Gopher Time!

Calgary's inner city gophers hangin' with their human neighbours.

Fish Creek Bird Spotting

Another great day out today with 10 new birds added to our list!  A small storm water pond just beyond the Fish Creek visitor centre had no less than 15 male Wood Ducks, quite a few Mallards as well as Bufflehead Ducks, American Wigeon Common Merganser and Goldeneye.

Clay-colored Sparrows were everywhere in the grassland and easy to spot if you stopped long enough to watch for them, otherwise you'd pass right by only hearing them.  Bank Swallows were seen overhead along Fish Creek.

Further down near the boat launch we had several amazing new spots, the Baltimore Oriole, Western Tanager, Brown Headed Cowbird, Western Wood-Pewee and a Belted Kingfisher.  There were also a number of Red-winged Blackbirds, more Bank Swallows and Bonaparte's Gulls.

Great Horned Owl in Okotoks

Great Horned Owl

An accidental bird watching day as we went for a stroll along the river in Okotoks today when there in a tree right along the pathway was a newly fledged Great Horned Owl chick with mum or dad hanging out in a tree just behind.

As they were totally not bothered by us we were able to get right under them for a few snaps and enjoyed watching them for a little while.  Our presence was barely acknowledged by the adult but the owlet kept a wary eye on us.

Stopping by a nearby pond in the early afternoon we also had a quick spotting of the Northern Shoveller and Killdeer as well as three new birds for us; the Spotted Sandpiper, American Wigeon and Blue Winged Teal.

The pond was also being frequented by a flock of Red-Winged Blackbirds and a pair of Canada Geese with chicks.