Unexpected, and very welcome, Moose

Yesterday, 19 December 2017, was the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for High River, a town to the south of Calgary. I am adding the report by Gus Yaki, the leader of our small group of 7, travelling in two cars. What Gus did not add, because he did not stay for the delicious Potluck supper after the Count, is that the forecast snow (Snowfall Warning in effect) arrived in full force in the evening and the drive back to Calgary was most unpleasant. Looks like there could be about 10" of the white stuff on top of my fence today. Thanks so much, Lorrie and John, for being so kind and picking me up in the early morning and driving me all day long, and then dropping me off for the Potluck and returning to collect me ready for the three of us to return to Calgary. Appreciated more than I can say! Thanks, also, to Greg Wagner for organizing the Count, as usual - great job! Last, but not least, many thanks to those who organized and prepared such a wonderful feast for us all to thoroughly enjoy at the end of the day! I left home around 7:00 am and arrived home about 8:15 pm, finally getting to bed at 2:00 am and eventually waking up at noon today! Was I tired after yesterday's full day!

One exciting sighting was a beautiful female Moose, maybe two years old! This was the first sighting ever of a Moose in the SE quadrant of the High River Count circle. From a distance, she was barely noticeable through the falling snow.

Common Redpolls were enjoyed at some feeders. They gave me the first opportunity to take photos this season. Much as I prefer photos without feeders, I am very glad for this chance. They are such dainty little birds, and fast-moving. It always looks like a feeding frenzy when they are at the feeders.

This red barn was on the last property that we visited, at the end of the day. I have happy memories of photographing the cutest group of farm cats at this barn during the Christmas Bird Count on 16 December 2014.

"High River CBC, SE Quadrant, including Frank Lake. 0800-1545, Tue, 19 Dec2017. Light overcast, light snow beginning at 1100. N Wind 10kph, -07 to -06°C. Ground bare initially, 3 cm at end. Little Bow River, mostly open.

Mallard-500
Northern Shoveler-1 f.
Northern Pintail-2
Common Goldeneye-3
Gray Partridge-8
Bald Eagle-1 ad, on Frank Lake
Prairie Falcon-1
Rock Pigeon-56
Great Horned Owl-6
Snowy Owl-1
Blue Jay-4
Black-billed Magpie-17
Common Raven-4
Song Sparrow-1
Snow Bunting-150
Common Redpoll-790
House Sparrow-202
Ring-necked Pheasant tracks by observation blind.

Gord Fraser, on W side of Little Bow, just N of 594 Av, had 40 Gray Partridges this a.m.

Coyote-4
Skunk track by observation blind
Meadow Vole-1
Mule Deer-6
Moose-1 f.
Participants:

Km by Car- 58
Km on foot -5
Total km - 63

Time by car – 2 hrs
Time on foot-5 hrs
Total party hours-7 hrs"