The forecast held no promise of wind or much in the way of sunshine for that matter but (3) birders including myself went to try our luck. Upon arrival at Misty Ridge we found a flock of Canada Geese and several Tundra Swans including a family group with 2 young feeding in a harvested cornfield. There was still snow cover on the north facing slope of the ski hill, & so we put on boot chains & other grips to allow us to navigate the steep slope. Going down was not the issue so much as getting back up! Our 4 km walk along the Athabasca R. did not offer much except a brief look at a Pileated Woodpecker which was calling nearby. No winds meant no raptors but this changed after our 4:15 departure for Jarvie 50km to the east. We found several Rough-legged Hawks, Kestrel (1) and the highlight of the day an adult female Prairie Falcon. The bird was sitting on a power pole along Sec.#661 at Rge. Rd. 23, 6 km south of Goodridge L. It sat and allowed good views of front & then back. John Zapantis was able to get several photos before the bird flew. In all the trips through this country over the last 28 years this was a first sighting of this falcon. Oh, did I mention highlights? Well the folks in Jarvie put on a feast fiit for a king! We had more food items to choose from than bird species on our list. With a Prairie Falcon sighting in our books and ourselves stuffed to the top just like the turkey we felt it was a great outing. And of course you all know I got my money's worth at the supper!
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