This morning, 25 January 2022, I joined a few friends to do a birding walk at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. There was no snow to clear off my car, which makes things so much easier. This Sanctuary is very popular, though I rarely get over there.
I knew that Great Horned Owls were being reported, so I was keeping my fingers crossed that we might just be lucky enough to find one. This one was finally spotted and, though a fair distance away, it felt so good to see it. The area where the owls are sometimes being seen is off-limits, though not everyone stays out. Good to see that the birders I was with respected the restrictions. Fortunately, today, this male was in a tree that was closer.
The paths within the Sanctuary were pure ice and most unpleasant to walk on, even with ice-grips. We covered the whole area, but did not see many different bird species. However, this Owl and a European Starling made my day. Best of all, of course, was actually seeing friends that I had known for years. Always feels good, How lucky we all are that there are people who willingly give up many hours of their time to lead the various walks on which I go. Thank you all!
"The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and Nature Centre have been providing migratory birds with a place to rest their wings since 1929. That's more than 80 years of conservation!
To date, 270 species of birds, 21 species of mammals and 347 species of plants have been recorded at the Sanctuary and Nature Centre by members of the public, volunteers and staff.
In 1883, Colonel James Walker settled the land that is now occupied by the sanctuary. In 1910, the current brick house - then named Inglewood - was built, and the surrounding area was named for the most prominent property in the area.
From 1929 to 1952, several Chinese families leased land from Colonel Walker and established market gardens to serve the needs of a growing city. These highly productive gardens were used to grow vegetables and bedding plants, and represent an early example of urban agriculture and horticulture in the city. As part of the engagement process for Bend in Bow, it was discovered the descendants of one of the families, the Koo family, still reside in Calgary.
Colonel Walker's son, Selby, applied to the Federal government in 1929 to have 59 acres on the west side of the Bow River be designated as a Federal Migratory Bird Sanctuary. His request was granted and the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary was born.
When Selby died in 1953, Ed Jefferies acquired the property and leased it to the Alberta Fish & Game Association. In 1970, The City of Calgary purchased the property and has been managing it as a natural reserve ever since.
The sanctuary's Nature Centre was built in 1996 and grassland restoration projects began in that same year.
The Colonel Walker House is currently used by Parks staff and volunteers as a classroom and office."
www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks/Pages/Locations/SE-parks/Inglew...
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This morning, 25 January 2022, I joined a few friends to do a birding walk at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. There was no snow to clear off my car, which makes things so much easier. This Sanctuary is very popular, though I rarely get over there.
I knew that Great Horned Owls were being reported, so I was keeping my fingers crossed that we might just be lucky enough to find one. This one was finally spotted and, though a fair distance away, it felt so good to see it. The area where the owls are sometimes being seen is off-limits, though not everyone stays out. Good to see that the birders I was with respected the restrictions. Fortunately, today, this male was in a tree that was closer.
The paths within the Sanctuary were pure ice and most unpleasant to walk on, even with ice-grips. We covered the whole area, but did not see many different bird species. However, this Owl and a European Starling made my day. Best of all, of course, was actually seeing friends that I had known for years. Always feels good, How lucky we all are that there are people who willingly give up many hours of their time to lead the various walks on which I go. Thank you all!
© All Rights Reserved
This morning, 25 January 2022, I joined a few friends to do a birding walk at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. There was no snow to clear off my car, which makes things so much easier. This Sanctuary is very popular, though I rarely get over there.
I knew that Great Horned Owls were being reported, so I was keeping my fingers crossed that we might just be lucky enough to find one. This one was finally spotted and, though a fair distance away, it felt so good to see it. The area where the owls are sometimes being seen is off-limits, though not everyone stays out. Good to see that the birders I was with respected the restrictions. Fortunately, today, this male was in a tree that was closer.
The paths within the Sanctuary were pure ice and most unpleasant to walk on, even with ice-grips. We covered the whole area, but did not see many different bird species. However, this Owl and a European Starling made my day. Best of all, of course, was actually seeing friends that I had known for years. Always feels good, How lucky we all are that there are people who willingly give up many hours of their time to lead the various walks on which I go. Thank you all!
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"First brought to North America by Shakespeare enthusiasts in the nineteenth century, European Starlings are now among the continent’s most numerous songbirds. They are stocky black birds with short tails, triangular wings, and long, pointed bills. Though they’re sometimes resented for their abundance and aggressiveness, they’re still dazzling birds when you get a good look. Covered in white spots during winter, they turn dark and glossy in summer. For much of the year, they wheel through the sky and mob lawns in big, noisy flocks.
Starlings are great vocal mimics: individuals can learn the calls of up to 20 different species. Birds whose songs starlings often copy include the Eastern Wood-Pewee, Killdeer, meadowlarks, Northern Bobwhite, Wood Thrush, Red-tailed Hawk, American Robin, Northern Flicker, and many others." From AllAboutBirds.
This morning, 25 January 2022, I joined a few friends to do a birding walk at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. There was no snow to clear off my car, which makes things so much easier. This Sanctuary is very popular, though I rarely get over there.
I knew that Great Horned Owls were being reported, so I was keeping my fingers crossed that we might just be lucky enough to find one. This one was finally spotted and, though a fair distance away, it felt so good to see it. The area where the owls are sometimes being seen is off-limits, though not everyone stays out. Good to see that the birders I was with respected the restrictions. Fortunately, today, this male was in a tree that was closer.
The paths within the Sanctuary were pure ice and most unpleasant to walk on, even with ice-grips. We covered the whole area, but did not see many different bird species. However, this Owl and a European Starling made my day. Best of all, of course, was actually seeing friends that I had known for years. Always feels good, How lucky we all are that there are people who willingly give up many hours of their time to lead the various walks on which I go. Thank you all!
© All Rights Reserved
This morning, 25 January 2022, I joined a few friends to do a birding walk at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. There was no snow to clear off my car, which makes things so much easier. This Sanctuary is very popular, though I rarely get over there.
I knew that Great Horned Owls were being reported, so I was keeping my fingers crossed that we might just be lucky enough to find one. This one was finally spotted and, though a fair distance away, it felt so good to see it. The area where the owls are sometimes being seen is off-limits, though not everyone stays out. Good to see that the birders I was with respected the restrictions. Fortunately, today, this male was in a tree that was closer.
The paths within the Sanctuary were pure ice and most unpleasant to walk on, even with ice-grips. We covered the whole area, but did not see many different bird species. However, this Owl and a European Starling made my day. Best of all, of course, was actually seeing friends that I had known for years. Always feels good, How lucky we all are that there are people who willingly give up many hours of their time to lead the various walks on which I go. Thank you all!
Tags: Calgary Alberta Canada Inglewood Bird Sanctuary nature wildlife avian ornithology bird bird of prey owl Great Horned Owl adult front view close-up head shot perched tree branch outdoor winter 25 January 2022 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott Bubo virginianus
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