Birdwatching in Saskatchewan

[Saskbirds] Re: Coronach?

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:42:15 -0600

Kevin,

One thing to keep in mind if going to Coronach is that the reservoir and channels are on SaskPower property, and any visitors to these areas must adhere to company protocol. This includes asking permission (and checking in, etc.) at the main office since no unauthorized personnel/vehicles are allowed in

Re: [Saskbirds] Coronach?

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:59:36 -0600

Kevin
We generally get fewer reports for Coronach on an annual basis no doubt in part because of the distances involved. I have only been there > than ten times.

The fog issue from reports and experience is a major one especially when the temperatures are cold.

The better areas, I think

Re: [Saskbirds] Re: Birding Weather

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:28:58 -0600

Val and Franni

I appreciate the kind and generous words.

For me, learning is always a collective and ongoing process. We all contribute to this by sharing our observations and being supportive.

Enjoy your birding
Bob L
Regina

----- Original Message -----
From: Val T
To: (email address filtered)

[Saskbirds] Re: 2012 Saskatchewan Year List

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:24:28 -0600

Ryan, We've had HORNED LARKS all winter. I had some close looks in the last cold spell. They seem to come nearer the roads when its cold for some reason.

Joel

--- In (email address filtered), Ryan Dudragne <pl8guy@...> wrote:
>
> Good Evening All,
>
> We are now one month into 2012,

[Saskbirds] Re: 2012 Saskatchewan Year List

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:39:13 -0600

Hi Ryan. We had Lapland Longspurs last week (in January) - a small flock on on the south side of the highway by Yellow Grass. Sorry about the omission. We also saw a small flock of Snow Buntings yesterday fly up east of Lang. Our count of Snowy Owls between

[Saskbirds] Re: Birding Weather

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:28:56 -0600

Hi Bob. Your comments are much appreciated. We are very fortunate to have your expertise and no matter how much we think we do know we should all take time to take note of such comments as we can and are able to learn, hopefully with a bit of humbleness.

[Saskbirds] Re: Birding Weather

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:07:09 -0600

Bob for newby birders, your comment below is muchly appreciated. While busy trying to learn by sight (with a bad memory!) and learn calls, it's always a bonus to learn which birds arrive in each season, and when they leave. Thanks for your below.

Franni in Regina

--- In (email address

[Saskbirds] Where to bird in Coronach?

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:29:25 -0600

If the weather and roads are decent this weekend then I was thinking I might make a drive that I've done before to Assiniboia and back via Weyburn. (Or if I leave early enough via Estevan.) I was thinking I might detour to Coronach. Are there any particular

[Saskbirds] Golden-crowned Kinglets

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:51:28 -0600

Good evening all,

Today I had 2 female Golden-crowned Kinglets show up in my backyard. These were in a 'foraging flock' comprised of 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches and about 6 Black-capped Chickadees.

A pair of House Finch also showed up this afternoon, as well as the local Raven (once again, eating the unshelled

[Saskbirds] VARC Spring Workshops

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:31:51 -0600

The Vancouver Avian Research Centre has just posted spring dates for
Bird Monitoring and Banding and Bird Identification Workshops.

Bird Identification Workshop:

? April 28 ? 29

Bird Monitoring and Banding Workshop:

? May 11 ? 13
? June 8 - 10

The Bird Identification Workshop is designed for beginner and
intermediate birders who may wish to participate

[Saskbirds] Birds in Rochdale Pk

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:35:35 -0600

Hi everyone.
Had a bit of a very small group go through- saw 2 Dark-eyed Juncos (heard more), a female Downy Woodpecker, House Sparrows, and when everyone was relaxed and sunning themselves- a Merlin swooped by : ) Kim in Regina

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[Saskbirds] Coronach?

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:19:04 -0600

I don't think we've heard any reports from Coronach lately especially with their open water. Has anyone been birding there recently?

Kevin

[Saskbirds] Re: Birding Weather

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:17:53 -0600

I agree. I was really commenting more on birders getting out and birding. When the temperatures were -20 or more there was a definate drop in sightings. Although it would still be interesting to see if the winter stragglers south of us in ND or MO tended

[Saskbirds] 2012 Saskatchewan Year List

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:04:45 -0600

Good Evening All,

We are now one month into 2012, and already spring seems to have arrived
(for now, at least).

Already we are sitting at 80 species for the year, which is quite good
for the month of January. A couple of expected species not yet reported
for the year include

[Saskbirds] Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:24:13 -0600

This morning about 9:30 I relocated the small flock of Cedar Waxwings I saw yesterday afternoon in the same berry bushes south of Spruce Island Overlook. About 10 a.m. they lifted into the tallest tree before flying off and I was able to count 29 for sure. Most

[Saskbirds] 2 out of 3 - Thanks!

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:37:37 -0600

Well, I had two out of three right - Red-breasted Nuthatch and Harris's Sparrow. What I had thought was a Northern Goshawk was actually a Sharp-shinned Hawk. Thanks again Nick!

Dianne Young
Martensville

Re: [Saskbirds] Birding Weather

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:00:02 -0600

HI,

As I was leaving the U of S in Saskatoon over lunch hour, a beautiful Prairie Falcon landed on a lamp post, just east of the University on 108th street. I was not really out "birding", but I could not help notice it. It also made me wonder if it

[Saskbirds] Red Crossbills in Saskatoon

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:17:39 -0600

Good afternoon all,

I just spent the past hour and a half trawling some back alleys in my neighborhood and observed a flock of 10 Red Crossbills.
They were high in the spruce trees on Glasgow St. then flew off towards the Broadway area.
They definitely seem to be the crossbill of choice

Re: [Saskbirds] Birding Weather

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:46:35 -0600

Kevin
I think the birds that are being seen now are winter stragglers. The American Crows, American Robins and Northern Flickers that I saw yesterday most certainly were in that category. The Red-tailed Hawk has been here all winter.

The first birds moving into the area are usually the flocks of Horned

[Saskbirds] Re: Northern Goshawk and Harris's Sparrow?

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:59:37 -0600

Hi Dianne, I left you a comment on your blog :-)

Cheers,

Nick

[Saskbirds] Birding Weather

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:52:45 -0600

You have to wonder if the increase in some sightings (more flickers, crows, merlins, some of the robins) means early spring returners OR more likely an increase in the number of birders out enjoying the warm weather. Which is forecast to continue for almost two weeks. The projected

Re: [Saskbirds] Northern Goshawk and Harris's Sparrow?

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:42:31 -0600

Hi Dianne. Hi everyone.
   The sparrow is definitely a Harris's.
   Really neat shot of the hawk.
       Kim in Regina

________________________________
From: youngdi59 <(email address filtered)>
To: (email address filtered)
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 10:51:05 PM
Subject: [Saskbirds] Northern Goshawk and Harris's Sparrow?

Isn't this weather fantastic?

Re: [Saskbirds] Re: American Crows at McIntosh Street and 7th Ave., Regina

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:38:01 -0600

Laurie
I saw 3 YS Northern Flickers all together later as I walked east in the Quinn Drive Alley and then a Merlin.

Enjoy your birding
Bob

----- Original Message -----
From: auntielyk
To: (email address filtered)
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 10:21 PM
Subject:

[Saskbirds] Northern Goshawk and Harris's Sparrow?

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:51:05 -0600

Isn't this weather fantastic? I've been going out at lunch time with my camera to see what I can see. In the last two days I've seen a Northern Flicker, a House Finch, a Red-breasted Nuthatch and what I think is a Northern Goshawk. This is in Saskatoon in the

[Saskbirds] Re: American Crows at McIntosh Street and 7th Ave., Regina

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:21:11 -0600

Plus a Downy Woodpecker, Pine Siskins, a male Yellow-shafted Flicker and 4 Robins :)
Laurie in Lakeridge
Regina

--- In (email address filtered), tsb2001@... wrote:
>
> This morning on my way over to A.E.Wilson Park, I saw 4 Crows together in a tree at the above location. They appeared to be courting-cawing and posturing.
>

[Saskbirds] Snowy Owl

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:20:34 -0600

I have mead a point to take the "detour" home after work. This detour takes me along the grid road to the east of the SIAST campus to rainbow bridge before I re-enter the residential area.
over the past few days I typically see 3 birds; however, they are not always

[Saskbirds] Re: American Crows at McIntosh Street and 7th Ave., Regina

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:20:37 -0600

I observed the Red-tailed Hawk in the fading minutes of the afternoon, at 17:47. It was perched conspicuously on a snag along the western side of Spruce Island. This was my first sighting of the winter also; although it has been known to be there early in the morning, my

[Saskbirds] Hillsdale, Regina

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:29:32 -0600

Good Afternoon all,

It's a beautiful day in the neighbourhood, and one more in a string of
beautiful days ahead. Bird highlights on my walk back from classes just
now included a Northern Flicker with 2 Blue Jays on Patterson Drive, and
a Brown Creeper, with which I was mutually paired

[Saskbirds] American Crows at McIntosh Street and 7th Ave., Regina

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:23:32 -0600

This morning on my way over to A.E.Wilson Park, I saw 4 Crows together in a tree at the above location. They appeared to be courting-cawing and posturing.

I finally saw the over-wintering Red-tailed Hawk on Spruce Island, Wascana Lake, earlier this morning.. This bird apparently roosts at that location as

[Saskbirds] Common Grackle on McCarthy

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:28:01 -0600

Hi everyone.
Today I went in search of Laurie's Crabapple Climbing Coyote : ) in AE Wilson. Found lots of scat embedded with crabapples but no Coyote.
I did run into Brett Q and together we saw 4 RB Nuthatches, 2 Bl-capped Chickadees, some groups of House Finches, Magpies, and House Sparrows. Just after we had each

[Saskbirds] Golden Eagle seen today near Craven

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:26:00 -0600

Today near noon, I scoped a distant Golden Eagle perched on a large power structure located at the top of the Qu'Appelle Valley North Wall. This large hydro line intersects # 99 just east of Craven.

During the Craven/Lumsden CBC, Curtis Pollack observed a Golden Eagle somewhat nearby at the

[Saskbirds] Coyote in a Tree

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:12:57 -0600

Such a beautiful day for my last day of January birding! A few firsts for me--saw a Snowy Owl sitting at the top of a Spruce tree on Armour Rd--haven't personally seen one in a tree before.

AE Wilson was full of magpies today and the chickadees were

[Saskbirds] TC Douglas in Regina

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:50:28 -0600

Hi everyone.
At approx. 5:15pm, there was a Merlin (saw 1, possibly heard 2) calling from the top of a Spruce south of the TC Douglas Building in Regina.
Kim in Regina

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[Saskbirds] Snowy owl YouTube

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:53:34 -0600

Hi,

Since this seems to be the season of the snowy owl, I thought I would pass on a link to a YouTube creation by the Cornell Ornithology Lab. It is very nice.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ufkcx-UqljM&feature=youtu.be&utm_source=Cornell+Lab+eNews&utm_campaign=13c060f63f-Cornell_Lab_eNews_January_20121_24_2012&utm_medium=email

Joe
SW of Saskatoon

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[Saskbirds] Re: Winter Bird List 2011/2012

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:14:01 -0600

Kevin,

The asterisk indicates an unusual or relatively uncommon winter species. So for example, while Red-necked Grebe is a fairly common bird in Saskatchewan, one definitely would not expect to find it in a normal winter.

I use it more for my own reference in my list document than anything, but

[Saskbirds] Re: 2011 Saskatchewan Year List (Final)

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:08:29 -0600

Thank you Stan, I am glad you had success in finding these species this
year-- I was not so lucky later in the summer. I will include these
records in the final tally.

Ross Dickson also reports a flock of 4 Smith's Longspur at Last Mountain
Lake NWA on Sept 10

[Saskbirds] Nature Regina Field Trip

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:03:32 -0600

Hi everyone.
Today, Nature Regina had a field trip to the southern outskirts of Regina. We hit Cinema 6 Rd., a bunch of grids east of Hwy 6, Rowatt Rd, and grids west of Hwy 6. We finished off by coming back to Regina by way of SIAST.
Thanks to Keith Barr

[Saskbirds] American Robin in Saskatoon

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:59:40 -0600

Hi,
Today I saw my first American Robin of the winter. I was walking to the grocery store and the Robin was in someone's back yard near Cumberland and Main st.
Also on the way home, I saw a flock of Red Crossbills, probably the same flock that has

[Saskbirds] VARC - 2011 Year end Report

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:04:39 -0600

Hi Birders and Banders,

All the rain and snow this month has meant little or no banding at
Colony Farm but it has given us the opportunity to work on the VARC year
end report for 2011 which we've just finished and put up for anyone
interested.

http://birdvancouver.com/pdf/varc_2011yearendreport.pdf
<http://birdvancouver.com/pdf/varc_2011yearendreport.pdf>

It's a fairly large file so please give

[Saskbirds] Re: Winter Bird List 2011/2012

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:39:41 -0600

Just curious why some birds in the list have an asterix beside them?

Kevin

--- In (email address filtered), Ryan Dudragne <pl8guy@...> wrote:
>
> Good Evening All,
>
> It's me again! Now that the busy Christmas Bird Count season is over and
> February is nearly upon us, I figured now is probably

Re: [Saskbirds] 2011 Saskatchewan Year List (Final)

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 09:22:02 -0600

Hi Ryan,

I am not sure if I reported them to Saskbirds previously, but my Avisys
records confirm that I saw both Dusky Flycatcher and MacGillivray's
Warlber in the centre block of Cypress Hllls on June 14, 2011.

Stan Shadick

On 1/29/2012 12:17 AM, Ryan Dudragne wrote:
> Fellow Birders,
>
> With 2012 now well

[Saskbirds] Winter Bird List 2011/2012

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:36:12 -0600

Good Evening All,

It's me again! Now that the busy Christmas Bird Count season is over and
February is nearly upon us, I figured now is probably a good time for
another update of the Winter Bird List. Since the previous update on
Dec. 13 we have added 12 more species

[Saskbirds] 2011 Saskatchewan Year List (Final)

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:17:03 -0600

Fellow Birders,

With 2012 now well underway, here is a glimpse of birding in
Saskatchewan from yesteryear. With the addition of a few belated
records at the end of the year we managed to reach a respectable total
of 302 species. Not bad, considering we had a couple of misses

[Saskbirds] Re: Last 2 Pics

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:34:33 -0600

LOL! I had nuthatches on the brain Sorry 'bout that, for sure. Fixed.

--- In (email address filtered), "clh459" <clh459@...> wrote:
>
> Named Nuthatches, Were they not Black capped chickadees?
>

[Saskbirds] Last 2 Pics

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:53:20 -0600

Named Nuthatches, Were they not Black capped chickadees?

[Saskbirds] Re: wakamow...

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:15:57 -0600

Thanks, Nick! Will do. Intend to go camping at Coldwell Regional Park this summer, haven't been there since 1971 (to camp) - but drove by last summer and now want to hunker down with a tent for a few days there. Looking forward to all kinds of birds

[Saskbirds] Re: wakamow...

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:52:52 -0600

Franni,

If you ever make it up this way again, Pike Lake Provincial Park (about 30-40 mins from Saskatoon as the crow flies ), also has very tame Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches and on occasion a tame Downy Woodpecker or two.
I have photos of all three on my wife's hand

[Saskbirds] wakamow...

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:33:50 -0600

>From Regina: Headed out to Wakamow Valley armed with pine nuts this morning. Had intended to stop at Wallyworld for peanuts, but found in the area where they sell bulk nuts that they had pine nuts/bag/$6 so went for it.

Saw 5 ravens and 2 magpies on the way, along

[Saskbirds] Prairie Falcon on Pinkie Rd

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:21:11 -0600

Saw my first Prairie Falcon on Pinkie Rd north of Dewdney about noon today.

At AE Wilson Park this morning I saw BC Chickadees, RB Nuthatches, House Finches, Downy Woodpecker, house sparrows, raven, magpie and ONE ROBIN!

Laurie in Lakeridge
Regina

[Saskbirds] Re: Snowy Owls

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:29:32 -0600

I picked up two today on the way home.
I often take the back way into the south east of Regin and take the grid south and east of SIAST.
Today I saw a very heavily barred bird, that appeared brown in colour, I thought at first it was a hawk,