When I go birding, I consider myself very lucky to be able to see one raptor whether in the distance or up high in a tree. Perhaps it is the locations I choose or my oversight in looking closely through trees, but often I see one, may be two, raptors during a birding trip. Back in August, I attended a Nature Calgary field trip to Weaselhead flats where my group was very fortunate to see five, that’s right FIVE, raptors in a single trip!
The first sighting occurred shortly after starting our walk into the park. A member looked up and exclaimed the presence of an Osprey in the sky. I activated my camera and quickly took a few pictures before the magnificent bird flew out of range for a good picture of out of sight. All About Birds explains the Osprey is the only hawk in the North America whose diet is entirely comprised of fish. To quickly identify this marine life eating bird overhead, notice how its wings are held with a slight arch and the dark patches near the arches of its wing (Sibley, 2014, p.125).
We continued walking and the path took us to a bridge cross a small waterway where we spotted a Cooper’s Hawk sitting in a dead pine tree! The mighty raptor is a decent size, the picture below was taken from over 40 feet away with a 400mm telephoto lens. This was the first time I had seen a Cooper’s hawk in the wild, its slender body stood out to me as other raptors I have seen in the wild tend to have a wider body.
The path brought the group along the banks of the Elbow river. We stood on an observation deck and saw Cedar Waxwings hawking to catch bugs in the mid-air. In the distance, a Bald Eagle was sitting on a branch of a dead tree! The striking white head on a dark brown body could be seen from several meters away. All About Birds explains it takes a Bald Eagle about five years for it to develop its adult plumage or put differently, its iconic look of bright white head and tail feathers on a dark brown body.
The group continued walking and eventually we were strolling through a trail with tall bushes on either side of the path. At one point, there was a small opening in the brush that provided a viewing point to see the Bald Eagle perched over the waterway, although the raptor was still very much far away for a clear shot.
There were many tall trees in open areas beside the path, the group was treated with sightings of different birds including Red Breast Nuthatches, Cedar Waxwings, Olive-colored Fly Catchers, and Black-capped Chickadees. In the distance up high on the very top of the pine tree was a fierce looking Merlin! These small, but powerful raptors are known for attacking catching their prey at highspeed in midair! Their diet includes dragonflies and small to medium sized birds including but not limited to Bohemian Waxwings, House Sparrows, and shorebirds.
The group circled back on the path to return to the parking lot. As the end of the trip was nearing, we looked up and to our surprise a Swainson’s Hawk was soaring in the wind currents high above us! This amazing raptor is a long distance migrant. All About Birds reports most of the Swainson’s hawks in North America migrate to Argentina every year!
A sunny day with comfortable warm temperatures combined with good company and a raptor sighting bonanza made for a memorable happy day of birding.
References
Sibley, D. A (2014). The Sibley Guide to Birds (second edition). Alfred A. Knopf.
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