Alberta RBA Website

Most recent reports are displayed at the top of the page. We are grateful to the following for providing these official reports.

Jean Moore jmmoore@ucalgary.ca
Chris Havard havard@nucleus.com
Andrew Purvis aepurvis@CALCNA.AB.CA

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Reports For May

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RBA: Calgary AB, May 29, 2003 - May 30, 2003

- RBA
* Alberta (Canada)
* Calgary, AB
* May 29, 2003
* ABCA0305.29

- Birds mentioned

GREAT EGRET
FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK
White-faced Ibis
Eurasian Wigeon
Hooded Merganser
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
Golden Eagle
Sandhill Crane
Whimbrel
Red Knot
Great Gray Owl
Western Bluebird
Brewer's Sparrow


- Transcript

Hotline: City of Calgary and Calgary Field Naturalists'
	Society's Bird Alert
Number: (403) 221-4519
To Report: (403) 221-4519
Coverage: Southern Alberta
Compiler: Terry Korolyk (CFNS & IBS)
Transcriber: Jean Moore (jmmoore@ucalgary.ca)

Welcome to the City of Calgary and CFNS Bird Alert.  This Bird
Alert was recorded Thursday, May 29, 2003, at 11:15 am.  To report
a bird sighting, leave a message after the recording or to bypass
the recorded message, press the pound key on your touch tone phone.
To speak to a naturalist, please phone (403) 221-4500 during office
hours.


A FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK found near the Calgary Airport by Ken and Chris
Havard on Sunday, May 25, has been seen by many observers.  The location
of the original sighting was at a slough immediately north of a tree farm
in the northwest corner of the Country Hills Blvd / Barlow Trail junction.
The bird was said to be at a slough farther south of that later in the
week, but this in unconfirmed.

There have been no further reports to this point on a GREAT EGRET found
approx 16 km east of Okotoks on Sunday, May 25.  Ian Halladay, Don
Magnasson, Dave Gibson and Bruce Barnetson all saw the bird at a dugout
in the SE corner of the 160 St / 306 Ave SE junction.  The bird was seen
later that day at the north end of Blizzard Lake by Terry Korolyk, but
there have been no further reports since. Blizzard Lake is a few hundred
yards south of the dugout.

Both of these birds were recorded on the Calgary area May Species Count,
which was held on the weekend.  The pair of WESTERN BLUEBIRDS nesting west
of Longview were also recorded on the Count.  Other highlights of the
Count included a male EURASIAN WIGEON seen by Al Borgardt and Phil Cram a
couple of kilometres east of the Hwys 1 and 68 junction and a possible
BREWER'S SPARROW heard along the Big Hill Springs access road by Julie
Lefaivre and Mike Carter.  Ian Halladay et al found 4 WHITE-FACED IBIS at
Frank Lake on the Count and also reported a lone WHIMBREL.  Joan and
Malcolm McDonald observed a SURF SCOTER, a GOLDEN EAGLE and a HOODED
MERGANSER near Cochrane.  A total of 6 RED KNOTS - five were recorded
east of Calgary seen by Milt Spitzer and other observers; and
one KNOT seen by Ken and Chris Havard, Dick and Lenora Flynn and Mike
Mulligan.  Peter Sherrington and Bill Wilson observed 16 HARLEQUIN DUCKS
in Kananaskis Country, and Terry Korolyk observed a GREAT GRAY OWL just
south of the first buildings south of the Hwys 549 / 762 junction,
west of Millarville.

Other sightins of interest include a SANDHILL CRANE seen by Dwight Knapik
at the Calgary Zoo's private breeding ranch, off Dunbow Rd, S of Calgary,
on Wednesday, May 28.


The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is Monday, June 2.

CFNS meeting and field trips:

BIRD STUDY GROUP - 1st Wednesday of each month
Wed June 4, 6:30 pm - Two concurrent field trips:  Weaselhead, leader TBA
OR  Bebo Grove FCPP, S end of 24 St SW, Leader Mike Rogers - 251-9438
Call Jan Roseneder, 286-5920, for more information.

BIRDING FIELD TRIPS
Call leader for meeting time and place.

Sat May 31 - 8:00 am - Rufous Hummingbird - Weaselhead
Leader Jim St Laurent - 246-6314

Sun June 1 - 6:40 am - Elbow River Monthly Birding Survey
Leaders Aileen Pelzer and Gus Yaki - 243-2248

Sun June 1 - 1:30 pm - Bow River near Carseland - explore private land
rich in migrant birds.  Leader Jack Nodwell - 282-4812

Tues June 3 - 8:00 am - Birding Policeman's Flats
Leader Allan Cole - 252-3700

Tues June 3 - 6:30 pm - Edworthy Park
Leader Gwen Simpson - 288-1628


********************

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a City of Calgary natural area.
Staff offer information, courses and field trips relating to
natural history.  For information call (403) 269-6688.

Calgary Field Naturalists' Society promotes the observation,
study and conservation of the native habitat through lectures,
field trips and collection of scientific data.  CFNS publishes a
monthly newsletter and a quarterly journal, Pica.  For membership
or event information call (403) 285-8553.  A Birdfinding Guide to
the Calgary Region, ed. Joan F. McDonald (CFNS, 1993), is out of
print.  Some copies may still be available from the American Birding
Association or from local book stores.  Copies are no longer available
from CFNS.

- End transcript

RBA: Calgary AB, May 26, 2003 - May 28, 2003

- RBA
* Alberta (Canada)
* Calgary, AB
* May 26, 2003
* ABCA0305.26

- Birds mentioned

FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK
GREAT EGRET
Trumpeter Swan
Harlequin Duck
Rough-legged Hawk
Western Sandpiper
Rufous Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Western Kingbird
Eastern Phoebe
Cliff Swallow
Brown Thrasher
House Wren
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Townsend's Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Lazuli Bunting
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Brown-headed Cowbird


- Transcript

Hotline: City of Calgary and Calgary Field Naturalists'
	Society's Bird Alert
Number: (403) 221-4519
To Report: (403) 221-4519
Coverage: Southern Alberta
Compiler: Terry Korolyk (CFNS & IBS)
Transcriber: Jean Moore (jmmoore@ucalgary.ca)

Welcome to the City of Calgary and CFNS Bird Alert.  This Bird
Alert was recorded Monday, May 26, 2003, at 8 am.  To report
a bird sighting, leave a message after the recording or to bypass
the recorded message, press the pound key on your touch tone phone.
To speak to a naturalist, please phone (403) 221-4500 during office
hours.


A FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK has been seen near the Airport in Calgary.  The
bird was found by Ken and Chris Havard at 8:30 am, Sunday, May 25, on the
Calgary area May Species Count.  The bird was on a slough that was just
north of a tree farm in the NW corner of Barlow Tr and Country Hills Blvd.
The bird has been seen by several observers already and would probably be
the first record of this species in the Province if it is a genuine wild
bird.

A GREAT EGRET was found approx 16 km east of Okotoks on Sunday, May 25.
The bird was found by Ian Halladay and Don Magnasson on the May Species
Count.  The bird was at a dugout on 160 St just south of 306 Ave
(or Hwy 552) when it was found, but was at the north end of Blizzard Lake
which is just south of the dugout later in the afternoon.

LAZULI BUNTINGS were reported by two observers in the area over the
weekend.  Alan MacKeigan saw one along the access road into the Fortress
Mountain Ski Hill on Saturday, May 24, while Greg Tumplin(?) observed
another male at his feeder at his home in the Dalhousie area of Calgary on
Sunday, May 25.

Vanis Simpson observed a male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD at her home in Redwood
Meadows near Bragg Creek on Tuesday, May 13, then had a hummingbird she
thought was a male RUBY-THROATED at her home on Thursday, May 15.
Hummingbird reports from the Weaselhead recently include 2 male CALLIOPES
seen there Friday, May 23, by David Vernon, then a RUFOUS and a CALLIOPE
seen there by Bill Wilson on May 24.  For details on the locations of the
birds, call Dave at 228-4734 or Bill at 230-0054.


Dwight Knapik observed a GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW at one of the Rosy-Finch
feeders in Exshaw on Thursday, May 22.  For details, call Dwight at
254-0249.

Recent Spring arrival reports include a BROWN THRASHER, a WESTERN
KINGBIRD, an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and 2 YELLOW WARBLERS seen at Kinbrook
Island at Brooks on Saturday, May 17, by Terry Korolyk.  On Saturday, May
10, Terry observed a flock of 7 BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS just south of Spruce
Meadows; and on Friday, May 16, Terry observed a flock of 200 CLIFF
SWALLOWS at Bruce Lake.  Bill Wilson saw one TOWNSEND'S WARBLER in the
Weaselhead on Saturday, May 24; and on Friday, May 23, Carol Kerfoot
observed a ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and a HOUSE WREN at Inglewood Bird
Sanctuary.  Bill Wilson observed an EASTERN PHOEBE and a WILSON'S WARBLER
in the Weaselhead on May 24, while Alan MacKeigan saw 3 WILSON'S WARBLERS
at the Lorette Ponds in Kananaskis Country on May 24.

Terry Korolyk observed a winter-plumaged WESTERN SANDPIPER at the
Cattleland Feedlots slough on May 16 and the same day, observed a
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK on Hwy 9 at Dalroy.  A pair of HARLEQUIN DUCKS were at
Elbow Falls, May 22, as reported by Dwight Knapik, and 8 late-migrating
TRUMPETER SWANS were seen at Glenmore Reservoir by Bill Wilson on May 24.

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is Thursday, May 29.

CFNS meeting and field trips:

BIRD STUDY GROUP - 1st Wednesday of each month
7:30 pm, Room 211, BioSciences Bldg, University of Calgary
Call Jan Roseneder, 286-5920, for more information.

BIRDING FIELD TRIPS
Call leader for meeting time and place.


Saturday, May 31 - 8:00 am: Rufous Hummingbird, North Glenmore Park
Leader Jim St Laurent - 246-6314

Sunday, June 1 - 6:40 am: Elbow River Monthly Birding Survey.
Leaders Aileen Pelzer and Gus Yaki - 243-2248

Sunday, June 1 - 1:30 pm: Bow River near Carseland
Leader Jack Nodwell - 282-4812

********************

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a City of Calgary natural area.
Staff offer information, courses and field trips relating to
natural history.  For information call (403) 269-6688.

Calgary Field Naturalists' Society promotes the observation,
study and conservation of the native habitat through lectures,
field trips and collection of scientific data.  CFNS publishes a
monthly newsletter and a quarterly journal, Pica.  For membership
or event information call (403) 285-8553.  A Birdfinding Guide to
the Calgary Region, ed. Joan F. McDonald (CFNS, 1993), is out of
print.  Some copies may still be available from the American Birding
Association or from local book stores.  Copies are no longer available
from CFNS.

- End transcript

RBA: Calgary AB, May 22, 2003 - May 22, 2003

- RBA
* Alberta (Canada)
* Calgary, AB
* May 22,2003
* ABCA0305.22

- Birds mentioned
White-faced Ibis
Black Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Sandhill Crane
Dunlin
Pectoral Sandpiper
Black-necked Stilt
Ruddy Turnstone
Red Knot
Red-necked Phalarope
Whimbrel
Black-bellied Plover
American Golden-Plover
Thayer's Gull
Black Tern
Caspian Tern
Forster's Tern
Calliope Hummingbird
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Swainson's Thrush
White-throated Sparrow
McCown's Longspur


- Transcript

Hotline: City of Calgary and Calgary Field Naturalists'
	Society's Bird Alert
Number: (403) 221-4519
To Report: (403) 221-4519
Coverage: Southern Alberta
Compiler: Inglewood Bird Sanctuary (CFNS & IBS)
Transcriber: Jean Moore (jmmoore@ucalgary.ca)

Welcome to the City of Calgary and CFNS Bird Alert.  This Bird
Alert was recorded Thursday, May 22, 2003, at 1:38 pm.  To report
a bird sighting, leave a message after the recording or to bypass
the recorded message, press the pound key on your touch tone phone.
To speak to a naturalist, please phone (403) 221-4500 during office
hours.

[Terry Korolyk is away birding this week and this Bird Alert was compiled
by Inglewood Bird Sanctuary - there was no report earlier in the week. JM]


Terry Korolyk reported 9 RED-NECKED PHALAROPE at Dawson Lake on Hwy 8 just
south of Hwy 564 junction and the first reported BLACK TERN at
Bruce Lake in the Irricana Sloughs.  Bill Wilson in the Brooks area had 2
MCCOWN'S LONGSPURS and 3 WHIMBRELS SW of Tilley; and at the Kitsum
Reservoir, west of Lake Newell, 400 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, 1 AMERICAN
GOLDEN-PLOVER, 37 RED KNOTS, 1 RUDDY TURNSTONE and 2 CASPIAN TERNS and
12 WHIMBRELS in the NW corner of Kitsum Reservoir. On Sunday, May 19,
Bill Wilson had 1 adult THAYER'S GULL and 2 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS on
the Glenmore Reservoir.

Alex Torn on her bluebird trail at Naphtha / Black Diamond had a
SANDHILL CRANE at 466 Ave and 192 St West, just north of Turner Valley.
Jeff Bank had a possible female BLACK SCOTER on the Dickson Dam Reservoir
west of Innisfail.

Andrew Slater at Sadler's Slough had 45 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS on May 13th
and an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER near the sailing club at Glenmore Park.
At Frank Lake at the east access point he had 12 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES
and in the SE corner 2 DUNLIN.  Carol Coulter of the Southview area had
a CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD at their feeder and a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW and a
SWAINSON'S THRUSH. Dwight Knapik had 4 BLACK TERNS, 4 FORSTER'S TERNS and
4 BLACK-NECKED STILTS at Cattleland Slough near the Cattleland Feedlot
north of Strathmore. Mike Mulligan had a WHITE-FACED IBIS near Cargill
outfall at the north end and 3 DUNLIN on the south side of Frank Lake.

Thank you for calling the CFNS and City of Calgary Bird Alert.  This
message will be revised on Sunday May 25.


CFNS meeting and field trips:

BIRD STUDY GROUP - 1st Wednesday of each month
7:30 pm, Room 211, BioSciences Bldg, University of Calgary
Call Jan Roseneder, 286-5920, for more information.

BIRDING FIELD TRIPS
Call leader for meeting time and place.

Thur May 22, 8 am:  Bowness Park for Orioles and Thrashers
Leaders L Harrison - 288-0839, and Don Magnusson - 284-9301

Sat May 24, 8 am:  Livingston Ck Ranch Golf Course, Sibbald Creek
Annual Bird Census
Leader Paul Anderson - 932-5458

Sat-Sun May 24-25:  May Species Counts - all welcome
For territories call Bill Walker - 278-7271

Tue May 27, 6:30 pm:  Birding Mallard Point, FCPP
Leader Jim Washbrook - 271-0923

Wed May 28, 6:45 am:  Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Leaders Gary and Nellie Simpson - 249-7034



********************

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a City of Calgary natural area.
Staff offer information, courses and field trips relating to
natural history.  For information call (403) 269-6688.

Calgary Field Naturalists' Society promotes the observation,
study and conservation of the native habitat through lectures,
field trips and collection of scientific data.  CFNS publishes a
monthly newsletter and a quarterly journal, Pica.  For membership
or event information call (403) 285-8553.  A Birdfinding Guide to
the Calgary Region, ed. Joan F. McDonald (CFNS, 1993), is out of
print.  Some copies may still be available from the American Birding
Association or from local book stores.  Copies are no longer available
from CFNS.

- End transcript

RBA: Calgary AB, May 16, 2003 - May 16, 2003

- RBA
* Alberta (Canada)
* Calgary, AB
* May 16, 2003
* ABCA0305.16

- Birds mentioned
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Ross's Goose
Turkey Vulture
Rough-legged Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Northern Goshawk
Black-bellied Plover
Short-billed Dowitcher
Stilt Sandpiper
Great Gray Owl
White-throated Swift
Vaux's Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Western Bluebird
Cedar Waxwing
Northern Waterthrush
Chipping Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Clay-coloured Sparrow
Chestnut-collared Longspur


- Transcript

Hotline: City of Calgary and Calgary Field Naturalists'
	Society's Bird Alert
Number: (403) 221-4519
To Report: (403) 221-4519
Coverage: Southern Alberta
Compiler: Terry Korolyk (CFNS & IBS)
Transcriber: Jean Moore (jmmoore@ucalgary.ca)

Welcome to the City of Calgary and CFNS Bird Alert.  This Bird
Alert was recorded Friday, May 16, 2003, at 9:50 am.  To report
a bird sighting, leave a message after the recording or to bypass
the recorded message, press the pound key on your touch tone phone.
To speak to a naturalist, please phone (403) 221-4500 during office
hours.

A probable unprecedented birding situation for Alberta occurred at the Mt
Lorette Natural Area in Kananaskis Country.  Two different rare species of
SWIFT have been seen at one location on the same day.  Peter Sherrington
observed a single WHITE-THROATED SWIFT at Mt Lorette on consecutive days,
Monday, May 12, and Tuesday, May 13; but on May 13, Peter also observed
a VAUX'S SWIFT!  For more information on these birds, call Bill Wilson in
Calgary at 230-0054.

A pair of WESTERN BLUEBIRDS have been seen by a few observers now at a
site west of Longview.  The birds are nesting on a bluebird trail and have
been at this location since May 1.  To see the birds, drive west from
Longview on Hwy 541 to the Eden Valley Reserve Rd junction and then watch
within the first 100 m west of that junction.  Remember the birds have
been nesting here and cannot be approached or disturbed!

A TURKEY VULTURE was seen in the Weaselhead area of Calgary as it moved
westward over the 37 St SW parking area.  This is the second record of
this species in our birding area already this season.

A hummingbird thought to be a female RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD was
observed in Redwood Meadows by Sana(?) Simpson on Monday, May 12; and the
second BROAD-WINGED HAWK of this season was a bird seen at Bowmont Park by
Horst Grothman and other members of a CFNS Field Trip on Saturday, May 10.

A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was reported at an abandoned farm site 4 km east of
Bruce Lake in the Irricana sloughs on May 9.  The bird was seen by Simone
Marler, who also saw a ROSS'S GOOSE at Frank Lake, May 11.

A GREAT GRAY OWL was seen 'behind Strathcona Drive' in Calgary this week.
The report was made by Don and Joyce Glover.  This is probably the same
bird that has been periodically reported in the Strathcona/Christie Ravine
since Fall 2002.

There have been many recent Spring arrivals.  Jim St Laurant saw a
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary on May 10, while Marg
Korolyk heard a CHIPPING SPARROW in Calgary Shawnessey on May 11, and
Dwight Knapik reported a CLAY-COLOURED SPARROW at the Calgary Zoo Ranch
also on May 11.  An unidentified observer reported a WHITE-THROATED
SPARROW at IBS on May 12.  Also on May 12, Jerry Pilny found BLACK-BELLIED
PLOVERS near Langdon and also found 2 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS, some STILT
SANDPIPERS and CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPURS at Wolf Lake, east of Hussar.
Jerry also saw a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK there and saw a BLACK-CROWNED
NIGHT-HERON at Namaka Lake.  Simone Marler saw a flock of 20-30 CEDAR
WAXWINGS in the Brentwood district, May 10, but these may be overwintering
birds or spring migrants.

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is Monday, May 19.



CFNS meeting and field trips:

BIRD STUDY GROUP - 1st Wednesday of each month
7:30 pm, Room 211, BioSciences Bldg, University of Calgary
Call Jan Roseneder, 286-5920, for more information.

BIRDING FIELD TRIPS
Call leader for meeting time and place.

Sat-Sun May 17-18: Brooks/Lake Newell Species Count
Contact organizer Bob Parsons, Edmonton, 780-488-1344

Sun May 18, 10 am:  Birds, Butterflies, Blossoms - Family outing
Leader Gus Yaki - 243-2248

Mon May 19, 7 am-5 pm:  See 100+ species of birds within Calgary
Leaders A Pelzer & Gus Yaki - 243-2248

Tues May 20, 6:30 pm:  Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Leader John Bregar - 873-7260

Wed May 21, 6:45 am: Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Leader Dave Elphinstone - 246-0199

Thur May 22, 8 am:  Bowness Park for Orioles and Thrashers
Leaders L Harrison - 288-0839, and Don Magnusson - 284-9301

Sat May 24, 8 am:  Livingston Ck Ranch Golf Course, Sibbald Creek
Annual Bird Census
Leader Paul Anderson - 932-5458

Sat-Sun May 24-25:  May Species Counts - all welcome
For territories call Bill Walker - 278-7271

Tue May 27, 6:30 pm:  Birding Mallard Point, FCPP
Leader Jim Washbrook - 271-0923

Wed May 28, 6:45 am:  Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Leaders Gary and Nellie Simpson - 249-7034



********************

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a City of Calgary natural area.
Staff offer information, courses and field trips relating to
natural history.  For information call (403) 269-6688.

Calgary Field Naturalists' Society promotes the observation,
study and conservation of the native habitat through lectures,
field trips and collection of scientific data.  CFNS publishes a
monthly newsletter and a quarterly journal, Pica.  For membership
or event information call (403) 285-8553.  A Birdfinding Guide to
the Calgary Region, ed. Joan F. McDonald (CFNS, 1993), is out of
print.  Some copies may still be available from the American Birding
Association or from local book stores.  Copies are no longer available
from CFNS.

- End transcript

RBA: Calgary AB, May 12, 2003 - May 12, 2003

- RBA
* Alberta (Canada)
* Calgary, AB
* May 12.2003
* ABCA0305.12

- Birds mentioned
Ross's Goose
Snow Goose
Red-breasted Merganser
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Broad-winged Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Peregrine Falcon
Prairie Falcon
Solitary Sandpiper
Piping Plover
American Golden Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Pectoral Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Common Tern
Long-eared Owl
Violet-green Swallow
Western Bluebird
Western Tanager
Sprague's Pipit
Loggerhead Shrike

- Transcript

Hotline: City of Calgary and Calgary Field Naturalists'
	Society's Bird Alert
Number: (403) 221-4519
To Report: (403) 221-4519
Coverage: Southern Alberta
Compiler: Terry Korolyk (CFNS & IBS)
Transcriber: Jean Moore (jmmoore@ucalgary.ca)

Welcome to the City of Calgary and CFNS Bird Alert.  This Bird
Alert was recorded Monday, May 12, 2003, at 8:50 am.  To report
a bird sighting, leave a message after the recording or to bypass
the recorded message, press the pound key on your touch tone phone.
To speak to a naturalist, please phone (403) 221-4500 during office
hours.

The pair of WESTERN BLUEBIRDS that were reported on the May 9 RBA have
been seen by a few observers now.  The birds have been at a site near
Longview and are nesting.  The birds have been there since May 1 at least.
Those people wishing more information on these birds can call Terry
Korolyk in Calgary at 254-1878.

A PIPING PLOVER was seen at a seasonal pond near Frank Lake, Saturday, May
10, by Jerry Pilny and Alan Fishkin.  They saw the bird at about 9 am
approx 300 m east of 208 St SE on the north side of Hwy 23.  On Friday,
May 9, Jerry Pilny, Mike Mulligan and Phil Cram found a LONG-EARED OWL
perched on a fencepost near the 112 St and 256 Ave SE junction, southeast
of Calgary.

A LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE was unusually close to the City of Calgary on
Saturday, May 10, when it was seen by Terry Korolyk only a couple of miles
south of Spruce Meadows at 242 Ave and 64 St SW.  Dwight Knapik
observed a BROAD-WINGED HAWK at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, Thursday,
May 8.

There were three reports of ROSS'S GEESE in the area over the weekend.
Dwight Knapik observed four at Frank Lake on Friday, May 9, while on
Saturday, May 10, Bill Wilson observed one bird on Langdon Corner Slough
and six birds at Sadler's Slough.  Terry Korolyk observed a flock of 30
SNOW GEESE in the NE corner of an unsigned road junction 3.2 km north of
the Strathmore Golf Course Rd (off Hwy 817) on Friday, May 9.

Diving duck reports over the weekend included a male SURF SCOTER seen on
Chestermere Lake, May 9, by Terry Korolyk.  The same day Terry saw 2 male
RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS on the Strathmore Golf Course slough; then on
May 10, Terry watched a male HARLEQUIN DUCK at Elbow Falls.  Bill Wilson
observed 3 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS on Glenmore Reservoir in Calgary on
Friday, May 9.

Eric Tull and Brooke Clibbon observed 5 AMERICAN GOLDERN PLOVERS at the
Cattleland Feedlots Slough at the end of Hwy 817, N of Strathmore, on May
10; while the same day Bill Wilson reported a SEMIPALMATED PLOVER at
McElroy Slough.  Terry Korolyk saw 2 female WILSON'S PHALAROPES near
Dalroy at TwpRd 250 and RgeRd 274 on May 9.  He also observed a flock of
40 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS east of Shepard the same day and saw 3 flocks
totalling 120 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS at Railway Slough, also on May 9.
Jerry Pilny and Mike Mulligan observed 2 LEAST SANDPIPERS at Sadler's
Slough on Wednesday, May 7.

Simone Marler has observed the first WESTERN TANAGER of the spring.  She
reported a bird on Baker Crescent in Calgary on Saturday, May 10.  Richard
Rappel reported 6 VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS along the Highwood River in High
River on May 11, while Bill Wilson has reported the first COMMON TERNS,
two birds at Namaka Lake on May 10.

Jerry Pilny and Alan Fishkin reported a lone SPRAGUE'S PIPIT near Frank
Lake on May 10, then on a site on RgeRd 184 near Crawling Valley Reservoir
the same day they found over 20 SPRAGUE'S PIPITS.

Dwight Knapik saw a PEREGRINE FALCON catch a SOLITARY SANDPIPER south of
Carseland on May 9, while the same day Terry Korolyk observed a PEREGRINE
flying through the Irricana Sloughs and also observed a PRAIRIE FALCON at
88 St SE and Hwy 22X.  Andrew Slater observed a PRAIRIE FALCON north of
Longview on May 11, while Terry Korolyk watched a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK flying
northward over Elbow Falls on Saturday, May 10.

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is Thursday, May 15.


CFNS meeting and field trips:

BIRD STUDY GROUP - 1st Wednesday of each month
7:30 pm, Room 211, BioSciences Bldg, University of Calgary
Call Jan Roseneder, 286-5920, for more information.

BIRDING FIELD TRIPS
Call leader for meeting time and place.

Tues May 13, 6:30 pm: Birding Weaselhead
Leader TBA.  For info 243-2248

Wed May 14, 7 am:  Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Leader Mike Rogers - 251-9438

Thur May 15, 7 am:  Carburn Park, Monthly birding survey
Leader Bernard Goulet - 279-3048

Sat-Sun May 17-18: Brooks/Lake Newell Species Count
Contact organizer Bob Parsons, Edmonton, 780-488-1344

Sun May 18, 10 am:  Birds, Butterflies, Blossoms - Family outing
Leader Gus Yaki - 243-2248

Mon May 19, 7 am-5 pm:  See 100+ species of birds within Calgary
Leaders A Pelzer & Gus Yaki - 243-2248

Tues May 20, 6:30 pm:  Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Leader John Bregar - 873-7260

Wed May 21, 6:45 am: Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Leader Dave Elphinstone - 246-0199

Thur May 22, 8 am:  Bowness Park for Orioles and Thrashers
Leaders L Harrison - 288-0839, and Don Magnusson - 284-9301

Sat May 24, 8 am:  Livingston Ck Ranch Golf Course, Sibbald Creek
Annual Bird Census
Leader Paul Anderson - 932-5458

Sat-Sun May 24-25:  May Species Counts - all welcome
For territories call Bill Walker - 278-7271

Tue May 27, 6:30 pm:  Birding Mallard Point, FCPP
Leader Jim Washbrook - 271-0923

Wed May 28, 6:45 am:  Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Leaders Gary and Nellie Simpson - 249-7034



********************

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a City of Calgary natural area.
Staff offer information, courses and field trips relating to
natural history.  For information call (403) 269-6688.

Calgary Field Naturalists' Society promotes the observation,
study and conservation of the native habitat through lectures,
field trips and collection of scientific data.  CFNS publishes a
monthly newsletter and a quarterly journal, Pica.  For membership
or event information call (403) 285-8553.  A Birdfinding Guide to
the Calgary Region, ed. Joan F. McDonald (CFNS, 1993), is out of
print.  Some copies may still be available from the American Birding
Association or from local book stores.  Copies are no longer available
from CFNS.

- End transcript

RBA: Calgary AB, May 8, 2003 - May 8, 2003

- RBA
* Alberta (Canada)
* Calgary, AB
* May 8,2003
* ABCA0305.08

- Birds mentioned
American Bittern
Rough-legged Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk - dark morph
Thayer's Gull
Herring Gull
Barn Swallow
Bank Swallow
Western Bluebird
Swainson's Thrush

- Transcript

Hotline: City of Calgary and Calgary Field Naturalists'
	Society's Bird Alert
Number: (403) 221-4519
To Report: (403) 221-4519
Coverage: Southern Alberta
Compiler: Terry Korolyk (CFNS & IBS)
Transcriber: Jean Moore (jmmoore@ucalgary.ca)

Welcome to the City of Calgary and CFNS Bird Alert.  This Bird
Alert was recorded Thursday, May 8, 2003, at 12:15 pm.  To report
a bird sighting, leave a message after the recording or to bypass
the recorded message, press the pound key on your touch tone phone.
To speak to a naturalist, please phone (403) 221-4500 during office
hours.

A pair of WESTERN BLUEBIRDS have been observed south of Calgary.  The
birds were seen Thursday, May 1, by Dwight Knapik and have been seen by at
least one other person.  These are the only details available on the birds
at this time.  Those wishing information on this report can call Terry
Korolyk in Calgary at 254-1878.

A bird that was probably an AMERICAN BITTERN was seen at Frank Lake, east
of High River, on Friday, May 2.  This would be the first report of this
species in the area this Spring.  The bird was seen by Myrna Rappel along
the shoreline west of the road to the blind.

A very pale first-year THAYER'S GULL was seen in the Hull's Wood area of
east Fish Creek Provincial Park in Calgary on Wednesday, May 7.  The bird
was seen by Terry Korolyk.  The bird was with a first-summer HERRING GULL
resting on the rocky point on the Bow River, N of the Hwy 22X bridge, at
10:30 am, but both birds flew upriver after being observed for a couple of
minutes.

Other Spring arrivals during the week included SWAINSON'S THRUSH, BANK
SWALLOW and BARN SWALLOW.  Terry Korolyk observed a SWAINSON'S THRUSH in
Fish Creek PP by the Hwy 22X bridge on Wednesday, May 7, while Dwight
Knapik reported two birds each of BANK and BARN SWALLOW at the Calgary
Zoo's private breeding ranch off Dunbow Road, south of Calgary, on Monday,
May 5.

Hawk reports this week included a late ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. Richard Rappel
observed the bird along Hwy 24 near the Hwy 547 junction on Sunday, May 4.
Dwight Knapik saw a dark-morph RED-TAILED HAWK at Policeman's Flats on
Wednesday, May 7.  Policeman's Flats is at the end of 40 St SE off Dunbow
Rd.

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is Monday, May 12.



CFNS meeting and field trips:

BIRD STUDY GROUP - 1st Wednesday of each month
7:30 pm, Room 211, BioSciences Bldg, University of Calgary
Call Jan Roseneder, 286-5920, for more information.

BIRDING FIELD TRIPS
Call leader for meeting time and place.

Sat May 10, 8:30 am:  Intermediate Birding, east of Calgary
Leisurely looks to learn the special marks of shorebirds, ducks.  Full day.
Leader Ian Halladay - 282-1420

Sat May 10, 9 am:  Birding Bowmont Park
Leader Horst Grothman - 286-3048

Sun May 11, 7:30 am:  Irricana Area for waterfowl and shorebirds.  Full day.
Leader Bernard Goulet - 279-0491

Tues May 13, 6:30 pm: Birding Weaselhead
Leader TBA.  For info 243-2248

Wed May 14, 7 am:  Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Leader Mike Rogers - 251-9438

Thur May 15, 7 am:  Carburn Park, Monthly birding survey
Leader Bernard Goulet - 279-3048

Sat-Sun May 17-18: Brooks/Lake Newell Species Count
Contact organizer Bob Parsons, Edmonton, 780-488-1344

Sun May 18, 10 am:  Birds, Butterflies, Blossoms - Family outing
Leader Gus Yaki - 243-2248

Mon May 19, 7 am-5 pm:  See 100+ species of birds within Calgary
Leaders A Pelzer & Gus Yaki - 243-2248

Tues May 20, 6:30 pm:  Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Leader John Bregar - 873-7260

Wed May 21, 6:45 am: Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Leader Dave Elphinstone - 246-0199

Thur May 22, 8 am:  Bowness Park for Orioles and Thrashers
Leaders L Harrison - 288-0839, and Don Magnusson - 284-9301

Sat May 24, 8 am:  Livingston Ck Ranch Golf Course, Sibbald Creek
Annual Bird Census
Leader Paul Anderson - 932-5458

Sat-Sun May 24-25:  May Species Counts - all welcome
For territories call Bill Walker - 278-7271

Tue May 27, 6:30 pm:  Birding Mallard Point, FCPP
Leader Jim Washbrook - 271-0923

Wed May 28, 6:45 am:  Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Leaders Gary and Nellie Simpson - 249-7034



********************

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a City of Calgary natural area.
Staff offer information, courses and field trips relating to
natural history.  For information call (403) 269-6688.

Calgary Field Naturalists' Society promotes the observation,
study and conservation of the native habitat through lectures,
field trips and collection of scientific data.  CFNS publishes a
monthly newsletter and a quarterly journal, Pica.  For membership
or event information call (403) 285-8553.  A Birdfinding Guide to
the Calgary Region, ed. Joan F. McDonald (CFNS, 1993), is out of
print.  Some copies may still be available from the American Birding
Association or from local book stores.  Copies are no longer available
from CFNS.

- End transcript

RBA: Calgary AB, May 5, 2003 - May 5, 2003

- RBA
* Alberta (Canada)
* Calgary, AB
* May 5, 2003
* ABCA0305.05

- Birds mentioned
Pied-billed Grebe
Ross' Goose
Rough-legged Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk - Krider's, Harlan's, Rufous morph
Whimbrel
Hudsonian Godwit
Long-billed Dowitcher
Black-necked Stilt
Bonaparte's Gull
Thayer's / Iceland Gull
Varied Thrush
Harris' Sparrow


- Transcript

Hotline: City of Calgary and Calgary Field Naturalists'
	Society's Bird Alert
Number: (403) 221-4519
To Report: (403) 221-4519
Coverage: Southern Alberta
Compiler: Terry Korolyk (CFNS & IBS)
Transcriber: Jean Moore (jmmoore@ucalgary.ca)

Welcome to the City of Calgary and CFNS Bird Alert.  This Bird
Alert was recorded Monday, May 5, 2003, at 11:15 am.  To report
a bird sighting, leave a message after the recording or to bypass
the recorded message, press the pound key on your touch tone phone.
To speak to a naturalist, please phone (403) 221-4500 during office
hours.

A total of 3 ROSS' GEESE were seen in the area over the weekend.  The
first two birds were seen by Chip Scialfa at Sadler's Slough on Friday,
May 2.  These birds were still there the morning of May 3 when they were
seen by Bill Wilson, who on this day also reported a single ROSS' GOOSE at
Langdon Corner Slough, which is on Hwy 1 just W of the Hwy 9 junction.

Mary Huston and Lucille Harrison observed a total of 3 WHIMBREL east of
Calgary on Thursday, May 1.  Two birds were on Hwy 575 near the Bircham Rd
junction, near Acme, while the other bird was along Hwy 9 approx 1/4 mi S
of the Hwy 566 junction, W of Keoma.

The first HUDSONIAN GODWITS in the area this Spring have been reported.
Bill Wilson observed four birds off Hwy 817, 3.2 km north, then east, of
the Strathmore Golf Course Rd, N of Strathmore, on Sunday, May 4.  Bill
also saw 3 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS there.  Other spring arrivals included 2
PIED-BILLED GREBES seen at this same location, May 3, by Terry Korolyk,
and 32 BONAPARTE'S GULLS seen at the S end of Chestermere Lake, also by
Terry Korolyk on May 3.

Six pairs of BLACK-NECKED STILTS were located by Terry Korolyk north of
Strathmore on May 3.  Four pairs were off Hwy 817, 3.2 km north, then
west, of the Strathmore Golf Course Rd, while the other two pairs
were at Cattleland Feedlots slough which is at the terminus of
Hwy 817, N of Strathmore.

Wayne McGonigal, who lives 1/2 mi north of Longview, has had a HARRIS'
SPARROW at his home for a week up to May 2 and 3; while a male VARIED
THRUSH was seen by Marg Korolyk and Mark and Adrienne Brooks in the
Shawnessy district of Calgary on Sunday, May 4.

Weekend hawk reports included a late ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK.  That bird was on
Inverlake Rd, 1 km W of Hwy 9, May 3, when it was seen by Terry Korolyk.
Terry also saw on May 3 a KRIDER'S subspecies RED-TAILED HAWK near Calgary
at 146 Ave and 72 St SE; and a HARLAN'S HAWK 5.2 km N and 2 km east of
Cattleland Feedlots, N of Strathmore.  Ted Bodnar reported the Rufous
morph RED-TAILED HAWK he saw near the Hwy 1/Old Banff Coach Rd junction
last week was still in that area on May 2.

Jerry Pilny reported 3-4 large pale gulls possibly of the THAYER'S /
ICELAND complex in amongst other gulls at Glenmore Reservoir on Thursday,
May 1.

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is Thursday, May 8.



CFNS meeting and field trips:

BIRD STUDY GROUP - 1st Wednesday of each month
7:30 pm, Room 211, BioSciences Bldg, University of Calgary
Wed May 7 - Scott Lovell will speak on 'Neighbour-Stranger Discrimination
in the Alder Flycatcher'
Call Jan Roseneder, 286-5920, for more information.

BIRDING FIELD TRIPS
Call leader for meeting time and place.

Tues May 6, 6:30 pm:  Birding Bowmont Park
Leader Horst Grothman - 286-3048

Wed May 7, 7:15 pm:  Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Leader Chris Havard - 242-0664

Sat May 10, 8:30 am:  Intermediate Birding, east of Calgary
Leisurely looks to learn the special marks of shorebirds, ducks.  Full day.
Leader Ian Halladay - 282-1420

Sat May 10, 9 am:  Birding Bowmont Park
Leader Horst Grothman - 286-3048

Sun May 11, 7:30 am:  Irricana Area for waterfowl and shorebirds.  Full day.
Leader Bernard Goulet - 279-0491

Tues May 13, 6:30 pm: Birding Weaselhead
Leader TBA.  For info 243-2248

Wed May 14, 7 am:  Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Leader Mike Rogers - 251-9438

Thur May 15, 7 am:  Carburn Park, Monthly birding survey
Leader Bernard Goulet - 279-3048

Sat-Sun May 17-18: Brooks/Lake Newell Species Count
Contact organizer Bob Parsons, Edmonton, 780-488-1344

Sun May 18, 10 am:  Birds, Butterflies, Blossoms - Family outing
Leader Gus Yaki - 243-2248

Mon May 19, 7 am-5 pm:  See 100+ species of birds within Calgary
Leaders A Pelzer & Gus Yaki - 243-2248

Tues May 20, 6:30 pm:  Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Leader John Bregar - 873-7260

Wed May 21, 6:45 am: Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Leader Dave Elphinstone - 246-0199

Thur May 22, 8 am:  Bowness Park for Orioles and Thrashers
Leaders L Harrison - 288-0839, and Don Magnusson - 284-9301

Sat May 24, 8 am:  Livingston Ck Ranch Golf Course, Sibbald Creek
Annual Bird Census
Leader Paul Anderson - 932-5458

Sat-Sun May 24-25:  May Species Counts - all welcome
For territories call Bill Walker - 278-7271

Tue May 27, 6:30 pm:  Birding Mallard Point, FCPP
Leader Jim Washbrook - 271-0923

Wed May 28, 6:45 am:  Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Leaders Gary and Nellie Simpson - 249-7034



********************

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a City of Calgary natural area.
Staff offer information, courses and field trips relating to
natural history.  For information call (403) 269-6688.

Calgary Field Naturalists' Society promotes the observation,
study and conservation of the native habitat through lectures,
field trips and collection of scientific data.  CFNS publishes a
monthly newsletter and a quarterly journal, Pica.  For membership
or event information call (403) 285-8553.  A Birdfinding Guide to
the Calgary Region, ed. Joan F. McDonald (CFNS, 1993), is out of
print.  Some copies may still be available from the American Birding
Association or from local book stores.  Copies are no longer available
from CFNS.

- End transcript

RBA: Calgary AB, May 1, 2003 - May 1, 2003

- RBA
* Alberta (Canada)
* Calgary, AB
* May 1, 2003
* ABCA0305.01

- Birds mentioned

Red-necked Grebe
Western Grebe
Greater Scaup
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Black-necked Stilt
Solitary Sandpiper
Mourning Dove
Say's Phoebe
Marsh Wren
Orange-crowned Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Dark-eyed Junco
Rusty Blackbird
Purple Finch

- Transcript

Hotline:  City of Calgary and Calgary Field Naturalists' Society's Bird
Alert
Number:  (403) 221-4519
To Report:  (403) 221-4519
Coverage:  Southern Alberta
Compiler:  Terry Korolyk (CFNS & IBS)
Transcriber:  Lenora Flynn (lendic@shaw.ca)

Welcome to the City of Calgary and CFNS Bird Alert.  This Bird Alert was
recorded on Thursday,  May 1 at 10:15 a.m. To report a bird sighting,
leave a message after the recording or to bypass the recorded message, press
the pound key on your touch tone phone.  To speak to a naturalist, please
phone 221-4500 during office hours.

A Grey-headed subspecies of  DARK-EYED JUNCO was reported at the Mt Lorette
Natural Area in Kananaskis Country on Monday, April 28.  The bird was seen
by Peter Sherrington.  This could be the first ever report of this
subspecies in Alberta.  For information call Bill Wilson in Calgary at
230-0054.

The first BLACK-NECKED STILTS of the season have arrived in the Calgary
area.  Andrew Slater saw 2 birds at Sadler's Slough on Wednesday, April 30.
Andrew also saw the same day, a total of 15 GREATER SCAUP at Langdon Corner
slough in the SW corner of Hwys 1 & 9.

There were several earlier than usual songbirds reported during the week.
Monday, April 28, Andrew Slater observed a ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER in his
yard in the Oakridge district of Calgary and Dwight Knapik saw a SAY'S
PHOEBE at the Zoo Ranch off Dunbow Road.  Tuesday, April 29, Mary Coughlin
and Mary Nelson saw a WILSON'S WARBLER and a SAY'S PHOEBE at the Inglewood
Bird Sanctuary.  Wednesday, April 30, Andrew Slater found a MARSH WREN at a
slough approximately one mile north and one mile west of Sadler's Slough.
Bruce Jones this week reported 2 pairs of PURPLE FINCH at his feeders west
of Millarville.

Other first arrivals during the week included RUSTY BLACKBIRD, MOURNING
DOVE, RED-NECKED GREBE, WESTERN GREBE, SOLITARY SANDPIPER and COOPER'S HAWK.
Peter Sherrington observed a female RUSTY BLACKBIRD at Mt Lorette April 28,
while on April 29 Terry Korolyk saw a MOURNING DOVE just south of the Hwys 2
& 22X slough.  Janet Curzon saw 1 RED-NECKED GREBE on Lake McKenzie April 29
while Terry Korolyk saw 3 on the Hwys 2 & 22X slough.  Jerry Pilny saw 22
WESTERN GREBES on Glenmore Reservoir April 29 while Andrew Slater saw 2
there on the same day.  Andrew also reported a SOLITARY SANDPIPER at McElroy
Slough on April 30.  Terry Korolyk saw an adult COOPER'S HAWK along Pine
Creek, .7 kms west of Hwy 2 on 210 Ave and also on April 29 saw an adult
dark-morph RED-TAILED HAWK just south of DeWinton.

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is Monday,  May 5.

CFNS MEETINGS AND FIELD TRIPS

BIRD STUDY GROUP: 1st Wednesday of each month  7:30pm, Room 211, Biosciences
Bldg, University of Calgary.   On May 7, Scott Lovell will discuss
"Neighbour-Stranger Discrimination in the Alder Flycatcher".

BIRDING FIELD TRIPS

Sat or Sun  May 3,4.  Wildcat Hills Nature Hike.  Full day, 11
km walk ( easy pace ) for all ages.  View mountain and prairie vistas,
spring flowers & birds.  Limit: 25 participants.  Leader, Jamie Podlubny,
288-0658, call for exact date and to register.

Sat May 3,  8 am:  Birding Votier's Flats, FCPP.  Meet S end of Elbow Dr.
Leader, Yousif Attia, 254-8869.

Sat May 3,  2 pm:  Birding Burnsmead, FCPP.  Meet parking area, off Bow
Bottom Trail, left at park entrance.  Leader, Pat Bulman, 236-5159.

Sun May 4, 7:30 am:  Birding the Brooks Area.  Full day.  Meet at Inglewood
Bird Sanctuary, (see Apr 30).  Leader, Bernard Goulet, 279-0491.

Sun May 4, 8 am:  Birding Inglewood Sanctuary, (see Apr 30).  Leader, Mary
Huston, 238-3019.

Tue May 6, 6:30 pm:  Birding Bowmont Park.  Meet Maranatha Church, 2111 52
St NW (north end of Home Rd).  Leader Horst Grothman, 286-3048.

Wed May 7, 7:15 am:  Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, (see Apr 30).  Leader,  Chris
Havard, 242-0664.

Sat May 10, 8:30 am: Intermediate Birding, east of Calgary. Leisurely looks
to learn the special marks of shorebirds, ducks. Full day. Meet Elliston
Park, S of 17 Av at 60 St SE. Leader, Ian Halladay, 282-1420.

Sat May 10, 9 am: Birding Bowmont Park. Meet Maranatha Church, 2111 52 St
NW. (N end Home Rd). Leader, Horst Grothman, 286-3048.

Sun May 11, 7:30 am: Irricana Area for Waterfowl & Shorebirds. Full day.
Meet at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, (see Apr 30). Leader, Bernard Goulet,
279-0491.

Tue May 13, 6:30 pm. Birding Weaselhead. Meet parking lot, 66 Av & 37 St SW.
Leader, TBA. For info. 243-248.

Wed May 14, 7 am: Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, (see Apr 30). Leader, Mike
Rogers, 251-9438.

Thu May 15, 7 am: Carburn Park, Monthly Birding Survey. S from Glenmore Tr.
at 18 St SE to 2nd stoplight, then right & follow signs. Leader, Bernard
Goulet, 279-0491.

Sat-Sun May 17, 18: Brooks/Lake Newell Species Count. HQ, Tillebrook Prov.
Park. For details, contact organizer, Bob Parsons, Edmonton, 780-488-1344.

Sun May 18, 10 am: Birds, Butterflies, Blossoms - Family outing. Meet
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, (see Apr 30). Leader, Gus Yaki, 243-2248.

Mon May 19, 7 am-5 pm: See 100+ species of birds within Calgary. Car
cavalcade. Meet at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, (see Apr 30). Leaders, A Pelzer
& Gus Yaki, 243-2248.

Tue May 20, 6:30 pm: Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, (see Apr 30). Leader, John
Bregar, 873-7260.

Wed May 21, 6:45 am: Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Leader, Dave Elphinstone,
246-0199.

Thu May 22, 8 am: Bowness Park for Orioles & Thrashers. Meet in 1st parking
lot. Leaders, L. Harrison, 288-0839, and Don Magnusson, 284-9301.

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a City of Calgary natural area.  Staff offer
information, courses and field trips relating to natural history.  For
information, call (403) 221-4500.

Calgary Field Naturalists' Society promotes the observation, study and
conservation of the native habitat through lectures, field trips and
collection of scientific data.  CFNS publishes a monthly newsletter and a
quarterly journal, PICA.  For membership or event information, call (403)
285-8553.  For membership or event information, call (403) 285-8553, email
cfns@cfns.fanweb.ca or visit the website at www.cfns.fanweb.ca.  A
Birdfinding Guide to the Calgary Region, ed. Joan F. McDonald (CFNS, 1993)
is out of print.  Copies are no longer available from CFNS.

- End transcript

Lenora Flynn
Calgary, Alberta
lendic@shaw.ca

Reports For April

Top

RBA: Calgary AB, Apr 28, 2003 - April 29, 2003

- RBA
* Alberta (Canada)
* Calgary, AB
* Apr 28, 2003
* ABCA0304.28

- Birds mentioned

Eared Grebe
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Prairie Falcon
American Avocet
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Willet
Marbled Godwit
Thayer's Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Screech Owl
Mountain Bluebird
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Lincoln's Sparrow
Brewer's Blackbird

- Transcript

Hotline:  City of Calgary and Calgary Field Naturalists' Society's Bird
Alert
Number:  (403) 221-4519
To Report:  (403) 221-4519
Coverage:  Southern Alberta
Compiler:  Terry Korolyk (CFNS & IBS)
Transcriber:  Lenora Flynn (lendic@shaw.ca)

Welcome to the City of Calgary and CFNS Bird Alert.  This Bird Alert was
recorded on Monday,  April 28 at 11:10 a.m. To report a bird sighting,
leave a message after the recording or to bypass the recorded message, press
the pound key on your touch tone phone.  To speak to a naturalist, please
phone 221-4500 during office hours.

A small greyish owl with prominent ear tufts that may have been a SCREECH
OWL was seen at extremely close range in a yard in the Pineridge district of
Calgary between 8:00 - 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22.  The bird was seen by
Pat Spiller.  This would be an extremely rare bird in Alberta.  For details
on this sighting, call Pat Spiller in Pineridge at 285-9898.

A large pale gull that was probably a 1st year THAYER'S GULL or possibly
even a 1st year GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL was seen briefly the afternoon of
Sunday, April 27, on a small pond just south of the Shepard landfill site.
The bird was observed by Terry Korolyk who said the bird flew towards the
landfill after he was only able to watch it for a few seconds with the aid
of a spotting scope used from 146 Ave SE.

Shorebirds arrived in moderate numbers over the weekend.  Jeff Bank observed
a MARBLED GODWIT above the Carseland Weir on Thursday, April 24, while Terry
Korolyk observed a WILLET at McElroy Slough on Monday, April 28.  AMERICAN
AVOCETS and GREATER AND LESSER YELLOWLEGS were all seen in the Calgary area
over the weekend.  The largest flock was probably 152 LESSER YELLOWLEGS
observed by Terry Korolyk on 72 St SE just south of 146 Ave on April 28.

Two YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS seen at Wyndham-Carseland  Provincial Park on
Thursday, April 24, were the first of the Spring.  They were seen by Jeff
Bank.  Jeff also found 2 LINCOLN'S SPARROWS at east Fish Creek PP Hull's
Wood area on Sunday, April 27.  Terry Korolyk reported several flocks of
BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS east of Calgary on April 28.  This included a total of
28 birds at Chestermere Lake.  Terry also saw an EARED GREBE at Chestermere
Lake on April 28, while Dorothy Johnston had a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK in her
yard in Marlborough on April 26 or 27.

The April 26 snowstorm had 4 or 5 MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS seeking shelter in
Sarah Brickett's yard in Sierra Morena Terrace while on April 22 April
Skenes saw a raptor she thought to be a PRAIRIE FALCON eating a Rock Dove in
the Killarney area of Calgary near 17 Ave SW.

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is Thursday,  May 1.

CFNS MEETINGS AND FIELD TRIPS

BIRD STUDY GROUP: 1st Wednesday of each month  7:30pm, Room 211, Biosciences
Bldg, University of Calgary.   On May 7, Scott Lovell will discuss
"Neighbour-Stranger Discrimination in the Alder Flycatcher".

BIRDING FIELD TRIPS

Tue Apr 29, 6:30 pm:  Birding Carburn Park.  S from Glenmore Tr at 18 St SE
to second stoplight, then right and follow the signs to Carburn Park.
Leader, Bernard Goulet, 279-0491.

Wed Apr 30, 7:30 am:  Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.  East end of 9 Ave SE.
Leader TBA.  Call 243-2248 for info.

Thu May 1, 7 am:  Elbow River Monthly Birding Survey.  Meet Stanley Park, on
42 Av SW,  W of Macleod Tr.  Walk to Glenmore Reservoir, (3.5 hours).  Call
leaders, Aileen Pelzer & Gus Yaki, 243-2248 to ensure vehicles for return.

Sat or Sun  May 3,4.  Wildcat Hills Nature Hike.  Full day, 11
km walk ( easy pace ) for all ages.  View mountain and prairie vistas,
spring flowers & birds.  Limit: 25 participants.  Leader, Jamie Podlubny,
288-0658, call for exact date and to register.

Sat May 3,  8 am:  Birding Votier's Flats, FCPP.  Meet S end of Elbow Dr.
Leader, Yousif Attia, 254-8869.

Sat May 3,  2 pm:  Birding Burnsmead, FCPP.  Meet parking area, off Bow
Bottom Trail, left at park entrance.  Leader, Pat Bulman, 236-5159.

Sun May 4, 7:30 am:  Birding the Brooks Area.  Full day.  Meet at Inglewood
Bird Sanctuary, (see Apr 30).  Leader, Bernard Goulet, 279-0491.

Sun May 4, 8 am:  Birding Inglewood Sanctuary, (see Apr 30).  Leader, Mary
Huston, 238-3019.

Tue May 6, 6:30 pm:  Birding Bowmont Park.  Meet Maranatha Church, 2111 52
St NW (north end of Home Rd).  Leader Horst Grothman, 286-3048.

Wed May 7, 7:15 am:  Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, (see Apr 30).  Leader,  Chris
Havard, 242-0664.

Sat May 10, 8:30 am: Intermediate Birding, east of Calgary. Leisurely looks
to learn the special marks of shorebirds, ducks. Full day. Meet Elliston
Park, S of 17 Av at 60 St SE. Leader, Ian Halladay, 282-1420.

Sat May 10, 9 am: Birding Bowmont Park. Meet Maranatha Church, 2111 52 St
NW. (N end Home Rd). Leader, Horst Grothman, 286-3048.

Sun May 11, 7:30 am: Irricana Area for Waterfowl & Shorebirds. Full day.
Meet at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, (see Apr 30). Leader, Bernard Goulet,
279-0491.

Tue May 13, 6:30 pm. Birding Weaselhead. Meet parking lot, 66 Av & 37 St SW.
Leader, TBA. For info. 243-248.
Wed May 14, 7 am: Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, (see Apr 30). Leader, Mike
Rogers, 251-9438.

Thu May 15, 7 am: Carburn Park, Monthly Birding Survey. S from Glenmore Tr.
at 18 St SE to 2nd stoplight, then right & follow signs. Leader, Bernard
Goulet, 279-0491.

Sat-Sun May 17, 18: Brooks/Lake Newell Species Count. HQ, Tillebrook Prov.
Park. For details, contact organizer, Bob Parsons, Edmonton, 780-488-1344.

Sun May 18, 10 am: Birds, Butterflies, Blossoms - Family outing. Meet
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, (see Apr 30). Leader, Gus Yaki, 243-2248.

Mon May 19, 7 am-5 pm: See 100+ species of birds within Calgary. Car
cavalcade. Meet at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, (see Apr 30). Leaders, A Pelzer
& Gus Yaki, 243-2248.

Tue May 20, 6:30 pm: Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, (see Apr 30). Leader, John
Bregar, 873-7260.

Wed May 21, 6:45 am: Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Leader, Dave Elphinstone,
246-0199.

Thu May 22, 8 am: Bowness Park for Orioles & Thrashers. Meet in 1st parking
lot. Leaders, L. Harrison, 288-0839, and Don Magnusson, 284-9301.

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a City of Calgary natural area.  Staff offer
information, courses and field trips relating to natural history.  For
information, call (403) 221-4500.

Calgary Field Naturalists' Society promotes the observation, study and
conservation of the native habitat through lectures, field trips and
collection of scientific data.  CFNS publishes a monthly newsletter and a
quarterly journal, PICA.  For membership or event information, call (403)
285-8553.  For membership or event information, call (403) 285-8553, email
cfns@cfns.fanweb.ca or visit the website at www.cfns.fanweb.ca.  A
Birdfinding Guide to the Calgary Region, ed. Joan F. McDonald (CFNS, 1993)
is out of print.  Copies are no longer available from CFNS.

- End transcript


Lenora Flynn
Calgary, Alberta
lendic@shaw.ca

RBA: Calgary AB, Apr 24, 2003 - April 24, 2003

- RBA * Alberta (Canada) * Calgary, AB * Apr 24, 2003 * ABCA0304.24 - Birds mentioned Trumpeter Swan Red-breasted Merganser Turkey Vulture Red-tailed Hawk Ferruginous Hawk American Pipit Vesper Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow - Transcript Hotline: City of Calgary and Calgary Field Naturalists' Society's Bird Alert Number: (403) 221-4519 To Report: (403) 221-4519 Coverage: Southern Alberta Compiler: Terry Korolyk (CFNS & IBS) Transcriber: Lenora Flynn (lendic@shaw.ca) Welcome to the City of Calgary and CFNS Bird Alert. This Bird Alert was recorded on Thursday, April 24 at 11:10 a.m. To report a bird sighting, leave a message after the recording or to bypass the recorded message, press the pound key on your touch tone phone. To speak to a naturalist, please phone 221-4500 during office hours.

A TURKEY VULTURE was seen just north of Nightingale on Saturday, April 19. The bird was seen by Colin and Margaret Gilmour. Nightingale is just off Hwy 564, a few miles east of the hwy 817 junction north of Strathmore. For more details on this bird, call Colin or Margaret Gilmour at 239-8929.

Two separate FERRUGINOUS HAWKS were located in the foothills west of Nanton and Stavely on Monday, April 21. The birds were both light-phase adults and were found by Terry Korolyk. One bird was just west of Williams Coulee west of Nanton; the other bird was just west of the bridge across Willow Creek, west of Willow Creek Provincial Park. Terry also reported the pair of FERRUGINOUS HAWKS that were on territory at the Ardenode Community Hall early in the Spring, were still there on Sunday, April 13. If going out to see any of these birds, please exercise good birding ethics as they are likely breeding in these areas. Other raptors reported recently include a rufous-morph RED-TAILED HAWK seen Saturday, April 14, by Ted Bodnar near the Hwy 1 and Old Banff Coach Road junction.

The first AMERICAN PIPITS in the area this Spring season have been reported. Terry Korolyk saw a flock of 30 birds at Pine Coulee west of Stavely on Monday, April 21. Molly Milne reported a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW singing in her neighbourhood in the Marlborough area of Calgary on Tuesday, April 22, and Bill Walker observed a VESPER SPARROW at Langdon Reservoir on Wednesday, April 23.

Colin Gilmour observed 2 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS at Glenmore Reservoir in Calgary on Monday, April 21, while Jerry Pilny saw a flock of 36 Swans including 6 TRUMPETER SWANS, at Glenmore on Friday, April 18.

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is Monday, April 28.

CFNS MEETINGS AND FIELD TRIPS

BIRD STUDY GROUP: 1st Wednesday of each month 7:30pm, Room 211, Biosciences Bldg, University of Calgary. On May 7, Scott Lovell will discuss "Neighbour-Stranger Discrimination in the Alder Flycatcher".

BIRDING FIELD TRIPS

Sat or Sun Apr 26,27 or May 3,4. Wildcat Hills Nature Hike. Full day, 11 km walk ( easy pace ) for all ages. View mountain and prairie vistas, spring flowers & birds. Limit: 25 participants. Leader, Jamie Podlubny, 288-0658, call for exact date and to register.

Sat Apr 26, 8:00 am: Early Shorebirds-SE Sloughs. TBA. Call 243-2248 for info.

Sat Apr 26, 9:00 am: Shannon Terrace, FCCP. Meet at parking lot accessed from 37 St SW, turn left at 130 Av, follow signs. Leader, Penny Smith, 283-9260.

Sun Apr 27, 8:30 am: Birding Glenmore Reservoir- Waterfowl. Meet W parking lot of Sailing Club, N of 90 Ave at 24 St SW. Leader, Jerry Pilny, 541-1231.

Sun Apr 27, 2:00 pm: Botany of Reader Rock Garden. Meet parking lot just S of 25 Ave SW, East of Macleod Trail. Leaders, Aileen Pelzer & Gus Yaki, 243-2248.

Tue Apr 29, 6:30 pm: Birding Carburn Park. S from Glenmore Tr at 18 St SE to second stoplight, then right and follow the signs to Carburn Park. Leader, Bernard Goulet, 279-0491.

Wed Apr 30, 7:30 am: Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. East end of 9 Ave SE. Leader TBA. Call 243-2248 for info.

Thu May 1, 7 am: Elbow River Monthly Birding Survey. Meet Stanley Park, on 42 Av SW, W of Macleod Tr. Walk to Glenmore Reservoir, (3.5 hours). Call leaders, Aileen Pelzer & Gus Yaki, 243-2248 to ensure vehicles for return.

Sat May 3, 8 am: Birding Votier's Flats, FCPP. Meet S end of Elbow Dr. Leader, Yousif Attia, 254-8869.

Sat May 3, 2 pm: Birding Burnsmead, FCPP. Meet parking area, off Bow Bottom Trail, left at park entrance. Leader, Pat Bulman, 236-5159.

Sun May 4, 7:30 am: Birding the Brooks Area. Full day. Meet at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, (see Apr 30). Leader, Bernard Goulet, 279-0491.

Sun May 4, 8 am: Birding Inglewood Sanctuary, (see Apr 30). Leader, Mary Huston, 238-3019.

Tue May 6, 6:30 pm: Birding Bowmont Park. Meet Maranatha Church, 2111 52 St NW (north end of Home Rd). Leader Horst Grothman, 286-3048.

Wed May 7, 7:15 am: Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, (see Apr 30). Leader, Chris Havard, 242-0664.

Sat May 10, 8:30 am: Intermediate Birding, east of Calgary. Leisurely looks to learn the special marks of shorebirds, ducks. Full day. Meet Elliston Park, S of 17 Av at 60 St SE. Leader, Ian Halladay, 282-1420.

Sat May 10, 9 am: Birding Bowmont Park. Meet Maranatha Church, 2111 52 St NW. (N end Home Rd). Leader, Horst Grothman, 286-3048.

Sun May 11, 7:30 am: Irricana Area for Waterfowl & Shorebirds. Full day. Meet at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, (see Apr 30). Leader, Bernard Goulet, 279-0491.

Tue May 13, 6:30 pm. Birding Weaselhead. Meet parking lot, 66 Av & 37 St SW. Leader, TBA. For info. 243-2248.

Wed May 14, 7 am: Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, (see Apr 30). Leader, Mike Rogers, 251-9438.

Thu May 15, 7 am: Carburn Park, Monthly Birding Survey. S from Glenmore Tr. at 18 St SE to 2nd stoplight, then right & follow signs. Leader, Bernard Goulet, 279-0491.

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a City of Calgary natural area. Staff offer information, courses and field trips relating to natural history. For information, call (403) 221-4500.

Calgary Field Naturalists' Society promotes the observation, study and conservation of the native habitat through lectures, field trips and collection of scientific data. CFNS publishes a monthly newsletter and a quarterly journal, PICA. For membership or event information, call (403) 285-8553. For membership or event information, call (403) 285-8553, email cfns@cfns.fanweb.ca or visit the website at www.cfns.fanweb.ca. A Birdfinding Guide to the Calgary Region, ed. Joan F. McDonald (CFNS, 1993) is out of print. Copies are no longer available from CFNS.

- End transcript

Lenora Flynn
Calgary, Alberta
lenorareid@sympatico.ca

Reports For March

Top

RBA: Calgary AB, Mar 24, 2003 - March 26, 2003

- RBA
* Alberta (Canada)
* Calgary, AB
* Mar 24, 2003
* ABCA0303.24

- Birds mentioned

Canada Goose (albinistic)
Northern Shoveler
Eurasian Wigeon
Canvasback
Redhead
Red-tailed Hawk
Gyrfalcon
American Robin
Spotted Towhee
American Tree Sparrow
Slate-sided Junco
Western Meadowlark
Red Crossbill

- Transcript

Hotline:  City of Calgary and Calgary Field Naturalists' Society's Bird
Alert
Number:  (403) 221-4519
To Report:  (403) 221-4519
Coverage:  Southern Alberta
Compiler:  Terry Korolyk (CFNS & IBS)
Transcriber:  Chris Havard (ckhavard@shaw.ca)

Welcome to the City of Calgary and CFNS Bird Alert.  This Bird Alert was
recorded on Monday, March 24 at 9:40am.  To report a bird sighting,
leave a message after the recording or to bypass the recorded message, press
the pound key on your touch tone phone. To speak to a naturalist, please
phone 221-4500 during office hours.

A bird that was probably a SPOTTED TOWHEE made an appearance at a home in
the Elbow River Valley off Hwy 8 over the weekend.  The bird appeared on the
day of Saturday, March 22 at the home of Alan and Donna Holobuff on Range
Road 33 and reappeared there early in the morning of Monday, March 24.  For
details, call Alan or Donna at 246-1800.

Spring waterfowl continue to arrive in the Calgary area.  Amongst recent
arrivals were 3 male AMERICAN WIDGEONS.  Terry Korolyk observed 2 of them
Thursday, March 20 on a large slough approximately 1 km east of Range Road
281 on Inverlake Road east of Calgary.  Terry also saw a pair of REDHEADS
there.  Andrew Slater observed one male EURASIAN WIDGEON on Sunday, March 23
at the south end of Langdon Reservoir.  Andrew also observed 3 CANVASBACKS
there.  Terry Korolyk observed 2 male NORTHERN SHOVELERS on the first
northbound road on Inverlake Road west of Hwy 9 on Sunday, March 23. On
March 20, Terry Korolyk saw, on a slough at the northeast corner of Range
Road 281 and Inverlake Road, a CANADA GOOSE that was albinistic except for
its head and neck.

The first dark-morph RED-TAILED HAWK of the spring was a bird seen by Terry
Korolyk at the Hwy 22X-88 St SE junction on March 20.  On March 21, Terry
observed a pair of WESTERN MEADOWLARKS that were probably spring migrants in
grassland west of Williams Coulee which is west of Nanton.  Alan Holobuff
reported a SLATE-COLOURED JUNCO at his home on March 22.

There was one GYRFALCON report.  Terry Korolyk observed an adult female
dark-morph 1.3 kms south of Township Road 232 on Range Road 281 east of
Shepard on March 20.  The same day, Terry saw a flock of 22 AMERICAN TREE
SPARROWS 5.2 kms north of the Cattleland Feedlots north of Strathmore.  On
March 19, Terry observed 2 pairs of RED CROSSBILLS along Hwy 66 just west of
Allan Bill Pond west of Bragg Creek.  John Moore in Bearspaw reported an
AMERICAN ROBIN with a white tail and back appeared at his home on March 21.
The bird was there last year as well.

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is Thursday, March 27.


CFNS MEETINGS AND FIELD TRIPS:

BIRD STUDY GROUP:  1st Wednesday of each month  7:30pm, Room 211,
Biosciences Bldg, University of Calgary.   On April 2, Tara Stehelin will
present "Individual Song Variation in the Dusky Flycatcher" and on May 7,
Scott Lovell will discuss "Neighbour-Stranger Discrimination in the Alder
Flycatcher".


BIRDING FIELD TRIPS:

Wed Mar 26, 9 am: Birding Carburn Park. Leader TBA. For info call 243-2248.

Sat Mar 29, 8:30 am: Birding Griffith Woods Park. W on Hwy 8, left at 69 St
SW into Discovery Ridge, straight at traffic circle, then 1st left. Leader
Mike Harrison, 236-4700.

Sun Mar 30, 8 am: Birding Bankside, FCPP off Bow Bottom Tr, left at
entrance. Leader Jim Washbrook, 271-0923

Sat Mar 29, 8:30 am: Birding Griffith Woods Park, 2.5km W on Hwy 8 from
Sarcee Tr then left at 69 St SW into Discovery Ridge. Continue straight at
traffic circle, then 1st left into parking lot. Leader, Mike Harrison,
236-4700.

Sun Mar 30, 8 am: Birding at Bankside, FCPP. Parking area, off Bow Bottom Tr
turn left at park entrance. Leader, Jim Washbrook, 271-0923.

Tue Apr 1, 7:30 am: Elbow River Monthly Birding Survey. Stanley Park, on 42
Av SW, W of Macleod Tr. Walk to Glenmore Reservoir, drive back (3.5 hours).
Leaders, Aileen Pelzer/G. Yaki, call 243-2248 to ensure vehicles for return.

Wed Apr 2, 9 am: Birding Votier’s Flats, FCPP. S end Elbow Dr. Leader, TBA.

Fri Apr 4, 8 pm: Owl Prowl, Sibbald Flats Road, Kananaskis Country. Meet S
side Canadian Tire parking lot, N of Richmond Road SW, E of Sarcee Tr.
Leaders, Harvey Schwartz, 246-7018 or Bob Saunders, 640-3537, call to advise
participation.

Sat Apr 5, 9am: Birding Bowmont Park. Meet Maranatha Church, 2111 52 St NW.
(N end Home Rd). Leader, Horst Grothman, 286-3048.

Sat Apr 5: Set clock ahead 1 hour. DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME begins Sun Apr 6.

Sun Apr 6, 9 am: Birding Bebo Grove, FCPP. S end 24 St SW. Leader, Eric
Tull, 295-0830.

Wed Apr 9, 9 am: Birding Weaselhead. Parking lot, 66 Av & 37 St SW. Leader,
Bruce Barnetson, 246-1329.

Sat Apr 12, 8:30 am: Birding Bow River, S to city limits. Meet parking lot,
S end of Bow Bottom Tr, S of 22X. Leader, Nimali Seneviratne, 271-5146.

Sun Apr 13, 8:30 am: Birding SE Sloughs. Meet Southland Park, E end of
Southland Dr SE. Leader, Bill Walker, 278-7271.

Tue Apr 15, 7:30 am: Carburn Park, Monthly Birding Survey. See Sat Mar 22
9:30 am trip, for directions. Leader, Bernard Goulet, 279-0491.

Wed Apr 16, 9 am: Birding Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, E end of 9 Av SE.
Leader, Mike Mulligan 232-1013.

Sat Apr 19, 8 am: Birding Beaverdam Flats Park. See Sat Mar 22 9 am trip,
for directions. Leader, Victor Basok, 235-2050.

Sun Apr 20, 7:30 am: Birding Forestry Trunk Road, Kananaskis Country. Full
day. Meet at Mecca Cafe, E of Esso station at SW corner of Hwy 1 at Stoney
Tr NW. Leader, Bernard Goulet, 279-0491.

Sun Apr 20, 8 am: Birding Edworthy Park. Meet at Boothman Bridge accessed
from Shaganappi Tr & Bowness Rd if N of river, or from W end of Spruce Dr if
S of river. Leader, Alan Fishkin, 281-0636.

Wed Apr 23, 8:30 am: Birds & Botany of Griffith Woods Park. See Sat Mar 29
for directions. Leader, Aileen Pelzer, 243-2248.

Sat,Sun Apr 26,27 or May 3,4. Wildcat Hills Nature Hike. Full day, 11 km
walk, easy pace, for all ages. View mountain and prairie vistas, spring
flowers & birds. Limit: 25 participants. Leader, Jamie Podlubny, 286-0658,
call for exact date, and to register.

Sat Apr 26, 8 am: Early Shorebirds-SE Sloughs. TBA. Call 243-2248 for info.

Sat Apr 26, 9 am: Shannon Terrace, FCPP. Meet at parking lot accessed from
37 St SW, turn left at 130 Av, follow signs. Leader, Penny Smith, 283-9260.

Sat Apr 26, 1-4 pm: Visit award-winning Alberta Sustainable Home. 9211
Scurfield Dr NW (Scenic Acres) free tour offers worthwhile ideas for all,
especially if building or retrofitting your home. Call 239-1882 or see
www.ecobuildings.net

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a City of Calgary natural area.  Staff offer
information, courses and field trips relating to natural history.  For
information call (403) 221-4500.

Calgary Field Naturalists' Society promotes the observation, study and
conservation of the native habitat through lectures, field trips and
collection of scientific data.  CFNS publishes a monthly newsletter and a
quarterly journal, PICA.  For membership or event information, call (403)
285-8553, email cfns@cfns.fanweb.ca or visit the website at
www.cfns.fanweb.ca.  A Birdfinding Guide to the Calgary Region, ed. Joan F.
McDonald
(CFNS, 1993) is out of print. Copies are no longer available from CFNS.

- End transcript

Chris Havard
Calgary, Alberta
ckhavard@shaw.ca

RBA: Calgary AB, Mar 17, 2003 - March 19, 2003

- RBA
* Alberta (Canada)
* Calgary, AB
* Mar 17, 2003
* ABCA0303.17

- Birds mentioned

Northern Pintail
Northern Harrier
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Northern Pygmy Owl
Great Gray Owl
American Robin
Red-winged Blackbird

- Transcript

Hotline:  City of Calgary and Calgary Field Naturalists' Society's Bird
Alert
Number:  (403) 221-4519
To Report:  (403) 221-4519
Coverage:  Southern Alberta
Compiler:  Terry Korolyk (CFNS & IBS)
Transcriber:  Chris Havard (ckhavard@shaw.ca)

Welcome to the City of Calgary and CFNS Bird Alert.  This Bird Alert was
recorded on Monday, March 17 at 1:30pm.  To report a bird sighting,
leave a message after the recording or to bypass the recorded message, press
the pound key on your touch tone phone. To speak to a naturalist, please
phone 221-4500 during office hours.

The first RING-BILLED and HERRING GULLS have been seen in our area this
spring season.  Richard Rappel observed at least one RING-BILLED GULL at
Frank Lake on Saturday, March 15, while Ted Bodnar and other members of a
CFNS Field Trip observed 1 HERRING GULL and 12 RING-BILLED GULLS amongst
CALIFORNIA GULLS on the river at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary on Sunday,
March 16.  The first migrant NORTHERN PINTAILS of the season were a flock of
12 seen at Frank Lake March 15 by Richard Rappel.

Several observers have reported AMERICAN ROBINS recently.  Penny Smith
reported robins in Parkdale on March 14 while Ted Bodnar et al saw 3 at
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary on March 16.  Kevin Corcoran said robins were
'abundant' in Drumheller over the weekend and also reported a male
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD at his home in Drumheller on Wednesday, March 12.

Andrew Slater observed 3 NORTHERN HARRIERS between the town of Brant and
High River on Sunday, March 16.

A total of 6 NORTHERN PYGMY OWLS were reported along Hwy 68 west of Calgary
on Saturday, March 15.  The birds were reported by Alan MacKeigan.  Alan
said 1 bird was 500 kms west of the Ranger Station; another was 2 kms west
of the Ranger Station.  He heard 2 birds calling at the Dawson Trailhead at
10am; then at 11 am saw 2 birds mating on the walking trail which is about
halfway around the South Loop of the Forest Demonstration Road.

A GREAT GRAY OWL that was seen by many observers in the Strathcona-Christie
Ravine on Coach Hill late last year either has returned or is still there.
Joan Brook saw the bird there on the days of March 12 & 13 last week.

The next scheduled update of the Bird Alert is Thursday, March 20.

CFNS MEETINGS AND FIELD TRIPS:

BIRD STUDY GROUP:  1st Wednesday of each month  7:30pm, Room 211,
Biosciences Bldg, University of Calgary.   On April 2, Tara Stehelin will
present "Individual Song Variation in the Dusky Flycatcher" and on May 7,
Scott Lovell will discuss "Neighbour-Stranger Discrimination in the Alder
Flycatcher".


BIRDING FIELD TRIPS:

Wed Mar 19, 9 am:  Birding Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. E end of 9th Av SE.
Leader Lucille Harrison, 288-0839.

Sat Mar 22, 9 am: Birding Beaverdam Flats. Meet S parking lot (Lynnview Rd &
62 Av SE). N from Glenmore Tr at 18 St SE, then left. Leader Jim St.
Laurent, 246-6314.

Sat Mar 22, 9:30 am: Birding for Beginners . Meet Carburn Park, S from
Glenmore Tr. at 18 St SE to 2nd stoplight, then right & follow signs. Leader
Mairi Babey, 288-2841.

Sun Mar 23, 9 am: Golden Eagle Migration, Mt. Lorette, Kananaskis Country.
All day bring lunch. Meet Assumption School, 34 St NW (NW corner of Sarcee
Tr, at Hwy 1). Leader Shirley Fraser, 242-0079.

Wed Mar 26, 9 am: Birding Carburn Park. Leader TBA. For info call 243-2248.

Sat Mar 29, 8:30 am: Birding Griffith Woods Park. W on Hwy 8, left at 69 St
SW into Discovery Ridge, straight at traffic circle, then 1st left. Leader
Mike Harrison, 236-4700.

Sun Mar 30, 8 am: Birding Bankside, FCPP off Bow Bottom Tr, left at
entrance. Leader Jim Washbrook, 271-0923


Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a City of Calgary natural area.  Staff offer
information, courses and field trips relating to natural history.  For
information call (403) 221-4500.

Calgary Field Naturalists' Society promotes the observation, study and
conservation of the native habitat through lectures, field trips and
collection of scientific data.  CFNS publishes a monthly newsletter and a
quarterly journal, PICA.  For membership or event information, call (403)
285-8553, email cfns@cfns.fanweb.ca or visit the website at
www.cfns.fanweb.ca.  A Birdfinding Guide to the Calgary Region, ed. Joan F.
McDonald
(CFNS, 1993) is out of print. Copies are no longer available from CFNS.

- End transcript

RBA: Calgary AB, Mar 13, 2003 - March 15, 2003

- RBA
* Alberta (Canada)
* Calgary, AB
* Mar 13, 2003
* ABCA0303.13

- Birds mentioned

California Gull
Eurasian Collared Dove
Short-eared Owl
Western Meadowlark

- Transcript

Hotline:  City of Calgary and Calgary Field Naturalists' Society's Bird
Alert
Number:  (403) 221-4519
To Report:  (403) 221-4519
Coverage:  Southern Alberta
Compiler:  Terry Korolyk (CFNS & IBS)
Transcriber:  Chris Havard (ckhavard@shaw.ca)

Welcome to the City of Calgary and CFNS Bird Alert.  This Bird Alert was
recorded on Thursday, March 13 at 12:25pm.  To report a bird sighting,
leave a message after the recording or to bypass the recorded message, press
the pound key on your touch tone phone. To speak to a naturalist, please
phone 221-4500 during office hours.

The first gulls of the spring season have arrived in Calgary.  Four adult
CALIFORNIA GULLS were seen resting on the ice by a small patch of open water
on the Bow River north of the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary but south of the
Cushing Bridge on Wednesday, March 12.  The birds were seen by Jeff Bank.

A WESTERN MEADOWLARDK was seen and heard in the Millrise area of Calgary on
the morning of Thursday, March 13.  The report was made by Wendy Elliott.
Wendy said her husband both saw and heard the bird in Millrise between 7:30
and 7:45am on March 13.

At least 3 EURASIAN COLLARED DOVES have been overwintering in a subdivision
in Red Deer.  The most recent report of the birds came on the day of Sunday,
March 9 when the birds were seen at #1 Onslow Square in the Oriole Park
subdivision.  Onslow Square is the site where the birds have been
overwintering.

There was one SHORT-EARED OWL report from the Langdon area this week.  Mary
Coughlin and Chris Havard observed a lone bird along the Dead Horse Road
just south of Langdon on Wednesday March 12.

An unusual bird has been reported in the Revy Store at Sou