Woody Woodpecker

Early Sunday morning found me biking through the districts of Willow Park and Lake Bonavista on my way to Fish Creek Provincial Park. My destination was Bebo Grove, located at the west end of the park, and hopefully an encounter with a Pileated Woodpecker. The Fish Creek valley narrows and deepens upstream of Macleod Trail, and there is a corresponding change in the flora and fauna. Stands of White Spruce begin to appear on the north-facing slopes and the extensive meadows, characteristic of the eastern half of the park, gradually give way to Aspen. Several species of bird that are rare or absent east of Macleod Trail can be found here, including Ruffed Grouse and Boreal Chickadee. This section of Fish Creek PP experienced massive damage during the 2005 flood, several pedestrian bridges and pathways were washed out when the creek overflowed. It was not until September 2007 that the park reopened following the construction of new bridges and a redesigned pathway system.

Arriving at Bebo Grove, I secured my bike to a spruce tree in the picnic area below the parking lot. While still cool in the valley, the temperature was already rising and it promised to be a beautiful spring day. A pair of Pileated Woodpeckers had been reported in this area for much of the winter. While not rare in Calgary, this species can be surprisingly elusive at times. Starting out on the extensive network of trails, I observed several species over the next three hours, including Red-breasted Nuthatches and Pine Siskins, but no woodpecker. The forecasted chinook winds were starting to make their presence and I took that as a sign to head back to the bike for something to eat. I had almost finished my granola bars and juice when I thought I heard the call of a Pileated Woodpecker from across the creek. It called again, this time closer, definitely a Pileated! Heading in the direction of the calls, I managed to get a brief glimpse of the woodpecker flying across the creek. Back at the bike, I finished the rest of my lunch, before starting the ride home.

Duck Waddle 5

With a weekend forecast calling again for fog and cool temperatures, Environment Canada is starting to sound like a broken record. Despite the fog and ice pellets this morning, I decided to brave the elements and bike south along the regional pathway to LaFarge Meadows in Fish Creek PP. I wanted to bird along the Bow River between Highway 22X and Highway 2, the only section of river south of the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary that I had not yet covered this year. Visibility along the river was hampered by heavy fog and I saw little on the 40 minute ride; I stopped briefly at Mallard Point but failed to find the Snow Geese. A strengthening wind, combined with high humidity, created a nasty wind chill, so I was happy that I had decided to pack my heavier winter pants this morning.

Walking south along the river, I noted the silhouette of a Great Horned Owl in a grove of poplars along the bank. His mate is probably already on a nest nearby, incubating eggs. Making my way to the river, a female Hooded Merganser was found feeding on the opposite bank. This species has been scarce this winter and it was the first for my BIGBY. Further along the pathway, I spotted a  raptor flying west over the Blue Devil Golf Course. Quickly getting my binoculars on the bird, I was able to pick out the dark axilliaries of a Prairie Falcon before it disappeared into the fog. The family of Trumpeter Swans I found in early January had moved further downstream, and I relocated them near the Pine Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. Seeing the Highway 2 bridge, which demarcates the city limits, in the distance, I chose to turn around and head back. Nearing where I had locked my bike, two American Tree Sparrows flew up into a dogwood next to the path, likely part of the flock wintering in the area.

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 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.