Skip to content

The Birds are Calling

  • About
  • Portfolio
  • Archives
  • Contact
The Birds are Calling
  • Chasing the Snow Geese
    birding | Field Trip

    Chasing the Snow Geese

    ByMario Pineda April 17, 2019April 17, 2019

    Over the last few weeks we have been searching high and low for the elusive Snow Goose. These geese breed and raise their chicks in the high arctic tundra during the summer and spend the winters in continental U.S.A. and Mexico, a migration of up to 5000 km. During their migration they fly at high altitudes in very large flocks (in the tens of thousands). Between the spring and fall migration they spend about 6 months a year on the “road” travelling between their winter and summer habitats. During their migration they make several “layovers” to rest and refuel. One of these pit stops takes place East of Edmonton around the Beaverhill Natural Area.

    Read More Chasing the Snow GeeseContinue

  • Project 366 – Post No. 019 – The Elusive Snow Geese
    Project 366

    Project 366 – Post No. 019 – The Elusive Snow Geese

    ByMario Pineda April 16, 2019April 17, 2019

    What is Project 366? Read more here! The last few weeks have been a time of searching, a time of planing, and a time of scheming. Our patience and resolve has been tested repeatedly. We have accumulated hundred kilometres on dusty country roads single-mindedly in pursuit of our goal. We have been searching for the…

    Read More Project 366 – Post No. 019 – The Elusive Snow GeeseContinue

  • Project 366 – Post No. 018 – Barn Swallow Real Estate
    Project 366

    Project 366 – Post No. 018 – Barn Swallow Real Estate

    ByMario Pineda April 15, 2019April 16, 2019

    What is Project 366? Read more here! As you approach the trail head that takes you to the Beaverhill Bird Observatory a small side road takes you to Francis Point. We tried to find Francis Point in February when the snow still was deep, but were unable to find this inconspicuous side road. It was…

    Read More Project 366 – Post No. 018 – Barn Swallow Real EstateContinue

  • Project 366 – Post No. 017 – Compton tortoiseshell
    Project 366

    Project 366 – Post No. 017 – Compton tortoiseshell

    ByMario Pineda April 14, 2019April 14, 2019

    What is Project 366? Read more here! Encountered the first butterfly of the year down at the Whitemud Ravine yesterday. Actually, I saw quite few of these little guys. These are Compton tortoiseshell butterflies (Nymphalis vaualbum) and is usually one of the earliest butterflies to be seen in the spring. This species is circumpolar around…

    Read More Project 366 – Post No. 017 – Compton tortoiseshellContinue

  • Project 366 – Post No. 016 – Downy Woodpecker
    Project 366

    Project 366 – Post No. 016 – Downy Woodpecker

    ByMario Pineda April 13, 2019April 13, 2019

    What is Project 366? Read more here! The Downy Woodpecker is the smallest North American Woodpecker and quite likely also the cutest. The Downy Woodpecker holds a special significance to me as it is the first species that I identified for my 2019 Alberta Big Year. Today I found this little guy (the red patch…

    Read More Project 366 – Post No. 016 – Downy WoodpeckerContinue

  • Project 366 – Post No. 015 – Beaver Muzzle Wrestling
    Project 366

    Project 366 – Post No. 015 – Beaver Muzzle Wrestling

    ByMario Pineda April 12, 2019April 12, 2019

    What is Project 366? Read more here! Monday after school we grabbed a quick snack, out gear and headed right down to the Whitemud Ravine. After a weekend of birding out of town we were antsy to check in on our Great-horned Owl couple. The female is in a large tree cavity sitting on eggs…

    Read More Project 366 – Post No. 015 – Beaver Muzzle WrestlingContinue

  • Project 366 – Post No. 014 – Rough-legged Hawk
    Project 366

    Project 366 – Post No. 014 – Rough-legged Hawk

    ByMario Pineda April 11, 2019April 11, 2019

    What is Project 366? Read more here! This time of year the area East of Beaverhill Natural Area is buzzing with returning migrants and where there is food, there are predators. I imagine the birds of prey must be busy hunting to recover from (or prepare for) their migration and get ready for breading season….

    Read More Project 366 – Post No. 014 – Rough-legged HawkContinue

  • Project 366 – Post No. 013 – Bison at Sunrise at Elk Island National Park
    Project 366

    Project 366 – Post No. 013 – Bison at Sunrise at Elk Island National Park

    ByMario Pineda April 10, 2019April 10, 2019

    What is Project 366? Read more here! The sun was rising over the highway as I was heading east on my way to an early morning excursion at Elk Island National Park. As far as national parks go, Elk Island National Park is the smallest national park in Canada. It is unique, however, in that…

    Read More Project 366 – Post No. 013 – Bison at Sunrise at Elk Island National ParkContinue

  • When Nature Walks Fail
    birding | Field Trip | Nature Walk

    When Nature Walks Fail

    ByMario Pineda April 10, 2019April 11, 2019

    Not all nature walks go as planed. While part of the excitement of heading out into the wild is that you never knows what you will see, sometimes unexpected events arise due to human errors (or human stupidity)

    Read More When Nature Walks FailContinue

  • Project 366 – Post No. 012 – The Lonesome Snowy Owl
    Project 366

    Project 366 – Post No. 012 – The Lonesome Snowy Owl

    ByMario Pineda April 9, 2019April 10, 2019

    What is Project 366? Read more here! Snowy Owls spend the winters in Alberta only to return to the arctic in March and April. Last weekend (April 6) we were out by Beaverhills Lake Natural Area, crisscrossing the country roads looking for returning migrants. We were hoping for a diverse assortment of water fowl and…

    Read More Project 366 – Post No. 012 – The Lonesome Snowy OwlContinue

Page navigation

Previous PagePrevious 1 … 35 36 37 38 39 Next PageNext

© 2026 The Birds are Calling - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP

  • About
  • Portfolio
  • Archives
  • Contact