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.

Nocturnal Birding

With the the shift to daylight saving time, giving me more time to bird after work, it seemed like a perfect evening to get my BIGBY Northern Saw-whet Owl. Keeping on my commuter clothes, I grabbed a quick dinner at home before cycling over to the Weaselhead Flats. This park regularly has calling Northern Saw-whet Owls in the late winter and early spring. Ten calling last week likely included migrants, but this species is known to nest in the park. A quick stop at North Glenmore added Tundra Swan and Lesser Scaup to my BIGBY. Other waterfowl occurring in the leads starting to form on the reservoir included numerous Common Goldeneye and Common Merganser. The pathways were busy with walkers and bicyclists enjoying a mild evening, but their numbers slowly thinned as the sun began to near the horizon.

With Venus becoming visible in the western sky and Mercury above me, I pulled out my birding gear and secured my bike to the wooden bike rack located next to the pathway. Turning on my headlamp, I followed the trail west along the Elbow River. I could hear Canada Geese in the distance and the occasional loud splash alerted me to the presence of beavers in the river. The first Saw-whet started whistling approximately a half hour after sunset but soon stopped. With only the occasional coyote howl now breaking the silence, I decided to take a different trail back to the bike. Soon after starting down this trail another Northern Saw-whet Owl started calling, this one was closer to me. I tried whistling and the owl responded. After whistling back and forth for a couple of minutes I caught a glimpse of the owl flying across the trail and landing in a poplar. Not wanting to further harass the bird, I stopped whistling and made my way back to the bike. With the temperature continuing to fall and fog starting to form, it was time to head home.

Weaseled

Weaselhead Flats encompasses the valley and delta of the Elbow River before it enters at the west end of the Glenmore Reservoir in the southwest part of the city. The reservoir and delta were formed in 1933 with the completion of the Glenmore Dam across the Elbow River valley. The area is named after Chief Weaselhead who held authority over the Tsuu T'ina people of the river valley at the time of early European contact. During the First and Second World Wars, the Weaselhead area was used as training facility for soldiers from the nearby Currie Barracks. Evidence of this use, such as foxholes, are scattered throughout the park. Vegetation ranges from emergent aquatic plants through willows, Aspen and Balsam Poplar to mature White Spruce forest. These diverse habitats provide some of the finest birding in the Calgary area, with over 250 species having occurred in the park.

Friday started cold and frosty. Skies had cleared overnight, allowing the thermometre to fall to -15°C by morning. Environment Canada was forecasting a high of zero later in the day, so I decided to wait until mid-morning before making the 30 minute ride to the park. The temperature had already risen to -5°C by the time I arrived shortly before eleven, and I did not even need to wear my toque or heavy mitts. An extensive network of trails wind through Weaselhead Flats, and it is easy to get lost in the park, even if you are carrying a map like I did today! Four hours were spent exploring the park, enjoying the solitude and peacefulness. Birding was also quiet, with only the usual menagerie of resident and wintering species seen. A small flock of Pine Grosbeaks was the only new species added to my BIGBY.