Six toes

I made the ride out to Griffith Woods again today. Weather was a repeat of last week, overcast and cool, though the predicted flurries never materialized. The snow that fell last weekend had largely melted and the roads and paths were in decent condition. Despite being the middle of winter, I was serenaded by House Finches singing in many of the residential areas along the route. An adult Bald Eagle was soaring above the Glenmore Dam and I noted scattered flocks of Bohemian Waxwings and Common Redpolls. I arrived at the park shortly before ten, after a 90 minute trip. Altalink does not work weekends, fortunately, and except for the drone from the nearby highway, the woods were quiet.

An American Three-toed Woodpecker has been reported in the park intermittently since early January; although a number of birders have failed to find it the last couple of weeks. My strategy was to focus on the decadent stands of White Spruce that occur north of the regional pathway, and where I have previously seen three-toed woodpeckers. No evidence of the three-toed was found after a morning of searching, although Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers caused many false alarms. I was walking back to the bike when I heard tapping coming from a stand of dead spruce just off the path. Slowly manoeuvring around the trees, I caught a glimpse of the woodpecker's barred sides and yellow crown! Like most boreal species, the bird was tame and approachable, and I was afforded great views as it flaked off bark searching for beetles. Its back was almost entirely white, typical of the nominate dorsalis. Successfully finding the bird, I treated myself to lunch and a beer at Javino, before starting the ride home.

Dipped

With Environment Canada forecasting the return of winter this weekend, I took today off from work to take advantage of the last nice day before the snow and cold arrived. I decided a trip west to Griffith Woods Park, before the impending snow made riding difficult or impossible, made sense. It is approximately 20 kilometres across the centre of Calgary to the the park from my house, much of the ride via streets or sidewalks. Despite two weeks of above zero temperatures, side streets and pathways are still covered in ice and snow. A climatologist at the University of Calgary describes the remaining snow as 'glacial', and, after my ride today dodging snow banks, I would agree. Low cloud and fog had formed overnight, and although forecasters called for it to eventually burn off, it remained overcast the entire day, creating cold and damp conditions.

Griffith Woods Park, one Calgary's newest parks, is located along the Elbow River immediately north of the Tsuu T'ina Nation. A number of spring-fed oxbows wind through mature White Spruce forests and the park is home to a number of species rare or absent elsewhere in the city, including several birds which I hoped to see today. A network of trails wind through the park, many of them following old ranch roads or fence lines. I have been visiting Griffith Woods since I started birding and the park was still a ranch on the outskirts of the city. The area has seen massive change since my first visit and residential development now abuts the northern boundary of the park. Developers had initially planned a golf course for the ranch, but pressure from local environmental groups led to the land being protected and the creation of Griffith Woods Park in 2000.

Sights and sounds of heavy machinery greeted me as I arrived at the parking lot mid-morning after a 90 minute ride. AltaLink is replacing and upgrading a portion of the Griffith Woods transmission grid line in the park. Fortunately, construction is limited to the existing utility right-of-way and disturbance to the park is minor. Finding a place to secure my bike, I changed into some warmer clothes and headed towards the Elbow River. An American Dipper had been reported recently along this stretch of river, and one was found further upstream in mid-December. Scanning the river I failed to find the dipper, but did see several Boreal Chickadees in the nearby spruce trees. I started making my way west into the interior of the park, coming across a couple more flocks of chickadees and nuthatches.

Warm water from the numerous springs in the area help keep many of the oxbows in the park open in the winter; allowing several species that normally migrate to successfully overwinter. I slowly made my way to the edge of one oxbow hoping to find the Belted Kingfisher wintering in the park; instead, I flushed an American Dipper from the ice lining the bank. It landed a few metres downstream and soon began diving into the water hunting for prey. I watched the dipper catch and eat a couple of large aquatic beetles before it flew around a bend in the oxbow and out of sight. Walking further upstream, I soon found the kingfisher perched on a snag overhanging the oxbow. Spotting me, the kingfisher flew upstream, its call rattling through the valley. Walking along the trails, I would periodically hear flocks of Bohemian Waxwings and White-winged Crossbills calling overhead, hidden in the fog. Watching a flock of chickadees at the west end of the park, I spotted a raptor flying in the distance. Trees hindered the view, but I was able to get a quick look before it disappeared - a gray-morph Gyrfalcon!

It was now after a lunch and I was getting hungry. Though I had brought a lunch, I was feeling chilled and wanted something hot to eat and a chance to warm up. I walked over to the local strip mall and saw that a new coffee shop, Javino, had just opened. I ordered a bowl of their Thai chicken soup and a coffee; the food was excellent and I will definitely stop again the next time I visit Griffith Woods. After finishing the soup and reading the newspaper I was ready to head back to the park. The afternoon was quieter compared to the morning and I had little to show for another two hours of walking other than the odd chickadee flock. I headed back to the bike and prepared to make the ride back home. Biking towards Mount Royal University I noticed that it had recently snowed, just enough to hide the icy patches and ruts on the paths. Closer to home it started snowing again and when I reached the Bow River it was coming down hard enough that I had to dig out by front bike light. The last stretch was particularly bad, with whiteout conditions and slick roads, but I made it home safely just as the streetlights were turning on.

Duck Waddle 4

Can ducks run? Because today was more of a sprint than a waddle. I made my second attempt to locate the Long-tailed Duck wintering along the Bow River in Fish Creek PP. Several birders had reported seeing the bird this past week near the boat launch just north of Highway 22X. With my gear loaded on the bike I headed out Saturday morning south along the pathway towards Fish Creek PP. Conditions were much more conducive to biking than two weeks ago - temperature just below the freezing point and no wind. Chinook winds had resulted in several icy sections along the path, but they were no match for my studded tires and I arrived shortly before ten at Hull's Wood.

Arriving at the boat launch, I quickly spotted what appeared to be the duck, accompanied by a few goldeneye, just in front of me. I scrambled to get my binoculars out of the pannier while my glasses started fogging up. Finally getting my binoculars on the bird, I was rewarded with a hazy view of the female Long-tailed Duck. Relaxing, I set up my scope and was able to get close looks as she fed along the rip-rap just south of the boat launch. I had initially planned on spending the morning walking along the river looking for the duck and other waterfowl, but, with it being only a little after ten, I decided to return home and attend to some needed chores. I swung by Sikome Lake to get a quick look at the pair of Great Horned Owls roosting in their traditional spot in a spruce next to the change rooms before starting the ride back.

Duck Waddle 3

After yesterday's bike ride I took it easier today. I decided to walk down to Carburn Park and attempt to locate some of the few wintering waterfowl still missing from my BIGBY. Carburn Park is located along the Bow River immediately south of Beaverdam Flats and is an easy 15 minute walk from my house. Sunshine and almost no wind made for an enjoyable walk, the temperature rising to 10°C by the early afternoon.

Perhaps because of the mild conditions birding was fairly quiet. A Redhead south of the pedestrian bridge was the only new species added today to the BIGBY. Two immature Bald Eagles were sitting in large Balsam Poplars along the river, and the Harlan's Hawk was observed at the north end of the park. Magpies continue to harass the hawk relentlessly, causing it to flush a number of times. The riparian forests in the park were also very quiet, with Black-capped Chickadee and White-breasted Nuthatch the only species observed.

Feeder Watching

Feeder watchers turned up a number of unusual birds on the Calgary CBC held back in mid-December. A Harris's Sparrow (one of four found on the CBC) has been coming to yard in Highland Park since early December, and a Varied Thrush was discovered Count day at a feeder in Southview. If I wanted to make a serious attempt at the BIGBY, a trip to see the thrush and sparrow would be necessary. I normally do not enjoy looking for birds at feeders, particularly rarities. It has always felt anti-climactic, knowing a bird is coming to a feeder and I only need make the trip to count it. A Hooded Warbler, fifth provincial record, that spent two months in a yard a few blocks from my house and which I never chased, clearly illustrates my attitude towards feeder birding.

The arrival of warm Pacific air on Friday finally broke the cold snap that had gripped the city since Christmas. Saturday's forecast called for typical Chinook conditions - mild temperatures and strong winds. An early start would be necessary to avoid the strongest winds and maximize my chances for seeing both birds. It was still dark as I headed out the door shortly after 7:30 AM, streetlights and my headlamp providing the only illumination. Strong westerly winds were already blowing and I was fighting strong headwinds until I reached relative shelter along the river valley.

My first destination was the yard hosting the Varied Thrush. The sun was just beginning to rise when I arrived and a number of birds were already visiting the feeders, including Dark-eyed Juncos and Pine Siskins. I got my binoculars out of the pannier and began scanning the feeders from the back alley. I only had to wait a few minutes before the Varied Thrush, a male, flew into a Blue Spruce in the yard and then promptly disappeared. I was feeling a little self-conscious standing in an alley looking into a stranger's backyard, so after waiting a few more minutes I packed up and headed to the next feeder without seeing the thrush again.

After a quick stop at the local Co-op to use the washroom and buy chocolate milk I was off towards Nose Creek and the pathway. The winds had continued to strengthen and made biking difficult at times. I stopped to make a quick phone call to the homeowners, re-confirming my visit and the sparrow's status. Their house is located just west of Nose Creek, but involved a steady climb out of the valley directly into the strong Chinook winds. Snow on the side streets was slowly turning to slush and I was forced at times to ride on sidewalks to avoid getting stuck.

Despite arriving on their doorstep soaked in sweat and road grime I was graciously invited in by the homeowners. After introductions I was shown to the kitchen window that overlooks their backyard and feeders. I did not have to wait long before the immature Harris's Sparrow made an appearance, its large size and pink bill obvious even without binoculars. I was able to obtain great looks at the sparrow during the hour I spent watching the feeders. Others species visiting the yard included an adult White-throated Sparrow and several Dark-eyed Juncos. I ran into another NMT participant while I was getting ready to leave. After briefly comparing species seen or missed, the conversation quickly turned to bikes and the relative merit of fenders and studded tires.

With both target species seen I started the slow ride back home, though gravity and the wind were now in my favour. After a quick bite to eat at my favourite Chinese restaurant in Inglewood I was headed along the pathway towards the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Two Harlequin Ducks have been spending the winter on a stretch of the Bow River south of the sanctuary. A quick scan from the pathway turned up a distant drake sleeping with a small of flock of Common Goldeneye on the water. Failing to turn up anything different, not even a Northern Pintail, among the hundreds of Mallards on the river was a surprise.

My last stop was at a feeder in my neighbourhood where three Mourning Doves are wintering, this is the same yard where the Hooded Warbler was found. There were no signs of doves in the poplar tree they favour and I quickly decided to try another time. Almost eight hours after leaving home in the dark I returned tired and filthy. I had cycled over 40 kilometres and added nine species to the BIGBY. After giving my bike a quick wipe and lubing the chain, I headed inside for a long, hot shower.

Duck Waddle 2

A couple of unusual waterfowl were found New Year's Day on the Christmas Bird Count held in Fish Creek Provincial Park. A Snow Goose was found with a flock of Canada Geese on the Bow River and a Long-tailed Duck was located further downstream. Both species can be difficult to find within the city limits and I decided to try to find them on Sunday. It would also be an incentive to get on the bike for the first time in 2010 and allow me to test some new winter clothes and equipment that I received over the holidays.

The temperature was a frosty -15°C when I left mid-morning headed towards the bike path and Fish Creek Provincial Park. The pogies (or bike mitts), that I purchased as an early Christmas gift for myself, worked as promised. They act like oversized mittens that are placed over the handlebars, protecting your hands from the wind and cold, and allowing you to wear lighter, less bulky gloves. It had been almost a month since I was last on my bike and it became readily apparent once I started pedaling, the extra weight from my optics and additional winter clothes not helping either.

The first destination was Mallard Point, a 25 minute ride from my house, where the Snow Goose had been found. I quickly located the goose along the river, south of the pedestrian bridge. It was resting in amongst a large flock of Canada Geese on an ice shelf along Poplar Island. When I moved closer to get a better look it became obvious there were three Snow Geese in the flock, an adult and two immatures. An American Robin drinking and bathing on the edge of the ice was a nice bonus.

After loading the scope and tripod back onto the bike rack it was off to Hull's Wood, a 15 minute ride further south along the pathway. One to three Long-tailed Ducks have wintered on the Bow River the past several years. They normally spend the winter in the vicinity of Hull's Wood but move up and down the river, making it difficult to pinpoint where they will be on any given day. After a scan of the river proved fruitless it was apparent that the Long-tailed Duck was elsewhere today. I headed south along the river towards the Highway 22X bridge hoping that I might come across the duck in one of the many goldeneye flocks.

Scanning south of the bridge I was surprised to find a pair of swans with three young in with some Canada Geese. My hunch that they were Trumpeter Swans proved correct once I moved closer and got better looks through the scope. I was able to take a couple of mediocre photos with my point-and-shoot camera before the batteries succumbed to the cold. I took that as a sign that I should be heading back home before I also succumbed. The swans were the last of six new species for the BIGBY found over the course of the day.

Duck Waddle

My first species for the BIGBY was a Common Raven watched from the kitchen window as I made breakfast. Environment Canada was forecasting a high of -3°C, though it was still a frosty -15°C when I headed out mid-morning to Beaverdam Flats Park. It is a ten minute walk from my house to the park and I was hoping to spot some of the various waterfowl species that winter along this stretch of the Bow River. Warm effluent from the Bonnybrook Wastewater Treatment Plant keeps this section of river open throughout the winter, attracting thousands of waterfowl.

Fog along the river resulted in marginal viewing conditions but I still managed to locate seven species of waterfowl, including one Gadwall, during my walk. Raptors attracted by the numerous waterfowl included an adult Harlan's Hawk near the rail bridge over the river and two adult Bald Eagles at the south end of the park. I ended up with 18 species for the day, a calling Blue Jay in my neighbourhood as I headed home being the last addition to the list.