Red Deer River Naturalists

Bird Focus Group Walk
2018-04-07 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Edmonton) | Rotary Park, 4837 43 Street, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Location: Kin Kanyon
Meet at Rotary Park Picnic area parking lot.
Host: Keith Kline
Bring your binoculars, camera and dress for the weather.
All are welcome, you do not have to be a member to attend.

Board Meeting
2018-04-10 19:00 - 21:00, 2018-05-08 07:00 - 21:00 | RDRN Office, Kerry Wood Nature Centre

Bird Focus Group Walk
2018-04-14 10:00 - 12:00 | McKenzie Trails, McKenzie Trails Red Deer, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Location: McKenzie Trails
Meet in the parking lot near the shelter.
Host: Keith Kline
Bring your binoculars, camera and dress for the weather.
All are welcome, you do not have to be a member to attend.

Insect Focus Group
2018-04-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Kerry Wood Nature Centre, 6300 45 Avenue, Red Deer, AB, T4N 3M4, Canada
Your Host: Don Wales
Topic: The Orthopteroid Complex and the True Bugs (Order Orthoptera – crickets, grasshoppers, katydid, etc.)
An order of insects that comprises the grasshoppers, crickets and their relatives. They have a saddle-shaped thorax, hind legs that are typically long and modified for jumping and a characteristic song which the male produces by stridulating. Including also the stoneflies, stick insects, earwigs, cockroaches, mantises, and termites.

Bird Focus Group Walk
2018-04-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Gaetz Lakes Migratory Bird Sanctuary, gaetz lake mirgratory bird sanctuary, red deer, alberta, Canada
Location: Gaetz Lakes Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Meet in Kerry Wood Nature Centre
Host: Keith Kline
Bring your binoculars, camera and dress for the weather.
All are welcome, you do not have to be a member to attend.

Speaker of the Month
2018-04-26 19:30 - 21:30 | Kerry Wood Nature Centre, 6300 45 Avenue, Red Deer, AB, T4N 3M4, Canada
RDRN Members Meeting/Coffee Time – 7:30 p.m.
Speaker: Wes Olson – 8:00 p.m.
Topic: The Ecological Bison
Bison once occupied most of North America and they had complex interactions with almost every other bird, mammal, amphibian and reptile that shared their ecosystem. With stunning photographs of bison across their historical range, this presentation highlights some of these fascinating relationships and explores the keystone role that bison continue to play in maintaining healthy landscapes wherever they are found.
Wes Olson has had a life-long association with wild places and wildlife. Wes worked for several years as a Wildlife Technician for the Yukon Government and then, after a stint at the Banff School of Fine Arts in 1981, began a career with Parks Canada as a National Park Warden. He focused on bison management in Banff, Waterton Lakes, Elk Island, Prince Albert and Grasslands National Park, where he retired in 2012. This long history with bison and the spectacular natural areas they occupy has given Wes an international reputation for his knowledge about both plains and wood bison. Wes has combined his extensive scientific knowledge about bison with his wife Johane’s photography to create compelling stories about this charismatic animal.

Bird Focus Group Walk
2018-04-28 10:00 - 12:00 | River Bend Golf & Recreation Area, 3800 River Bend Drive, Red Deer, Alberta, T4P 0Y4, Canada
Location: River Bend
Meet in the parking lot on your right at the bottom of the entrance to River Bend Golf Course.
Host: Keith Kline
Bring your binoculars, camera and dress for the weather. All are welcome, you do not have to be a member to attend.

Bird Focus Group Walk
2018-05-05 10:00 - 12:00 | Lockerby Natural Area, AB-816, Pine Lake,, Red Deer County, Alberta, T4E 1C1, Canada
Location: Lockerby Natural Area
Host: Keith Kline
Bring your binoculars, camera and dress for the weather.
We will car pool to the site as there is limited parking available. Please meet at 10:00 a.m. at Kerry Wood Nature Centre.
Call Keith if you plan to attend.
All are welcome, you do not have to be a member to attend.

Insect Focus Group
2018-05-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Kerry Wood Nature Centre, 6300 45 Avenue, Red Deer, AB, T4N 3M4, Canada
Your Host: Don Wales
Topic: Nerve wing insects and the order Lepidoptera* – moths and butterflies
*An order of insects that comprises the butterflies and moths. They have four large scale-covered wings that bear distinctive markings, and larvae that are caterpillars

Bird Focus Group Walk
2018-05-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Maskepetoon Park, Maskepetoon Park, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Location: Maskepetoon Park
Meet: Located in the subdivision of Oriole Park West. Follow Kerry Wood Drive, meet in the parking lot and exercise area south of Overand Place. Parking lot is on the west side of Kerry Wood Drive.
Host: Keith Kline
Bring your binoculars, camera and dress for the weather.
All are welcome, you do not have to be a member to attend.

May Species Count
2018-05-26 - 2018-05-27 | Alberta
May 26 and 27 – May Species Count. Count all species (birds, flowers, mammals, insects). Registration is required to participate. Call Judy at 403-358-1098 to register or for more information

Bird Focus Group Walk
2018-06-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Alberta
Location: Hazlett Lake
Meet: 27432 HWY 1, go west on Highway 11A, take the last entrance on your right before the Highway 2 exit. Keith will be standing at the entrance.
Host: Keith Kline
Bring your binoculars, camera and dress for the weather.
All are welcome, you do not have to be a member to attend.

Bird Focus Group Walk
2018-06-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Michael O’Brien Wetland, 3050 55 Street, Red Deer, Alberta, T4P 3S6, Canada
Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk
Location: Michael O’Brien Wetland June 9, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Host: Keith Kline
Bring your binoculars, camera and dress for the weather.

All are welcome, you do not have to be a member to attend.

Bird Focus Group Walk
2018-06-16 11:00 - 14:00 | Ellis Bird Farm, 39502 Range Rd 260, Lacombe County, Alberta, T4L 1W7, Canada
Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk
Location: Ellis Bird Farm
Saturday June 16, 2018 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Host: Keith Kline
Bring your binoculars, camera, snacks, a bag lunch and dress for the weather. Remember your bug spray, hat and sunscreen

All are welcome, you do not have to be a RDRN member to attend.

Insect Focus Group
2018-06-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Alberta
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
Insect Focus Group

Your Host: Don Wales 403-343-2937 don@hexapod.ca
Topic: The Beetles, Order Coleoptera, an order of insects that comprises the beetles (including weevils), forming the largest order of animals on the earth.
Feel free to join in with areas of Entomology that you may be interested in. Either in the form of information and or questions. Try to remember to bring the folders handed out last month. There are extras for those that missed that session.
If the weather is good we may spend a portion of the two hours outside collecting, (catch and release).
All are welcome, you do not have to be a member to attend.

Battle River Field Trip
2018-06-23 - 2018-06-24 | Alberta
June 23 and 24 – Come out for a day or the weekend. Camping is available for minimal fees. Visit the Turkey Vultures at the Bjorge farm. We will meet 10:00 AM at the Ferry Point Campground, near Meeting Creek. There will be a potluck supper on Saturday and crepes Sunday morning. Besides the vultures, some of the highlights of the trip might be Brown Thrasher, Great Horned Owl, Mountain Bluebird, Cliff Swallow. Call Judy at 403-358-1098 if you plan to attend.

Bird Focus Group Walk
2018-06-30 10:00 - 12:00 | Alberta
Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk
Location: Springbrook Natural Area, take the main road into Springbrook (Red Deer Airport). Just before the bend to the right there is a small gravel parking lot where you can park.
Saturday June 30, 2018 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Host: Keith Kline
Bring your binoculars, camera and dress for the weather.
Remember your bug spray, hat and sunscreen.

All are welcome, you do not have to be a RDRN member to attend.

Bird Focus Group Walk
2018-08-25 10:00 - 12:00 | Alberta
Location: 20th Avenue East walking trails
Meet: Located in the subdivisions of Vanier West and Lonsdale, meet at the very end of 22 Street East.
Host: Keith Kline
Bring your binoculars, camera and dress for the weather.
All are welcome, you do not have to be a member to attend.

Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk
2018-09-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Nova Chemicals Community Nature Trail, Nova Chemicals Community Nature Trail, County of Lacombe, Alberta, T0C 0Y0, Canada
Location: Nova Chemicals Community Nature Trail
Meet: Before you visit you can get a detailed map showing how to get there, and learn more about the area and visitor guidelines: http://www.novachem.com/pages/joffre/joffre.aspx
The Community Nature Trail is located within easy driving distance of many Central Alberta communities: just southwest of the Hamlet of Joffre on Township Rd 390. Directions from Red Deer, travel east on Highway 11 and turn left onto highway 815. Proceed to Range Road 390 and turn left. It’s a short distance and you will see a sign.
Host: Keith Kline
Bring your binoculars, camera and dress for the weather. Remember your bug spray and sunscreen.
All are welcome, you do not have to be a RDRN member to attend.

RDRN Board Meeting
2018-09-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Kerry Wood Nature Centre, 6300 45 Avenue, Red Deer, AB, T4N 3M4, Canada

Bird Focus Group Walk
2018-09-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Slack Slough, Slacks Slough, County of Red Deer, Alberta, T0M 1R0, Canada
Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk
Location: Slack Slough September 15, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Meet in the parking lot at the north entrance.

Host: Keith Kline
Bring your binoculars, camera and dress for the weather.

All are welcome, you do not have to be a RDRN member to attend.

Bird Focus Group Walk
2018-09-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Three Mile Bend, Three Mile Bend, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk
Location: Three Mile Bend September 22, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Meet in the first parking lot near the ski ramp.

Host: Keith Kline
Bring your binoculars, camera and dress for the weather.

All are welcome, you do not have to be a RDRN member to attend.

Speaker of the Month
2018-09-27 19:30 - 21:30 | Kerry Wood Nature Centre, 6300 45 Avenue, Red Deer, AB, T4N 3M4, Canada
RDRN General Meeting/Refreshments – 7:30 p.m.
Speaker: Sandra MacDougall – 8:00 p.m.
Topic: Why did the Deer cross the road? Understanding the issues around animal/vehicle collisions in Alberta.

Animal/vehicle collisions are a significant problem in Alberta affecting motorist safety and wildlife populations. Sandra will provide an overview of the magnitude of this issue in Alberta and introduce projects that are underway both locally and provincially to better detect and mitigate animal/vehicle collision prone locations.
Sandra MacDougall is an Ecology Instructor at Red Deer College in Red Deer, Alberta Canada. Sandra worked with Parks Canada for a number of years conducting grizzly and black bear risk assessments and habitat use studies in northern National Parks. After her Husband and Daughter were involved in a moose/vehicle collision in 2007, she turned her attention to road Ecology and since then has worked with the Alberta Government and the City of Red Deer on a variety of road Ecology projects.

Bird Focus Group Walk
2018-09-29 10:00 - 12:00 | Maskepetoon Park, Maskepetoon Park, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk
Location: Maskepetoon Park September 29, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Located in the subdivision of Oriole Park West, follow Kerry Wood Drive, meet in the parking lot south of Overand Place. Parking lot is on the west side of Kerry Wood Drive.

Host: Keith Kline
Bring your binoculars, camera and dress for the weather.

All are welcome, you do not have to be a member to attend.

Bird Focus Group Walk
2018-10-06 13:30 - 15:30 | Heritage Ranch, 6300 Cronquist Drive, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk
Location: Heritage Ranch October 6, 2018 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Meet in the first parking lot past the entrance.

Host: Keith Kline
Bring your binoculars, camera and dress for the weather.

All are welcome, you do not have to be a member to attend.

Board Meeting
2018-10-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Kerry Wood Nature Centre, 6300 45 Avenue, Red Deer, AB, T4N 3M4, Canada

Bird Focus Group Walk
2018-10-13 13:30 - 15:30 | River Bend Golf & Recreation Area, 3800 River Bend Drive, Red Deer, Alberta, T4P 0Y4, Canada
Red Deer River Naturalists Bird Focus Group Walk
Location: River Bend Golf & Recreation Area October 13, 2018 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Meet in the parking lot on your right at the bottom of the entrance to River Bend Gold Course.

Host: Keith Kline
Bring your binoculars, camera and dress for the weather.

All are welcome, you do not have to be a member to attend.

Dr. David M. Bird and Feathering One's Nest. Why do Birds use Nests?
2018-10-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Kerry Wood Nature Centre, 6300 45 Avenue, Red Deer, AB, T4N 3M4, Canada
In Red Deer for only one night on an Alberta tour! Co-hosted by Kerry Wood Nature Centre, Red Deer River Naturalists and Ellis Bird Farm, we are pleased to present Dr. David M. Bird.

As an Emeritus Professor of Wildlife Biology at McGill University, Dr. Bird has published 200 scientific papers, supervised 50 graduate students, and has written/edited ten books. Dr. Bird is a past-president of the Raptor Research Foundation Inc. and the Society of Canadian Ornithologists. He writes a bird column for Bird Watcher’s Digest and Canadian Wildlife magazines and does a biweekly video blog for Brome Bird News. Most recently, Dr. Bird has become a champion of renaming the Canada Jay and having it made Canada’s National Bird.
Come here him speak about Feathering One’s Nests. Why do birds use nests? How do they choose where to build them? Why do some birds nest in colonies? Could you build a 9,000 pound nest using only your toes and lips? How did 25 pounds of gold eyeglass frames end up in a crow’s nest? You will not believe some of the things birds do to house their eggs and babies!

All are welcome, you do not have to be a member to attend.

Insect Focus Group
2018-10-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Kerry Wood Nature Centre
Your Host: Don Wales
Topic: Trichoptera (caddisflies), Neuroptera (nerve-winged insects), Coleoptera (beetles)
Trichoptera: (caddisflies) the adult winged insects, with two pairs of wings with long, silky hairs and long antennae, are nocturnal and provide food for night-flying birds, bats, small mammals, amphibians and arthropods. The larval stage lasts much longer, often for one or more years, and has a bigger impact on the environment. Most larvae live in fresh water, some build ornamented case. They form an important part of the diet of fish.
Neuroptera: (nerve winged insects) any of a group of insects commonly called lacewings because of the complex vein patterns in the wings, giving them a lacy appearance. Four stages of development: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Chewing mouth-parts. Long antennae.
Coleoptera: (beetles) their front pair of wings is hardened into wing-cases, elytra, distinguishing them from most other insects, mid wings are thin, folded. Size from small to large. Chewing mouth-parts. Antennae usually short. All have four life stages. Some aquatic. Many of their larvae are commonly called grubs. Some grubs live in the soil and feed on plant roots. Others bore into plant stems. The larvae of click beetles are called wireworms which feed on the roots, bulbs and crowns of plants and are especially destructive to germinating seeds. Bark beetles, which bore through the bark of trees, are considered the most destructive insect pests of forests.
