A flock of up to 15 Gray-crowned Rosy Finches were photographed at the Astotin Lake parking area Oct.27, by Arlene Miller. I have seen the photos & confirmed the ID as correct. These birds breed in the alpine regions of the Rockies & move down to lower elevations in high numbers some years. A couple years back the mountain towns of Jasper, Banff & Canmore were overun with them a bird feeders. Ekshaw also often has good numbers. They can wander widely in winter being recorded from Brooks & Medicine Hat. I personally saw 2 at my parents bird feeder in the Westlock area many years ago. Another interesting sighting was a photo confirming an imm. Sabine's Gull at Hawrelak Park on Oct. 22. The bird in the photo was flying & showed the very distinctive pattern to the upper wing surface. At least one Northern Shrike has been reported in the region along with the 1st Pine Grosbeaks & Common Redpolls. On Oct.23, Don Delaney counted 30+ Rough-legged Hawks in the Beaverhill L. area as he drove to Mundare Beach (unsure were the starting point was) along with several Northern Harriers. It may become a good year for Short-eared Owls at Beaverhill as Don found 7 during his walks at Mundare Beach along with a flock of a 1000+ Snow Buntings. Gerald Romanchuk located an imm. Thayer's Gull at the 170 St. landfill today Oct. 28. He did not have a scope with him but sighted several other gulls which he thought warrented further study. Ben Thomas reported they had a pair of Barred Owl at their home near Caslan all summer & over the last couple weeks the birds have been calling back & forth making all sorts of noises. Great opportunity to do some owling! A trip on Oct. 27 to Misty Ridge produced 11 Bald Eagles (2 imm. & 9 adults) passing through with the strong west winds that day but no Rough-legged Hawks anywhere either on the drive up or while going across country back to Westlock.
*Just a note of interest. While on a Polar Bear Tour at Churchill, MB, Oct. 23 we sighted 6 Black-bellied Plovers & some members of the Tour saw 2 Greater Yellowlegs. The guide had seen Lesser Yellowlegs just a day or two previous. Willow Ptarmigan were seen in small numbers & the male Snowy Owl flying past our Tundra Buggy at the end of the tour was a great treat. A total of 6 Polar Bears were located.
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