Post by JeffOver on Jan 11, 2010 22:12:00 GMT -8
Hi all,
This is a late report of my trip to Calgary to visit my parents over Christmas (they moved there in the end of August).
As they bought a house similar to they style they had here (B.C. box), they faced the problem of not being able to see their birdfeeders from their the 2nd floor where the kitchen, dining room, and living area are. This was compounded by the problem that, as in Chilliwack, so in Calgary there were several resident squirrels. As with our old house, my Dad and I decided to create a birdline (i.e. a 'clothesline' with birdfeeders hanging off of it). The day after we set it up we were rewarded with red-breasted nuthatches, which seem to be much more common there than here in the valley--almost more common than chickadees, although they were certainly active visitors as well.
Over the week that I spent there the following species visited the feeder:
Downy Woodpecker
Red-breasted nuthatch
Black-capped chickadee
Northern flicker (Red-shafted)
A blue jay also stopped by for a look, and magpies can be seen in the trees.
Here's a couple pics of the birdline.
Fish Creek Provincial Park is an excellent park that runs all the way through Calgary--we visited various parts of it during my stay there.
One of the interesting things I noted was that the chickadees there seem to be tamer than the ones here--maybe people feed them more often out there? I know in general chickadees are tame, but I've never been able to get one land on my hand here in the valley. It was only a matter of minutes before one did in Calgary!
On one cold, clear day my Mom and I visited a part of the park called Bebo Grove. We were rewarded with the following:
Black-billed magpie
Black-capped chickadee
Boreal Chickadee--- life bird! AND on the hand!!! 
White-breasted nuthatch
Downy Woodpecker
I also did some web searching and found out on a forum about two Great Horned owls at a particular lake (I forget the name). We got beautiful views of it--and were able to walk right up to the tree they were in--they weren't about to go anywhere--it was snowing, windy, and cold!!
On my last day, we braved the cold to stop briefly at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary on the way to the airport, a refuge where apparently 270 bird species have been seen! That's more than Manning if I'm not mistaken. Anyway, there was a biting wind, but it was worth it as I found my second life bird--a small flock of Common Redpolls ;D.
I definitely look forward to visiting that sanctuary more often especially in the spring and fall, now that my parents are out there.
There were plenty of frisky deer there that day.
Happy birding all! I enjoy reading everyone's posts!
This is a late report of my trip to Calgary to visit my parents over Christmas (they moved there in the end of August).
As they bought a house similar to they style they had here (B.C. box), they faced the problem of not being able to see their birdfeeders from their the 2nd floor where the kitchen, dining room, and living area are. This was compounded by the problem that, as in Chilliwack, so in Calgary there were several resident squirrels. As with our old house, my Dad and I decided to create a birdline (i.e. a 'clothesline' with birdfeeders hanging off of it). The day after we set it up we were rewarded with red-breasted nuthatches, which seem to be much more common there than here in the valley--almost more common than chickadees, although they were certainly active visitors as well.
Over the week that I spent there the following species visited the feeder:Downy Woodpecker
Red-breasted nuthatch
Black-capped chickadee
Northern flicker (Red-shafted)
A blue jay also stopped by for a look, and magpies can be seen in the trees.
Here's a couple pics of the birdline.
Fish Creek Provincial Park is an excellent park that runs all the way through Calgary--we visited various parts of it during my stay there.
One of the interesting things I noted was that the chickadees there seem to be tamer than the ones here--maybe people feed them more often out there? I know in general chickadees are tame, but I've never been able to get one land on my hand here in the valley. It was only a matter of minutes before one did in Calgary!
On one cold, clear day my Mom and I visited a part of the park called Bebo Grove. We were rewarded with the following:
Black-billed magpie
Black-capped chickadee
Boreal Chickadee-
-- life bird! AND on the hand!!! 
White-breasted nuthatch
Downy Woodpecker
I also did some web searching and found out on a forum about two Great Horned owls at a particular lake (I forget the name). We got beautiful views of it--and were able to walk right up to the tree they were in--they weren't about to go anywhere--it was snowing, windy, and cold!!
On my last day, we braved the cold to stop briefly at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary on the way to the airport, a refuge where apparently 270 bird species have been seen! That's more than Manning if I'm not mistaken. Anyway, there was a biting wind, but it was worth it as I found my second life bird--a small flock of Common Redpolls ;D.
I definitely look forward to visiting that sanctuary more often especially in the spring and fall, now that my parents are out there.
There were plenty of frisky deer there that day.
Happy birding all! I enjoy reading everyone's posts!
I have rarely seen this bird, let alone enjoy point blank views!