Common Redpoll

Before the turn of the 20th century, hunters had a holiday tradition called the Christmas “Side Hunt”. They would choose sides and see who would have the biggest pile of kills of feathered and furred friends. At this time, conservation was just in the beginning stages, and many observers and scientists were becoming concerned about declining bird populations. Starting on Christmas Day 1900, ornithologist Frank M. Chapman proposed a new holiday tradition, the “Christmas Bird Census.” Counting the birds, instead of hunting them during the holidays. That year, 28 birders, including Chapman, held 25 Christmas Bird Counts from Toronto to Pacific Grove, California. 

Today, from December 14 through January 5, each year thousands of volunteers take part in the Christmas Bird Counts to help with conservation efforts to see the health of the bird populations. In the Bow Valley, this year’s Christmas Birds Count will take place on Saturday, December 16th. If those of you in the valley are interested in playing a role, please pop over to "https://bowvalleynaturalists.org/get-involved/citizen-science-projects/cbc/“ and click on “contact us.”

Common Redpoll

During the later part of October, I started seeing the Common Redpolls. You gotta love these amazing finches, they nest in the Arctic and come southward when food is scarce. It’s remarkable how they can survive the cold Canadian winters with their small size. When I got this picture, there were three of them, including another member of the Finches, a Pine Siskin. The most I have seen so far in one day, were just over 150 individuals. I was focused on one of the redpoll foraging on a shrub branch, taking my time to get a few good pictures. They are very skittish, if one flies, they all fly, so no quick movements. I was about five meters away and kept waiting for the right moment to take its pictures. Slowly moving left or right to get the right background as well. That day I hiked about 25 kilometers, and this was my best chance of going home with some decent pictures for the day. I must have spent half an hour near the four birds that day, but well rewarded when I got home and had a better look at the images I got. Here’s the best one from the day.

Common Redpoll

I'm always amazed with birds, how they are able to survive in pretty harsh conditions. Take this small bird the Common Redpoll, during the winter it's found in the northern parts of Canada and we get to enjoy it in the mountains during the winter.

Common Redpolls

It's that time of the year again when folks across North America participate in the annual Christmas Bird Count. Volunteers getting out counting the various species of birds they come across and the total number of birds they see. All that important information gives us a sense how the birds are doing compared to the previous years. If you want to participate, check in with your local organization, here in the Bow Valley it's the Bow Valley Naturalists and the date of the count is December 19. In the mountains you just need some warm cloths, few snacks and a binocular is helpful, in my case a camera. In the end of the day, no matter what is your birding experience is, you will come back with little more knowledge about out feathered friends. 

Until next moment, 

Amar

Common Redpolls

One of the bird species that moves into the area around this time, is the Common Redpoll. I came across about forty of them and spent an hour trying to get their pictures. The hard part was trying to get close enough to get a good picture without scaring them away. After some time I was able to achieve my goal, time well spent.

Until next moment,

Amar

Mallards and Common Redpoll

I was out enjoying a walk under blue sky and bright sun. Was hoping to come across birds, I could hear few here and there but could not get near any. Then at the end of the trip I came across sounds of chickadees, took few pictures but nothing I wanted to keep. Then I came across several Common Redpolls, they were just too far for my lens to get the pictures I wanted, but was happy with few. Then across the blue sky 22 Mallards flew by, grabbed several pictures before they were too far. Liked the way they looked with the blue sky background.

Until next moment,

Amar