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.

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.