Solitary Solitaire

Sounds of spring were evident when I stepped outside this morning. An American Robin was singing in a neighbours yard, several crows called overhead, and a Northern Flicker was drumming on a telephone pole. I was headed to Sandy Beach where a Townsend's Solitaire had been reported a few days ago. Located along the Elbow River immediately downstream of the Glenmore Dam and Water Treatment Plant, the park has extensive stands of Balsam Poplar and White Spruce. On the thirty minute ride to the park I was delighted to find that much of the snow and ice that plagued the pathways had melted. Arriving mid-morning, I quickly got out my birding gear and headed towards the river. Nearing the bank, I pulled out my iPod and briefly played a recording of the Townsend's Solitaire call and song. Almost immediately a solitaire flew into a nearby poplar, perching only a few feet above me. I got great looks at the bird as it alternated between singing and feeding on dogwood berries, before eventually flushing when a fisherman approached. A brief walk around the park, prior to returning to the bike, turned up several American Robins and Dark-eyed Juncos.