2022 Ohio Birding Big Year

  June 29 th (posted June 30 th )           It turns out the weatherman was wrong.   Other than a couple of sprinkles on the windshield, we didn’t have any rain.   We started out the day at a marshy area east of Edmonton on a dirt road with no traffic.   We were hoping to hear a Yellow Rail and were unsuccessful, but it turned out to be a great spot.   The marsh had sedge grass and we heard multiple Sedge Wrens calling.   There were Black Terns flying low and Franklin’s Gulls flying overhead.   We saw two White-faced Ibis as well as winnowing Wilson’s Snipe and  Sora calling in the distance.   Several different species of sparrows were present including LeConte’s, Nelson’s, Clay-colored, Savannah and Vesper.       Our next stop was Elk Island National Park.   It was established in 1906 to protect elk in their southern boreal plains habitat.   Elk Island has helped protect many species including beaver, bison and trumpeter swans.   We stopped at several ponds and lakes there and sa

  June 28 th           We had a somewhat leisurely breakfast at the Pine Bungalows dining room.   After checking out, we made one quick stop at Cottonwood Slough but there were so many mosquitos that we left in a hurry.   Today was basically a travel day and we had about a four-hour drive to get to Edmonton.           We bought sandwiches before leaving Jasper and stopped along the way for lunch.   There was a spot about an hour outside of Edmonton where Connecticut Warblers had been reported.   We spent a lot of time driving down a dusty gravel road hoping to hear a Connecticut singing.   Once again, no luck but we did hear an Ovenbird and saw a Savannah Sparrow.   The highlight of day was a distant view of a LeConte’s Sparrow which was a new bird for the year.   The forecast looks pretty dismal for tomorrow (lots of rain) but we shall see. (1 FOY species, total for Alberta 33) LeConte’s Sparrow                                                LeConte's Sparrow              

  June 27 th (posted June 28 th )           This morning we left the cabin at 7:00am and stopped at a coffee shop in Jasper to get a muffin and coffee.   We had tickets for the first gondola of the morning on the Jasper SkyTram.   The tram is on Whistlers Mountain (not the famous one) and is the highest and longest aerial tramway in Canada.   It goes to a height of 7,425 ft. above sea level in 7.5 minutes.   We wanted to go early so there wouldn’t be many people around to scare off the birds.   We were looking for White-tailed Ptarmigan and Gray-crowned Rosy Finch.   Once we arrived, we hiked further up the mountain but had no luck finding either bird.   The air was thin, and it was difficult hiking up and down the steep trails.             The views were spectacular, and we did see several Hoary Marmots and a Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel running around.   After hiking for two hours, we went back to the tram area and found that the tram was shut down for maintenance.   Apparentl

  June 26 th           This morning we went for a walk at a local park in Canmore but didn’t see anything too exciting.   We stopped at a bagel place and got a breakfast sandwich and   lunch to go.   We checked out of our hotel and headed for Lake Louise.   When we arrived there about 10:00am, it was a total mob scene.   It turns out there was no way to drive anywhere near the lake.   All the traffic was being diverted to a huge Park and Ride center out of town.   You had to make a reservation to get on a shuttle bus to go into town and the first available bus didn’t leave until 2:00pm.   There was no way we were going to sit around for four hours waiting for a bus.   Unfortunately we never got to see Lake Louise.             We were both disappointed but headed north and stopped at a trailhead nearby.   We got out of the car an immediately heard a Varied Thrush calling.   This is a very distinctive call but we were unable to see the bird.   As we were leaving this area we saw abo

  June 25 th           This morning we arrived at Banff National Park.   The first thing we saw were three Elk wandering around in the town. We took a hike at Cave & Basin Marsh and saw several new warblers including an Orange-crowned, American Redstart and Townsend’s Warbler.   We also saw a Ring-necked Duck and heard a Pied-billed Grebe.   Then a Great Blue Heron flew over the marsh which was a first for the trip.             We went into town and had lunch at a Greek restaurant.   The town of Banff was very crowded and full of tourists, gift shops and restaurants.   After lunch we drove to Hoodoo overlook, took a short walk and saw a Hermit Thrush.   Then we went to the Vermilion Lakes area and drove along a road that was congested with pedestrians and many bikers.   We really didn’t see any birds except a pair of Common Loons.             Next, we went to Johnston’s Canyon and took a half mile walk to see a waterfall.   This trail was also wall-to-wall people.   After thi

  June 24 th           We left Waterton Lakes bright and early this morning after getting breakfast sandwiches to go at a local coffee shop.   Luckily for us, today was a travel day because shortly after we started driving, it started pouring.   As we climbed in elevation the rain turned to snow and it quickly became a winter wonderland.   We crossed the Highwood Pass (elevation 7239 ft.) which is the highest paved pass in Canada.   From there it was downhill, and we left the snow behind.           We stopped at a pullout and saw an American Kestrel and several Mountain Bluebirds.   Next, we stopped at the Peter Lougheed Provincial Park visitor center to get maps and information.   At Kananaskis lake we saw Common Mergansers and a Common Loon.   Then we had lunch at the Kananaskis Village which hosted part of the 1988 Calgary Olympics.           After lunch we went for a couple of short walks at Bow Valley Provincial Park.   There we got great looks at an Alder and an Olive-side

  June 23 rd           After a continental breakfast at the inn, we drive the Red Rock Parkway and made many stops at the pullouts to look for birds.   We got several good looks at a Lazuli Buntings, and we heard a Black-headed Grosbeak.   At the end of the parkway is the Red Rock Canyon.   We took a hike and saw a Dark-eyed Junco, Pine Siskin, Western Wood-Pewee and Olive-sided Flycatcher.           We drove back to town for lunch and this afternoon we took another drive on the Akamina Parkway.   Along the way we saw a Pileated Woodpecker and Wilson’s and Yellow-rumped Warblers.   We stopped at a pullout and got great looks at a Western Tanager which to me was the bird of the day.   As we went further up the road, Mike spotted a bear right on the side of the road.   It seemed to be a young bear and was eating dandelions.   This was a Black Bear but apparently there is a lot of color variation among Black Bears in the western United States.   This particular bear was very blond.