A barn with a difference

Yesterday, 16 November 2014, I joined a few friends for a most enjoyable day of birding SE of the city, in the Frank Lake area. I love this whole area, so usually jump at the chance to go there, especially with friends who are great birders. I stayed behind (painful back) while the others walked almost to the blind, but I was happy photographing scenery, bright orange lichens, and anything else that caught my eye : ) This meant that I didn’t see all of the birds on Andrew’s careful list and report, but I was happy to see the Great Horned Owl especially. It was sitting inside a long, dark barn, at the far end, so the lighting wasn't good at all. Felt so good to get my “owl” fix! It was also good to know that there are at least a few Common Redpolls around so far, this winter. The long winter months seem kind of “empty” when these dainty little birds don’t visit us. All three of the photos I’ve posted today were taken on yesterday’s trip. I think the only birds I was able to photograph were the owl and the Ring-necked Pheasants. This barn, that was way off in the distance, was a different shape from many/most of the barns I usually see, and I don't remember noticing it before. Posted just for the record.

I will use Andrew’s account of the day – I never keep a list myself. Thought that one or two of you might just be interested to know what’s around so far this “winter”, SE of the city. Many thanks, as always, Andrew, for a most enjoyable and rewarding day out of the city. Thanks, too, for your detailed report.

“We had eight participants. A nice break from recent weather. The temperature stayed right around -3 deg C all day, with mostly clear sunny skies. There was an occasional biting wind.

We basically circled the lake area and walked down to the outfall near the blind.

There were still a few pheasant hunters around. Apparently the final release was delayed to this weekend because the province is averse to releasing birds when the temperature is below -10 deg C.

Number of Checklists: 4
Number of Species: 20
Checklists included in this summary:

(1): Sutherland's Shelterbelt (and immediate area)
Date: Nov 16, 2014, 9:00 AM
(2): Frank Lake--NW lookout/blind
Date: Nov 16, 2014, 10:10 AM
(3): Frank Lake--Basin 2 (Southeast Corner)
Date: Nov 16, 2014, 11:30 AM
(4): Frank Lake Basin 3
Date: Nov 16, 2014, 12:00 PM

47 Canada Goose -- (1)
1 Tundra Swan -- (2)
6 Mallard -- (2)
1 Northern Shoveler -- (2)
9 Redhead -- (2)
4 Ring-necked Pheasant -- (3)
1 Prairie Falcon (3)
2 Bald Eagle -- (2),(4)
1 Rough-legged Hawk -- (1)
3 Killdeer -- (2)
10 Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) -- (1)
3 Great Horned Owl -- (1),(4)
5 Black-billed Magpie -- (1),(2),(3),(4)
16 Common Raven -- (1),(2),(3),(4)
48 Horned Lark -- (3),(4)
8 Black-capped Chickadee -- (1)
8 Snow Bunting -- (4)
4 American Tree Sparrow -- (1),(3)
40 Common Redpoll -- (1)
8 House Sparrow -- (1)

The few Snow Buntings we saw were all mixed in with larger flocks of Horned Larks. The Prairie Falcon appeared suddenly and spooked the group of Pheasants before flying off into a nearby tree.

Andrew Hart”