Alcoholic Pewee

Securing my bike at the trail head leading into the Weaselhead Flats, I could hear the whistled quick, three beers! in the distance. Designated Threatened in 2007 by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC); Olive-sided Flycatcher has shown a widespread and consistent population decline over the last 30 years. The Canadian population is estimated to have declined by 79% from 1968 to 2006 and 29% from 1996-2006. These declines may be due to major deforestation on its wintering grounds in South America. Additionally, it has been speculated that nesting Olive-sided Flycatchers depend on postfire habitats and the suppression of forest fires may have resulted in the loss of suitable breeding and foraging sites.

Making my way towards the flycatcher, actually a misnamed pewee, I finally tracked it down at the edge of a large meadow a few hundred metres west of the regional pathway. Typical of the species, the bird was perched at the tip of large snag where it would periodically utter its demand for beer. Continuing west along the trail I observed a male Calliope Hummingbird performing its courtship display to an invisible female. Incessant begging calls led me to a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker nest in an Aspen next to the trail; the adults returning periodically with a beak full of insects for the hungry nestlings. Nearing the trail head I flushed a Solitary Sandpiper from an oxbow, though they breed just west of Calgary this individual was likely an early fall migrant.

Cemetery Birding

Established in 1891, Union Cemetery is the oldest burial ground in Calgary. Many city founders and early pioneers, such as A.E. Cross, William Roper Hull, and Colonel James Macleod are buried here. It is also home to the Reader Rock Garden, located in the northwest corner of the cemetery. During the turn of the last century, it was common for horticulturists to collect alpine plants on their travels and create gardens as living artifacts of their journeys. William Roland Reader, Superintendent for Calgary Parks from 1913-1942, engaged in this practice and for thirty years trialed over 4000 plant species; transforming a bare hillside into the internationally-acclaimed rock garden.

Conveniently located across the street from my office, Union Cemetery is also a great migrant trap. I regularly head over during the Spring and Fall to see what is present. Walking over today at lunch, I had just started my way up the hill towards Reader Rock Garden when I heard a Dendroica warbler singing from conifers that line the road. It took a few minutes before spotting a male Townsend's Warbler at the top of a Blue Spruce. An uncommon fall migrant, this was my first spring record for Calgary and my second for Union Cemetery. I watched the warbler as it flew from branch to branch, all the while singing. Walking along the stone paths in the rock garden I spotted a couple of Swainson's Thrushes hiding in the understory. Looping back to the office I spotted my last migrant, a Tennessee Warbler perched in a Mayday.