2009 MAY SPECIES COUNT for BIRDS - Provincial Summary - Intrinsic Design
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FAN 2009 May Species Count for Birds
2009 MAY SPECIES COUNT for BIRDS
Provincial Summary
Compiled by Judy Boyd Eurasian Wigeon were seen at Medicine Hat and
Cardston; Yellow Rail at Calgary and Cold Lake;
The number of species was up this year: 270 to Hammond’s Flycatcher at Banff and
280 and the number of individual birds also went BowKanBirders (with count week birds seen at
up: 269,851 up from 211,229. In 2008, the most Crowsnest Pass); Pacific-slope Flycatcher at
numerous species was the Tree Swallow with BowKanBirders and Calgary (with count week
13,085. Second was the Red-Winged Blackbird birds seen at Crowsnest Pass); Steller’s Jay at
with 12,625. Third was the Franklin’s Gull with Waterton and BowKanBirder; Mourning Warbler
11,740. This year, the most numerous species was at Lac La Biche and Cold Lake; Canada Warbler
the Franklin’s Gull with 37,211. Second was the at Cold Lake and Fort McMurray; Nelson’s
Canada Goose with 13,347. Third was the Red- Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Calgary and Cold Lake;
winged Blackbird with 13,266. Lapland Longspur at Fort McMurray and Lac La
Biche; Rusty Blackbird at Fort McMurray and Lac
Last year 17 species were seen in only one location La Biche (with count week birds seen at Milk
and 12 species were found in only two locations. River); and Pine Grosbeak at BowKanBirders and
This year, 27 species were seen in only one location Claresholm.
and 12 species were found in only two locations
around the province. Of the single sightings: Greater Last year we had seven species seen in all areas.
White-fronted Goose, Snow Bunting, Common This year we had only five species seen in all areas:
Redpoll were each seen at Lac La Biche; Cackling Canada Goose, Mallard, Northern Flicker,
Goose at Cold Lake (with a count week bird seen American Robin, and Yellow Warbler. Last year
at Taber-Vauxhall); Wild Turkey at Cypress Hills; four species were found in all but one area and
Great Egret at Brooks; Gyrfalcon at Cardston; eleven species were observed in all count areas
Peregrine Falcon at Brooks; Ruddy Turnstone at except two. This year three species (Blue-winged
Lac La Biche; Dunlin at Brooks (with a count week Teal, Tree Swallow and Red-Winged Blackbird)
bird seen at Calgary); Long-billed Dowitcher at were found in all areas except one and eleven
Brooks (with a count week bird seen at Calgary); species (Bufflehead, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper,
Sabine’s Gull at Cold Lake; Northern Pygmy-Owl American Crow, Swainson’s Thrush Chipping
and Northern Saw-whet Owl each seen at Sparrow, Clay-coloured Sparrow, Savannah
Claresholm; Common Poorwill at Cypress Hills; Sparrow, and Brown-headed Cowbird) were
Lewis’s Woodpecker, Red Crossbill each seen at found in all areas except two.
Calgary; Northern Shrike at Medicine Hat;
Western Bluebird at Crowsnest Pass; Wood
The Provincial Summary of the May Species Count is
Thrush at Brooks; Bohemian Waxwing at provided to all those interested as a free service of the
Cardston; Sedge Wren, Nashville Warbler, Federation of Alberta Naturalists.
Chestnut-sided Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler,
We welcome your comments!
Bay-breasted Warbler were each seen at Cold
Lake; and Golden-crowned Sparrow at Federation of Alberta Naturalists
BowKanBirders. 11759 Groat Road
Edmonton, Alberta T5M 3K6
Of the species found in two locations: Tundra www.fanweb.ca
Swans were seen at Calgary and Central Alberta; info@fanweb.ca
1Federation of Alberta Naturalists
Banff Other species seen during count week: none
Highlights: There were three species which
Date: May 31, 2009 appeared for the first time in this 13-year old count:
Compiler: Mike McIvor (3) Double-crested Cormorants, (2) Brown
Participants: Jill Beleyme, Fumie Craven, Kyle Creepers and (1) Wilson’s Warbler. For the second
(child) Craven, Tomo Fujimori, Carlos Garcia, Toni time only, Turkey Vulture, Sandhill Crane and
Hess, Masami Ito, Brenda Lepitzki, Dwayne Townsend’s Solitaire were recorded. The Sandhill
Lepitzki, Diane McIvor, Mike McIvor, Maho Crane was sitting on a nest.
Okamura, Rhonda Owchar, Peter Poole, Jill-Marie
Spence, Rylan (child) Spence, Eva Sylvestre, Paul BowKan
Sylvestre, Ed Whittingham, Mariko Yamada, Nana
Yamada. Date: May 30 and 31, 2009 (June 1 for
Area Covered: Banff and Lake Louise area Kananaskis Country)
Weather: Compiler: Cliff Hansen
Temp. 4 to 21oC Participants: Cliff Hansen, Hugh Brook, Kevin
Wind speed: 0 to 5 km/hr. Barker, Marion Barker, Andre Gareau, Mary
Wind direction: west Dumka, Dene Cooper, Jean Cooper, Anita Walker,
Precipitation: 0 Hanne Seidel, Rose Reid, Laura Reid, Dan
Team Distance/Hours: Measer, Jason Leong, Monica Dragosz, Bert
Total team Mileage 170.5 km; by vehicle 142; on Dyck, Marilynn Dyck, Joel Duncan, Marg
foot 28.5. Jorgenson, Jim Jorgenson, Lee Sproule, and Barry
Total team hours 32 hr; by vehicle 11 hr; on foot 21 Sproule.
hr. Area Covered: The BowKan Birders area is a
Number of Species: 85 circle centred south of Exshaw. The area takes in
Number of Birds: 707 the Bow Valley from (and including) Bow River
Campground, just East of Canmore, to Nakoda
Beauvais Lake Provincial Park Lodge along Highway lA, Seebe and along the
Trans-Canada to the Highway 40 overpass. To the
Date: May 28, 2009 North, all the valleys and mountains from Grotto to
Compiler: Teresa Dolman Yamnuska are included. To the South, all the
Participants: Denise Coccioloni-Amatto, Douglas valleys and mountains including Wind Ridge,
Dolman, Teresa Dolman, Merilyn Liddell, Lois Pigeon, Heart, McGillivray, Lorette and Highway
Johnston, Bree Stefanson-Korobanik 40 south to the bridge over the Kananaskis river on
Area Covered: Within Park boundaries the road to the Nakiska Lodge are included.
Weather: Weather:
Temp. 7 to 22oC Day 1:
Wind speed: 7 to 26 km/hr. Temp. 27 to 9oC
Wind direction: west Wind speed: 0 to 5 km/hr.
Precipitation: nil Wind direction: variable
Team Distance/Hours: Precipitation: nil
Total team mileage: 20 km; by vehicle 2, on foot 18 Comments: very pleasant weather
km. Day 2:
Total team hours: 10.5 hr; by vehicle 0.5 hr; on foot Temp. 26 to 9oC
10 hr. Wind speed: 0 to 5 km/hr.
Number of Species: 61 Wind direction: variable
Number of Birds: 376 Precipitation: nil
2FAN 2009 May Species Count for Birds
Comments: very pleasant weather and mammal count in our portion of the Evan-
Day 2: (Kananaskis Country) Thomas Provincial Recreation Area and Highway
Temp. 27 to 9oC 40 north to the Trans-Canada Highway (Des Allen,
Wind speed: 0 to 5 km/hr. as in the past, completed the flowering plant count
Wind direction: variable on schedule). It became necessary to reschedule
Precipitation: nil the bird and mammal portion of the count. Joel
Comments: very pleasant weather Duncan from Calgary kindly re-arranged his
Team Distance/Hours: schedule to assist us on the Monday, 01 June. A
Total team mileage: 176.5 km; by vehicle 122, on one day late count is much better than “no count” in
foot 54.5 km. this environmentally very important area.
Total team hours: 114 hr; by vehicle 4 hr.; on foot
110 hr. Spring arrived late this year, in fact, repeated
Number of Species: 124 episodes of cold weather and snow almost to the
Number of Birds: 3199 end of May made it feel like winter would never
Other species seen during count week: Cougar end (more cold weather and snow was still to come
1 (heard snarling in trees), Coyote 3, Elk 13, Mule in early June). Bird migration north was delayed
Deer 8, White-tailed Deer 4, Bighorn Sheep 1, and was still in progress during our count. Plant life
Muskrat 1, Snowshoe Hare 2, Red Squirrel 26, was also delayed. Trees were sparsely leaved and
Columbian Ground Squirrel 50, and Yellow Pine most blooms were in their early stages. In the end,
Chipmunk 4. the innate pressure to migrate and to bloom in spite
Comments & Highlights: The “BowKan of the weather won out. During our count, pleasant
Birders” is an informal group of local naturalists weather prevailed and we recorded an above
who share an interest in enjoying and protecting our average count for bird species, number of birds,
local wildlife and habitats. Loosely organized, with and for blooming plants.
some sixty members, there is no President,
Chairperson, Secretary or Treasurer. However, Since our beginning in 1993, our average number
they do need a Coordinator currently covered by of birds on May counts is 121 species covering
Cliff Hansen of Exshaw. Twice each year, end of 2848 birds (count day and count week data
May and the Christmas/New Year’s period, they included). The corresponding numbers for this
fan out in the BowKan Birders designated area (a count are 124 species covering 3199 birds. The
15 km diameter circle centered on the north face of high and low corresponding numbers are 136
Mount McGillivray) and complete a species count species (2003) with a low of 83 (1993), and 3765
for birds and mammals, and in May, include birds (1999) with a low of 2001 (1993).
flowering plants. The main purpose of the
information is to build a data bank that can be Although this bird count was above average, some
useful to any individual or organization that may changes in the distribution by species and group
require local environmental information. were noticeable. The numbers of most water birds,
gulls (in fact down to zero), and shorebirds were
We planned to complete our spring species count noticeably down, for example, the numbers of
on the last full weekend of May, this year it fell on Canada Geese, a usually high count species, were
30 and 31 May. It is the same weekend as most nearly half of average and few goslings were
organizations in North America do their similar sighted. To compensate, there were significantly
counts. It is a busy time of year and the demands increased counts of swallows (particularly Bank
of work, family and other species counts for and Cliff Swallows), Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and
participant time is fierce. On the scheduled Pine Siskins.
weekend, no one was available to cover the bird
3Federation of Alberta Naturalists
Some highlights include the identification of a foot 29 km.
Western Kingbird (a second record since 1993), a Total team hours: 492 hr; by vehicle 172 hr.; on
Philadelphia Vireo (a first record), three Cape May foot 320 hr.
Warblers (a first record), and two Golden-crowned Number of Species: 161 (+ 6 cw)
Sparrows (a second record). The warbler and the Number of Birds: 67205 (+1 cw)
vireo probably were still migrating north. Our Other species seen during count week:
count area is close to the outer edge of the range of Highlights: New Species added to checklist:
the other birds. It is interesting to note that one Wood Thrush, Gray-crowned Rosy Finch (3),
Golden-crowned Sparrow wintered in Exshaw. Hairy Woodpecker, Broad-winged Hawk (2),
Finally, one Western Flycatcher was reported (a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. Species missed: Common
fourth record). My up-to-date references tell me Merganser, Lark Sparrow, Turkey Vulture,
that this species designation has been divided into Burrowing Owl, Bobolink, Gray Catbird, Purple
two separate but similar species listed as Pacific- Finch. Surprises: Great Egret, 29 White-faced Ibis,
slope and Cordilleran Flycatchers. Our sighting 20 Caspian Tern, 22 Short-eared Owl, 3 Eurasian
was probably the former as its range extends into Wigeon. 22 new records were set for individual
the southern Alberta Rocky Mountains. species high numbers including 1222 Whimbrel, 49
Great Horned Owls. Low Numbers: Most of the
The highlight of the mammal count was the vireos, Brown Thrasher, Stilt Sandpiper, House
identification of one cougar. Although unseen, it did Wren, Common Tern. Count Sponsors are DU
reveal itself to be in close proximity by a loud cat- Canada, EnCana, TransCanada Pipelines.
like growl from behind a veil of trees. A very short
time later, 11 elk were seen, crossing the Buffalo Lake
Kananaskis River, and clearly departing the area.
All other identifications and sightings were made up Date: May 31, 2009
of the usual candidates. Compiler: Wayne Kinsella
Participants: Lee Carothers, Wayne Kinsella, Zoe
Brooks/Lake Newell Kisling, Sharon Mahoney, Barb Smith,
Roy Wilson, Wilma Zurfluh.
Date: May 16 and 17, 2009 Area Covered: Buffalo Lake to McKenzie
Compiler: Bob Parsons Crossing and from east Stettler to the Red Deer
Participants: 37 with a high level of expertise. River.
Eight areas of Alberta and BC represented, plus Weather:
one birder from Costa Rica. Mainly clear with temperatures 15 to 20 oC and
Areas covered: All parks and townsites, NW wind code 4
grasslands, lakes, reservoirs, DU wetland basins, Team Distance/Hours:
what woodlots we could find! One week earlier Four parties walked 7 km in 3.5 hrs, drove 140
than usual, May long weekend is traditionial. kms in 5 hrs and feeder watched for 4.5 hrs.
Weather: Number of Species: 76
Generally overcast periods, some sun both days. 7- Number of Birds: 1845
22 degrees, calm winds mostly.
Team Distance/Hours: Calgary and Area
Team mileage 1764 km by vehicle; 29 km on foot.
Team hours 172 hours by vehicle; 320 hours on Date: May 30 and 31, 2009
foot Compiler: Brian Elder
Team Distance/Hours: Participants: Tim Allison, Sandy Ayer, Linda
Total team mileage: 1793 km; by vehicle 1764, on Bailey, John Bargman, Bruce Barnetson, Jim Black,
4FAN 2009 May Species Count for Birds
Phil Cram, Marcia Crawford, Bernie Diebolt, K. Cardston
Donohue, J. Donohue, Joel Duncan, Jean Dunn,
Brian Elder, A. Elliott, Jess Eustace, Joan Falcione, Date: May 30 and 31, 2009
Lenora Flynn, Dick Flynn, Dave Gibson, Horst Compiler: Shirley Sillito
Grothman, Ian Halladay, Mike Harrison, Andrew Participants: Neldon & Priscilla Hatch, Meran &
Hart, Chris Havard, Ken Havard, Frank Liam Hinch, Ruth Le Roux, Ruth Olsen, Vickie
Hennessey, M. Huston, C. Kenny, Al Kimberly, Romeril, Don Shaw, Wendel Shaw, Weldon &
Terry Korolyk, Karen Larsen, Bob Lefebvre, Don Shirley Sillito, Michele Snyder, Mira Vanhala,
Magnusson, Simone Marler, Lynn Moore, Mike Nancy West
Mulligan, R. Parks, Jerry Pilny, Terry Poulton, N. Area Covered: Cardston, Woolford PP, Kimball
Seneveriatne, Destin Skauge, Ena Spalding, Jim St. Park, Police Lake PP, Mountain View, Leavitt,
Laurent, Don Stiles, Bob Storms, Judy Swan, M. Glen Hill Park
Swatschina, Tony Timmons, Hank Vanderpol, D. Weather:
Vernon, Ray Woods, Robert Worona, G. Yaki, Day 1:
Colin Young, Lois Zwick, Walter Zwick Temp. 10 to 15oC
Area Covered: Calgary area – 80km radius Wind speed: 5 to 30 km/hr.
centered on Centre St. bridge Wind direction: SW
Weather: Precipitation: nil
Day 1: Day 2:
Temp. 0 to 22oC Temp. 10 to 20oC
Day 2: Wind speed: 0 to 5 km/hr.
Temp. 0 to 22oC Wind direction: SW
Precipitation: brief rain in some areas Sunday Precipitation: nil
evening Team Distance/Hours:
Comments: very windy Sunday evening; not a Total team Mileage 472.5 km; by vehicle 455; on
factor at other times foot 17.5 km.
Team Distance/Hours: Total team hours 58.5 hr; by vehicle 48.5 hr; on
Total team mileage: 4271 km; by vehicle 4079; on foot 10 hr.
foot 192km. Number of Species: 126 (+ 2 cw)
Total team hours: 351 hr; by vehicle 208 hr; on foot Number of Birds: 4757 (+ 2 cw)
143 hr. Other species seen during count week: Upland
Note: on foot distance and hours includes cycling Sandpiper, Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Number of Species: 212 (+ 9 cw) Highlights: This count set a new record high of
Number of Birds: 100,047 126 species, breaking the old record by two. Six
Other species seen during count week: species were seen for the first time – Turkey
Peregrine Falcon, Broad-winged Hawk, Hudsonian Vulture, Northern Goshawk, Gyrfalcon, Eurasian
Godwit, Dunlin, Pectoral Sandpiper, Long-billed Collared-Dove, Pileated Woodpecker and Winter
Dowitcher, Calliope Hummingbird, Blackpoll Wren. Other seldom-seen species of interest were
Warbler and Bullock’s Oriole Eurasian Wigeon, Bobolink and Brewer’s Sparrow.
Highlights: Lewis’s Woodpecker; record number
of species and number of birds including over Central Alberta
30,000 Franklin’s Gulls
Date: May 30 and 31, 2009
Compiler: Judy Boyd
Participants: Jerry Alderson, Marion Alderson,
Jean Bargholz, Bud Bargholz, Brian Biggs, Dianne
5Federation of Alberta Naturalists
Bilous, Garry Bilous, Myron Bjorge, Karin Bjorge, kayak); on foot 60.25 hr.; horseback 2 hr. 69.5 hr
Tony Blake, Tyra Bowerman, Judy Boyd, Larry + 10 minutes feeder watching
Boyd, Lois Burkenshaw, Phil Burkenshaw, Vivian Number of Species: 146 (+2 cw)
Busat, Claudia Cameron, Dave Cook, Mary Number of Birds: 19033 (+2 cw)
Coughlin, Eileen Ford, Jordan Ford, Laurel Ford, Other Species seen during count week:
Stewart Ford, Tom Ford, Bertha Ford, Harry American Redstart, Rufous Hummingbird
Ford, Ray Fraess, Bernice Hafner, Dorothy Highlights: Our count of individual birds went up
Hazlett, Bill Heinsen, Tom Hoskins, Gail Hughes, from 16192 last year to 19032. The number of
Carol Kelly, Jessie Kinley, Myron Kinley, Keith species though went down from 153 species to
Kline, Janice Lawrence, Victor Lawrence, Mark 145. We also had the highest number of counters
Lawrence, Jim Leslie, Mark Meunier, Ruby (54) since 2001.
Meunier, Heather Montgomery, Bonnie Mullen,
Jean Paton, Doug Paton, Shirley Paton, Doug We had some record highs this year: 1506 Canada
Pedersen, Sue Shewkenek, Doug Slack, Joanne Geese, 374 Gadwall, 848 Mallard, 61 Green-
Susut, Joan Susut, Jean Wood, Shirley Zombori winged Teal, 172 Canvasback, 106 Ring-necked
Area Covered: Central Alberta covers 27 circles. Duck, 160 Bufflehead, 100 Common Goldeneye,
Of these, this year 17 were covered and 10 were 617 Ruddy Duck, 81 Double-crested Cormorant,
not. The best coverage was the circle that included 8 Osprey, 21 Northern Harrier, 7 Black-necked
the City of Red Deer. Other areas covered were Stilt, 77 American Avocet, 13 Lesser Yellowlegs,
Zone 2 (Sylvan Lake), Zone 3 (Gull Lake/Bentley), 2259 Franklin’s Gull, 836 Ring-billed Gull, 2
Zone 4 (Lacombe), Zone 5 (Joffre, Ellis Bird Barred Owl, 5 Great Gray Owl, 26 Yellow-bellied
Farm), Zone 6 (east of Penhold), Zone 7 (Penhold, Sapsucker, 38 Downy Woodpecker, 29 Hairy
Innisfail), Zone 8 (Dickson Dam, Medicine River Woodpecker, 36 Northern Flicker, 7 Western
Wildlife Centre), Zone 9 (Leslieville), Zone 10 Wood-Pewee, 2 Alder Flycatcher, 16 Eastern
(north of Leslieville), Zone 15 (Alix), Zone 16 Phoebe, 41 Eastern Kingbird, 6 Gray Jay, 45 Blue
(Delburne/Lousana), Zone 17 (Bigelow Reservoir), Jay, 399 American Crow, 83 Common Raven, 143
Zone 18 (Davey Lake), Zone 20 (James River Purple Martin, 94 Barn Swallow, 7 Boreal
Bridge, Garrington), Zone 21(Caroline, Chickadee, 35 White-breasted Nuthatch, 20
Crammond), Zone 26 (Dry Island Buffalo Jump). Marsh Wren, 247 American Robin, 26 Yellow-
Weather: rumped Warbler, 6 Western Tanager, 59 Vesper
Day 1: Sparrow, 179 Savannah Sparrow, 27 Dark-eyed
Temp. 8 to 25oC Junco, 27 Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 2 Bobolink,
Wind speed: 0 to 50 km/hr. 1052 Red-winged Blackbird, 122 Brown-headed
Wind direction: variable Cowbird, 37 Purple Finch, 34 House Finch 423,
Precipitation: nil Pine Siskin and 197 American Goldfinch.
Day 2:
Temp. 2 to 25oC First time ever: 23 Forster’s Tern, 1 Brown
Wind speed: 0 to 39 km/hr. Creeper, 1 American Dipper and 1 Cassin’s Finch
Wind direction: variable
Precipitation: nil Claresholm
Team Distance/Hours:
Total team Mileage 1140.6 km; by vehicle 1036.6 Date: May 30 and 31, 2009
(including quad, boat, 4 wheel cart); on foot 94 Compiler: Grace Norgard
km; horseback 10 km. Participants: Jason Attwell, Ruth Attwell, Rob
Total team hours 140 hr + 10 minutes; by vehicle Chisholm & family, Don Clark, Shirley Clark, Gary
77.75 hr + 10 minutes (including quad, boat, Cotter, Nola Cotter, Carley Egger, Hayley Egger,
6FAN 2009 May Species Count for Birds
Kerry Hart, Audrey Helmer, Betty Hoare, Mike the Cold Lake count area preparing for an Alberta
Hoare, Lawrence Hutchinson, Joan Larson, Leo Big Day
Larson, Stan Lewis, Debbie Lozeman, Judy Lucas, Area Covered: 25Mi RADIUS COUNT
Ellis Norgard, Grace Norgard, Jeremy Norgard, CIRCLE CENTER 5327.30N 11030.00W
Jack Peacock Cold Lake Provincial Park, Cold Lake Centre Bay,
Area Covered: 40-km radius around Claresholm, English Bay, North Bay, HorseShoe Bay and
including Porcupine Hills Marina, Jesse Lake, Moose Lake, Angling Lake,
Weather: Ethel and Marie Lake. This covered areas within
Day 1: WR51-55, WR40-45, WR33-34, WR10-11, and
Temp. 20 to 30oC WR01; due to team limitations the W and NW
Wind speed: 31 to 56 km/hr. portions of the Count Circle (Manatokan,
Wind direction: S Margaruite, Crane, Tucker Lake areas which
Precipitation: nil includes WR02-04, WR12-15, WR 22-25) did
Day 2: not get covered this year.
no information given Weather:
Team Distance/Hours: Day 1:
Total team mileage 306 km; by vehicle 300; on foot Temp. 9 to 20oC
6 km. Wind speed: 7 to 28 km/hr. Avg 14 km/hr.
Total team hours: 40 hr; by vehicle 28 hr; on foot 2 Wind direction: began SSE, moved through N to
hr; watching feeders 10 hr. W through course of day.
Number of Species: 129 (+ 3 cw) Precipitation: period of light showers around
Number of Birds: 5027 (+ 3 cw) noon.Comments: Partly to mostly cloudy
Other species seen during count week: Alder Day 2:
Flycatcher, Tennessee Warbler, White-throated Temp. 5 to 19oC
Sparrow Wind speed: 9 to 28 km/hr. Avg 13 km/hr. Gsts to
Highlights: Two new species were added to the 37 km/hr in early afternoon/early evening.
count list - a Northern Pygmy-Owl and a Barred Wind direction: W to WNW
Owl were both identified by call in the Porcupine Precipitation: n/a until 9 p.m. Showers through late
Hills west of Claresholm. For only the second time evening.
Harris’s Sparrow and Pine Grosbeak were Comments: scattered/partly to mostly cloudy
recorded, and for only the third time Northern Team Distance/Hours:
Saw-whet Owl, Bullock’s Oriole and Pectoral 8 teams.
Sandpiper were tallied. Total team mileage: 691.3 km; by vehicle 607.8
km; on foot 61.5 km; canoe 22 km.
Cold Lake Total team hours: 81.5 hr; by vehicle 30 hr; on foot
39.25 hr; canoe 10 hr.
Date: May 30 and 31, 2009 Number of Species: 170 (+ 6 cw)
Compiler: Ted Hindmarch Number of Birds: 5733 (+ 8 cw)
Participants: Total 18: Local Participants: Phil Other species seen during count week: Virginia
Shore, Bill Bretsch, Nancy and Ron Donnelly, Rail (1), Barred Owl (1), Long-eared Owl (2),
Norm Parrish, Carol Humerstone, Wes and Iris Common Nighthawk (2), Olive-sided Flycatcher
English, Bryan Simpson; Chris and Bob Etue of (1), Wilson’s Warbler (1), Lapland Longspur
Rapid View Sask; Vivian Elias, John Ollerenshaw, (flock).
Bruce Morito, Merilyn Peruniak and Geoff Highlights: The moderately windy conditions
Peruniak of Athabasca AB; and input from Tom made birding from the vehicle less productive than
Hince, Paul Pratt of Ontario, who were scouting normal with birds. Better results were achieved on
7Federation of Alberta Naturalists
foot. Otherwise the weather was pleasant for the Day 1:
participants. Overall area coverage and distance Temp. 5 to 20oC
travelled was down as more time was spent on Day 2:
foot. Canoe travel was also impacted, and Temp. 5 to 20oC
restrained to sheltered areas. Cool, wet and late Team Distance/Hours:
spring delayed migration, so the fact that the last information not available
May weekend fell right at the end of the month Number of Species: 80 (+9 cw)
made an positive impact on count results. Several Number of Birds: 709
of the areas more experienced birders were Other species seen during count week: Great
unavailable for the count, so we were fortunate to Blue Heron, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Broad-winged
have a group from Athabasca come in to assist with Hawk, Killdeer, Mourning Dove, Alder Flycatcher,
the Cold Lake Provincial Park (south) area (there Barn Swallow, Orange-crowned Warbler, Western
2nd time joining our count). Meadowlark
The group was especially blessed to meet up with Crooked Creek/Athabasca
Tom Hince and his birding partner Paul Pratt, who
were scouting in the Cold Lake count area in Date: May 30 and 31, 2009
preparation for an Alberta Big Day. From 1983 to Compiler: Deidre Griffiths
1995, Tom was senior park naturalist and resident Participants: Deidre Griffiths, Jack Sherman, Joan
birding expert at Point Pelee National Park and Sherman
now runs a B&B and bird guiding business in that Area Covered: ~4 km2 (Crooked Lake Study
area. (http://www.netcore.ca/~peleetom/ Area 11 km2)
webdoc4.html). They provided their input over the Weather:
two days which helped fill in several gaps in our list, Day 1:
and added such special reports as Sabine’s Gull Temp. 9 to 17oC
(12 near Cold Lake Marina) and count week Wind speed: 0 to 30 km/hr.
Common Nighthawk and Virginia Rail. As a note, Wind direction: WNW - NW until late afternoon,
Tom and Paul went on to complete an incredibly dropping to 20-25 km/hr.
successful Big Day: They started in Cold Lake at Precipitation: trace a.m.
midnight and finished at Pakowki Lake at 9:30 pm Comments: wind negative factor for both water and
with 207 species for the big day on June 2nd (a land birds; detectability/singing reduced.
new Alberta record by 29 species). Day 2:
Temp.6 to 15oC
Other sightings of interest was a Cinnamon Teal in a Wind speed: 20 to 35 km/hr.
pond just outside of Cold Lake and 3 Whimbrels at Wind direction: NW
Moose Lake. Both only observed on 1 previous Precipitation: 2 mm (overnight and a.m.)
count. Comments: wind again negative factor until
decreased through afternoon. 0 km/hr by early
Coyote Lake evening. Sun/cloud afternoon.
Team Distance/Hours:
Date: May 30 and 31, 2009 Total team mileage 49 km; by vehicle 4 km; on foot
Compiler: Javan Green 45 km.
Participants: Javan Green, Penny Green Total team hours 39.5 hr; by vehicle 0.5 hr; on
Area Covered: Warburg area, including Coyote foot 39hr.
Lake and sections of Strawberry Creek Number of Species: 81 (+ 10 CW)
Weather: Number of Birds: 1311 (+27 CW)
8FAN 2009 May Species Count for Birds
Other species seen during count week: White- Number of Species: 73 (+ 55 cw)
winged Scoter (8), Surf Scoter (6), Cinnamon Teal Number of Birds: 550 (+ 453 cw)
(2), Sharp-shinned Hawk (1), American Coot (2), Other species seen during count week:
Barred Owl (1), Common Nighthawk (2), Ruby- Mammals: Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel (1),
throated Hummingbird (1), Philadelphia Vireo (1), Moose (1), Beaver (1), Muskrat (1), Coyote (3),
Gray-cheeked Thrush (3). Columbian Ground Squirrels (many), Red Squirrels
Highlights: Cinnamon Teal (second consecutive (7), White-tailed Deer (14). Amphibians: Western
year in same site), Surf Scoter (not present every Toad (1), Boreal Chorus Frogs. Butterflies:
year), “Audubon’s” warbler (1 and male, first Swallow Tails, Mourning Cloak
record - included in Yellow-rumped Warbler Highlights: Harlequin Duck, Ferruginous Hawk,
number). Other: here, by end of May migration not Bullock’s Oriole, Long-billed Curlew, Bobolink,
complete (see Count week list). Additional species Lazuli Bunting, Black-headed Grosbeak, Winter
(nesters) arrive through first half of June; others Wren, Brown Creeper, European-collared Dove,
increase in number; still others leave continuing Rock Wren, Wood Duck, Veery, Indigo Bunting,
migration. However, diversity of owls and hawks Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Fox Sparrow,
low in 2009, as well as some songbirds. MacGillivray’s Warbler and a Bald Eagles’ nest
with one Eaglet.
Crowsnest Pass
Cypress Hills Provincial Park
Date: May 30 and 31, 2009
Compiler: Dawn Hall Date: May 30, 2009
Participants: Denise Coccioloni-Amatto, Dawn Compiler: Jennifer Stroh and Darian Kath
Hall, Sandra Impens, Herald Kane, Merilyn Participants: Bob Frew, Kari Gohdes, Stewart
Liddell, Paul Larson, Karen Larter, Pat Lucas, Guy, Darian Kath, Brigette Lemay, Dave
Keith McClary, Phil Nicholas, Linda Ransome, McKenzie, Mike O’Shea, Fanny Provencher, Milt
Peter Sherrington, Jenice Smith +2, Christopher and Elaine Spitzer, Jennifer Stroh, and Ben Velner.
Smith and James Tweedie Area Covered: including the Elkwater townsite,
Area Covered: Crowsnest Pass roads/trails within the park, and immediate area
Weather: outside of the park
Day 1: Weather:
Temp. 7° to 25 °C Temp. 9° to 27°C
Wind speed: 0 to 65 km/hr. Wind speed: 11 to 24 km/hr.
Wind direction: North Wind direction: WNW
Precipitation: none Precipitation: none
Comments: very windy Comments: clear and slightly above average
Day 2: Team Distance/Hours:
Temp. 11° to 24°C Total team mileage:151.6 km; by vehicle 125.2; on
Wind speed: 0 to 54 km/hr. foot 26.4 km.
Wind direction: North Total team hours: 24 hr; by vehicle 11 hr; on foot
Precipitation: none 13 hr.
Comments: Overcast, sunny and partly cloudy Number of Species: 96
Team Distance/Hours: Number of Birds: 1669
Total team mileage:160 km; by vehicle 150; on foot
10 km.
Total team hours: 15 hr; by vehicle 7.5 hr; on foot
7.5 hr.
9Federation of Alberta Naturalists
For Far Park 2/3 of the peat moss area and it has become a
birding hot spot. Just north of this area is the horse
Date: May 31, 2009 lease where he was able to confirm a pair of
Compiler: Jim Lange Sandhill Cranes appeared to be making a home
Participants: Jim Lange there. (Beavers have also made this area into a
Area Covered: For Far Park and small boreal series of ponds.)
forest at Westlock/Athabasca County line. off Sec. Day 2:
#663. Temp. 5oC to 10oC
Weather: Wind speed: 10 to 15 km/hr. with gusts of 28 km/
Temp. 7 to 12oC hr.
Wind speed: 20 to 40 km/hr. Wind direction: NW
Wind direction: NW Precipitation: 2 – 5 mm
Precipitation: none Comments: Cooler than normal temperatures.
Team Distance/Hours: Team Distance/Hours:
Total team mileage 16 km; by vehicle 14 km; on Total team mileage: 470 km; by vehicle 400 km; on
foot 2 km. foot 67 km; kayak: 3 km.
Total team hours 8 hr; by vehicle 0.5 hr; on foot 6 Total team hours: 90 hr; by vehicle 45 hr; on foot
hr; standing and sitting at the lake 1.5 hr. 43 hr; by kayak 2 hr.
Number of Species: 47 Number of Species: 129 (+ 1 cw)
Number of Birds: 127 Number of Birds: 6954 (+ 1 cw)
Highlights: Northern Goshawk flying slowly over Other species seen on count week: June 1: A
tree tops, just like a Red-tail. Never seen one fly so Broad-winged Hawk was seen at Shell Jackpine
slow! Mine Site
Highlights: A member saw a Baltimore Oriole in
Fort McMurray a plum tree in her yard May 26.
Date: May 30 and 31, 2009 Lac La Biche
Compiler: Cathy Mountain
Participants: Linda Ball, Valerie Cooper, Jane Date: May 23 and 24, 2009
Elser, Alison Finstad, Cheryl Freeman, Sharlene Compiler: Jennifer Okrainec
Graves, Bernice Grey, Robert Grey, Tom Klein, Participants: John & Joyce Charchun, Bob &
Cathy Mountain, Deborah Pollen, Vern Pollen, Mary Dunn, Jim Gammon, Stan Gosche, Carol
Christine Sparling, Steven Stryde, Margo (Dead- Gosche, Tim Gosche, Bernie Guathier, Janos
Eye) Wilson. Kovacs, Mel Kuprowsky, Dave & Kathy Lawson,
Area Covered: urban, roadside, hiking trails, Muriel & Jennifer Mueller, Jennifer Okrainec,
horse pasture, mixed forest, riverside, ponds/ Cathy Scott, Brian Stephen, Dan Stoker, Terry
slough, lakes, gravel pit, peat moss pit, muskeg, Thormin, Elaine Tosczak, Clark Watson, Don &
landfill. 7 backyard bird feeders were also counted. Jean Welke, George & Barbara Ann Wicker, Percy
Weather: Zalesky.
Day 1: Area Covered: Lac La Biche Town site, West to
Temp. 10oC to 18oC Plamondon and Hylo, North to Avenir and the
Wind speed: 5 to 10 km/hr. Alpac K road – Hwy 881, East to Lakeland
Wind direction: W Provincial Park and PRA – Touchwood Lake,
Precipitation: none South to Kikino Metis Settlement, Frenchmen
Comments: One of our members reports that just Lake
outside city limits the beavers have flooded about
10FAN 2009 May Species Count for Birds
Weather: Sparrows were pleasant surprises.
Day 1:
Temp. 0 to 22oC Lethbridge
Wind speed: 2 to 5 km/hr.
Precipitation: 0 Date: May 30 and 31, 2009
Day 2: Compiler: Teresa Dolman
Temp. 5 to 20oC Participants: Linda Cerney, Teresa Dolman,
Wind speed: 0 to 4 km/hr. Graeme & Patricia Greenlee, Judy Hazinoff, Del
Wind direction: South Huget, Jennifer Mather, Ken Orich, Jay Yanke
Precipitation: 0 Area Covered: parks within City limits
Team Distance/Hours: Weather:
Total team mileage: 1095 km; by vehicle 1075; on Day 1:
foot 20 km Temp. 14 to 31oC
Total team hours: 79 hr; by vehicle 58 hr; on foot Wind speed: 11 to 44 km/hr.
21 hr. Wind direction: NW
Number of Species: 178 Precipitation: nil
Number of Birds: 14286 Day 2:
Temp. 12 to 25oC
Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park Wind speed: 4 to 26 km/hr.
Wind direction: N
Date: May 23, 2009 Precipitation: nil
Compiler: Stan Gosche Team Distance/Hours:
Participants: Carol Gosche, Stan Gosche, Tim Total team mileage: 41 km; by vehicle 12; on foot
Gosche, Janos Kovacs, Brian Stephen, Dan 29 km
Stoker, Terry Thormin, Percy Zalesky. Total team hours: 20 hr; by vehicle 1.5 hr; on foot
Area Covered: Sir Winston Churchill Park LLB 18.5 hr.
54° 49' 21.79604" N, 111° 53' 13.13559" W Number of Species: 80 (+ 4 cw)
Coordinate Source: Approximate map coordinates. Number of Birds: 1666 (+ 7 cw)
Dominant Habitat: Mixed Wood Forest. Visited Other species seen during count week: Great
Habitats: Lake, Mixed Wood Forest, Pond / Blue Heron (1), Tennessee Warbler (2),
Slough Blackpoll Warbler (3), Northern Waterthrush (1)
Weather: Highlights: The total of 80 species seen was far
Temp. 5oC to 22oC lower than the long-term average of 117, but can
Windspeed: 2 to 5 km/hr. – some smoke be accounted for by two facts: low participation
driftComments: clear, few clouds and the restriction of observations to sites within
Team Distance/Hours: city limits. The absence of observations from rural
Total mileage: information not available. areas, especially wetlands, resulted in species such
Total team hours: 14 hours; all on foot as Northern Pintail, Lesser Scaup, Marbled
Number of Species: 110 (+ 2 cw) Godwit, Wilson’s Phalarope, Cliff Swallow and
Number of Birds: 3426 (+ 5 cw) Brewer’s Blackbird being missed entirely for the
Other species seen on count week: Harris’ first time in the 33-year history of this count. Even
Sparrow (4), Baltimore Oriole (1). so, one “new” species was added to the list – a
Highlights: Notable observation was that the early Turkey Vulture just made it “under the wire” at
date this year resulted in more migrants and less about 7 pm on Sunday evening. For only the third
breeding birds. Eastern warblers were not here in time in its history, the count tallied Yellow-breasted
good numbers yet. 1 Upland Sandpiper and Harris Chat.
11Federation of Alberta Naturalists
Medicine Hat Bald Eagle 7
3 Numerous
Date: May 24, 2009
Compiler: Marty Drut Red-tailed Hawk 19
Participants: Rick Carrier, Eileen Cowtan, Marty 17 2008
Drut, Val Felesky, Corlaine Gardner, Dale Holmes,
Lisa Holmes, Annalora Horch, Phil Horch, Jim Eurasian-collared Dove 7
Knelson, Cam Lockerbie, Jim Marshall, Valerie 5 Numerous
Martins, Bernice Morrison, Michael O’Shea, Tina
Regehr, Jo-Anne Reynolds, Jennifer Roberts, Dan Downy Woodpecker 24
Schiebelbein, Mark Schiebelbein, Jan Scott, Elaine 22 1990
Spitzer, Milt Spitzer, Ben Velner, Mike Velner
Area Covered: 25 km circle around Medicine Hat Tree Swallow 305
Weather: 204 2008
No weather data recorded
Team Distance/Hours: Violet-green Swallow 36
Total team mileage: 312 km; by vehicle 76; on foot 29 2002
236 km
Total team hours: 86.25 hr; by vehicle 35.75 hr; on Blue Jay 18
foot 50.5 hr. 9 Numerous
Number of Species: 127
Number of Birds: 10,297 American Robin 894
Other species seen within 3 days: No species 819 2008
seen exclusively during count week.
Highlights: 2009 was another great year as there Clay-coloured Sparrow 168
were 11 species with recorded high counts, 153 1996
including an all time high for Eurasian wigeon (see
Table 1 below). This occurred despite slight Killdeer 26
decreases in total participants, kilometres covered, 30 1993
and hours spent in the field. Many thanks to all
those who volunteered their time this year! Several species (gadwall, bald eagle, red-tailed
New species observed: None. hawk, tree swallow, violet-green swallow,
American robin, and clay-coloured sparrow) with
Table 1. 2009 Spring Bird Count All Time High all time highs observed in 2009 are native species
and Low Observations. that are relatively common in the Medicine Hat area
during spring and summer. Two of our more
Species High common year-round residents (downy
Previous High Year woodpecker and blue jay) also had highs this year.
Of note is that gadwall, red-tailed hawk, tree
Gadwall 176 swallow, and American robin beat previous highs
88 2008 that were just observed in 2008.
Eurasian Wigeon 6 Less frequently seen species observed in 2009
1 1996 included snow goose (1), Eurasian wigeon (6 –
ALL TIME HIGH), rough-legged hawk (1),
greater yellowlegs (1), willow flycatcher (1),
12FAN 2009 May Species Count for Birds
eastern phoebe (1), and lazuli bunting (1). Taber/Vauxhall
The top five for 2009 were: American robin (894), Date: May 30 and 231, 2009
European starling (878), red-winged blackbird Compiler: Lloyd Bennett
(634), Canada goose (596), and house sparrow Participants: Bruce Bennett, Jenie Bennett, Lloyd
(482). Bennett, Yolanda Bennett, Glen Gardner, Murray
Gardner, Ilene Levagood, Ron Levagood
Milk River/Writing-on-Stone Area Covered: Taber and Vauxhall areas, Purple
Springs Dunes
Date: May 23 and 24, 2009 Weather:
Compiler: Bob Parsons Day 1:
Participants: 9 Temp. 8 to 30oC
Area Covered: Pinhorn Grazing Reserve, coulees, Wind speed: 5 to 30 km/hr.
badlands, native grasslands but mainly Verdigris Wind direction: SW
Lake, Crow Indian, Vernon Flats DU, Etzicom, Precipitation: nil
west Pakowki Lake. Also riparian areas along Milk Day 2:
River, all in all no other area like it in Alberta. It not available
should be noted that there were good wet patches Team Distance/Hours:
in many fields so fair shorebird numbers this year. Total team mileage: 819.5 km; by vehicle 812; on
Weather: foot 7.5 km.
Calm mornings, some winds in afternoon from the Total team hours: 44.5 hr; by vehicle 27 hr; on foot
west. A few scattered showers. Generally 10-20 6.5 hr; watching feeders 11 hr
degrees. Number of Species: 132 (+ 5 cw)
Team Distance/Hours: Number of Birds: 6813 (+ 5 cw)
Total team mileage: 555 km; by vehicle 543; on Other Species seen during count week:
foot 12 km. Cackling Goose, Common Merganser, Say’s
Total team hours: 53 hr; by vehicle 41 hr; on foot Phoebe, Mountain Bluebird, McCown’s Longspur
12 hr. Highlights: Two “new” species appeared on this
Number of Species: 134 (+ 12 cw) count - Yellow-breasted Chat and Dark-eyed
Number of Birds: 13926 (+ 13 cw) Junco. For only the third time a Western Tanager
Highlights: Highlights include 24 new broken was seen.
records plus unusual species such as Snow Goose,
2 American Pipits, 7 Sharp-tailed grouse, Red- Wakomao Lake
naped Sapsucker, White-rumped Sandpiper. Low Date: May 30, 2009
numbers: Baird’s Sparrow, Brewer’s Sparrow, Compiler: Jim Lange
House Wren, Golden Eagle, Bobolink. Again, the Participants: Jim Lange, Fred Wiley
Chat showed up on the Monday after the Area Covered: Wakomao Lake and Bouchard
weekend!! New Species: Solitary Sandpiper, Lake and all areas within 10 km block, farmland,
American Pipit, Eurasian-collared Dove (9), Ruby- pine, etc.
crowned Kinglet. Species missing: Burrowing Owl, Weather:
Clark‘s Grebe, Grasshopper Sparrow, Temp. 11 to 18oC
McCowan’s Longspur, Black-necked Stilt, Black- Wind speed: 20 to 30 km/hr.
headed Grosbeak. Count sponsored by the Wind direction: NW-NE
Wildbird General Store, EnCana Energy, Precipitation: none
TransCanada Pipelines. Special thanks to Del Comments: cloudy in AM, mainly sunny in PM.
Huget who did all the scouting this year.
13Federation of Alberta Naturalists
Team Distance/Hours: elevations by the snow. The snow on Saturday
Total team mileage: 84 km; by vehicle 84 km; on forced many passerines to forage along road-sides
foot 0 km. so that record high numbers of several species
Total team hours: 9.5 hr; by vehicle 9.5 hr; on foot were counted such as Swainson’s Thrush,
0 hr. American Pipit, Vesper Sparrow and White-
Number of Species: 68 crowned Sparrow. For only the second time Wood
Number of Birds: 794 Duck and Redhead were observed. Despite the
Highlights: High number of avocets cold, snowy weather the number of species seen
was third-highest in the 25-year history of the
Waterton Lakes National Park count.
Date: June 6 and 7, 2009 Yamniska
Compiler: Teresa Dolman
Participants: Lloyd & Yolanda Bennett, Anna Date: May 29 and 30, 2009
Lee-Carswell, Mary Coleman, Doug & Teresa Compiler: Mike McIvor
Dolman, Randy & Patricia Jensen, Harkirin & Participants: Leanne Allison, Barb Bertch, Reg
Jogendra Khalsa, Kim Pearson Bunyan, Fumie Craven, Kyle (child) Craven, Dave
Area Covered: Within Park boundaries Dalman, Heather Dempsey, Eli (child) Whittington,
Weather: Jesse Whittington, Jeannette Fish, Wendy Francis,
Day 1: Menno Froese, Tomo Fujimori, Zev (child) Heuer,
Temp. 0 to 3oC Masami Ito, Diane McIvor, Mike McIvor, Chuck
Wind speed: 0 to 17 km/hr. O’Callaghan, Peter Poole, Bob Smith, Gareth
Wind direction: NE Thomson, Ed Whittingham, Jack Whitworth,
Precipitation: 23mm (as 22 cm snow) Marion Whitworth, Charlotte Young.
Comments: About 5 cm of snow at lower Area Covered: Yamnuska
elevations; 22 cm at higher elevations Weather:
Day 2: Day 1:
Temp. -2 to 9oC Temp. 8 to 23oC
Wind speed: 2 to 11 km/hr. Wind speed: 0 to 10 km/hr.
Wind direction: E Wind direction: West
Precipitation: 2 mm Precipitation: 0
Comments: A much nicer day, a mix of sun and Day 2:
cloud. Temp. 5 to 24oC
Team Distance/Hours: Wind speed: 10 to 30 km/hr.
Total team mileage: 336km; by vehicle 314; on foot Wind direction: West
22 km Precipitation: 0
Total team hours: 38.5 hr; by vehicle 22hr; on foot Team Distance/Hours:
15.5 hr; watching feeders 1 hr. Total team mileage: 71 km; by vehicle 30 km; on
Number of Species: 126 (+ 1 cw) foot 41 km.
Number of Birds: 2274 (+ 1 cw) Total team hours: 27.5 hr; by vehicle 1 hr; on foot
Other species seen within 3 days: Baird’s 26.5 hr.
Sparrow Number of Species: 70
Highlights: Two “new” species were added to the Number of Birds: 552
count list – a single Caspian Tern far out of its
normal Alberta range and 68 Gray-crowned Rosy-
Finches which no doubt were pushed to lower
14FAN 2009 May Species Count for Birds
2009 May Bird Count Centers in Alphabetical order, with Codes
Banff Bnff Cypress Hills Provincial Park CypH
Beauvais Lake Provincial Park Beau For Far Park Ffar
BowKan B-K Fort McMurray FMcM
Brooks/Lake Newel Brks Lac La Biche LLB
Buffalo Lake Buff Lethbridge Leth
Calgary and Area CGY Medicine Hat MedH
Cardston Card Milk River/Writing-on-Stone Milk
Central Alberta C-AB Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park SWC
Claresholm Clar Taber/Vauxhall TabV
Cold Lake Cold Wakomao Lake Wako
Coyote Lake Coyo Waterton Lakes National Park Wlnp
Crooked Creek/Athabasca Crook Yamniska Yam
Crowsnest Pass Crow
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