I visited the Calgary area and nearby Kananaskis Country & Banff National Park in the Canadian Rocky Mountains as part of a professional trip in early May 2013. Having visited the area for the first time in July 1996, I was again surprised by the variety and beauty of the natural landscapes in the Albertan Rockies. The early date of my visit (May 12-May 17) however, meant that spring had not yet fully arrived, so I ticked less species than in high summer.
Oakridge, Calgary
Staying in the Oakridge area in SW Calgary, Black-and-White Chickadee, House Sparrow, Mourning Dove, American Magpie, American Crow, American Robin and American Kestrel were among the most commonly seen/heard birds in the suburbs. Noisy Franklin’s Gulls flew over very regularly, en route to their breeding grounds and to their local gathering spot, the Glenmore Reservoir.
Calgary, BMO Stampede Centre area
The Elbow River flows next to the BMO Stampede Centre in downtown Calgary, and I walked along the river at lunchtime. Osprey were nesting on an old water tower, a female Common Merganser sat on the bank, and there were Canadian Geese with geeslings. From the river valley, I had good views of a Swainson’s Hawk flying and landing on a rooftop, and I could spot a Peregrine in the distance flying between the downtown skyscrapers. Black-and-White Chickadees were the only visible songbirds.
Calgary, Glenmore Lake
On May 16, I birded the Glenmore Lake area and the eastern fringe of Park Weaselhead. I only discovered that I was staying so close to this interesting natural area right next to the Calgary suburbs the last day of my stay – I would certainly recommend visiting birders to cycle the area and watch out for wildlife. The water level in the reservoir was particularly low in early May, which provided a wide variety of –temporary- wildlife habitats. The mud and water bodies of the reservoir were litteraly teeming with birds. Franklin’s Gulls made up a huge part of the avifauna, and it was a great spot to get acquainted with the local waterfowl: three pairs of Cinnamon Teals were the greatest view to me – a lifer. American Wigeon, Northern Shovelers, Common Goldeneyes, Blue-winged Teals, Green-winged Teals, Mallards, a pair of Wood Ducks (the only ones I’ve seen during the trip), Buffleheads, Great Blue Herons, Spotted Sandpipers and Ravens could all be seen relatively easily (when you go down from the trail to the ‘lake’’s edge). Beavers were present there but I did not see any. A Bald Eagle flew right over my head and was actively mobbed by about 8 Franklin’s Gulls before dissapearing to the west.
Kananaskis Country
On May 12, 2013, I had the chance to travel with a very knowledgeable local birdguide (Tim Allison, whom I contacted through www.birdingpal.org) and we headed west. Leaving town (by car) we soon entered the prairie habitat (do not expect pristine prairie, but there are quite some ponds and the main roads provide good views of the area and the birds). The prairie ponds & small lakes provided us with Shoveler, American Wigeon, Mallard, American Coot, one lone pair of Hooded Grebes in summer plumage (a rarity in the Low Countries where I come from!), Common Merganser and one Common Loon. The most common waterfowl however, were Bufflehead and Ring-billed Duck, which could be seen on most water bodies west of Calgary. Singing Red-Winged Blackbirds and sitting Swainson’s Hawks can easily be spotted from the road, while we had a little more ‘work’ in order to find Osprey and Red-tailed Hawk (which was less common than Swainson’s in the area). We also spotted a Coyote from the road!
Entering Kananaskis Country and its magnificent mountain scenery is a great moment. The landscape is just stunning (which would also be a strong plus if you travel with non-birding friends/family) and there a great hiking opportunities. I did not take note of the exact locations of all the ‘good spots’ we birded, but a quiet (and still rather wintry) river bank provided us with beautiful views of a Dusky Grouse (a lifer for me!) and…with Moose droppings. A wintry looking bog actually gave us a taste of spring, with Tree Swallows flying over our heads. We twice flushed a Solitary Sandpiper walking along a small stream, and could distinctly hear a Wilson’s Snipe calling. Trout ponds in Kananaskis Country yielded quite some Common Goldeneyes, a few Common Mergansers, and quite a lot of Bufflehead as well as the occasional Common Loon. The woods were still quiet at this time of year (and in late afternoon..), except for some singing Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Red-breasted Nuthatch and calling Ravens and Blue Jays. We managed to see at least 6 pairs of Mountain Bluebirds on the grassy roadsides, they like to perch on fences.
The northeast corner of the Barrier Lake area proved to be a nice birding spot. At the lakeside next to the main road we spotted Northern Rough-winged Swallow, active Northern Flickers, and an elusive Vesper Sparrow. On the lake, we found a lone Red-necked Grebe, a few Wigeons, Bufflehead and Common Goldeneye, while Spotted Sandpipers were foraging on the still partly icy lake’s edge.
The sewage ponds next to Barrier Lake yielded my second lifer for the day: a beautiful pair of Barrow’s Goldeneyes (thanks Tim!) – seen at close range; we could even hear their bills snapping. Common Goldeneyes were also present, so immediate comparison was possible; I found Barrow’s to be surprisingly distinctive. A lot of wary Canadian Geese were present there too.
Leaving Barrier Lake, we followed the main road to Kananaskis until the Mount Lorette Pounds. This roadside area was great for wildlife: we spotted Mule Deer and White-tailed Deer, as well as a Black Bear (only my third ever!); and the Mount Lorrette Pounds yielded a feeding Beaver, Common Goldeneyes, lots of Red Squirrels and a beautiful Bald Eagle in the evening light. Driving back to Calgary, we stopped at Elbow Park, where we’ve seen Savannah Sparrow and heard a chorus of Western Chorus Frogs.
Banff National Park
As I did not have a car, and wanted to rent a bicycle as it was a sunny day, I took the Greyhound bus to Banff from Calgary (1.5 hours drive) for a day trip. I had visited Banff in 1996, and wanted to go back as the landscape is both stunning and rich in wildlife – as the high season only starts on May 15, it was also relatively quiet on the tourist front. Only 'downtown' Banff is busy, from the moment you leave town, you are alone most of the time – so great opportunities to watch birds and other wildlife, even at the middle of the day.
I first concentrated my birding efforts in the Lake Minnewanka area (esp. the SE corner). I spotted my first ever Western Meadowlark on the dam cycling towards Two Jack Lake. From the dam, I could also see Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye and one Common Loon. Both Osprey and Bald Eagle were present and can be seen well, as long as you have the patience to wait – their hunting grounds are vast. The small peninsula in the SE corner of the lake is a nice lookout and pick-nick spot, and yielded Tennessee Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Yellow Warbler. The Two Jack Lake area was good for Hairy Woodpecker and Northern Flickers; and 8 Ruddy Ducks were swimming there. Columbian Ground Squirrels were all over the place, and I’ve seen one Least Chipmunk near Lake Minnewanka.
I had great memories of the Vermillion Lakes, and despite the early date (in May, the area is still quite wintry), I could again spot some interesting wildlife – although no rarities. 5 Mule Deer, a Muskrat, Buffleheads, White-crowned Sparrow, Great Blue Herons, breeding Canadian Geese and a spectacular fight between an Osprey and a Bald Eagle. Buff-bellied Pipits can be found on the rubble down the Trans Canadian Highway.
Cycling a few miles on the Bow River Parkway yielded close views of a male Elk, noisy Northern Flickers, Ravens, Red Squirrels and a few Green-winged Teals on the Bow River. No live bears this time, but Black Bear and Grizzly poo on the roadside.