One Good Tern Deserves Another

A report of two Caspian Terns at the west end of Glenmore Reservoir on the Albertabird listserv interrupted my plans to celebrate Victoria Day lounging on the couch, listening to music and drinking beer. Assembling my birding gear I was soon on the now routine journey to the reservoir. Though a slightly longer ride, I chose to cycle first to North Glenmore Park where several viewpoints overlook the reservoir. In anticipation of June rains and runoff from the mountains, water levels have been slowly dropping in the reservoir, exposing extensive mudflats at the west end.

Arriving at the westernmost viewpoint in the late afternoon I soon was scanning the reservoir for the terns. Franklin's Gulls continue to stage in large numbers and I noted that a male Eurasian Wigeon was still present. I caught a glimpse of a distant tern on the opposite side of the reservoir flying away from me; the bird eventually banked, allowing me to study the wing pattern and identify it as a Common Tern - a species new for the BIGBY. A few minutes later a Black Tern flew east over the reservoir heading towards the Calgary Sailing Club on the south side of the reservoir.

Returning my focus to the mudflats, I finally picked out the two Caspian Terns in amongst a flock of Franklin's Gulls with my binoculars. Directing my scope onto the terns, I was soon enjoying decent, if distant, views of the birds as they bathed and preened. Wanting closer looks of the terns, I cycled over to the south side of the reservoir where I was able to study their plumage and behaviour in more detail. Satisfied with three tern species, I was soon cycling towards home and my resumption of celebrating Queen Victoria's birthday!

Scootin' for Scoters

Friday evening found me cycling towards the Glenmore Reservoir; a birder had posted on the Albertabird listserv that four Surf Scoters were on the reservoir that morning. Surf Scoters are a scarce migrant in the Calgary area and normally do not linger for more than a couple of days. I decided to head over to the reservoir after work rather than wait until the following morning to chase them. Stopping briefly at home I packed up my birding gear and had a quick bite to eat. Crossing over the Bow river I caught a glimpse of a hooded gull that looked slightly different than the numerous Franklin's Gulls, pulling out my binoculars I was pleasantly surprised to find a Bonaparte's Gull - a new species for the BIGBY. A cool west wind was now blowing and I started to question my decision to wear shorts and a t-shirt.

Arriving at the east bay, just south of Heritage Park, I set up my tripod and scope. A quick scan of the bay turned up five species of grebe and several Common Loons, but no scoters. Realizing that sweat-soaked clothes and a cool wind are not a good mix, I dug out my down jacket before resuming looking for the scoters. A third sweep of the bay finally turned up two pairs of Surf Scoters, a third pair were subsequently found further west. Continuing to scan I picked out four large ducks sleeping in the middle of the bay, it took me a moment to figure out the plumage puzzle and identify them as two pairs of White-winged Scoters. Despite the jacket I was now chilled and decided to cycle to the west end of the reservoir, giving me a chance to generate some heat pedaling.

Several large flocks of gulls were resting on the exposed mudflats west of the Calgary Sailing Club. The vast majority were Franklin's Gulls, but smaller numbers of California and Herring Gulls were present. A nice surprise was a second-year Glaucous-winged Gull, my tenth species of gull for the year! An immature Bald Eagle would occasionally soar over the reservoir, sending the gulls into a panic. Oblivious to the eagle were six American While Pelicans snoozing on the mud flats. Gulls continued to stream into the reservoir, but with lighting conditions deteriorating and the wind strengthening it was time to start heading back. On the way home I stopped for dinner at the Mexican restaurant Avocado, ordering a Dos Equis to celebrate a successful evening of birding.

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.