Northern Alberta Birding Hotline

Maybe the Snow Goose Chase did not find spectacular numbers of Snow Geese last weekend but the Wildbird General Store Hawk Survey found the Sandhill Cranes.  At around noon the group sighted a flock of approx. 350 ahead of us as we travelled towards Amisk Cr.   After stopping at the bridge we were treated to a steady stream of them coming from the south.  The winds were pushing the flocks more to the east however it was still very impressive to watch the numbers go by!   Bluebirds numbers appear to be recovering in the Beaverhill area once again.  Due to recent heavy rains in the Tofield-Holden area the water levels in both Amisk Cr. & at the Quarry have risen about 50% over the last 2 weeks.  This is now making them once again attractive for shorebirds & waterfowl.  A Willet was seen at the bridge and Semipalmated Plover at the Quarry.  The big suprise is the Great Blue Heron nesting at the east end of Kallal Meadows.  I did not expect them there with the drought conditions.
Other news is the Purple Martins have arrived with 2 reported April 29 from Lindbrook by Bob Gehlert & 3 at the Beaverhill L. Nature Centre on May 2.   We have received several reports of Marbled Godwit & Gerald Romanchuk reported a Hudsonian Godwit from South Cooking L. on May 2.  A Turkey Vulture was seen near Bellis on April 30 reported by Ted Hindmarch, Hermit Thrush, Broad-winged Hawk & Marsh Wren were highlights from Elk Island on May 2 reported by Brian Stephens.  Heather Ronnes was at Cross L. on May 01 for an Owl Survey & reported hearing a Northern Goshawk calling from west of the shower bldg.  Also seen or heard were Eastern Phoebe, Ruby & Golden Crown Kinglet, Yellow-rump Warblers as well as Greater Scaup + 3 Common Loons on the lake.  Ken Hansen found Clay-coloured Sparrow & Pied-billed Grebe at Hawrelak Park as well as a flock of 28 Double-crested Cormorants flying up the river on April 30.

Well thats the news for now & Good Birding after the snow!