Gulls, Gulls, Gulls

I cycled north to the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary this evening to check on the large numbers of gulls that congregate at the sanctuary each spring, stopping to drink and bathe on the gravel bars on their way to and from the East Calgary Landfill. Locking my bike at the interpretive centre I made my way to the river; a female Hooded Merganser was on the lagoon and a couple of White-crowned Sparrows were found along the path. Arriving at the river I set up my scope and tripod and began scanning, almost immediately a very pale gull caught my eye. After studying its plumage for a moment I realized it was a second-year Iceland Gull! While enjoying the gull another birder, Ray, came over to where I was standing, he had just found an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull upstream! Quickly walking to where he had his scope set up, I was soon watching the gull as it preened and bathed. As the sun got closer to setting gulls started leaving the gravel bars, headed towards the Glenmore Reservoir to roost for the night. The Iceland Gull departed without us noticing, while the Lesser Black-backed Gull flew to another gravel bar at the south end of the sanctuary. Following the gull, we headed downstream and quickly relocated the bird before it flew off for the night. Scanning the few remaing gulls Ray found an adult Thayer's Gull, its dark eye obvious even in the waning light. After ensuring my bike lights were working properly I made my way home with the last remnants of daylight.

Sunday Birding

After a Saturday spent digging post holes and repairing a sagging fence it was a treat to be cycling towards the Glenmore Reservoir this morning. Clear blue skies and mild temperatures had me wearing shorts for the first time this year, I had forgotten how enjoyable cycling can be when you are not wearing multiple layers of clothes. Migrants continue to return and newly arriving species are being reported almost everyday. Cycling along the reservoir west of Glenmore Sailing Club, I quickly relocated the Long-billed Curlew that had been found on Friday. The last of the 600+ Trumpeter and Tundra Swans that were staging at the reservoir had left on Saturday, while new migrants included Cinnamon Teal and both species of yellowlegs. Making my way to the Calgary Rowing Club on the north side of the reservoir, I spotted a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers preening on the water; distance and glare combined to result in less than stellar views of these scarce migrants. Stopping at a Tim Hortons for lunch on the way home, I found it amusing that the bike rack was located next to the drive-thru!

More Trash

A Mute Swan was found at the Glenmore Reservoir on March 30 with the large flocks of Trumpeter and Tundra Swans staging at the reservoir. Provenance, as with most extralimital waterfowl, will determine if this species is added to the provincial checklist by the Alberta Bird Record Committee. While likely an escapee, there is always a chance the bird is a wanderer from feral populations established on Vancouver Island or the Great Lakes. Regardless of origin, this species is a noxious pest in North America and hopefully, unlike European Starlings and House Sparrows, does not become established in Alberta. While beautiful, Mute Swans can be very aggressive towards native waterfowl and even people; leading to their systematic removal from some areas.

After swapping out my winter tires with the faster (and quieter) summer version this morning, I decided to cycle over to the reservoir to see the Mute Swan and other returning waterfowl. Arriving at the Glenmore Sailing Club mid-morning, I set up my tripod and scope on the escarpment overlooking the reservoir. Ice still covers much of the reservoir, with open water limited to leads along the shore. Trumpeter Swans called constantly from below and male Common Goldeneye performed their head bobbing display in an attempt to woo the females. Five Greater Scaup slept on the water, only occasionally waking to preen or stretch their wings. Scoping the north shore, I spotted the Mute Swan standing on the ice. No bands were observed on the legs, but I could not be absolutely certain. As Environment Canada forecasted, Chinook winds were now starting to build and I chose to head home before conditions became too blustery.

Eurotrash

Eurasian Collared-Doves were originally native from Turkey east to southern China and south through India. However, beginning at the start of the 20th century it rapidly expanded across Europe, reaching Great Britain by 1953. Though it was probably just a matter of time before Eurasian Collared-Doves breached the Atlantic Ocean and conquered North America, an irresponsible aviary owner in the Bahamas allowed it to gain a toehold in the mid-1970s. Dispersing to Florida by 1978, this species multiplied and spread rapidly across the continent, reaching Alberta around the millennium. Though uncommon in the Lethbridge-Medicine Hat region, Eurasian Collared-Doves are still rare around Calgary. One was reported in late February while I was in Palm Springs, and a second was found this past week just south of Shepard. Still needing this species for my provincial list, never mind the BIGBY, I knew where I was headed this long weekend.

It seemed appropriate, I guess, that I was chasing a dove this morning, today being Easter Friday, one of the most important dates in the Christian calendar. Signs of spring were everywhere on the ride along the WID Canal; pairs of geese were prospecting for nesting sites, magpies were busy adding twigs to their nests, and a meadowlark sang from a nearby fencepost. Navigating the cursed gravel roads and fending off aggressive farm dogs, I finally made my way to the tree farm where the dove was reported. Gunshots from a nearby firing range periodically broke the silence while I scanned the trees looking for the bird. I thought I heard a Eurasian Collared-Dove cooing in the distance, but the call was so faint it could have been a bull bellowing! Quickly growing tired of the gunfire I decided to explore some of the surrounding section roads.

Making my way north of where the first dove was found in late February, I noted a large, grayish bird perched in a dead willow on the west side of the road. Getting my binoculars on the bird, I was surprised to see that it was an Eurasian Collared-Dove! Wary of my presence, it quickly flushed along with a second dove, both disappearing into a shelterbelt further north. I slowly pedaled my way up the road, hoping to get a better look. Nearing the shelterbelt, three doves quickly flew out and headed east across the road before disappearing behind an acreage and out of sight. Continuing on my way I stopped at the slough east of Shepard. I was surprised to find it covered with a thin sheet of ice, the one small area of open water holding several Tundra Swans and a Eurasian Wigeon. Other waterfowl observed included American Wigeon, Northern Pintail, and Green-winged Teal. Back on the bike, I headed towards the canal and home, adding an American Kestrel along the way.