until after 2:00 am.

I learned the raucous, grating calls of American Coots and assorted gull species carry a long way across the water at night.

I learned it is hell for a birdwatcher to hear the sound of birds splashing into the water when it’s pitch black, knowing there is absolutely no way to find out what just flew in.

And I learned the grating call of a Yellow-headed Blackbird does not make the most melodious of morning alarms.

Summer seems to have arrived at the lake. It was sunny and about 24C (78F) all weekend. Both the leaves and the bugs are back, and a gentle breeze kept them both wafting around. Swainson’s Hawks were busily soaring overhead, but only when the camera was inside the trailer.

Already we have a pattern. Wake with the blackbirds (or when the dog has to go out, either of which can come at dawn), and walk eastward along the shore, taking pictures of anything that moves. Our 12 year old dog was rushing around like a puppy, for which her aging limbs gave her a lot of grief later.

This family unit was busily fending off any other birds they felt were coming too close to their babes.

Strangely enough, this lake in the flat prairies is home to a fat old beaver. Where he gets enough trees to survive, I can’t imagine.

Our campsite has a young poplar tree in the corner, which is a mecca for small birds. I was happily snapping photos everytime I saw a small bird in the tree or on the grass. When I got them up on the computer, I was surprised to find I had four different sparrow species – Clay-coloured, Savannah, Chipping and Vesper. There were also Grasshopper and Song Sparrows singing throughout the day, but they declined their photo op.

Marbled Godwits, Killdeer and Willets abound. None of which are the quietest birds on the lake.

The Tree Swallows were everywhere. After a pair of them carefully checked our trailer for possible nesting locations, I decided to bring them a house on our next trip. We can put a nestbox in our handy poplar tree, and I can proceed to take a few thousand tree swallow photos this summer. Must. Pace. Myself.

The evening routine is a walk westward along the shore. But more on that later…

Our Bird List this weekend

1. Red-necked Grebe
2. Herring Gull
3. Common Merganser
4. Northern Shoveller
5. Northern Pintail
6. Blue-winged Teal
7. Lesser Scaup
8. Mallard
9. Common Snipe (H)
10. Ring-necked Pheasant (H)
11. Mourning Dove
12. Swainson’s Hawk
13. Northern Harrier
14. Tree Swallows
15. Yellow-headed Blackbird
16. Yellow-rumped Warbler
17. Chipping Sparrow
18. Savannah Sparrow
19. Vesper Sparrow
20. Song Sparrow
21. Grasshopper Sparrow

Total Bird Count To Date: 37 species

Plus:

• Coyote (H)
• Beaver
• Richardson’s Ground Squirrels
• Bloody cows that moo at dawn (H)

We have been fortunate to obtain a seasonal camping spot for the summer at a large, cattail lined lake an hour and a half away. There are not a lot of lakes here in southern Alberta, so shoreline campsites are always at a premium. Naturally, as a blog person, I`ll be doing regular updates on our adventures under the Marsh Diaries headline.

This lake, situated amid the dry prairies, is a bird magnet. We’ve camped here before, and the bird life kept me awake long after dark, and woke me up before dawn. It was wonderful. Our spot this year is a mere 100 yards away from the shore. By the end of the summer, I suspect I’ll be able to identify individual blackbirds, wrens, geese and coots etc from their never-ending calls.

This is our view from our campsite. I seriously doubt I’ll ever get tired of it.

While we did have access to our campsite the first weekend in May, the snow covering our yard at home somewhat diminished our enthusiasm for camping. We finally made a day trip out to the lake this past weekend, just to get the trailer set up and things organized for the summer.

Pulling into the campground, which was nearly empty of human occupants, the first bird I saw was a shorebird. Naturally. My initial (and incorrect) identification was that of Long-billed Dowitcher. When I got my pictures on the computer however, I discovered I had photos of a Marbled Godwit, poking his way through the grass and dandelions in the campground.

Bird number 2 was a Killdeer. Actually birds number 2 through ??? were Killdeer. They were everywhere, and very vocal about it too. Next came a Willett, and I started thinking, oh crap, I am seriously going to have to work on my shorebird ID skills this summer. (Which will give more than one of my friends a real good chuckle).

This early in a very cool spring the cattails are brown, the grass is just turning green, and the hardiest prairie blossoms are poking their way through the grass. In this windswept area, the plants and flowers that survive are the ones that hug the ground.

At the south end of the lake, just a short walk from our camp spot is a little prairie pothole. It has water in it now, but I suspect it will be dry by mid-summer. On this chilly day, the pond held only a pair of Northern Shovelers, but I could also hear the optimistic calls of a Wood Frog.

There was a Muskrat in the lake, and a great number of ground squirrel holes in the grass, although I didn’t see any animals. I did see a dead Plains Gartersnake on my walk, and will be keeping a close watch for more gartersnakes, as they prefer to live near water.

My first White Pelican of the year floated by, and he will soon be joined by hundreds of his friends. This lake is famous for the quantity of fish in its waters, and the fact that jet boats and water skiing are not allowed make it bird-friendly.

There are no leaves on the willows or poplars yet, I was wishing I had brought a pair of gloves to hold my binoculars, and the sun hid behind dark clouds all day, but I did pick up 16 bird species.

As if the birds, plants and the lake are not enough, I also have internet access at our campsite. I am truly the definition of a happy camper!

Stay tuned…

Bird List Day One

• Northern Shoveler
• Bufflehead
• Canada Goose
• White Pelican
• American Coot
• Marbled Godwit
• Killdeer
• Willet
• Thayer’s Gull
• American Crow
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Common Grackle
• Brown-headed Cowbird
• American Robin
• Cliff Swallow
• Song Sparrow

It is a very strange year for birders in this area. Our winter birds are still here, while reports are increasing daily of returning spring visitors.

The weather is ideal, with day after day of sunshine and temperatures around 13C (56F). Staying indoors on Sunday was just impossible, so we headed out for another prairie drive. My goal was to see both a winter and a summer bird in the same day.

The first object of our quest was a snowy owl. There have been few reports of them this year, and their migratory numbers have been very low. I had a tip though, so off we went.

Here is my problem.  How many white owls can you see in this picture?

Actually, there are no snowy owls in that picture. I just wanted to give you a feel for what it’s like to look for these birds around here!

We did find one beautiful lady, perched atop a telephone pole in the sunshine.

I even got out of the truck and walked down the road to get closer to her. Nothing says disdain and complete indifference like an owl. That’s why I love owls, they always put me in my place.

She eventually got tired of ignoring me, and soared off across the prairie fields.

That was to be our only snowy owl sighting of the day. But a few minutes after the snowy, we watched this beautiful golden eagle soar overhead for a while.

All the fields held Canada geese, as there is a non-migratory population here. They spend the evenings on the Bow River which doesn’t freeze over, and their days in farmers’ fields.

And where you have masses of Canada geese, you also have the ubiquitous coyotes.

There have been reports of both Red-tailed and Swainson’s hawks in southern Alberta already this spring, and these were the birds I was looking for. Unfortunately, none of these raptors presented themselves to me, even though the Richardson’s ground squirrels are out and about everywhere. My summer birds for the day would turn out to be horned-larks, which were quite abundant on our drive.

So while I didn’t get to see a snowy owl and a Swainson’s hawk on the same day, any birding trip that includes a snowy owl and a golden eagle is a winner with me. We found a new farmer’s market, and took in a few typical prairie scenes on our drive.

For those of you not up on your horse identification, these big guys are Clydesdales, draft horses used to pull heavy wagons in the past.

I love it when grassland farmers leave these buildings standing. Every time I see one, I think about the people who built it, no doubt with hopes of a bright future on the prairies. I wonder if they found it.