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Alberta
Owls
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Trip Information Tour Dates: March 16 - 20, 2005 Leaders: Richard Knapton & Cam Gillies Price: $895
USD, $1050 CDN, Singles add $150 USD, $200 CDN From: Edmonton, Alberta Trip Summary: Featured Birds and
Mammals: |
Central Alberta is usually full of Bohemian Waxwings during winter; indeed, some of the Christmas Bird Count tallies number in the several thousands, and we should encounter many flocks in our travels. Boreal Chickadees and Gray Jays are also widespread, and other boreal species could be present, including Spruce Grouse and American Three-toed and Black-backed Woodpeckers, and winter finches including Common and Hoary Redpolls, White-winged Crossbills and Pine Grosbeaks. There is always the possibility of encountering some interesting mammals such as Moose, Red Fox or Coyote. Edmonton usually has several raptors overwintering, and these could include such choice species as Gyrfalcon, Prairie Falcon and Merlin. Again the network of local naturalists will have a good idea of which species are to be found and where, and we will visit those sites as time permits. See detailed itinerary below. |
Itinerary Day
1 - Arrival in Edmonton On one day, we head north of the city to an area of mixed, fragmented woodland where the aspen parkland and the boreal forest merge. The woodlands range from pure stands of aspen to mixed coniferous-deciduous woods, jack pine stands on sandy outcrops, and black spruce bogs. It is in this area that several pairs of Great Gray Owls nest and have been monitored for several years. One pair that raised two young were watched at amazingly close quarters by birders on our July 2004 High Arctic tour and we will likely visit this area to relocate the birds. Once located, we should have ample opportunity to study the bird at leisure as the species can be exceptionally indifferent to the presence of humans. This same area has also a fairly high breeding density of Northern Saw-whet Owls, and we will seek out this diminutive owl at known sites. Whilst searching for owls here, we could encounter Gray Jays, Boreal Chickadees and winter finches, along with Ruffed Grouse and, if we are lucky, Spruce Grouse, and possibly a Northern Goshawk, a species which is also known to nest in this area. On another day, we will look for Snowy Owls. Our search could take us east of Edmonton to Beaverhill Lake, a huge shallow lake that hosts a wide diversity of prairie wetland species in summer. Snowy Owls have traditionally wintered in the low open farmland and marshland around Beaverhill Lake, and a drive along the side roads should produce at least one bird, usually perched on a fence post. This area also hosts Gray Partridge, and coveys are often fairly easy to find as they dig and scratch through the snow cover to find food. Flocks of redpolls could be foraging on patches of vegetation free of snow, and we will search the flocks of Common Redpolls for a Hoary Redpoll. Our final day will
depend upon what we have already found and what local birders have
reported.
Northern Hawk-owl is one of our target
birds,
and we will visit areas where the bird has been recently reported.
Hawk-owls often occur in tamarack bogs, several of which are in
easy driving distance
of Edmonton. Such areas also have both American Three-toed and
Black-backed Woodpeckers, and adjacent stands of spruce and pine may
have White-winged
or Red Crossbills and Red-breasted Nuthatches. Barred Owls occur
at low densities across central Alberta, but they are most easily
found
in city
parks, and we will take time to visit a couple of known locations
to look for a roosting bird. Also, grain terminals in the city
attract Rock Pigeons and Starlings, which in turn attract raptors such
as
Prairie
Falcon, Merlin and even Gyrfalcon; local birders will be keeping
watch on what species are being seen regularly at the terminals,
which we
will
visit should there be an interesting raptor to see. What to ExpectWe stay in just one location, Edmonton, for our four nights, which is very convenient. We take day trips into the boreal forest and maybe prairies within easy driving distance of Edmonton. We do not start particularly early, as sunrise at this latitude in March is quite late. Most days will begin with breakfast at about 7:00 a.m., and then we leave for the day with a packed lunch, returning about mid-afternoon to our accommodation, although this will vary according to the day’s activities. Driving will be in moderate amounts, and we walk some side roads.The weather in March will be cold; we could have bright blue skies and sunshine, and we could have cold windy days with snow. Please dress warmly; bring layers, which can be added or removed as circumstances dictate. Bring warm headgear, scarves and gloves. Have footwear that is both warm and waterproof. We will not be on extended walks unless the weather is sunny and calm; most trails and side roads are easy to moderate, and we will leisurely stroll along some very promising stretches of road. Bring lots of film - dependent on lighting conditions, photographic opportunities could be excellent. Do not bring mosquito repellent - there won’t be any mosquitos! Each evening, the list of birds and other wildlife will be reviewed, and plans for the next day will be discussed. |
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Central
Alberta lies in the transition zone between prairie, aspen parkland and
boreal forest, and is therefore in a prime location for the occurrence
of several species of owls. Great Gray, Barred, Northern Saw-whet and
Great Horned Owls nest in the area and can usually be located in the
early spring. Great Gray Owls nest in the mixed woodlands north of the
city of Edmonton, and are quite reliably locatable, often along roadsides
where they perch and hunt for small mammals tunnelling beneath the snow
along the road edge. Barred Owls nest within the city limits of Edmonton,
as do Great Horned Owls. Northern Saw-whets are mainly migratory, but
some should be back on territory in late March; our chances of finding
one will depend on the weather. A calm still night might induce one to
start calling. Snowy Owls have become less frequent in recent years,
but there are usually a few to be found around Edmonton in mid-winter.
A few Northern Hawk-owls are usually present somewhere north of the city,
and the excellent local network of owl watchers should know of where
individuals are being seen on a regular basis. Boreal Owls are unpredictable,
but should one be found we will go and seek it out.