Northern Alberta Birding Hotline

The Edmonton Nature Club field trip Feb.14 for Snowy Owls in the St. Albert area had success.  With no reports anywhere of this species the leaders were in a quandry as to what to do!  They drove Rge. Rd. 260 & 261 out towards Moriville & Legal.  They eventually found a total of 4 Snowy's which is wonderful news.  They also visited an acreage in the area and found a White-throated Sparrow amongst the other usual species.  In other news, 3 Red Crossbills where seen yesterday near Rundle Park Centre 104 Ave & 30/31 St. by Ted Hindmarch who was volunteering for the Half Marathon.  A large falcon was seen last week west of St. Albert by Alan Hingston.  His impression was of a Prairie Falcon.  The Gyrfalcon is still being seen briefly every day around noon at the Gov't Terminal.  Last Sunday, Fred Whiley & Ed Mah- Lim were treated to a double while watching for the falcon.  An adult Bald Eagle came in an snatched a Mallard from just east of the building and flew off.  The Gyr showed up as well.  I was watching the same birds from the north side! 
  A CN Rail employee contacted me to say that he had observed a Snowy Owl in Walker Yard last week around 7:30 AM & they had observed the Bald Eagle chasing the falcon.  My feeling is the eagle was trying to rob the falcon of prey either Pigeon or Mallard as there were lots of ducks feeding on grain just west of the Car Shop complex.
  On a trip last Tues. Feb.9 to Misty Ridge to check suet feeders I was treated to an adult Bald Eagle sitting just west of the nest in the same tree.  Obviously overwintering as it is just a couple weeks early for their return to the site. Often by the end of Feb. although that might be an indication that they overwinter in the area many years!
  Several trips through the area surrounding the Goodridge L. Peat Moss Plant have yielded no Hawk Owl or Great Grey Owls.  A return visit yesterday to Misty Ridge found no sign of eagles only the feeder birds.  The treat was a cow & calf moose which crossed Hwy 18 just past the Pembina R. bridge at Rossington & 13 Mule Deer just sw of Vega. Of course the object of the day was to be on time for the Community Supper at Pembina Heights so anything else was a bonus!