© Myrna Pearman

Bird Focus Group

What to know

Weather permitting, the Bird Focus group meets on Saturdays for a leisurely 2 hour walk in the Red Deer and Central Alberta area.

Chris Olsen is your host and all are welcome, you do not have to be a RDRN member to attend.

Bring your binoculars*, camera/phone. Wear sturdy hiking footwear. Some trails are on rough terrain. Carry water and an energy snack. Distances vary, but may be up to 5 kms.

*RDRN have two birding binoculars that can be borrowed (first come, first served) by new participants. Binoculars courtesy of a City of Red Deer Community Better ParticipACTION grant.

Download Central Alberta Checklist See Upcoming Events

Interesting Historical Bird Sightings

We see out-of-the-ordinary birds periodically.  Usually these are birds that are far out of their normal range or uncommon in our area.

Pine Warbler was first seen at a feeder at Sylvan Lake on November 3, 2015 and last seen on November 6.

Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus)

was first seen at a feeder at Sylvan Lake on November 3, 2015 and last seen on November 6.
Photo by Myrna Pearman.

at Medicine Lake, October 2, 2015. The ID has been confirmed by many birders and two authorities from the U.S. as a “Little Blue Heron” This is only the third documented sighting in Alberta of this species.

Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)

at Medicine Lake, October 2, 2015. The ID has been confirmed by many birders and two authorities from the U.S. as a “Little Blue Heron” This is only the third documented sighting in Alberta of this species.

Snow Geese (Anser caerulescens)

April 2014

Not an unusual bird, but an unusual activity. 100’s of snow geese sitting on the road. This was north of Alliance, Alberta.

Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura)

Turkey vultures are being seen with increasing frequency. Several nest sites have been located.

Short-eared Owls (Asio flammeus)

Jan. 2008
There were at least three short-eared owls located on Range Road 272 about one-half mile south of Secondary Highway 590 (east from Innisfail). Others were sighted on RR 275 south of Secondary 590. Five were sighted just east of Markerville.

Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)

Oct. 2007
Ponoka, Alberta. Seen at feeders along 38 Street

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

May, 2007

The bird is white, except for some dark feathers on the head. East of Markerville.

Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica)

January – February, 2007
Dickson Dam

Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)

January 2007
Leslieville

Yellow-billed Loon (Gavia adamsii)

Around Christmas, 2004
Dickson Dam

Mailing Address
Box 785
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
T4N 5H2

Board Portal

Email Address
rdrn.nature@gmail.com

Phone Number
1-403-347-8200

The Red Deer River Naturalists acknowledges the traditional territory north of the Red Deer River of Treaty Six of the Blackfoot, Cree, Dene, Nakota Sioux (sue), and Saulteaux (sawl-toh) Peoples, the traditional territory south of the Red Deer River of Treaty Seven of the Niitsitapi (nee-itsee-TAH-peh) (Blackfoot), Siksika (seeg-see-kah), Piikani (pee-kah-nee), Kainai (g-ai-nah), Tsuu T’ina (soot-tenna), Stoney Nakota Peoples and the Battle River Territory District Three Métis Nation of Alberta.
We hope to serve and protect the traditional lands and waters with respect and commitment. Together, we can be a voice for nature.