Yesterday, 19 December 2017, was the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for High River, a town to the south of Calgary. I am adding the report by Gus Yaki, the leader of our small group of 7, travelling in two cars. What Gus did not add, because he did not stay for the delicious Potluck supper after the Count, is that the forecast snow (Snowfall Warning in effect) arrived in full force in the evening and the drive back to Calgary was most unpleasant. Looks like there could be about 10" of the white stuff on top of my fence today. Thanks so much, Lorrie and John, for being so kind and picking me up in the early morning and driving me all day long, and then dropping me off for the Potluck and returning to collect me ready for the three of us to return to Calgary. Appreciated more than I can say! Thanks, also, to Greg Wagner for organizing the Count, as usual - great job! Last, but not least, many thanks to those who organized and prepared such a wonderful feast for us all to thoroughly enjoy at the end of the day! I left home around 7:00 am and arrived home about 8:15 pm, finally getting to bed at 2:00 am and eventually waking up at noon today! Was I tired after yesterday's full day!
One exciting sighting was a beautiful female Moose, maybe two years old! This was the first sighting ever of a Moose in the SE quadrant of the High River Count circle. From a distance, she was barely noticeable through the falling snow.
Common Redpolls were enjoyed at some feeders. They gave me the first opportunity to take photos this season. Much as I prefer photos without feeders, I am very glad for this chance. They are such dainty little birds, and fast-moving. It always looks like a feeding frenzy when they are at the feeders.
This red barn was on the last property that we visited, at the end of the day. I have happy memories of photographing the cutest group of farm cats at this barn during the Christmas Bird Count on 16 December 2014.
"High River CBC, SE Quadrant, including Frank Lake. 0800-1545, Tue, 19 Dec2017. Light overcast, light snow beginning at 1100. N Wind 10kph, -07 to -06°C. Ground bare initially, 3 cm at end. Little Bow River, mostly open.
Mallard-500
Northern Shoveler-1 f.
Northern Pintail-2
Common Goldeneye-3
Gray Partridge-8
Bald Eagle-1 ad, on Frank Lake
Prairie Falcon-1
Rock Pigeon-56
Great Horned Owl-6
Snowy Owl-1
Blue Jay-4
Black-billed Magpie-17
Common Raven-4
Song Sparrow-1
Snow Bunting-150
Common Redpoll-790
House Sparrow-202
Ring-necked Pheasant tracks by observation blind.
Gord Fraser, on W side of Little Bow, just N of 594 Av, had 40 Gray Partridges this a.m.
Coyote-4
Skunk track by observation blind
Meadow Vole-1
Mule Deer-6
Moose-1 f.
Participants:
Km by Car- 58
Km on foot -5
Total km - 63
Time by car – 2 hrs
Time on foot-5 hrs
Total party hours-7 hrs"
Tags: Alberta Canada SE of Calgary High River Christmas Bird Count 2017 SE quadrant of Count circle nature animal mammal wild wild animal wildlife Moose Alces alces Family: Cervidae Subfamily: Capreolinae Genus: Alces deer family female cow about 2 years old feeding farmyard tree snow snow-covered outdoor like winter fall autumn 19 December 2017 FZ200 FZ200#4 P1270843 Panasonic Lumix annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2017 © All Rights Reserved
© All Rights Reserved
Yesterday, 19 December 2017, was the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for High River, a town to the south of Calgary. I am adding the report by Gus Yaki, the leader of our small group of 7, travelling in two cars. What Gus did not add, because he did not stay for the delicious Potluck supper after the Count, is that the forecast snow (Snowfall Warning in effect) arrived in full force in the evening and the drive back to Calgary was most unpleasant. Looks like there could be about 10" of the white stuff on top of my fence today. Thanks so much, Lorrie and John, for being so kind and picking me up in the early morning and driving me all day long, and then dropping me off for the Potluck and returning to collect me ready for the three of us to return to Calgary. Appreciated more than I can say! Thanks, also, to Greg Wagner for organizing the Count, as usual - great job! Last, but not least, many thanks to those who organized and prepared such a wonderful feast for us all to thoroughly enjoy at the end of the day! I left home around 7:00 am and arrived home about 8:15 pm, finally getting to bed at 2:00 am and eventually waking up at noon today! Was I tired after yesterday's full day!
One exciting sighting was a beautiful female Moose, maybe two years old! I think they said it was a first sighting of a Moose in our quadrant of the High River Count circle. From a distance, she was barely noticeable through the falling snow.
Common Redpolls were enjoyed at some feeders. They gave me the first opportunity to take photos this season. Much as I prefer photos without feeders, I am very glad for this chance. They are such dainty little birds, and fast-moving. It always looks like a feeding frenzy when they are at the feeders.
This red barn was on the last property that we visited, at the end of the day. I have happy memories of photographing the cutest group of farm cats at this barn during the Christmas Bird Count on 16 December 2014.
"High River CBC, SE Quadrant, including Frank Lake. 0800-1545, Tue, 19 Dec2017. Light overcast, light snow beginning at 1100. N Wind 10kph, -07 to -06°C. Ground bare initially, 3 cm at end. Little Bow River, mostly open.
Mallard-500
Northern Shoveler-1 f.
Northern Pintail-2
Common Goldeneye-3
Gray Partridge-8
Bald Eagle-1 ad, on Frank Lake
Prairie Falcon-1
Rock Pigeon-56
Great Horned Owl-6
Snowy Owl-1
Blue Jay-4
Black-billed Magpie-17
Common Raven-4
Song Sparrow-1
Snow Bunting-150
Common Redpoll-790
House Sparrow-202
Ring-necked Pheasant tracks by observation blind.
Gord Fraser, on W side of Little Bow, just N of 594 Av, had 40 Gray Partridges this a.m.
Coyote-4
Skunk track by observation blind
Meadow Vole-1
Mule Deer-6
Moose-1 f.
Participants:
Km by Car- 58
Km on foot -5
Total km - 63
Time by car – 2 hrs
Time on foot-5 hrs
Total party hours-7 hrs"
Tags: Alberta Canada SE of Calgary High River Christmas Bird Count 2017 SE quadrant of Count circle farm farmyard building barn old wooden weathered red snow snowing fence tree sky outdoor fall autumn 19 December 2017 FZ200 FZ200#4 P1270913 Panasonic Lumix annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2017 © All Rights Reserved
© All Rights Reserved
Yesterday, 19 December 2017, was the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for High River, a town to the south of Calgary. I am adding the report by Gus Yaki, the leader of our small group of 7, travelling in two cars. What Gus did not add, because he did not stay for the delicious Potluck supper after the Count, is that the forecast snow (Snowfall Warning in effect) arrived in full force in the evening and the drive back to Calgary was most unpleasant. Looks like there could be about 10" of the white stuff on top of my fence today. Thanks so much, Lorrie and John, for being so kind and picking me up in the early morning and driving me all day long, and then dropping me off for the Potluck and returning to collect me ready for the three of us to return to Calgary. Appreciated more than I can say! Thanks, also, to Greg Wagner for organizing the Count, as usual - great job! Last, but not least, many thanks to those who organized and prepared such a wonderful feast for us all to thoroughly enjoy at the end of the day! I left home around 7:00 am and arrived home about 8:15 pm, finally getting to bed at 2:00 am and eventually waking up at noon today, which is why I am posting so late today! Was I tired after yesterday's full day, especially after only two hours sleep the previous night!
One exciting sighting was a beautiful female Moose, maybe two years old! I think they said it was a first sighting of a Moose in our quadrant of the High River Count circle. From a distance, she was barely noticeable through the falling snow.
Common Redpolls were enjoyed at some feeders. They gave me the first opportunity to take photos this season. Much as I prefer photos without feeders, I am very glad for this chance. They are such dainty little birds, and fast-moving. It always looks like a feeding frenzy when they are at the feeders.
"High River CBC, SE Quadrant, including Frank Lake. 0800-1545, Tue, 19 Dec2017. Light overcast, light snow beginning at 1100. N Wind 10kph, -07 to -06°C. Ground bare initially, 3 cm at end. Little Bow River, mostly open.
Mallard-500
Northern Shoveler-1 f.
Northern Pintail-2
Common Goldeneye-3
Gray Partridge-8
Bald Eagle-1 ad, on Frank Lake
Prairie Falcon-1
Rock Pigeon-56
Great Horned Owl-6
Snowy Owl-1
Blue Jay-4
Black-billed Magpie-17
Common Raven-4
Song Sparrow-1
Snow Bunting-150
Common Redpoll-790
House Sparrow-202
Ring-necked Pheasant tracks by observation blind.
Gord Fraser, on W side of Little Bow, just N of 594 Av, had 40 Gray Partridges this a.m.
Coyote-4
Skunk track by observation blind
Meadow Vole-1
Mule Deer-6
Moose-1 f.
Km by Car- 58
Km on foot -5
Total km - 63
Time by car – 2 hrs
Time on foot-5 hrs
Total party hours-7 hrs"
Tags: Alberta Canada SE of Calgary High River Christmas Bird Count 2017 SE quadrant of Count circle nature wildlife farm feeder bird feeder ornithology avian bird birds Common Redpoll Acanthis flammea finch family female side view perched garden farmyard outdoor fall autumn 19 December 2017 FZ200 FZ200#4 P1270909 Panasonic Lumix annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2017 © All Rights Reserved
© All Rights Reserved
HAPPY WINTER, everyone! Today, we are one day closer to spring - yay!.
Two days ago, on 19 December 2017, it was the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for High River, a town to the south of Calgary. I am adding the report by Gus Yaki, the leader of our small group of 7, travelling in two cars. What Gus did not add, because he did not stay for the delicious Potluck supper after the Count, is that the forecast snow (Snowfall Warning in effect) arrived in full force in the evening and the drive back to Calgary was most unpleasant. Looks like there could be about 10" of the white stuff on top of my fence today. Thanks so much, Lorrie and John, for being so kind and picking me up in the early morning and driving me all day long, and then dropping me off for the Potluck and returning later to collect me ready for the three of us to return to Calgary. Appreciated more than I can say! Thanks, also, to Greg Wagner for organizing the Count - as usual, great job! Last, but not least, many thanks to those who organized and prepared such a wonderful feast for us all to thoroughly enjoy at the end of the day! I left home around 7:00 am and arrived home about 8:15 pm, finally getting to bed at 2:00 am and eventually waking up at noon yesterday, which is why I posted so late yesterday! Was I tired after a full day out, especially after only two hours sleep the previous night!
I should also add my thanks to the various property owners who very kindly gave us permission to wander round their farmyards in search of any birds. Being allowed to do this adds so much more interest to our Count day, and we really appreciate it.
Some years, we have a beautiful hoarfrost and amazing sunrise at our first stop on this Count, at Frank Lake. This year, we had just a slight touch of hoarfrost and barely any colour in the sky at sunrise.
One exciting sighting was a beautiful female Moose, maybe two years old! This was the very first sighting ever of a Moose in our SE quadrant of the High River Count circle. From a distance, she was barely noticeable through the falling snow.
Common Redpolls were enjoyed at some feeders. They gave me the first opportunity to take photos this season. Much as I prefer photos without feeders, I am very glad for this chance. They are such dainty little birds, and fast-moving. It always looks like a feeding frenzy when they are at the feeders.
"High River CBC, SE Quadrant, including Frank Lake. 0800-1545, Tue, 19 Dec2017. Light overcast, light snow beginning at 1100. N Wind 10kph, -07 to -06°C. Ground bare initially, 3 cm at end. Little Bow River, mostly open.
Mallard-500
Northern Shoveler-1 f.
Northern Pintail-2
Common Goldeneye-3
Gray Partridge-8
Bald Eagle-1 ad, on Frank Lake
Prairie Falcon-1
Rock Pigeon-56
Great Horned Owl-6
Snowy Owl-1
Blue Jay-4
Black-billed Magpie-17
Common Raven-4
Song Sparrow-1
Snow Bunting-150
Common Redpoll-790
House Sparrow-202
Ring-necked Pheasant tracks by observation blind.
Gord Fraser, on W side of Little Bow, just N of 594 Av, had 40 Gray Partridges this a.m.
Coyote-4
Skunk track by observation blind
Meadow Vole-1
Mule Deer-6
Moose-1 f.
Participants:
Km by Car- 58
Km on foot -5
Total km - 63
Time by car – 2 hrs
Time on foot-5 hrs
Total party hours-7 hrs"
Tags: Alberta Canada SE of Calgary High River Christmas Bird Count 2017 SE quadrant of Count circle Frank Lake people birders birding looking for birds grass dusting of snow hoarfrost frost water lake ice partly frozen sky outdoor fall autumn 19 December 2017 FZ200 FZ200#4 P1270763 Panasonic Lumix annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2017 © All Rights Reserved 30 million Flickr views 30,000,000 Flickr views 30 million Thank You's
© All Rights Reserved
HAPPY WINTER, everyone! Today, we are one day closer to spring.
Two days ago, on 19 December 2017, it was the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for High River, a town to the south of Calgary. I am adding the report by Gus Yaki, the leader of our small group of 7, travelling in two cars. What Gus did not add, because he did not stay for the delicious Potluck supper after the Count, is that the forecast snow (Snowfall Warning in effect) arrived in full force in the evening and the drive back to Calgary was most unpleasant. Looks like there could be about 10" of the white stuff on top of my fence today. Thanks so much, Lorrie and John, for being so kind and picking me up in the early morning and driving me all day long, and then dropping me off for the Potluck and returning later to collect me ready for the three of us to return to Calgary. Appreciated more than I can say! Thanks, also, to Greg Wagner for organizing the Count - as usual, great job! Last, but not least, many thanks to those who organized and prepared such a wonderful feast for us all to thoroughly enjoy at the end of the day! I left home around 7:00 am and arrived home about 8:15 pm, finally getting to bed at 2:00 am and eventually waking up at noon yesterday, which is why I posted so late yesterday! Was I tired after a full day out, especially after only two hours sleep the previous night!
I should also add my thanks to the various property owners who very kindly gave us permission to wander round their farmyards in search of any birds. Being allowed to do this adds so much more interest to our Count day, and we really appreciate it.
One exciting sighting was a beautiful female Moose, maybe two years old! This was the very first sighting ever of a Moose in our SE quadrant of the High River Count circle. From a distance, she was barely noticeable through the falling snow.
Common Redpolls were enjoyed at some feeders. They gave me the first opportunity to take photos this season. Much as I prefer photos without feeders, I am very glad for this chance. They are such dainty little birds, and fast-moving. It always looks like a feeding frenzy when they are at the feeders.
"High River CBC, SE Quadrant, including Frank Lake. 0800-1545, Tue, 19 Dec2017. Light overcast, light snow beginning at 1100. N Wind 10kph, -07 to -06°C. Ground bare initially, 3 cm at end. Little Bow River, mostly open.
Mallard-500
Northern Shoveler-1 f.
Northern Pintail-2
Common Goldeneye-3
Gray Partridge-8
Bald Eagle-1 ad, on Frank Lake
Prairie Falcon-1
Rock Pigeon-56
Great Horned Owl-6
Snowy Owl-1
Blue Jay-4
Black-billed Magpie-17
Common Raven-4
Song Sparrow-1
Snow Bunting-150
Common Redpoll-790
House Sparrow-202
Ring-necked Pheasant tracks by observation blind.
Gord Fraser, on W side of Little Bow, just N of 594 Av, had 40 Gray Partridges this a.m.
Coyote-4
Skunk track by observation blind
Meadow Vole-1
Mule Deer-6
Moose-1 f.
Km by Car- 58
Km on foot -5
Total km - 63
Time by car – 2 hrs
Time on foot-5 hrs
Total party hours-7 hrs"
Tags: Alberta Canada SE of Calgary High River Christmas Bird Count 2017 SE quadrant of Count circle farm farmyard barn old wooden weathered people birders looking for owls with permission fence grass patches of snow outdoor fall autumn 19 December 2017 FZ200 FZ200#4 P1270810 Panasonic Lumix annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2017 © All Rights Reserved 30 million Flickr views 30,000,000 Flickr views 30 million Thank You's
© All Rights Reserved