Geobirds :: User profile

Jbstruthers

Location

Edmonton, AB

Most of my birding is confined to Beaumaris Lake, Edmonton. It's in my back yard.

Joined Geobirds	October 24, 2008
Clubs	none yet

Sightings by Jbstruthers

37 sightings	22 species	29 pictures
This month - 0 This year - 0 Career total - 22 Pictures posted - 29

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Canada Goose Saturday November 29, 2008 near Campbell (Edmonton, Alberta)

Ice has Beaumaris Lake locked up for the winter. It was, therefore, odd to see a lone Canada Goose on the grass beside the lake. It would let me approach to within 9 metres and did not appear to be injured. About 15 Black-billed magpies were visible and vocal. 6 or 8 chickadees were vocal but invisible. Saw a few House Sparrows.

Ring-billed Gulls Thursday November 20, 2008 near Campbell (Edmonton, Alberta)

This was a mundane sighting, initially. Two gulls stood on the glare ice in the middle of Beaumaris, their heads into the stiff wind. As I found them with binoculars to confirm the ID, a gust hit them an one skidded back some 30 feet. The other must have dug in his toenails. They had the lake to themselves.

Bufflehead Tuesday November 18, 2008 near Campbell (Edmonton, Alberta)

The Beaumaris Bufflehead is alive and well having found her way to a much larger reach of open water. Only a couple of Ring-billed Gulls are patrolling the area. The Bufflehead would be alone on the water had about 150 Canada Geese not dropped in throuth the day.

Bufflehead Monday November 17, 2008 near Campbell (Edmonton, Alberta)

One lone Bufflehead (female or juvenile) remains at Beaumaris, along with a smattering of Ring-billed gulls. I fear the wee bird may be doomed if the current ice cover does not dissolve. The small patch it commands is insufficient to facilitate take-off and it will likely shrink during the night. Life is not easy in the wild.

Canada Geese Sunday November 16, 2008 near Campbell (Edmonton, Alberta)

Pickin's are thin at Beaumaris. Most of the lake had a thin skin of ice, first thing (seemingly heavier to the east). Early a couple of Ring-billed gulls, two Lesser Scaups, one Common Goldeneye and one female Bufflehead were all I could see from my balcony. The geese began to arrive before 10:00, in small batches and more gulls showed up. The circuit, just completed, also revealed a few Mallards as well as the usual Chickadees, House Sparrows, Blue Jays and Magpies. A mystery bird made several calls but I could not find it and, for all I know, it may have been a jay pretending to be somebody else.

Buffleheads Wednesday November 12, 2008 near Campbell (Edmonton, Alberta)

4 males & 6 female and/or juvenile. Things are quiet at Beaumaris save for the gabble of 2-300 geese, the ever present chickadees, a few noisy magpies and countless House Sparrows. The three Hooded Mergasers remain, along with the Mallards, a couple of scaup, two goldeneye and about 25 Ring-billed gulls.

Merlin Thursday November 6, 2008 near Campbell (Edmonton, Alberta)

This bird, a female I suspect, was observed flying low and fast over Beaumaris Lake. It perched atop a spruce tree several hundred yards away and flew before it could be approached for a photo.

Hooded Mergansers Wednesday November 5, 2008 near Campbell (Edmonton, Alberta)

Three of these birds remain at Beaumaris, among a few Mallards, Lesser Scaup, Goldeneyes, Ring-billed Gulls, and the comings and goings of many Canada Geese. Yesterday's skiff of ice, over 2/3 of the lake dissolved in winds and waves and was not replaced overnight.

Black-capped Chickadee

Monday November 3, 2008 near Campbell (Edmonton, Alberta)

The trees around Beaumaris are alive with these wee birds. I usually have trouble catching the gleam in their eye.

Black Scoter

Sunday November 2, 2008 near

This bird created quite a stir on Beaumaris Lake. Unfortunately, it would not come close for a decent picture.

Black Scoters

Sunday November 2, 2008 near

Some of the folks who hustled over to Beaumaris to get a glimpse of the Black Scoter. They weren't disappointed.

Greater Yellowlegs

Friday October 31, 2008 near

This bird spends a lot of time at Beaumaris. Recently I have been shooting as it forages. I am amazed at his efficiency. He catches a lot of fish and, it seems, that's what he's looking for. He is so quick, I rarely see the fish but the camera finds them regularly.

White-winged Crossbills

Friday October 31, 2008 near

Three of these birds were sighted, briefly but only one could be caught.

Greater Yellowlegs

Thursday October 30, 2008 near Campbell (Edmonton, Alberta)

Beaumaris Lake-My bird book suggests small fish may be part of the diet; here's proof. Earlier I had watched this bird regurgitate a dark mass and spit it out. The camera was not quick enough to catch that.